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. 22, 2002
Filed:
Jul. 06, 2000
David M. Wisniewski, Macomb Township, MI (US);
Other;
Abstract
A releasable coupling assembly for use within a vehicle fuel line including a first elongate and internally hollowed tubular member exhibiting an annular projecting lip from an exterior surface of the first tubular member and at a specified distance from an exposed end. A second elongate and internally hollowed tubular member terminating at one end in a longitudinally extending receptacle portion which is communicable with the second tubular member. The receptacle portion having an annular side wall and an annular end wall defining an open interior and capable of receiving the exposed end of the first tubular member an axially inserted distance. A retainer clip includes an apertured base and first, second and third circumferentially arrayed and deflectable legs. Each of the legs further includes a straight portion and a reverse angled bend portion. The retainer clip is mounted within the receptacle portion in axially inserting fashion such that, upon subsequent longitudinal insertion of the first tubular member, the annular lip causes reverse angled bend portions to outwardly deflect and to then inwardly deflect to fixedly abut a shoulder of the lip and to secure the annular lip between the reverse bend portions and the end wall. Each of the straight portions of the retainer clip further include a tang portion secured to the straight portions and extending in a direction towards an exposed end of the receptacle portion. An equal plurality of windowed portions being formed through said annular side wall of said receptacle portion at selected circumferential locations corresponding with each tang portion and seating said tang portions so that, upon subsequent withdrawal of said first tubular member, the tang portions prevent disengagement of the retainer clip from within the receptacle portion.