Metal working – Means to assemble or disassemble – Coupling to conduit
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-26
2001-11-13
Hail, III, Joseph J. (Department: 3723)
Metal working
Means to assemble or disassemble
Coupling to conduit
C007S125000, C029S268000, C081S423000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06314629
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a hand tool, and more particularly, a hand tool for use in the quick disconnect of a quick connect/disconnect coupling.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Quick connect/disconnect couplings are being commonly used to connect pipes and tubing in many areas from automobiles and trucks to gas lines. Although easy to connect, the disconnection requires that the release ring on the connector be recessed simultaneously with the removal of the conduit in the opposite direction. This can be a problem when the connectors are placed in inaccessible areas.
Although many devices have been patented for stripping the ends of electrical wires, such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,951,529, to Andre Laurencot; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,475,418 to Isamu Tani none have addressed the issue of removing a quick connector from a conduit.
The disclosed hand tool grasps and moves the conduit in the opposite direction from the release ring on the connector, easily removing the connector from the conduit.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A tool is disclosed for the removal of quick release couplings from a conduit. The tool has a body that is divided into a gripping portion a release portion, with the two portions being rotatably connected. In the manual embodiment, handles are connected to a second end of the body, one to the gripping portion and the second to the release portion. In the preferred embodiment, the second handle is non-movably secured to the release portion. A spring is affixed to the handles to maintain the handles at a maximum separation distance, which maintains the first end of the gripping and release portions adjacent one another. Compressing the handles causes the gripping element to compress and the gripping portion and the release portion to rotate around the connection, creating a distance between the gripping and said release element first ends. In alternative embodiments, the release and gripping portions can be incorporated with an air compressor, activated electrically, or through other convenient means. A gripping element is affixed to the gripping portion and has a receiving member and a clamping member. Together the receiving member and clamping member form a conduit retaining area. At least one of the receiving and clamping members are connected to a linkage that goes to the gripping portion handle. The release portion has a release element that has a first and a second plate. In the preferred embodiments, the lower, first plate is stationary, with the second plate movable. In some alternate embodiments, both the first and second plates are stationary. In the preferred embodiments, the second plate has a spring member that retains the second plate adjacent the first plate, thereby enabling a conduit to snap in and being maintained between the first and second plates. The can be a leaf spring placed between the second plate and the release portion or a spring recessed within, or through, the second plate and at least a portion of the release portion.
Preferably the clamping member has at least one arc, and in come embodiments, the receiving member is a mirror image of the clamping member. In the side access embodiments, an optional guide can be used adjacent the clamping member, to prevent the clamping member from moving side to side.
In one embodiment, the clamping member and release element open at the first end of the release and gripping portions to receive the conduit. Preferably the second plate is rotatably affixed to the release portion and the first plate is stationary to the release portion. The second plate is maintained adjacent to the first plate by a spring. The clamping member is connected to the linkage and rotates from an open position distanced from the receiving member when said handles are at a maximum distance to adjacent to the receiving member when said handles are compressed.
In another embodiment, the clamping member and release element open at a right angle to the first end of the body portion. Again, the second plate is rotatably affixed to the release portion and the first plate is stationary with the second plate being maintained adjacent to the first plate by a spring. The clamping member is connected to the linkage and moves from an open position distanced from the receiving member when the handles are at a maximum distance to adjacent to the receiving member when said handles are compressed. A guide is stationary to the gripping portion and adjacent to the clamping member to prevent side to side movement of the clamping member.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3845538 (1974-11-01), Demier
patent: 4174560 (1979-11-01), Senior
patent: 4257135 (1981-03-01), Moebius
patent: 4416045 (1983-11-01), Staten
patent: 4475418 (1984-10-01), Tani
patent: 4571808 (1986-02-01), King
patent: 4785694 (1988-11-01), Burmester
patent: 4951529 (1990-08-01), Laurencot
patent: 5845393 (1998-12-01), DePaiva
Kady Darren J.
Showalter, Sr. David Lee
Hail III Joseph J.
Parker Sheldon H.
Shanley Daniel
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