Quick connector with pull back verification method

• US 5,518,276 A
• Filed: 09/16/1994
• Issued: 05/21/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: TI Group Automotive Systems LLC
• Original Assignee: Bundy Corporation
• Inventors: Gunderson, Stephen H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nicholson, Eric K.
• Application Number:
  US08/308,087
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• Field of Search: 285/93, 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

A quick connector coupling for forming a joint in a fluid line system comprises a female connector body having a bore which receives a male member. A retainer disposed within the bore includes retention legs which have members that extend between abutment surfaces formed within the connector body and an upset formed on the male member to retain the male member within the bore. The retainer also has latching verification legs which extend out of the bore and engage abutment surfaces exterior to the bore to fix the axial position of the retainer and to provide visual verification of a proper coupling.

Claims

1. A quick connector coupling for forming a joint in a fluid line system comprising:

a female connector body defining a bore, said bore extending axially inwardly into said connector body from an entrance, a radial rim being defined in said connector body adjacent said entrance, said radial rim defining an interior abutment surface and an exterior abutment surface;

a male member received within said bore of said connector body and having an enlarged upset portion; and

a retainer disposed within said bore of said connector body and including a base surrounding said male member axially inwardly of said upset portion, retention legs extending axially and radially outwardly from said base and having members which extend between said upset portion of said male member and said interior abutment surface to retain said male member within said bore, and latching verification legs offset ninety degrees from said latching verification legs and extending axially and radially outwardly from said base, said verification legs having portions extending outwardly of said bore and engaging said exterior abutment surface to fix the axial position of said retainer and to provide visual verification of a proper connection.

2. A quick connector coupling as recited in claim 1 wherein said retention legs and said latching verification legs extend axially and radially outwardly from a ring which surrounds said male member axially inwardly of said upset portion.

3. A quick connector coupling as recited in claim 2 wherein there are two of said retention legs and two of said latching verification legs.

4. A quick connector coupling as recited in claim 3 wherein said retention legs and said latching verification legs are spaced equidistantly around the circumference of said ring.

5. A quick connector coupling as recited in claim 4 wherein said retention legs are spaced in 180 degree opposition about said ring and said latching verification legs are spaced in 180 degree opposition about said ring.

6. A quick connector coupling as recited in claim 1 wherein said portions of said latching verification legs which extend outwardly of said bore comprise latches which wrap around said radial rim and engage said exterior abutment surface.

7. A method of forming a quick connector coupling joint in a fluid line system comprising the steps of:

(1) providing a female connector body defining a bore which extends axially inwardly into said connector body from an entrance, a radial rim being defined in said connector body adjacent said entrance, said radial rim defining an interior abutment surface and an exterior abutment surface;

(2) providing a male member insertable into said bore, said male member having an enlarged upset portion;

(3) providing a retainer having a base, retention legs extending away from said base to first bends, said retention legs extending away from said first bends towards said base and terminating in second bends spaced from said base, and latching verification legs extending away from said base and terminating in latch portions;

(4) disposing said retainer in said bore of said connector body such that said latch portions of said latching verification legs are spaced axially inwardly of said exterior abutment surface;

(5) inserting said male member into said bore until said upset portion is axially inwardly of said second bends of said retention legs; and

(6) displacing said male member axially outwardly until said latch portions of said latching verification legs engage said exterior abutment surface of said connector body.

8. A quick connector coupling comprising:

a hollow female connector body defining an interior abutment surface and an exterior abutment surface;

a male member received in said connector body and having a radially enlarged upset; and

a retainer disposed within said connector body, said retainer having retention legs and latching verification legs spaced about and extending outwardly from a base, said male member being movable in a first direction to a first position wherein said retention legs are positioned between said upset and said interior abutment surface to retain said male member in said connector body, and said male member being movable from said first position in a second direction opposite to said first direction, said retainer moving with said male member in said second direction to a second position wherein said latching verification legs extend partially out of said connector body and engage said exterior abutment surface to fix said retainer relative to said connector body and to provide visual verification of a proper connection.