Polarized manifold connection device
First Claim
1. A polarized manifold connector for interconnection of a plurality of fluid conduits from a compression sleeve to a plurality of fluid conduits from a source of compressed air, comprising:
- a male connector half and a female connector half;
said male connector half comprising;
a male housing having a plurality of fluid ports disposed therein for interconnection with said female connector half, said male housing having a top wall and a bottom wall generally opposed to said top wall and a pair of sidewalls interconnecting said top wall and said bottom wall, each of said sidewalls and said top wall being joined along a rounded outer edge, each of said sidewalls and said bottom wall being joined along a generally sharper outer edge, said sidewalls being angularly disposed to provide a tapered configuration between said top wall and said bottom wall, whereby said male housing has an asymmetrical outer cross-sectional configuration,a first fence having a plurality of fluid ports disposed therein for connection to a first set of the plurality of fluid conduits, anda bulkhead disposed between said male housing and said first fence, a plurality of fluid openings therethrough to interconnect said fluid ports in said male housing and said fluid ports in said first fence;
said female connector half comprising;
a female housing having a plurality of fluid ports disposed therein and having a configuration adapted to mate with said male housing, said female housing having a top wall and a bottom wall generally opposed to said top wall and a pair of sidewalls interconnecting said top wall and said bottom wall, each of said sidewalls and said top wall being joined along a rounded inner edge, each of said sidewalls and said bottom wall being joined along a generally sharper inner edge, said sidewalls being angularly disposed to provide a tapered configuration between said top wall and said bottom wall, whereby said asymmetrical configuration permits a single orientation when said female connector half is mated with said male connector half,a second fence having a plurality of fluid ports disposed therein for connection to a second set of the plurality of fluid conduits, anda bulkhead disposed between said second fence and said female housing, a plurality of fluid openings therethrough to interconnect said fluid ports in said female housing and said fluid ports in said second fence; and
a plurality of connections for sealingly interconnecting said fluid ports in said male housing and said fluid ports in said female housing.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A polarized manifold connection device for connecting multiple conduits from a compression sleeve having inflatable chambers to multiple tubing from a source of pressurized fluid is disclosed. The connection device comprises a male connector half and a female connector half each having a similar visually perceptible asymmetrical configuration of their respective housings defined by rigid elements which resist deformation of the housings. Thus, the two halves can be connected in only a single orientation. In this manner, the conduits from the source of fluid are uniquely connected to the conduits from the inflatable chambers. The connection device incorporates a releasable locking mechanism which allows the connector halves to be connected by pushing them together and disconnected by pulling them apart without excessive force. A gasket is provided between the connector halves having a configuration which provides an air-tight seal between the connector halves, but allows connection and disconnection of the halves without excessive force. The connection device is also able to connect to other types of polarized connection devices.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A polarized manifold connector for interconnection of a plurality of fluid conduits from a compression sleeve to a plurality of fluid conduits from a source of compressed air, comprising:
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a male connector half and a female connector half; said male connector half comprising; a male housing having a plurality of fluid ports disposed therein for interconnection with said female connector half, said male housing having a top wall and a bottom wall generally opposed to said top wall and a pair of sidewalls interconnecting said top wall and said bottom wall, each of said sidewalls and said top wall being joined along a rounded outer edge, each of said sidewalls and said bottom wall being joined along a generally sharper outer edge, said sidewalls being angularly disposed to provide a tapered configuration between said top wall and said bottom wall, whereby said male housing has an asymmetrical outer cross-sectional configuration, a first fence having a plurality of fluid ports disposed therein for connection to a first set of the plurality of fluid conduits, and a bulkhead disposed between said male housing and said first fence, a plurality of fluid openings therethrough to interconnect said fluid ports in said male housing and said fluid ports in said first fence; said female connector half comprising; a female housing having a plurality of fluid ports disposed therein and having a configuration adapted to mate with said male housing, said female housing having a top wall and a bottom wall generally opposed to said top wall and a pair of sidewalls interconnecting said top wall and said bottom wall, each of said sidewalls and said top wall being joined along a rounded inner edge, each of said sidewalls and said bottom wall being joined along a generally sharper inner edge, said sidewalls being angularly disposed to provide a tapered configuration between said top wall and said bottom wall, whereby said asymmetrical configuration permits a single orientation when said female connector half is mated with said male connector half, a second fence having a plurality of fluid ports disposed therein for connection to a second set of the plurality of fluid conduits, and a bulkhead disposed between said second fence and said female housing, a plurality of fluid openings therethrough to interconnect said fluid ports in said female housing and said fluid ports in said second fence; and
a plurality of connections for sealingly interconnecting said fluid ports in said male housing and said fluid ports in said female housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A male connector of a polarized manifold connection device for interconnection of a plurality of fluid conduits from a compression sleeve to a plurality of fluid conduits from a source of compressed air, said male connector comprising:
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a male housing having a plurality of fluid ports disposed therein for interconnection with a corresponding female connector half of the polarized manifold connection device, said male housing having a top wall and a bottom wall generally opposed to said top wall and a pair of sidewalls interconnecting said top wall and said bottom wall, each of said sidewalls and said top wall being joined along a rounded outer edge, each of said sidewalls and said bottom wall being joined along a generally sharper outer edge, said sidewalls being angularly disposed to provide a tapered configuration between said top wall and said bottom wall, whereby said male housing has an asymmetrical outer cross-sectional configuration; a fence having a plurality of fluid ports disposed therein for connection to a set of the plurality of fluid conduits; and a bulkhead disposed between said male housing and said fence, a plurality of fluid openings therethrough to interconnect said fluid ports in said male housing and said fluid ports in said fence. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A polarized manifold connector for interconnection to a plurality of fluid conduits for a compression device, comprising:
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a male connector half having a male housing; a female connector half having a female housing sized to mate with said male housing; a plurality of first fluid ports on said male connector half for connection to a first set of the plurality of fluid conduits and a plurality of second fluid ports disposed within said male housing and in fluid communication with respective ones of said first fluid ports; a plurality of third fluid ports on said female connector half for connection to a second set of the plurality of fluid conduits and a plurality of fourth fluid ports disposed within said female housing and in fluid communication with respective ones of said third fluid ports; and a sealing gasket to sealingly interconnect respective ones of said plurality of second fluid ports within said male housing with respective ones of said fourth fluid ports within said female housing when said connector halves are in a mating configuration, said gasket comprising a plurality of fluid conduits, each conduit comprising a first connection portion for overlying one of said plurality of second and fourth fluid ports, and a second connection portion for overlying another of said plurality of second and fourth fluid ports in fluid alignment with said one of said second and fourth fluid ports, said first connection portion having a thinner wall thickness than said second connection portion. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification