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:
Jan. 16, 2001
Filed:
Nov. 29, 1999
Mark G. Ketcham, East China, MI (US);
TI Group Automotive Systems Corp., Warren, MI (US);
Abstract
A coupling assembly comprising a female connector body, a male member, a retainer and a dust barrier. The female connector body defines a bore extending axially inward into the connector body from an entrance. A radial face is defined in the bore axially inward of the entrance. The male member is received within said bore. The male member is formed at the end of a tube and includes a projection extending radially from the tube. The retainer has at least two locking beams extending between the radially extending projection and the radial face to retain the male member in the bore. The locking beams defines a slot between the locking beams. The dust barrier is slidably mounted on the tube. The dust barrier has at least one extension insertable within the slot so as to prevent inadvertent radially inward movement of the locking beams. Wherein upon sliding the dust barrier toward the female connector body, the dust barrier encloses the bore so as to prevent foreign material from entering the coupling assembly.