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:
Dec. 11, 2001
Filed:
Sep. 22, 1999
Steven E. Reder, Boring, OR (US);
Preston E. Pillow, Sandy, OR (US);
William L. Emery, Corvallis, OR (US);
LSI Logic Corporation, Milpitas, CA (US);
Abstract
A system for coupling a ball fitting connected to a first tubing to a socket fitting connected to a second tubing. A first coupling forms an aperture having a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the ball fitting, and receives the ball fitting. The first coupling forms an annular race, with an annular surface disposed between the annular race and the aperture. First split ring pieces are assembled into a first ring that forms an aperture having a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the ball fitting, and receives the first tubing. The first ring forms an annular ridge that engages the annular race, and aligns the first split ring pieces. The annular surface applies uniform axial pressure to a first surface of the first ring. The first ring has a second surface opposing the first surface that applies uniform axial pressure to a back portion of the ball fitting. A second coupling forms an aperture having a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the socket fitting, and receives the socket fitting. The second coupling forms an annular race, with an annular surface disposed between the annular race and the aperture. Second split ring pieces are assembled into a second ring that forms an aperture having a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the socket fitting, and receives the second tubing. The second ring forms an annular ridge that engages the annular race, and aligns the second split ring pieces. The annular surface applies uniform axial pressure to a first surface of the second ring. The second ring has a second surface opposing the first surface that applies uniform axial pressure to a back portion of the socket fitting. Engagement means reversibly draw the first coupling and the second coupling toward each other, and releasably hold them together with uniform axial pressure.