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:
Oct. 05, 2010
Filed:
Aug. 21, 2007
Wesley M. Plattner, Tipton, MI (US);
Wesley M. Plattner, Tipton, MI (US);
Other;
Abstract
A method and apparatus for connecting air conditioning coolant lines. The apparatus comprises a coupler body, a coolant line, a flexible annular seal, a nut, and a deformable annular retainer. The coupler body has a passageway extending therethrough and a coolant line has an end portion disposed at least partially within the passageway. A flexible annular seal is disposed within the passageway in the coupler body for sealingly engaging the deformable annular retainer. The nut receives the coolant line therein and threadedly engages the coupler body. The deformable annular retainer engages with the nut and the coupler body, and the end portion of the coolant line is disposed within the deformable annular retainer, wherein the threaded engagement of the nut with the coupler body urges the deformable annular retainer into a sealing engagement with the coupler body and the coolant line. The method includes swaging a deformable annular retainer to a coolant line, wherein the deformable annular retainer completely covers the end portion of the air conditioning coolant line; providing a nut on the coolant line; providing a coupler body having a passageway and a flexible annular seal disposed within the passageway; engaging the deformable annular retainer with the flexible annular seal to create a first seal; engaging the coupler body with the deformable annular retainer to create a second seal; and tightening a threaded engagement of the nut and the coupler body.