Quick connect insertion indicator clip

• US 5,152,555 A
• Filed: 03/26/1991
• Issued: 10/06/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ITT Industries (ITT, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ITT Corporation (ITT, Inc.)
• Inventors: Szabo, George
• Primary Examiner(s): TRETTEL, MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US07/675,374
• Time in Patent Office: 560 Days
• Field of Search: 285/93, 285/305, 285/319, 285/921
• US Class Current: 285/93
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 2201/10 Indicators for correct 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

An indicator device employed for visual and/or tactile inspection of a quick connector to confirm coupling of the male and female elements thereof includes a flag portion positioned externally of said coupling and members extending from the flag portion to embrace the female element. Engagement tabs extend from the members through registering apertures in the female element for contact with an abutment surface formed by the male element upon coupling of said quick connector to enable removal of said indicator device as verification of coupling.

Claims

1. In combination:

a quick connector assembly including mating male and female elements and locking means operative to positively interconnect said elements in a fixed relative longitudinal orientation, said female element defining opposed radial openings forming tangentially extending slots axially coincident with axially extending abutment surfaces defined on said male element; and

an indicator device including a solid planar flag portion positioned externally adjacent said female element and spaced elongate members extending therefrom, said members resiliently embracing said female element and including opposed radially inwardly directed engagement tabs extending through said openings for contact with said abutment surfaces whereby upon positive interconnection of said male and female elements, said abutment surfaces contact and urge said tabs and members radially outwardly thereby releasing said indicator device from said female element, said indicator device further including sensory perceptible identification indicia on said flag portion, wherein said engagement tabs form a system of radially inwardly converging leading and trailing tangential and longitudinal surfaces engaging said slots to effect an enlarged alignment window between said indicator device and slots.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said spaced elongate members and engagement tabs are disposed substantially entirely within said openings and slots.

3. The indicator device of claim 1, wherein said openings include axially spaced surfaces defining said slots dimensioned for slip fit receipt of said members to lend longitudinal and rotational stability to said device.

4. The indicator device of claim 3, wherein said openings include a plurality of slots effecting bi-directional access of said device to said female element.

5. An indicator device for use with quick connectors of the type including mating male and female elements and locking means operative to positively interconnect said elements in a fixed relative longitudinal orientation, said female element defining opposed radial openings forming tangentially extending slots axially coincident with axially extending abutment surfaces defined on said male element, said device comprising:

a solid planar flag portion adapted for positioning externally adjacent said female element and spaced elongate members extending therefrom, said members adapted for resiliently embracing said female element and including opposed radially inwardly directed engagement tabs adapted for extending through said openings for contact with said abutment surfaces whereby upon positive interconnection of said male and female elements, said abutment surfaces contact and urge said tabs and members radially outwardly thereby releasing said indicator device from said female element, said indicator device further including sensory perceptible identification indicia on said flag portion, wherein said engagement tabs form a system of radially inwardly converging leading and trailing tangential and longitudinal surfaces adapted for engaging said slots to effect an enlarged alignment window between said indicator device and slots.

6. The indicator device of claim 5, wherein said flag portion, elongate members and engagement tabs are integrally formed.

7. The indicator device of claim 6, wherein said indicator device is formed of homogeneous, substantially planar material.

8. The indicator device of claim 7, wherein said material is plastic.

9. The indicator device of claim 5, wherein said elongate members and engagement tabs are formed of resilient material.

10. The indicator device of claim 5, wherein said flag portion comprises visually sensible indicia.

11. The indicator device of claim 5, wherein said flag portion comprises tactially sensible indicia.