Optimize Technologies, Inc.

Derrick S Levanen

John T Martin

Douglas W Ford

A quarter turn quick connect fitting assembly ( ) for connecting miniature fluid conduits, such as tubing, includes a first fitting ( ) having radially projecting pins ( ) and a second fitting ( ) located within a rotatable quarter turn nut ( ) having spiral grooves ( ) which receive the pins. The first fitting defines a central passage ( ) and the second fitting defines a central passage ( ) which may each be configured to slidably receive a hollow tube set ( ), or to threadably receive an externally threaded mating fitting. The quarter turn quick connect fitting can be configured to attach to the end of a column, and can include an adapter ( ), which houses a guard column ( ), or a frit ( ) for filtering the fluid passing through the quarter turn quick connect fitting assembly. The quarter turn quick connect fitting is assembled by sliding the pins of the first fitting into the grooves of the quarter turn nut and rotating the quarter turn nut through approximately 90&deg; with respect to the first fitting, thereby securely seating the pins within angled areas defined at the ends of the grooves.

Quarter turn quick connect fitting

A quarter turn quick connect fitting assembly (10) for connecting miniature fluid conduits, such as tubing, includes a first fitting (12) having radially projecting pins (28) and a second fitting (14) located within a rotatable quarter turn nut (16) having spiral grooves (48) which receive the pins. The first fitting defines a central passage (26) and the second fitting defines a central passage (42) which may each be configured to slidably receive a hollow tube set (104), or to threadably receive an externally threaded mating fitting. The quarter turn quick connect fitting can be configured to attach to the end of a column, and can include an adapter (158), which houses a guard column (160), or a frit (188) for filtering the fluid passing through the quarter turn quick connect fitting assembly. The quarter turn quick connect fitting is assembled by sliding the pins of the first fitting into the grooves of the quarter turn nut and rotating the quarter turn nut through approximately 90.degree. with respect to the first fitting, thereby securely seating the pins within angled areas defined at the ends of the grooves.

A pump head quick connect assembly (10) includes a pump head (28) having a body (30) penetrated by a first locating pin (16), having a proximal end (18) and a distal end (20), and a second locating pin (22), having a proximal end (24) and a distal end (26). The proximal ends of the first and second locating pins are attached to a base plate (12). The first locating pin distal end and the second locating pin distal end project beyond the pump head body and are inserted into a first outer passage (48) and a second outer passage (50), respectively, defined by a face plate (70). The face plate further defines an internally-threaded center passage (52) that threadably receives a manually adjustable screw (38). As the center screw is tightened against the pump head body, the pump head body is forced against the base plate, thereby forming a seal and centering the pump head on the base plate to prevent cocking. Loosening this single screw permits the face plate and the pump head body to be quickly removed from the locating pins.

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Hancock, MI, United States of America

Derrick S Levanen