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Quick connector with snap-on retainer having enhanced engagement

  • US 5,951,063 A
  • Filed: 04/23/1997
  • Issued: 09/14/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A quick connector comprising:

  • mating male and female components;

    the male component having a first end portion terminating in a tip end and a radially enlarged annular flange spaced from the tip end;

    the female component including a housing having a through bore formed of at least a first axially extending bore portion disposed adjacent to an open first end of the housing for receiving the male component therein;

    first and second opposed, aligned apertures formed in the housing in transverse communication with the first bore portion in the housing and forming a transverse bore extending through the housing; and

    retainer means, slidable through the first and second apertures in the housing, for releasibly locking the male and female components together, the retainer means including;

    a body having an end wall and first and second spaced legs extending from the end wall, each of the first and second legs having opposed first and second side edges;

    first and second arms formed on the body interiorly of the first and second legs, respectively, the first and second arms spaced apart a distance less than an outer diameter of the annular flange of the male component;

    the first and second arms axially extending between the first and second side edges of the first and second legs for a distance less than a length of the first and second legs between the first and second side edges of the first and second legs to form a recess interiorly of the first and second legs for receiving the annular flange on the male only when the male component is fully seated within the female component; and

    projections formed on the first and second legs in the form of outward angled hooks releasibly engageable with an outer surface of the housing after the retainer is fully inserted into the transverse bore in the housing and the ends of the legs project outward through one of the first and second apertures in the housing.

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