Taper fitting with protective skirt

• US 5,176,415 A
• Filed: 08/16/1990
• Issued: 01/05/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pradip V. Choksi
• Original Assignee: Pradip V. Choksi
• Inventors: Choksi, Pradip V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Reese, Randolph A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Aberle, Timothy
• Application Number:
  US07/568,090
• Time in Patent Office: 873 Days
• Field of Search: 285/3, 285/32, 285/33, 285/330, 285/332.1, 285/332.2, 285/331
• US Class Current: 285/331
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1033 Swivel nut connectors, e.g. threaded connectors, bayonet-connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1038 Union screw connectors, e.g. hollow screw or sleeve having external threads
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1066 having protection means, e.g. sliding sleeve to protect connector itself, shrouds to protect a needle present in the connector, protective housing, isolating sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/10 Tube connectors; Tube couplings A61M39/02 takes precedence; connecting needles to syringes or hubs A61M5/34; connecting catheter tubes to hubs A61M25/0014
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 47/16 Screw-threaded joints
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/911 Unilimb inhalation-exhalation breathing tubes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/912 Connections and closures for tubes delivering fluids to or from the body
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 285/901 Cap closures
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 285/906 Equivalents

Abstract

An apparatus for quickly disconnecting two tubular flow lines comprising first and second units including first and second tubular members which have mutually tapering interengagement surfaces, and end terminals, the members respectively associated with the two flow lines and the members being axially interfittable; the first and second units including first and second protectors respectively associated with and extending about the end terminals, the protectors positioned to radially and axially overlap when the members are brought into interfitting interengagement at the tapering surfaces.

Claims

1. A shrouded tubing interface for quickly connecting, disconnecting and avoiding contamination of first and second fluid flow lines, comprising:

a first connector having a first tubular member defining an open flow path with a first fluid flow line, said first tubular member having an outer annular surface and defining a first end terminal, a first extension for telescopically receiving said first fluid flow line, and a third extension extending radially outward of and axially overlapping said first extension, said first connector further including a first tubular skirt extending radially outward of and axially beyond said first end terminal to form a physical barrier to prevent inadvertent contact with said first end terminal so as to prevent contamination thereof;

a second connector having a second tubular member defining an open flow path with a second fluid flow line, said second tubular member having an aperture extending axially therethrough and defining a second end terminal and a second extension for telescopically receiving said second fluid flow line, said second connector further including a second tubular skirt extending radially outward of and axially beyond said second end terminal to form a physical barrier to prevent inadvertent contact with said second end terminal so as to prevent contamination thereof;

male threads formed upon a portion of said first tubular skirt; and

female threads disposed within a portion of said second tubular skirt;

said first and second connectors being releasably connectable via the receipt of said male threads of said first tubular skirt into the female threads of said second tubular skirt, said tubular skirts extending in co-axial and concentric relation and said outer surface of said first tubular member being slidably receivable into said aperture when said first connector is connected to said second connector.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said second tubular skirt and said third extension include outer surfaces having a plurality of grip edges formed thereon, said grip edges being adapted to aid in the connection of said first connector to said second connector.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the outer surface of said first tubular member and the aperture of said second tubular member have mutually tapered configurations.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said second tubular skirt is rotatably connected to said second connector for allowing said female threads to be threadably engaged to said male threads without rotating said second tubular member.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said first extension includes an outer surface having a barbed configuration for being frictionally retained within said first fluid flow line and said second extension includes an outer surface having a barbed configuration for being frictionally retained within said second fluid flow line.