Quick connector assembly

• US 7,044,506 B2
• Filed: 08/07/2003
• Issued: 05/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Xiamen Lota International Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Xiamen Lota International Company Limited
• Inventors: Dong, Zhao Wei
• Primary Examiner(s): DUNWOODY, AARON M
• Application Number:
  US10/635,966
• Publication Number:
  US 20050029810A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,013 Days
• Field of Search: 285/272, 285/278, 285/280, 285/82, 285/148.1, 285/148.5, 285/148.19, 285/148.21, 285/87, 285/313, 285/317, 285/308, 285/319, 285/921, 285/39, 285/233, 285/320, 285/148.14, 285/81
• US Class Current: 285/319
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/098 by means of flexible hooks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 285/921 Snap-fit

Abstract

A connector assembly (10) for releasably connecting a pair of conduits (12, 14) is disclosed. The assembly (10) comprises a first member (20) and a second member (40). The first member (20) has a nozzle (22) and the first member (20) is adapted to be connected to one of the conduits (12). The first member (20) includes an anchor (60) rotatably mounted on the first member (20). The anchor (60) has at least one resilient tab (62) extending therefrom. The second member (40) has an opening (45) that receives the nozzle (22). The second member (40) has at least one aperture (46). The second member (40) is also adapted to be connected to the other of the conduits (14). The tab (62) engages the aperture (46) to releasably connect the first and second members (20, 40).

Claims

1. A connector assembly for releasably connecting a pair of conduits, the assembly comprising:

a first member having a nozzle, the first member adapted to be connected to one of the conduits;

an anchor, having at least one tab extending therefrom, and rotatably mounted on the first member; and

a second member receiving the nozzle, and the second member adapted to be connected to the other of the conduits, the second member further having at least one aperture, wherein the tab releasably engages the aperture, and wherein the second member has at least one flexible wing, wherein a portion of the wing is movable towards the aperture to contact the tab,

wherein the anchor and second member have cooperative structure releasably connecting the first and second members.

2. A connector assembly for releasably connecting a pair of conduits, the assembly comprising:

a first member having a nozzle, the first member adapted to be connected to one of the conduits;

an anchor rotatably mounted on the first member, the anchor having at least one resilient tab extending therefrom;

a second member receiving the nozzle, wherein the second member has at least one aperture, the second member adapted to be connected to the other of the conduits;

wherein the tab engages the aperture to releasably connect the first and second members;

and at least one flexible wing, wherein a portion of the wing is movable towards the aperture to engage the tab.

3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the wing has a fixed end and a free end, wherein the fixed end is connected to the second member, and wherein the free end is positioned proximate to the aperture.

4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the second member further has a collar, wherein the fixed end of the wing is connected to the collar.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the collar is removably connected to the second member.

6. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the second member includes a second nozzle adapted to be inserted into the second conduit.

7. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the second member has at least one slot.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the anchor can be inserted into the second member only when the projection is aligned with the slot.

9. The assembly of claim 8 comprising two projections and two slots.

10. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the second member acts as a collar, wherein the fixed end of the wing is connected to the collar.

11. A connector assembly for releasably connecting a pair of conduits, the assembly comprising:

a first member having a nozzle, the nozzle having a groove, the first member adapted to be connected to one of the conduits;

an anchor rotatably mounted in the groove, the anchor having at least one resilient tab extending therefrom;

a second member having an opening that receives the nozzle in the first member, the second member further having at least one aperture, the second member adapted to be connected to the other of the conduits;

further comprising at least one flexible wing extending from the second member, wherein at least a portion of the wing is in communication with the aperture;

wherein the tab is moveable between an expanded position wherein a portion of the tab engages the aperture to connect the first and second members, and a compressed position wherein the tab is disengaged from the aperture permitting disconnection of the first and second members.

12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the nozzle of the first member has at least one seal that, when the first and second members are connected, is positioned along the second member.

13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the seal is an O-ring.

14. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the aperture is located in communication with the opening.

15. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the second member has at least one slot.

16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the slot extends between the opening and the aperture.

17. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the slot is cooperatively dimensioned with the tab.

18. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the anchor can be inserted into the second member only when the tab is aligned with the slot.

19. The assembly of claim 18 comprising two tabs and two slots.

20. The assembly of claim 11, wherein a portion of the wing is movable into the aperture to contact the tab to move the tab from the expanded position to the compressed position.

21. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the wing has a fixed end and a free end, wherein the fixed end is connected to the second member, wherein the free end is proximate the aperture.

22. The assembly of claim 14, wherein at least one of the first or second member is made of plastic.

23. The assembly of claim 14, wherein a portion of the first member is threaded, wherein the threaded portion is adapted to be connected to one of the conduits.

24. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the second member includes a second nozzle adapted to be inserted into the other of the conduits.