Gasket retainer clip
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A retainer clip for holding a gasket between the ends of two coupling components in a face seal fitting, comprising:
- a first resilient annular member having first and second circumferential ends and a gap between said ends, the first resilient annular member being sized to retain the gasket;
a second resilient annular member having first and second circumferential ends and a discontinuity between said ends, the second resilient annular member being sized to fix itself by its resilience to one of the coupling components; and
a bridge connecting the first and second resilient annular members to one another and maintaining the first and second resilient annular members coaxial with one another, said bridge having an axially extending strengthening rib and a circumferential extent, with respect to the first and second resilient annular members, of less than 90°
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Abstract
A retainer clip for holding a gasket between the ends of two coupling components includes a first resilient annular member extending circumferentially about two-thirds of a circle, a second resilient annular member having circumferential ends and a discontinuity between the ends, and a bridge connecting the first and second resilient annular members. The bridge has a circumferential extent of less than 45°, and the first resilient annular member is circumferentially expandable without causing the second resilient annular member to expand.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A retainer clip for holding a gasket between the ends of two coupling components in a face seal fitting, comprising:
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a first resilient annular member having first and second circumferential ends and a gap between said ends, the first resilient annular member being sized to retain the gasket;
a second resilient annular member having first and second circumferential ends and a discontinuity between said ends, the second resilient annular member being sized to fix itself by its resilience to one of the coupling components; and
a bridge connecting the first and second resilient annular members to one another and maintaining the first and second resilient annular members coaxial with one another, said bridge having an axially extending strengthening rib and a circumferential extent, with respect to the first and second resilient annular members, of less than 90°
.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. In combination, a gasket, a first coupling component in a face seal fitting, and a retainer clip for holding the gasket between an end of the first coupling component and the end of another coupling component in the face seal fitting, wherein the retainer clip comprises:
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a first resilient annular member having first and second circumferential ends and a discontinuity between said ends, the first resilient annular member retaining the gasket;
a second resilient annular member having first and second circumferential ends and a gap between said ends, the second resilient annular member fixed by its resilience to said first coupling component; and
a bridge connecting the first and second resilient annular members to one another and maintaining the first and second resilient annular members coaxial with one another, said bridge member having a circumferential extent, with respect to the first and second resilient annular members, of less than 90°
.- View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A retainer clip for holding a gasket between the ends of two coupling components in a face seal fitting, comprising:
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a first resilient annular member having first and second circumferential ends and a gap between said ends, the first resilient annular member being sized to retain the gasket;
a second resilient annular member having first and second circumferential ends and a discontinuity between said ends, the second resilient annular member being sized to fix itself by its resilience to one of the coupling components; and
a bridge connecting the first and second resilient annular members to one another and maintaining the first and second resilient annular members coaxial with one another, said bridge having a circumferential extent, with respect to the first and second resilient annular members, of less than 90°
,wherein each of the first and second resilient annular members has a circumferentially extending strengthening rib.
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Specification