The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 10, 1998
Filed:
Mar. 11, 1996
Keith V Leigh-Monstevens, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
James V Ludwig, Jr, Shelby Township, MI (US);
Automotive Products (USA), Inc., Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Abstract
An improved quick connect coupling and an improved spring clip for use in the coupling. The coupling comprises a female member defining a passage defining an annular seat, a male member sized to fit in the passage, and a spring clip positioned in the annular seat. The spring clip comprises a thin walled spring steel tubular member capable of being compressed for seating within the annular seat and including a first plurality of circumferentially spaced finger portions for engagement with a trailing abutment surface on the male member and a second plurality of circumferentially spaced finger portions for engagement with an annular shoulder defining one end of the annular seat. In one embodiment the finger portions for engagement with the abutment surface on the male member have a T configuration with the head portions of the fingers coacting to define a large circumferential surface for engagement with the male member abutment surface. In another embodiment the finger portions for engagement with the annular shoulder on the female member have a T configuration with the T portions of the fingers coacting to define a large circumferential surface for engagement with the annular shoulder.