Aeroquip Corporation

Eaton Corporation

Gary Bernard Challender

Russell L Rogers

Philip R Morrison

Paul J Fournier

Alan R Allread

William Thomas Flynn

Robert A Sterett

Thomas A Parrish

Charles W Scouten

Philip Ross Morrison

A ball and socket coupling is provided. The ball and socket coupling includes a ball body having a passage extending therethrough and a ball portion, and a socket body having a conduit extending therethrough and a ball receiving portion configured to receive the ball portion of the ball body. The ball and socket coupling also includes retaining structure disposed in the passage of the ball body and the conduit of the socket body, where the retaining structure is configured to operatively couple the ball body and the socket body together for permitting relative motion therebetween. The ball and socket coupling further includes motion limiting structure associated with the retaining structure and configured to limit relative motion between the ball body and the socket body to rotation about a single axis that is perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow through the ball and socket coupling.

Ball and socket coupling

A fluid line assembly () includes an outer fluid line () and an inner fluid line (). The inner and outer fluid lines () each include a slip joint (). At least one of the slip joints () include a variable volume reservoir () in communication with the interior of the corresponding fluid line (). The reservoir () is at least partially defined by a first tube section (), a second tube section () having an axially extending portion and radially extending portion, and a radially extending piston () connected to the first tube section () for movement therewith. The at least one slip joint () also includes a resiliently compressible conductive member () positioned between and in contact with the piston () and the radially extending portion of the second tube section () to create an electrical path therebetween. The resiliently compressible conductive member () is divided into sections (-), wherein each section (-) is separated from an adjacent section (-) by a spacer member () adapted to inhibit contact between the axially extending portion of the second tube section () and the resiliently compressible conductive member ().

Fluid line assembly

A fluid line assembly includes an outer fluid line and an inner fluid line. The inner and outer fluid lines each include a slip joint. At least one of the slip joints include a variable volume reservoir in communication with the interior of the corresponding fluid line. The reservoir is at least partially defined by a first tube section, a second tube section having an axially extending portion and radially extending portion, and a radially extending piston connected to the first tube section for movement therewith. The at least one slip joint also includes a resiliently compressible conductive member positioned between and in contact with the piston and the radially extending portion of the second tube section to create an electrical path therebetween. The resiliently compressible conductive member is divided into sections, wherein each section is separated from an adjacent section by a spacer member adapted to inhibit contact between the axially extending portion of the second tube section and the resiliently compressible conductive member.

An articulating ball-and-socket fluid coupling includes a ball body, a socket body, a primary retainer structure, an annular seal assembly and a secondary retainer structure. The primary retainer structure has a shaft extending through the ball and socket bodies to connect the ball body and the socket body together while permitting the ball body and the socket body to articulate relative to each other. The secondary retainer structure includes an annular member disposed in a ball receiving conduit portion of the socket member and connected to the socket body at or adjacent to an opening into the ball receiving conduit portion. The annular member has an inner secondary retainer diameter less than a spherical diameter of a partially spherical exterior surface defining a ball portion of the ball body so that the secondary retainer structure retains the ball body and the socket body connected if the primary retainer structure fails.

Ball-and-socket fluid coupling with primary and secondary retainer structures

A fluid line assembly is disclosed that includes an outer fluid line and an inner fluid line disposed substantially within the outer fluid line. The inner and outer fluid lines each include a slip joint. In an embodiment of the invention, at least one of the slip joints includes a reservoir in communication with the interior of the corresponding fluid line. Among other things, the reservoir is suitable for receiving fluid from the corresponding fluid line as the fluid line assembly is contracted and expelling fluid into the corresponding fluid line as the fluid line assembly is extended. In another embodiment of the invention, the inner and outer fluid lines include a ball joint assembly.

An endotracheal tube holder or positioner is disclosed having a collar member formed from at least two body portions engaged together to form a central orifice extending axially therethrough. The body portions are engaged together by a hinge member and a clasp. Each body portion includes a radially deflective clamping member, the clamping member forming an adjustable clamping orifice designed to accommodate and grip endotracheal tubes of varying diameters.

Endotracheal tube positioner

An endotracheal tube holder or positioner is disclosed having a collar or clamp member formed from at least two body portions engaged together to form a central orifice extending axially therethrough. The body portions rotate relative to each other to radially adapt to accommodate and grip endotracheal tubes of varying diameters.

A dry break coupling for joining together opposing passageways includes a male member and a female member, each of which includes a resiliently deformable rubber flap with cross-hair slits positioned to engage each other as the male and female members are moved axially toward their coupled position. Each of the male and female members also is provided with a normally closed but resiliently openable rubber septum position on the opposite side of its rubber flap from the engagement end of the respective members. The male member is provided with a blunt cannula which is fixed and a moveable carrier supporting the rubber septum. The female member is provided with an axially moveable support for the rubber flap and a fixed support for the rubber septum. As the male member and the female member move to the fully coupled position, the peripheral portions of the abutting rubber flaps are moved axially with the female carrier member while the central portions are prevented from moving by the fixed septum support with the result that the slits of the rubber flaps are pulled open thereby permitting the respective septums to engage each other. Further movement of the male and female members toward one another causes the moveable support for the male member septum to be retracted with the result that the cannula is urged through the resiliently openable abutting septums to open the passageway to the flow of fluid.

Dry break coupling

A catheter check valve assembly has a body member with a wall defining a generally cylindrical chamber and a transverse wall having an aperture lying on the axis of such chamber. A duckbill valve and an end cap supporting a catheter are positioned on one side of the transverse wall. A separator has a major portion positioned in said cylindrical chamber and an elongated cylindrical probe extending from said major portion. The separator is axially moveable from a retracted position where the probe is out of contact with the duckbill valve to a forward position extending through and opening the duckbill valve. A trocar may be extended through the catheter check valve assembly when the separator is in the forward position.

Catheter check valve assembly

A ball joint assembly for interconnecting rigid conduits or ducts including spherical ball and socket elements in turn mounted in a housing for universal adjustment. The housing includes spherical segment support surfaces for engaging exterior spherical surfaces defined on the socket element to insure the range of adjustment. A spring member provides electrical continuity between the ball and socket elements comprising a bowed wire of an oblong configuration having an end attached to the ball element and resilient bows engaging the socket and ball elements such that as the elements are angularly displaced, the spring maintains a relatively constant spring load.

Growing community of inventors

Grass Lake, MI, United States of America

Gary Bernard Challender