Squeeze-to-release quick connector
First Claim
1. A squeeze-to-release quick connector adapted for selective locking engagement with a male member defining an outwardly extending abutment surface, said quick connector comprising:
- a generally cylindrical, elongated body portion open at one end for receiving said male member and forming a conduit receiving adapter at an opposite end;
an annular retaining ring disposed concentrically with said body portion axially spaced from said open end;
two circumferentially opposed, generally parallel, axially elongated beam members interconnecting said retaining ring and body portion, each said beam member affixed at one end thereof to said retaining ring and at an opposed end thereof to a mount located on said body portion axially spaced from said open end such that said beam members are radially spaced from said body portion; and
at least two circumferentially spaced detents extending inwardly from said retaining ring to capture said abutment surface to effect positive engagement of said quick connector and male member, said retaining ring being adapted to be squeezed at angularly offset locations from said beam members to release said abutment surface from said detents for removal of said male member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A squeeze-to-release quick connector for engaging a flanged male member includes a cylindrical body portion which is open at one end for receiving the male member and forms a conduit receiving adapter at its opposite end. An annular retainer ring is axially spaced from the open end and is attached to the body portion by two circumferentially opposed, generally parallel axially elongated beam members. Each beam member is affixed at one end to the retaining ring and at an opposed end to a mount located on the body portion axially spaced from the open end. Two circumferentially spaced detents extend inwardly from a retaining ring to capture the male abutment surface to effect positive engagement therebetween.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A squeeze-to-release quick connector adapted for selective locking engagement with a male member defining an outwardly extending abutment surface, said quick connector comprising:
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a generally cylindrical, elongated body portion open at one end for receiving said male member and forming a conduit receiving adapter at an opposite end; an annular retaining ring disposed concentrically with said body portion axially spaced from said open end; two circumferentially opposed, generally parallel, axially elongated beam members interconnecting said retaining ring and body portion, each said beam member affixed at one end thereof to said retaining ring and at an opposed end thereof to a mount located on said body portion axially spaced from said open end such that said beam members are radially spaced from said body portion; and at least two circumferentially spaced detents extending inwardly from said retaining ring to capture said abutment surface to effect positive engagement of said quick connector and male member, said retaining ring being adapted to be squeezed at angularly offset locations from said beam members to release said abutment surface from said detents for removal of said male member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A squeeze-to-release quick connector assembly comprising:
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a generally tubular male part defining an outwardly extending abutment surface; and a female part including a generally cylindrical elongated body portion open at one end for receiving said male part and forming a conduit receiving adapter at an opposite end, said female part further including an annular retaining ring disposed concentrically with said body portion axially spaced from said open end, said retaining ring joined to said body portion by two circumferentially opposed parallel, axially elongated beam members, each member affixed at one end thereof to said retaining ring and at an opposed end thereof to a mount located on said body portion axially spaced from said open end such that said beam members are radially spaced from said body portion, said ring defining two circumferentially spaced inwardly extending detents operative to engage said abutment surface to effect interlocking of said male and female parts, said retaining ring being adapted to be squeezed at angularly offset locations from said beam members to release said abutment surface from said detents for removal of said male part.
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18. A squeeze-to-release quick connector comprising:
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a generally cylindrical body portion open at one end for receiving a male member; a substantially annular retaining ring disposed concentrically with said body portion axially spaced from said open end; at least one beam member interconnecting said retaining ring and a mount carried by said body portion axially spaced from said open end such that said beam members are radially spaced from said body portion; and detent means carried by said retaining ring operative to capture an engagement surface on said male member in a relaxed condition and displaceable upon elastic distention of said retaining ring to release said male member, said retaining ring being adapted to be squeezed at angularly offset locations from said beam members to release said abutment surface from said detents for removal of said male member.
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Specification