Pipe joints or couplings – Essential catch – Leaf spring
Reexamination Certificate
1998-03-25
2001-05-22
Luu, Teri Pham (Department: 3627)
Pipe joints or couplings
Essential catch
Leaf spring
C285S321000, C285S921000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06234544
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to a conduit coupling through which fluid flows. More particularly, the present invention relates to a quick connector which retains a male conduit within a female receptacle, and a connection of this type which includes a ring for confirming proper connection.
In the automotive industry (as well as for many other industries) the need always exists for low cost, reliable, and easy-to-assemble components, this need is especially apparent with respect to providing a connection between fluid conveying conduits, such as fuel, brake, or refrigerant lines. Traditionally, such a connection is comprised of a male conduit being retained within a female receptacle through use of threaded fittings, flare fittings, or through bolted-on flanges.
More recently, a variety of snap together quick connect retainers have been used in place of the conventional methods. These quick connectors typically have a plurality of flexible legs which engage an annular bead attached to a male conduit and also engage an undercut groove formed within a female member. Two such examples are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,601,497 entitled “Swivelable Quick Connector Assembly” which issued on Jul. 22, 1986, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,778,203 entitled “Swivelable Quick Connector for High Temperature Connection” which issued on Oct. 18, 1988, both of which were invented by the inventor of the present invention and are incorporated by reference herewithin. Another quick connector has a retainer which is flat with pairs of annular arms extending therearound which are radially flexible. Other quick connectors which were invented by the inventor of the present invention are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,524,995 and 4,423,892, both of which are entitled “Swivelable Quick Connector Assembly” and which issued on Jun. 25, 1985, and Jan. 23, 1984, respectively, and are incorporated by reference herewithin.
While the aforementioned quick connectors present significant improvements in the art, it is desirable to advance the improvements of the known art. Specifically, it is desirable to provide a coupling retainer which readily fits into the female receptacle and is easily removed therefrom. It is also desirable to provide a coupling retainer with a minimum number of parts and is shallow enough to be used instead of a screw-in type joint. In addition, it is desirable to provide such a coupling which clearly indicates that the quick connector-male conduit assembly is properly seated within the female receptacle.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a preferred embodiment of the coupler includes an array of three, or with the indicator, four quick connector engagement components fitted to the end of a male conduit to form a quick connector-male conduit assembly in addition to the parts required for sealing. The array includes an intermediate plate, a retainer, a backing plate, and, as a forth component, a seating indicator. The intermediate plate includes a pair of alignment nibs that align the plate with the adjacent retainer, which itself includes a pair of release and alignment tabs for alignment with the backing plate for use when a metal tube or a plastic tube and tube liner are used. The backing plate also includes a tab which is used for aligning the backing plate with the seating indicator and the retainer. The array of these engagement components is substantially self-centering on the male conduit. Because of the series of alignment members, the engagement components also resist rotation with respect to each other.
The retainer includes a ring which fits about a portion of the male conduit and a pair of outer arms on which the release (and alignment to the intermediate plate and the seating indicator) tabs are formed. The ring and the outer arms lie substantially within a common plane. A locking lug is formed along the outer periphery of each of the outer arms for releasable engagement with a locking recessed bore formed along the inner circumference of the axial bore of the female receptacle. The outer arms are coaxial with the ring. The ring and the outer arms are attached to each other at a common area which allows the outer arms to be moved toward one another such as by squeezing, independent of the inner arms. A series of bushings and an O-ring (or O-rings) are provided adjacent the array of engagement components to provide for proper seal of the male conduit within the female receptacle, as well as providing for proper fit of these components with respect to each other, such that a bearing on the male portion to the female portion, on each side (inner and outer) of the sealing member is provided.
Insertion of the quick connector-male conduit assembly is effected by the installer generally positioning the free end of the male conduit into the female receptacle and (if a seating indicator is used) pushing against a pop-off ring until the ring franges from the body of the seating indicator. The franging action indicates that the quick connector-male conduit assembly is properly seated within the female receptacle. The outer arms of the retainer and their associated locking lugs are squeezed toward the inner arms as the retainer is forced past a concave outer surface formed on the female receptacle.
Removal of the assembly from the female receptacle is easily accomplished by the remover squeezing the release and alignment tabs toward one another either by use of a hand or a tool so as to force the outer arms toward the inner arms, thus allowing the locking lugs to clear the radial retainer-locking wall forming the locking recessed bore in the bore of the female receptacle. Once cleared, the remover withdraws the quick connector-male conduit assembly from the female receptacle. The quick connector male is an assembly that is placed directly on the conduit that carries the fluid.
The present invention overcomes some of the difficulties associated with assembly and disassembly of known connectors. Specifically, the retainer does not require assembly to a centering component other than the conduit. Furthermore, the springing interlocking part is like a snap-ring and is in the plane of the locking to the female portions, thus eliminating known springs that undesirably occupy some length parallel to the conduit and are at right angles to the plane of the radial retainer-locking wall of the locking recessed bore and the locking portions carried on the conduit by the springing component.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a hand-releasable quick connector that incorporates a relatively thin retainer.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a connection that can employ both metal and plastic for the male and female portions.
It is yet still another object of the present invention to provide several variations male and female components of the connection.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a retainer that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a swivelable quick connector which can be used to replace, in the same space, a flare or screw-in connector.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a self-centering snap ring-type of retainer that may be released by hand.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a quick connector which can be a part of the conduit between connections.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a quick connector which has a pop-off ring to show when a connection is properly made.
Additional advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3341227 (1967-09-01), Pierce, Jr.
patent: 3826523 (1974-07-01), Eschbaugh
patent: 4266814 (1981-05-01), Gallagher
patent: 4681351 (1987-07-01), Bartholomew
patent: 4697832 (1987-10-01), Dickirson
patent: 4832378 (1989-05-01), Zepp
patent: 5178424 (19
Harness Dickey & Pierce PLC
Luu Teri Pham
Proprietary Technology, Inc.
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