Bundy Corporation

Huron Products Corporation

Huron Products Industries, Inc.

Donald C Walker

James McNaughton

Mark G Ketcham

A fluid connection includes a valve which blocks flow into or out of the housing until a tube is fully received within the housing. The valve preferably has structure which is biased against the valve seat in the housing until the tube is moved into the housing. The valve seat is preferably in a plane which is perpendicular to the central axis of the housing. Further, the valve preferably has surfaces which guide fluid between the radially outer surface of the valve and the interior of the tube. In one embodiment, the valve includes a forward ring which contacts a tube and which has two ribs connected to the main valve body. The valve surface is preferably a conical surface spaced axially inwardly from the forward ring. Preferably, additional conical surfaces are disposed between the ribs and guide the fluid between the valve surface and the interior of the tube. In another embodiment, the valve may have an X or Y-shaped cross-sectional ribs which contact the tube. The ribs may be conical and extend axially into the tube to guide fluid flow. Further, the valve surface preferably has a cross-sectional shape which roughly corresponds to the shape of the ribs, and the valve seat opening has a similar cross-sectional shape with a cross-sectional area intermediate that of the valve surfaces and the ribs.

Fluid conduit quick connectors with anti-spill valves

An improved fluid connector has a deformable axially outer ring with latches which retain a tube within a main body of the connection. The outer ring is oval in cross-section, with the latches extending along surfaces spaced across the minor diameter of the oval. Connection portions connect the outer ring to a main body of the connector. The connection portions extend from locations spaced across the major diameter of the oval shape. An upset portion of the tube deforms the latches radially outwardly upon insertion. A removal force may be directed radially inwardly of the outer ring at locations adjacent to the connection portions to cause the latches to bow radially outwardly and allow the tube to be removed from the connector. The inventive connector bears the removal force on the relatively thicker connecting portions, and requires flexing in the relatively thinner outer ring.

Low pressure tubing quick connector

A unique retainer is disclosed having a plurality of resilient arms securing a tube within a housing bore. The arms include a radially inner section having a pair of circumferentially extending braces which increase the strength of the arms. The braces have axial ends which are bent radially outwardly and increase the strength of the arms, and also result in a more consistent, predictable buckling force for the retainer. Arm bends are formed between the arm radially inner section and a radially outer section. The axially outer bends of the braces are generally axially aligned with these arm bends, such that the bends provide a planer surface for positioning the retainer within the housing. Also, 'bumps' are defined at a radially inner face of the radially inner sections of the arms to create a high force resisting tube insertion. The bumps are at an angle relative to a central axis that is greater than the angle of the remainder of the radially inner section of the arms. Thus, the retainer arms may extend at a first angle which is relatively small relative to the axis and can provide a great force resisting tube removal, while the bumps are at the greater angle, and can provide a relatively great force resisting tube insertion.

Metal retainer for quick connect tubing connector

A unique plastic retainer is disclosed having a pair of axially spaced cylindrical rings. Retainer arms for retaining an upset portion of a tube within a housing bore extend from a rear ring, and a plurality of webs connect the front and rear cylindrical rings of the retainer. When a tube is initially inserted into the housing bore, it contacts an inner periphery of the arms. The retainer then moves axially forwardly within the bore for a small distance until the forward ring abuts a seal package within the housing. Further movement of the retainer is then prevented, and the upset portion of the tube causes the arm to flex radially outwardly at a flex point in the rear ring. The upset portion may then move axially beyond the arms into a fully connected position within the housing.

Plastic retainer for fluid coupling

A quick connector assembly has a female housing with a hair pin style retaining clip to retain a beaded conduit therein. The female housing includes a pair of slots forming ramped surfaces on the housing to enable legs of the retainer to be transversely positioned within the axial bore of the female housing to retain male fittings therein.

Conduit quick connector assembly having a ramped housing with a hair pin

A swivelable quick connect assembly for use with tubular conduits includes a housing having an axial bore for receiving one end of the conduit, and a first retainer detachably secured to the housing and is cooperable with an annular projection on the conduit for securing the conduit in its operative position within the bore. A second retainer means demountably coupled to the housing for maintaining the connection between the conduit and the housing.

Growing community of inventors

Pontiac, MI, United States of America

Donald C Walker