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:
Sep. 10, 2002
Filed:
Jun. 08, 2001
Darwin Olson, Franklin, TN (US);
Dana Corporation, Toledo, OH (US);
Abstract
A spring retainer clip used with a quick-connect coupling for coupling a male connector having an outwardly extending protrusion in a bore of a female connector having an inwardly extending protrusion wherein the outwardly and inwardly extending protrusions are separated by an annular gap. The spring retainer clip comprises a ring having an axially extending collar for fitting around the male connector and a radially extending base unitary with the collar. A plurality of spring arms, unitary with and extending axially from the radially extending base, have transverse T-bars at free ends thereof adapted to extend through the gap between the protrusions and block movement of the protrusions past one another. Consequently, the male and female connectors cannot be separated if the width of the gap is substantially reduced. Tabs on the base between the spring arms extend axially to engage the bore in the female connector so as to stabilize the spring retainer clip within the bore when the T-bars are disposed in the gap and when the base and collar are disposed outside of the bore. In order to have an more robust configuration with a relatively thick collar and thick base, the spring retainer clip is molded of powdered steel.