Plug-in connector for tube and hose lines with catch spring guide

• US 7,597,362 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2004
• Issued: 10/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Henn GmbH & Co KG.
• Original Assignee: Henn GmbH & Co KG.
• Inventors: Hartmann, Harald
• Primary Examiner(s): Hewitt; James M
• Application Number:
  US10/575,141
• Publication Number:
  US 20080252070A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,051 Days
• Field of Search: 285/321, 285/305, 285/307
• US Class Current: 285/321
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/0885 with access to the split elastic ring from a radial or tangential opening in the coupling
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/144 the securing element being U-shaped

Abstract

A plug-in connector for tube and hose lines includes a nozzle with a catch shoulder extending around at least a part of the outer circumference. The catch shoulder is formed by an inclined surface with a slope that increases from the outer circumference and a catch surface following in the insertion direction. A plug may be latched to the catch surface of the nozzle by at least two spaced-apart latching locations and supports a radially-displaceable, essentially U-shaped catch spring having two lateral legs formed as catch legs. Both latching locations of the catch spring can latch reliably and simultaneously, even if the nozzle is inserted into the plug at an angle, by forming the catch spring with at least one additional approximately centered latching location disposed between the plug and the nozzle. The additional latching location is located forward of the two lateral latching locations in the insertion direction.

Claims

1. A plug-in connection for tube and hose lines comprising a nozzle having an inserting end and a radially outward projecting inclined shoulder extending at least partially around the outer circumference of the nozzle, the shoulder forming a latching surface on a side facing away from the insertion end, and

a plug receiving the nozzle, the plug including an approximately U-shaped catch spring having an approximately centered section and two lateral legs adapted to latch on the latching surface of the nozzle shoulder when the nozzle is inserted in the plug,

wherein the approximately centered section of the catch spring is located rearward in relation to the two lateral legs when viewed toward the nozzle, causing the approximately centered section of the catch spring to move across the inclined shoulder when the nozzle is inserted in the plug, and to urge the legs of the catch spring radially outwardly, and

wherein the catch spring is movable into a lowered position to cause the legs of the catch spring to latch synchronously and concurrently in the region of the latching surface on the shoulder.

2. The plug-in connection of claim 1, wherein upon insertion of the nozzle in the plug, the approximately centered section of the catch spring latches first with the latching surface on the nozzle, causing a radially inward motion of the catch spring on the plug and the two lateral legs of the catch spring to latch on the latching surface of the nozzle with an axial offset.

3. The plug-in connection of claim 1, wherein an additional approximately centered section of the catch spring is formed as a radially inwardly facing control clip.

4. Plug-in connection of claim 3, wherein the plug comprises a slot forming a control slit with inclined surfaces, and wherein the control clip is bent away from the catch spring in an approximately trapezoidal shape to form inclined legs, with the inclined legs of the control clip sliding on the inclined surfaces of the control slit during latching and producing an offset in a direction facing away from the nozzle.