Pop-off quick connect indicator

• US 5,178,424 A
• Filed: 07/01/1991
• Issued: 01/12/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ITT Industries (ITT, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ITT Corporation (ITT, Inc.)
• Inventors: Klinger, Gary
• Primary Examiner(s): Nicholson, Eric K.
• Application Number:
  US07/724,225
• Time in Patent Office: 561 Days
• Field of Search: 285/39, 285/93, 285/319, 285/320, 285/921, 285/3, 285/4, 29/453
• US Class Current: 285/319
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 2201/10 Indicators for correct coupling
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/0985 the flexible hook extending radially inwardly from an outer part and engaging a bead, recess or the like on an inner part F16L37/0982 takes precedence

Abstract

An insertion indication device for use with a quick connect fitting includes a generally annular base member which is adapted for positioning about a male conduit inside of a connector housing. One or more leg members extend axially from the base member and terminate near an axial opening formed in the housing for receiving the conduit. A generally annular indicator member positioned adjacent to the opening releassably engages the end members. Upon couplings of the male and female elements of the quick connector, the indicator member is separated from the leg members to provide visual conformation that coupling has taken place.

Claims

1. A quick connect insertion indicator comprising:

a generally annular base member carried with a connector housing adapted for positioning about a conduit;

at least one leg member extending axially from said base member and terminating adjacent an axial housing opening;

a generally annular indicator member for visually indicating proper coupling of said conduit disposed substantially concentrically adjacent said opening releasably engaging said leg member termination; and

means operative to axially displace said base and leg members upon engagement of said conduit and connector housing to effect separation of said leg and indicator members.

2. A quick connect insertion indicator comprising:

a generally annular base member adapted for positioning about a conduit within a connector housing;

a plurality of circumferentially spaced, axially extending leg members terminating externally adjacent a stepped axial housing opening;

a generally annular indicator member disposed substantially concentrically adjacent said opening releasably engaging said leg member terminations; and

retention means carried by at least one of said leg members positioned axially inwardly and extending radially outwardly of said stepped opening for retention of said indicator when assembled with said connector housing, said base member defining an abutment surface disposed to engage a mating abutment surface defined by said conduit to axially displace said base and leg members upon engagement of said conduit and connector housing to effect separation of said leg and indicator members.

3. The quick connect insertion indicator of claim 2, wherein said base and leg members are integrally formed of injection molded plastic.

4. The quick connect insertion indicator of claim 2, wherein said base member has an outside diameter dimensioned slightly less than the inside diameter dimension of said axial housing step and an inside diameter dimensioned slightly greater than the nominal outside diameter dimension of said conduit and slightly less than the outside diameter dimension of said conduit abutment surface.

5. The quick connect insertion indicator of claim 2, wherein said indicator member has an inside diameter dimensioned slightly greater than the outside diameter dimension of said conduit abutment surface.

6. The quick connect insertion indicator member of claim 2, wherein said indicator member is integrally formed with said base and leg members, and said leg members include a predetermined weakened point operative to predictably fracture under axial loading to effect said separation.

7. The quick connect insertion indicator member of claim 2, wherein said indicator member is integrally formed with said base and leg members, and said indicator member includes at least one predetermined weakened point operative to predictably fracture under axial loading to effect said separation.

8. The quick connect insertion indicator of claim 2, wherein said indicator member includes at least one predetermined rupture point operative to enable removal thereof from said conduit after separation from said leg members.

9. The quick connect insertion indicator of claim 2, further comprising a generally planar tab member radially extending from said indicator member.

10. The quick connect insertion indicator of claim 9, wherein said tab member comprises visually sensible indicia.

11. The quick connect insertion indicator of claim 2, wherein said indicator member includes a circumferential opening therein.

12. The quick connect insertion indicator of claim 11, wherein said circumferential opening extends about 90 degrees.

13. The quick connect insertion indicator of claim 2, wherein said leg member terminations are matingly engaged within associated recesses formed within said indicator member.

14. The quick connect insertion indicator of claim 13, wherein said leg member terminations are snap-fit within said recesses.

15. The quick connect insertion indicator of claim 13, wherein said leg member terminations are generally bulbous shaped for interference passage by a necked restriction within each said recess.

16. The quick connect insertion indicator of claim 15, wherein said restriction is formed by axially extending adjacent radially decreasing and radially increasing ramped surfaces within each said recess.

17. The quick connect insertion indicator of claim 2, wherein said retention means comprise tangentially extending projections integrally formed with said leg member.

18. 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 a housing portion substantially enclosing said locking means, said housing portion forming a radially inwardly directed step at an open end thereof for receiving said male element and a seat at an end opposed from said open end, said male element defining an external annular bead dimensioned to be nestingly received by said seat, and said locking means defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced, axially extending resilient finger members defining radially inwardly directed ramp surfaces and abutment surfaces at an end thereof distal said housing open end operative to entrap said bead between said seat and abutment surfaces; and

an insertion indicator including a generally annular base member disposed about said male element within said female element, said insertion indicator further including a plurality of circumferentially spaced, axially extending legs carried by said base member and terminating adjacent said open end, a generally annular indicator member disposed substantially concentrically adjacent said open end releasably engaging said leg member terminations, and retention means carried by at least one of said leg members positioned axially inwardly and extending radially outwardly of said step for retention of said indicator when assembled with said housing portion, said base member defining an internal abutment surface disposed to engage said annular bead to axially displace said base and leg members upon interconnection of said elements to effect separation of said leg and indicator members.

19. The combination of claim 18, wherein said finger members are equally circumferentially spaced.

20. The combination of claim 19, wherein said leg and finger members are circumferentially interdigitated.

21. The combination of claim 20, wherein said retention means extends circumferentially substantially between the finger members straddling each said leg member.

22. The combination of claim 20, wherein there are four finger members and two leg members.

23. The combination of claim 18, wherein during engagement said base member abutment surface is axially spaced from a transverse face of said indicator member adjacent the open end of said female element (dimension X), and said seat is axially spaced from an open end transverse face of said female element (dimension Y), wherein Y is greater than X.

24. The combination of claim 23, wherein said leg member terminations are bulbous shaped for interference snap-fit engagement with associated necked recesses formed within said indicator member, said bulbous shape characterized by a nominal diameter of dimension D measured in the axial direction, wherein Y is approximately equal to X plus D.

25. The combination of claim 18, wherein said insertion indicator further comprises resilient means operative to forcefully eject said indicator member axially away from said quick connector assembly upon separation of said indicator and leg members.

26. The combination of claim 18, further comprising a radially outwardly directed stem portion integrally formed intermediate each said leg member and associated termination.