Connector and method of manufacture

• US 20030067162A1
• Filed: 10/10/2001
• Published: 04/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Flex Technology Incorporated (Vulcan Electric Co.)
• Original Assignee: Flex Technology Incorporated (Vulcan Electric Co.)
• Inventors: Welsh, Thomas L., Dick, Joseph F., Burket, Glenn E.
• Application Number:
  US09/975,917
• Publication Number:
  US 20030067162A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 285/305
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/1459 Coating annular articles
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/33 having transversely, e.g. radially, movable mould parts
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/4407 by flexible movement of undercut portions of the articles
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/24 Pipe joints or couplings B29L2031/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/26 Sealing devices, e.g. packaging for pistons or pipe joints
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/0841 by means of a transversally slidable locking member surrounding the tube

Abstract

A connector includes a hollow member having an open first end and an open second end joined by a bore extending through the body having a first bore section and a second bore section that is stepwise reduced from the first bore section creating an annular shoulder therebetween. The first bore section tapers inwardly from the shoulder toward a third bore section, a sealing member receiver integrally formed into the connector and located within the second bore section near the third bore section. A sealing member seated within the sealing member receiver and at least partially protrudes inwardly into the second bore section. A method of manufacturing a connector includes the steps of providing a mold that defines a cavity, providing an insert assembly located within the cavity, and providing a sealing member within the mold contacting the insert assembly and partially exposed to the cavity; compressing the sealing member such that the contact between the insert assembly and sealing member is maintained as the connector is molded; and providing molten plastic material into the mold cavity to form the connector.

Claims

1. A connector comprising:

a hollow member having an open first end and an open second end joined by a bore extending through said hollow member having a first bore section and a second bore section that is stepwise reduced from said first bore section creating an annular shoulder therebetween, said first bore section tapering inwardly from said shoulder toward a third bore section;

a sealing member receiver integrally formed into the connector and located within said second bore section near said third bore section; and

a sealing member seated within said sealing member receiver and at least partially protruding inwardly into said second bore section.

2. The connector of claim 1 further comprising at least one retaining assembly located on one end of said hollow member.

3. The connector of claim 2, wherein said retaining assembly is a barbed-type retaining assembly formed on said hollow member adjacent said second end of said bore.

4. The connector of claim 3 further comprising a sealing member receiver formed on said barbed retainer;

and

a second sealing member seated within said sealing member receiver on said barbed retainer, said second sealing member extending at least partially radially outward of said barbed retainer to effect a sealing relationship with a conduit.

5. The connector of claim 4, wherein at least a portion of said barbed retainer is formed without a parting line.

6. The connector of claim 2, wherein said retaining assembly is a latch-type assembly including a retaining clip biased toward a lock position.

7. The connector of claim 1, wherein said hollow member is configured as an in-line connection with said first open end and said second open end lying on a common axis.

8. The connector of claim 1, wherein said hollow member has an elbow configuration with a bend between said first open end and said second open end.

9. The connector of claim 7 further comprising a flange extending partially into said bore extending between a first corner of said bend to a second corner of said bend, whereby said flange prevents over insertion of conduit.

11. The connector of claim 9, wherein said receiver includes a concave recess formed in said member having opposing surfaces between which said sealing member is seated.

12. The connector of claim 9, wherein said bore opens radially outward adjacent one side of said sealing member defining a clearance for removal of an insert assembly during formation of said connector.

13. The connector of claim 11, wherein said hollow member has a surface adjacent said sealing member extending axially toward said first open end and radially outward to define a frustoconical bore section adjacent said sealing member.

14. The connector of claim 12 further comprising a cylindrical bore section adjacent said frustoconical bore section stepped radially outward by a shoulder separating said sections, said cylindrical bore section opening at said first open end.

15. The connector of claim 13 further comprising generally cylindrical third bore section stepped radially inward by an annular flange inward from said frustoconical portion to an extent less than the protrusion of said sealing member into said bore.

16. The connector of claim 14 further comprising a barbed conduit retaining assembly having a plurality of barbs formed on said hollow member assembly adjacent said second end;

said barbed retaining assembly defining a second sealing member receiver located on an exterior of said hollow member adjacent one of said barbs;

a sealing member carried by said second sealing member retainer;

wherein said second sealing member is adapted to protrude radially outward of said barbs.

10. A connector comprising:

a hollow member having a first open end and a second open end joined by a bore;

said hollow member defining a sealing member receiver housing an integrally assembled sealing member, wherein said sealing member receiver is adapted to load said sealing member such that a portion of said sealing member protrudes into said bore; and

at least one conduit retaining assembly located at one of said ends.

17. A method of manufacturing a connector comprising:

providing a mold that defines a cavity, providing an insert assembly located within said cavity, and providing a sealing member within said mold contacting said insert assembly and partially exposed to said cavity;

compressing said sealing member such that the contact between said insert assembly and sealing member is maintained as the connector is molded; and

providing molten plastic material into said mold cavity to form the connector.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein compressing said sealing member includes mounting said sealing member on a pin assembly slidably received by said insert assembly, and driving said pin assembly toward said insert assembly such that said sealing member is compressed between a portion of said pin assembly and said insert assembly.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of baiasing said pin assembly is biased away from said insert assembly, overcoming said bias to compress said sealing member;

releasing said pin assembly after the connector is formed such that said pin assembly moves away from said insert assembly; and

subsequent to said pin assembly moving away from said insert assembly ejecting the connector from said mold.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein said mold includes a first mold portion, a second mold portion, and a third mold portion having a mandrel extending therefrom into the mold cavity;

inserting said mandrel as the mold is closed to compress said sealing member by bearing on said pin assembly;

opening the mold after forming the connector by retracting the mandrel, then opening said first and second mold portions, and pushing the connector off the insert assembly.