Quick connector assembly

• US 4,915,421 A
• Filed: 03/30/1988
• Issued: 04/10/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ITT Corporation (ITT, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ITT Corporation (ITT, Inc.)
• Inventors: Dennany, Robert D. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Callaghan, Thomas F.
• Application Number:
  US07/175,005
• Time in Patent Office: 741 Days
• Field of Search: 285/319, 285/39, 285/362, 285/377, 285/921, 285/340
• US Class Current: 285/39
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/0982 with a separate member for releasing the coupling
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/0987 the flexible hook being progressively compressed by axial tensile loads acting on the coupling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 285/921 Snap-fit

Abstract

A connector for connecting the confronting ends of tubing sections. The connector includes a connector body having an opening therein which extends therethrough along a longitudinal axis of the housing. The housing includes as first end for connection to the confronting end of a first tubing section. A first annular chamber is provided in the housing between the first end and the second end of the housing for receiving a generally annular seal therein which sealingly engages a second tubing section. A generally cylindrical retaining clip is provided in the housing between the seal and the second end of the housing. The clip includes a pair of diametrically opposed portions thereon which are radially deflectable relative to the axis of the housing. The ends of the retaining portions engage a radially outwardly flange portion of the second tubing section when the second tubing section is inserted into the body to deflect the retaining portion radially outwardly until the flange is inserted between the end of the retaining portion and the seal. A retaining cap is provided for enclosing the second end and includes an opening therein coaxial with the axis for receiving the inserted end of the second tubing section.

Claims

1. A connector for connecting the ends of tubing sections, said connector comprising in combination:

a connector housing having an opening therein and extending therethrough along a longitudinal axis of said housing, said housing having a first end for connection to a first tubing section;

a first chamber in said housing between said first end and the second end of said housing for receiving a generally annular seal therein which sealingly engages a second tubing section;

a generally tubular retaining clip in said housing between said seal and said second end of said housing, said clip having at least one flexible retaining portion thereon which is radially deflectable relative to said axis and wherein the deflected end of said retaining portion engages a radially outwardly directed flange portion of said second tubing section when said second tubing section is inserted into said housing and said retaining portion is deflected radially outwardly until said flange is inserted between said end of said retaining portion and said seal;

means for retaining said clip in said housing to limit the axially inward position of said end of said retaining portion to a predetermined distance from said seal along the direction of said axis; and

,

a retaining cap for enclosing said second end and having an opening therein coaxial with said axis for receiving the inserted end of said second tubing section,

wherein the surface of said housing includes at least one notch therein for receiving a radially outwardly projection of said retaining clip for retaining said clip in said housing,

wherein said connector includes projections on said retaining cap which are slidably received in corresponding radially inwardly facing notches in said clip for releasably retaining said retaining cap in said housing, and

wherein said notches in said retaining clip are generally L-shaped thereby to deflect said retaining portion radially outwardly when said retaining cap is inserted into said housing along one leg of said L-shaped notch and to lock said projections when said projections are rotated into the other leg of said L-shaped notch.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein said L-shaped notches are provided in said retaining clip substantially along diametrically opposed end surfaces of said retaining clip.

3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein an insertion notch is provided on the radially inwardly facing wall of said retaining clip adjacent each L-shaped portion for guiding said projections of said retaining cap into said L-shaped portions during the initial assembly of said connector.