Torque limiting closure assembly
First Claim
1. A closure assembly structured for attachment to a medical connector, said closure assembly comprising:
- a housing including a stop member fixedly attached to said housing on an interior, adjacent a closed end thereof and rotational therewith,a cap including a flow restrictor structured for flow stopping connection with the medical connector, said cap rotationally disposed within said housing,a movement restrictor comprising at least one resilient spring tab connected to said cap and rotational therewith within said housing,said stop member comprising a cliff and ramp structure disposed in interruptive, rotating engagement with said movement restrictor upon rotation of said cliff and ramp structure with said housing,said movement restrictor and said cliff and ramp structure cooperatively structured for free rotation relative to one another in a single direction and restrictive rotation relative to one another in a direction opposite to said single direction,said interruptive, rotating engagement comprising a forced rotation of said cap and said flow restrictor with said housing, concurrent to a predetermined tightening force exerted on said housing, andsaid at least one resilient spring tab and said cliff and ramp structure cooperatively structured for disengagement therebetween and a resumed rotation of said cliff and ramp structure in said opposite direction, concurrent to a continuation of said predetermined tightening force exerted on said housing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A closure assembly includes torque limit capabilities facilitating the attachment thereof to a medical connector with sufficient tightness to establish a flow stopping or sealing relation with the medical connector. A housing includes a stop member fixed on the interior thereof and rotatable there with into interruptive engagement with a movement restrictor connected to and movable with a closure cap which includes a flow restrictor. Application of a tightening force to the housing will cause rotation of the stop member into interruptive engagement with the movement restrictor and connected flow restrictor causing forced rotation of the flow restrictor onto attachment with the medical connector, while establishing a predetermined tightness. Over-tightening is prevented by disengagement of the stop member from will the movement restrictor or disconnection of the flow restrictor from the corresponding movement restrictor once the predetermined tightness has been established and upon a continuing tightening force being applied to the housing.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A closure assembly structured for attachment to a medical connector, said closure assembly comprising:
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a housing including a stop member fixedly attached to said housing on an interior, adjacent a closed end thereof and rotational therewith, a cap including a flow restrictor structured for flow stopping connection with the medical connector, said cap rotationally disposed within said housing, a movement restrictor comprising at least one resilient spring tab connected to said cap and rotational therewith within said housing, said stop member comprising a cliff and ramp structure disposed in interruptive, rotating engagement with said movement restrictor upon rotation of said cliff and ramp structure with said housing, said movement restrictor and said cliff and ramp structure cooperatively structured for free rotation relative to one another in a single direction and restrictive rotation relative to one another in a direction opposite to said single direction, said interruptive, rotating engagement comprising a forced rotation of said cap and said flow restrictor with said housing, concurrent to a predetermined tightening force exerted on said housing, and said at least one resilient spring tab and said cliff and ramp structure cooperatively structured for disengagement therebetween and a resumed rotation of said cliff and ramp structure in said opposite direction, concurrent to a continuation of said predetermined tightening force exerted on said housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A closure assembly structured to limit torque force applied thereto when attached to a medical connector, said closure assembly comprising:
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a housing including a stop member;
said stop member comprising a cliff and ramp structure fixedly and interiorly attached adjacent a closed end of said housing and rotational therewith,a cap including a flow restrictor disposed within said housing and structured for flow stopping connection with the medical connector, said cap and said flow restrictor rotational with and relative to said cliff and ramp structure and said housing, a movement restrictor connected to said cap and movable therewith within said housing, said movement restrictor and said cliff and ramp structure cooperatively structured for free rotation relative to one another in a single direction and restrictive rotation relative to one another in a direction opposite to said single direction, said cliff and ramp structure disposed in interruptive, rotating engagement with said movement restrictor upon concurrent rotation of said stop member and said housing, said interruptive, rotating engagement comprising a forced rotation of said cap and said flow restrictor with said housing concurrent to a predetermined tightening force exerted on said housing, said predetermined tightening force being sufficient to secure said flow restrictor in flow stopping engagement on the medical connector, and said movement restrictor and said cliff and ramp structure cooperatively structured for disengagement therebetween and a resumed rotation of said cliff and ramp structure in said opposite direction, concurrent to a continuation of said predetermined tightening force exerted on said housing. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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Specification