TORQUE LIMITING CAP FOR AIR CONDITIONING SERVICE PORTS
First Claim
1. A torque-limiting cap for an air conditioning service port, comprising:
- an inner body assembly having a retaining body configured for engagement on the service port;
an outer body assembly annularly disposed around the inner body assembly and having a first ratchet portion configured for engagement with a second ratchet portion disposed on the inner body assembly;
wherein torquing of the outer body assembly transmits torque to the inner body assembly from the first ratchet portion to the second ratchet portion to threadably engage the retaining body onto the service port, and wherein at a preset amount of torque resistance, torquing of the outer body assembly causes the first ratchet portion to slip with respect to the second ratchet portion such that no additional torque is transmitted to the inner body assembly.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A torque-limiting cap (100) for an air conditioning service port (14) includes an inner body assembly (122) having a retaining body (116) configured for engagement on the service port, and an outer body assembly (134) annularly disposed around the inner body assembly. The outer body assembly (134) has a first ratchet portion (140) configured for engagement with a second ratchet portion (146) that is disposed on the inner body assembly (122). When the outer body assembly (134) is torqued, the outer body assembly transmits the torque to the inner body assembly (122) from the first ratchet portion (140) to the second ratchet portion (146) to threadably engage the retaining body (116) onto the service port (14). When there is a preset amount of torque resistance, the first ratchet portion (140) slips with respect to the second ratchet portion (146) such that no additional torque is transmitted to the inner body assembly (122) from the outer body assembly (134).
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A torque-limiting cap for an air conditioning service port, comprising:
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an inner body assembly having a retaining body configured for engagement on the service port; an outer body assembly annularly disposed around the inner body assembly and having a first ratchet portion configured for engagement with a second ratchet portion disposed on the inner body assembly; wherein torquing of the outer body assembly transmits torque to the inner body assembly from the first ratchet portion to the second ratchet portion to threadably engage the retaining body onto the service port, and wherein at a preset amount of torque resistance, torquing of the outer body assembly causes the first ratchet portion to slip with respect to the second ratchet portion such that no additional torque is transmitted to the inner body assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A torque-limiting cap for an air conditioning service port, comprising:
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an inner body assembly having a retaining body configured for engagement on the service port; an outer body assembly annularly disposed around the inner body assembly and having a first ratchet portion configured for engagement with a second ratchet portion disposed on the inner body assembly; wherein when the outer body assembly is torqued in a first direction, the first ratchet portion is configured for slipping with respect to the second ratchet portion at a preset amount of torque resistance, and wherein when the outer body assembly is torqued in a second direction, the first ratchet portion is prevented from slipping with respect to the second ratchet portion. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A torque-limiting cap for an air conditioning service port, comprising:
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an inner body assembly having a generally annular retaining body configured for engagement on the service port, and a generally annular inner body having an O-ring on an inside surface, wherein a second ratchet portion is disposed on an outside surface of the inner body; an outer body assembly annularly disposed around the inner body assembly and having a generally annular outer body and a first ratchet portion configured for engagement with the second ratchet portion disposed on the inner body assembly; wherein torquing of the outer body assembly transmits torque to the inner body assembly from the first ratchet portion to the second ratchet portion to threadably engage the retaining body onto the service port, and wherein at a preset amount of torque resistance, torquing of the outer body assembly causes the first ratchet portion to slip with respect to the second ratchet portion such that no additional torque is transmitted to the inner body assembly; wherein the first ratchet portion is a pawl having an angled side and a radial side, and the second ratchet portion is a receiving pocket having an angled surface and a radial surface.
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Specification