Proprietary Technology, Inc.

Merit Plastics, Inc.

Other

Proprietary Technologies, Inc.

Propiretary Technology, Inc.

Donald D Bartholomew

Werner W Kochte

A quick connector-male conduit assembly (,) for use in a conduit coupling incorporates a hand-releasable, self-centering snap ring-like retainer (,) having a seating indicator (,) included therewith. The seating indicator (,) includes a pop-off ring (,) that goes around the male conduit (,), which is a part of the tubing leading to the connection to assist in the installation of the quick connector-male conduit assembly (,) into a female receptacle (,) and to positively indicate to the installer that the male conduit (,) has been properly locked to the female receptacle (,). The retainer (,) includes a pair of tabs (,) for easy manipulation by hand or tools for removal. The quick connector assembly (,) is on either a plastic or a metal male conduit (,), and can be as short as a threaded connection. The quick connector assembly (,) has no threads, and permits 360 degree rotation of the conduit (,).

Quick connector with confirmation feature

A quick connector (,) has a pair of waist segments (,and,), a shoulder segment (,), a body segment (,) with an aperture (,) therein, and a leg segment (,). The leg segment (,) is defined by a pair of projecting elements (163) which are at least partially compressible toward one another thereby causing the pair of waist segments (,and,) to move toward one another. Thus, a swivellable connection is made which has the equivalent length and diameter of a convention non-swivellable threaded coupling. The quick connector (,) may be released by hand or a snap ring tool inserted into holes (,).

Quick connector

A connector assembly 10 for use with tubular conduits 30 is disclosed which is a male portion that is put into a female portion. The male portion makes use of the end of the conduit itself, and the female portion only requires a stepped bore. The seal 50, stabilizing bushings areas 34 and retainer 138 are carried on the male portion. The seal 50 may be retained on the male, and the connection may be either a quick connect or require a tool to assemble. The connection may seal the highest pressures and withstand very high forces on the male and female portions. Also disclosed is the use of this connection in a multiple port device. The connection may be completed in the depth and diameter that is allotted to a 'thread-in' or 'flare' connection.

Means of coupling of non-threaded connections

A quick connector-male conduit assembly embodying both primary and secondary latching functions for use in a conduit coupling. The assembly incorporates a hand-releasable, self-centering snap ring-like retainer and a combination secondary latch and seating indicator bracket to form a male conduit assembly matable with a female receptacle. The female receptacle includes an engaging surface defined by either a radial ridge or at least a pair of outwardly extending studs. In its preferred embodiment, the bracket includes a body and a flange portion generally defined by two flanges extending outwardly from the bracket body. Each of the flanges includes an aperture for selectively engaging said engaging surface of the female receptacle. The retainer includes a pair of tabs for easy manipulation by hand or tools for removal. The quick connector assembly is on either a plastic or a metal male conduit, and can be as short as a threaded connection. The quick connector assembly has no threads, and permits 360 degree rotation of the conduit.

Quick connector with secondary latch confirming feature

A method for bending metal tubing which minimizes the collapse of a tube wall through lowering material stress achieved by reducing the rate of bending. The method includes the steps of selecting a bend radius less than a standard bend radius, determining a rate of bending of a length of tubing so as to minimize material stress, and bending the tubing at the selected determined rate.

Method of bending tubing

Quick connector having ring for confirming proper connection

A swivelable quick connect assembly for use with tubular conduits is disclosed as comprising a housing having an axial bore for receiving one end of the conduit, an elastomeric ring-like seal disposed in the bore for providing a fluid-tight seal between confronting portions of the conduit and the housing, an annular bushing disposed in the bore for positioning the seal and for guiding the one end of the conduit into nesting relationship with the bore, and a retainer detachably secured to the housing and cooperable with an annular projection on the conduit for securing the conduit in its operative position within the bore, the retainer having resilient deformable portions which are adapted to snap over the locking wall upon insertion of the conduit into the housing bore. An alternate embodiment of the present invention includes a metal retainer element that is of one pieced construction that includes at least two circumferentially spaced leg members which extend from an integral collar member at one end thereof.

Swivelable quick connector assembly

A swivelable quick connect assembly for use with tubular conduits is disclosed as comprising a housing having an axial bore for receiving one end of the conduit, an elastomeric ring-like seat disposed in the bore for providing a fluid-tight seal between confronting portions of the conduit and the housing, an annular bushing disposed in the bore for positioning the seal and for guiding the one end of the conduit into nesting relationship with the bore, and a retainer detachably secured to the housing and cooperable with an annular projection on the conduit for securing the conduit in its operative position within the bore, the retainer having resilient deformable portions which are adapted to snap over the locking wall upon insertion of the conduit into the housing bore. An alternate embodiment of the present invention includes a metal retainer element that is of one pieced construction that includes at least two circumferentially spaced leg members which extend from an integral collar member at one end thereof.

The present invention relates to connector assemblies (10, 110, 210) including a secondary latching mechanism (48, 148, 220) which engages a second annular projections (26, 126, 226) provided on a tubular conduit (12, 112, 212). The latching mechanisms (48, 148, 220) extend outside of the female housing (14, 114, 214) which receives the conduit thus allowing for an inspection of the assembly to insure that a complete connection has been accomplished.

Connection verification and secondary latch device

A coupling for use with conduits (10) comprise a bi-conical fitting (20) which is inserted into the conduit end, a frusto-conical locking sleeve (22) which is located about the rearward end of the fitting (20) and compressed about the outer wall of the conduit (10).

Apparatus for and method of attaching conduits to a fitting

A conduit coupling comprises a male conduit, a mating female member. The male conduit is constrained as part of the conduit leading to the coupling. The male conduit includes a member for limiting the movement of the male conduit within the female member, means for sealing, and a retainer to couple the male conduit to the female member. The female member is defined as an open port, and it is possible to be no more in diameter and depth than a screw-in connection. The connection may be a quick-connect type (in which case a tool is required for disconnection) or a non-quick-connect type (in which case a tool is required for connection and disconnection). The male conduit may either be composed of a substantially non-elastic material such as a metal or a plastic or a substantially elastic material such as a soft plastic or a hard rubber. If composed of an elastic material, the bulged area is formed by use of a rigid liner having a formed bulged area that is inserted into the elastic conduit. Regardless of its material composition, the design of the present invention allows for rotational movement of the male conduit within the female member while restricting axial translation of the conduit within the member.

Growing community of inventors

Mt. Clemens, MI, United States of America

Donald D Bartholomew