Fluid quick connector for threaded fluid components

• US 7,108,296 B2
• Filed: 09/17/2002
• Issued: 09/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cooper-Standard Automotive Incorporated (Cooper-Standard Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. (ITT, Inc.)
• Inventors: Andre, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bochna, David
• Application Number:
  US10/245,066
• Publication Number:
  US 20040051314A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,463 Days
• Field of Search: 285/390, 285/391, 285/319, 285/386, 285/384, 285/387, 285/388, 285/133.4, 285/133.11, 298/901.4
• US Class Current: 285/319
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 25/009 Combination of a quick-acting type coupling and a conventional one
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/0985 the flexible hook extending radially inwardly from an outer part and engaging a bead, recess or the like on an inner part F16L37/0982 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49428 Gas and water specific plumbing component making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53987 Tube, sleeve or ferrule

Abstract

A fluid quick connector is mountable onto the threads of a threaded fluid component in a sealed fluid connection. A retainer element carried by the fluid quick connector is engagable with the threads on the second fluid component. In one aspect, the retainer element is at least one tab projecting inward into a bore in the quick connector body for engagement with the threads on the fluid component. In another aspect, the retainer is a resilient member carried within an expanded chamber in the quick connector body which has resilient legs positioning a tip end into engagement with the threads on the fluid component.

Claims

1. A method for joining a first fluid component to a second fluid component, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a first component with a bore extending between first and second ends;

providing a port on the first component in fluid communication with the bore between the first and second ends;

forming external threads on the port;

providing a housing having a through bore;

mounting the second fluid component to one end of the housing;

disposing an opposite end of the housing over a threaded port of the first fluid component;

capturing a retainer in the housing to fixedly engage threads on the port to lock the port to the housing in a snap fit connection; and

forming the retainer with an end portion defining an aperture and at least one resilient outer leg projecting from the end portion and terminating in a tip at an end of an inner leg extending angularly inward from an opposite end of the outer leg, the tip of the inner leg engageable with the threads on the first fluid component.

2. A quick connector for joining a first fluid component having an externally threaded port to a second fluid component manufactured according to the method of claim 1.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

snap connecting the leg of the retainer in the housing with the threads on the port to lock the housing to the port.

4. A fluid quick connector adapted for connecting a first fluid component to a second fluid component, the first fluid component having external threads surrounding a fluid flow port, the quick connector comprising:

a housing having a through bore extending between first and second ends, the first end adapted for connection to a second fluid component;

the second end of the housing having a bore portion adapted to be mounted over threads on the fluid port of the first fluid component; and

a retainer carried in the housing and having a movable leg engagable with the threads on the first fluid component as the housing is engaged with the first fluid component to connect the housing to the first fluid component, the retainer including a one piece body having an end portion defining an aperture and at least one resilient outer leg projecting from the end portion and terminating in a tip at an end of an inner leg extending angularly inward from an opposite end of the outer leg, the tip end of the inner leg adapted for engagement with the threads on the first fluid component.

5. The fluid quick connector of claim 4 further comprising:

At least one aperture formed in the second end of the housing opening to an internal cavity in the housing to provide access to the retainer.

6. A method for joining a first fluid component to a second fluid component, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a housing having a through bore;

mounting the second fluid component to one end of the housing;

disposing an opposite end of the housing over a threaded port of the first fluid component;

disposing a retainer in the housing to fixedly engage threads on the port to lock the port to the housing in a snap fit connection; and

forming the retainer with an end portion defining an aperture and at least one resilient outer leg projecting from the end portion and terminating in a tip at an end of an inner leg extending angularly inward from an apposite end of the outer leg, the tip end of the inner leg engageable with the threads on the first fluid component.

7. A fluid quick connector comprising:

a first fluid carrying component having external threads on a port;

a housing having a through bore extending between first and second ends, the first end adapted for connection to a second fluid component;

the second end of the housing having a bore portion adapted to be mounted over threads of the first fluid component; and

a retainer carried in the housing and having a movable leg engagable with the threads on the first fluid component as the housing is engaged with the first fluid component to connect the housing to the first fluid component, the retainer including a one piece body having an end portion defining an aperture and at least one resilient outer leg projecting from the end portion and terminating in a tip at an end of an inner leg extending angularly inward from an opposite end of the outer leg, the tip end of the inner leg engageable with the threads on the first fluid component.