Connector for fluid handling system
US6443496B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 11, 2001 |
| Grant date | Sep 3, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 11, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16L37/0985
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a connector for joining fluid flow passegeways in a fluid handling system. The connector may be manually manipulated, without using any tools, to quickly and easily couple or decouple the mating connector components. Those components include a plug having a cylindrical plug wall and a radially extending flange, and a mating socket having a cylindrical socket wall and a pair of diametrically opposed retainers. The retainers each comprise an axially extending flexible lever spaced from the socket wall. The lever is joined to the socket wall at a base or proximal end and has a latch at its free or distal end. The lever is also joined to the socket wall by a fulcrum wall or living hinge positioned intermediate the ends of the lever. A split lock ring is disposed between the socket wall and each retainer and is movable from a position adjacent the base of each retainer to a position remote from the base of each retainer. The latch at the free end of each retainer is engageable with the plug flange to prevent disengagement of the plug and socket when the levers are in their free, unstressed state. However, the levers may be manually deflected or depre…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.