U.S. patent application number 09/756326 was filed with the patent office on 2002-08-29 for quick connector.
This patent application is currently assigned to Proprietary Technology, Inc. Invention is credited to Bartholomew, Donald D..
Application Number | 20020117853 09/756326 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24599454 |
Filed Date | 2002-08-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020117853 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bartholomew, Donald D. |
August 29, 2002 |
Quick connector
Abstract
A quick connector (10) has a pair of waist segments (76 and 81),
a shoulder segment (163), a body segment (72) with an aperture
(156) therein, and a leg segment (78). The leg segment (78) is
defined by a pair of projecting elements (163) which are at least
partially compressible toward one another thereby causing the pair
of waist segments (76 and 81) to move toward one another. Thus, a
swivellable connection is made which has the equivalent length and
diameter of a convention non-swivellable threaded coupling. The
quick connector (10) may be released by hand or a snap ring tool
inserted into holes (410).
Inventors: |
Bartholomew, Donald D.; (Mt.
Clemens, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C.
P.O. Box 828
Bloomfield Hills
MI
48303
US
|
Assignee: |
Proprietary Technology, Inc
|
Family ID: |
24599454 |
Appl. No.: |
09/756326 |
Filed: |
January 8, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09756326 |
Jan 8, 2001 |
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09124619 |
Jul 29, 1998 |
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6170886 |
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09124619 |
Jul 29, 1998 |
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08648103 |
May 14, 1996 |
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5794984 |
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08648103 |
May 14, 1996 |
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PCT/US93/11281 |
Nov 16, 1993 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
285/305 ;
285/351; 285/39 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16L 37/098 20130101;
F16L 37/0982 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
285/305 ; 285/39;
285/351 |
International
Class: |
F16L 035/00 |
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A quick connector used to couple a male conduit to a female
receptacle, said female receptacle having a bore centrally
extending therethrough defined by an inside surface therein, said
quick connector comprising: a body segment having an aperture
therethrough defined by an inner edge therearound, said inner edge
of said body segment surrounding a predetermined portion of said
male conduit therewithin; a pair of waist segments each having an
interior edge thereabout, said body segment coupled to said pair of
waist segments; interface portions mounted on said pair of waist
segments which attachably engage said female receptacle
thereagainst; a leg segment attached to said pair of waist segments
clear of said aperture within said body segment thereof, said leg
segment defined by a pair of projecting elements each extending
substantially perpendicular to said pair of waist segments such
that said leg segment is orientated substantially parallel with a
longitudinal axis of said male conduit adjacent thereto; and said
leg segment protruding through said bore of said female receptacle
so as to be accessible from thereout, said interface portions
insertable into said bore of said female receptacle by allowing
said pair of projecting members of said leg segment to at least
partially compress toward one another, said leg segment further
urging said interface portions radially outward so as to be
engagably coupled within said female receptacle, said interface
portions being disengagable from said female receptacle by at least
partially compressing said projecting members of said leg segment
toward one another whereby said quick connector can be
longitudinally removed from said female receptacle.
2. The quick connector of claim 1 further comprising: a shoulder
segment projecting from a first of said pair of waist segments,
said shoulder segment having one of said interface portions thereon
which attachably engages said female receptacle thereagainst.
3. The quick connector of claim 2 further comprising: a third of
said waist segments movable somewhat independently from a first and
second of said waist segments with said interior edge of said waist
segments defining an opening therein; and said shoulder segment
projecting from a first and second of said waist segments, said leg
segment coupling said first and second waist segments to said third
waist segment.
4. The quick connector of claim 3 wherein: said shoulder segment
and said third waist segment are displaced away one another in a
radial direction with a gap therebetween so as to be compressible
toward one another by said leg segment substantially
therebetween.
5. The quick connector of claim 4 wherein: a second leg segment
connects said first and second waist segments to said third waist
segment, said first and second leg segments are located radially
opposite from one another adjacent to and clear of said aperture in
said body segment thereof, the radial orientation of said first and
second leg segments are substantially perpendicular with the radial
orientation of said waist segments.
6. The quick connector of claim 5 wherein: said body segment is a
separate part from said waist segments and said pair of leg
segments thereon, said body segment further has a plurality of
bendable tabs projecting therefrom which are each securely affixed
to said waist segments adjacent thereto, said plurality of tabs
extend from said body segment such that said aperture therein is in
registry with said opening of said waist segments and is
juxtapositioned centrally between said pair of leg segments
adjacent thereto; and said waist segments are radially compressible
toward each other between said plurality of tabs and said body
segment slidably adjacent thereto.
7. The quick connector of claim 6 wherein: said body segment is
located longitudinally adjacent to said waist segments on a surface
opposite from said pair of leg segments extending therefrom.
8. The quick connector of claim 3 further comprising: a second
shoulder segment projecting from said third waist segment and a
fourth waist segment adjacent thereto, said first and second
shoulder segments projecting radially opposite from each other.
9. The quick connector of claim 3 wherein: said pair of projecting
elements of said leg segment are joined together at a distal end of
each thereof by a truss element therebetween.
10. The quick connector of claim 2 wherein: said shoulder segment
is defined by a pair of flanges from which project a pair of side
walls joined by a median wall, said shoulder segment has a distal
edge thereto, said interface portion of said shoulder segment
thereof is defined by a portion of said median wall and an opposing
portion of each of said pair of flanges closest to said distal edge
therenear.
11. The quick connector of claim 1 further comprising: a cover
surrounding a predetermined portion of said male conduit with a
portion thereof proximate to said female receptacle thereagainst,
said cover substantially preventing contaminants from entering said
bore of said female receptacle thereof.
12. The quick connector of claim 11 wherein said cover includes: an
annular hub section engagably surrounding a preselected portion of
said male conduit, said hub section being longitudinally slidable
therealong; a cup section having an outer portion thereof, said cup
section projecting outward from said hub therein; an outer wall
projecting from said outer portion of said cup section attached
thereto, said outer wall being open toward said distal end of said
male conduit thereof and having an inwardly turned lip therein,
said inwardly turned lip being interlockably engagable with said
female receptacle thereby providing a contaminant seal between said
male conduit and said female receptacle coupled thereto.
13. The quick connector of claim 1 wherein: a peripheral edge of
said body segment has a smaller radial dimension than does said
bore of said female receptacle.
14. The quick connector of claim 1 further comprising: an annular
bulge radially formed around said male conduit against which said
body segment is longitudinally positioned; and a bushing
longitudinally displaced adjacent to said annular bulge of said
male conduit such that said body segment is securely affixed
longitudinally therebetween. 15
19. A swivelable quick connector comprising: a pair of shoulder
segments projecting opposite from one another with each having an
interface portion thereon; a plurality of waist segments supporting
said pair of shoulder segments attached thereto; a body segment
juxtapositioned centrally in relation to said pair of shoulder
segments thereabout and longitudinally adjacent to said plurality
of waist segments thereagainst, said body segment having an
aperture therethrough defined by an inner edge therearound; and a
pair of leg segments juxtapositioned between said pair of shoulder
segments thereabout and being displaced clear of said aperture
within said body segment thereof, said pair of leg segments each
defined by a pair of projecting elements each extending
substantially perpendicular from said plurality of waist segments
attached thereto, said pair of leg segments located opposite from
said body segment displaced therenear, said pair of projecting
members of each of said pair of leg segments being at least
partially compressible toward one another.
20. A coupling system comprising: a male conduit having a
cylindrical shape thereto and a distal end thereof; a female
receptacle having a bore extending therethrough defined by an
inside surface therearound, said female receptacle further having
means for retaining therein, said distal end of said male conduit
insertable within said bore of said female receptacle thereof; and
a quick connector having radially compressible means for retaining
and longitudinally rigid means for retaining, said longitudinally
rigid means of said quick connector positioned around said male
conduit a predetermined distance from said distal end thereof, a
predetermined portion of said male conduit adjacent to said quick
connector thereabout having radially expanded means for
longitudinally securing said longitudinally rigid means of said
quick connector thereto, said radially compressible means of said
quick connector being removably attached to said retaining means of
said female receptacle, said quick connector coupling said male
conduit to said female receptacle.
21. The coupling system of claim 20 wherein said radially
compressible means of said quick connector includes: a plurality of
waist segments radially movable toward each other; and means for
urging said plurality of waist segments radially outward from each
other.
22. The coupling system of claim 21 wherein said longitudinally
rigid means of said quick connector includes: a body segment having
an aperture therethrough defined by an inner edge therearound, said
body segment slidably coupled to said pair of waist segments.
23. The coupling system of claim 21 wherein said urging means
includes: a leg segment attached to said plurality of waist
segments, said leg segment defined by a pair of projecting elements
coupled to each other and extending from said plurality of waist
segments.
24. A coupling system for use in a coupling a male conduit having a
distal end thereof to a female receptacle, said female receptacle
having a bore centrally extending therethrough defined by an inside
surface, said female receptacle further having a retaining
formation, said coupling system comprising: a quick connector
having a first segment thereof which securely engages said male
conduit thereto, said quick connector further having a second
segment thereof which is attachably engagable with said retaining
formation of said female receptacle thereto; and a cover
surrounding a predetermined portion of said male conduit external
to said bore of said female receptacle, a predetermined portion of
said cover being proximate to said female receptacle thereagainst
thereby providing a contaminant seal between said male conduit and
said female receptacle coupled thereto.
25. A cover for use in substantially preventing contaminating
particles from entering a bore within a female receptacle defined
by an inside surface thereabout, a distal end of a male conduit
insertable within said bore of said female receptacle, said cover
comprising: an annular hub section engagably surrounding a
preselected portion of said male conduit, said hub section being
longitudinally slidable therealong; a cup section having an outer
portion thereof, said cup section projecting outward from said hub
section therein; and an outer wall projecting from said outer
portion of said cup section attached thereto, said outer wall being
open toward said distal end of said male conduit thereof a portion
of said outer wall being proximate with said female receptacle
thereagainst thereby providing a contaminant seal between said male
conduit and said female receptacle coupled thereto.
26. The cover of claim 25 further comprising: an inwardly turned
lip projecting from said outer wall, said inwardly turned lip being
interlockably engagable with said female receptacle
thereagainst.
27. The cover of claim 25 further comprising: a quick connector
disengagably coupling said male conduit within said bore of said
female receptacle, said quick connector being longitudinally
juxtapositioned along said male conduit between said cover and said
distal end thereof.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to conduit couplings
through which fluid flows and specifically to a quick connector
which retains a male conduit within a female receptacle.
[0002] In the automotive industry, as well as for many other
industries, the need always exists for low cost, reliable and easy
to assemble components. This need is especially apparent with
respect to providing a connection between fluid conveying conduits,
such as fuel, brake or refrigerant lines. Traditionally, such a
connection is comprised of a male conduit being retained within a
female receptacle through use of threaded fittings, flare fittings
or through bolted on flanges.
[0003] More recently, a variety of snap together quick connect
retainers have been used in place of the conventional methods.
These quick connectors typically have a plurality of flexible legs
which engage an annular bead attached to a male conduit and also
engage an undercut groove formed within a female member. Two such
examples are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,601,497 entitled
"Swivelable Quick Connector Assembly" which issued on Jul. 22,
1986, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,778,203 entitled "Swivelable Quick
Connector for High Temperature Connection" which issued on Oct. 18,
1988, both of which were invented by the inventor of the present
invention and are incorporated by reference herewithin. Another
quick connector is flat with pairs of annular arms extending
therearound which are radially flexible. Other quick connectors
which were invented by the inventor of the present invention are
disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.: 4,524,995 and 4,423,892, both of which
are entitled "Swivelable Quick Connector Assembly" and which issued
on Jun. 25, 1985 and Jan. 23, 1984, respectively, and are
incorporated by reference herewithin.
[0004] While the aforementioned quick connectors present
significant improvements in the art, each leg member of these
devices must typically resist longitudinal pull out forces and must
generate radial retention forces. Moreover, the legs are radially
compressed during installation. Accordingly, in order to enhance
the ability to either withstand forces in the longitudinal
direction or generate radially directed forces, the part must often
be compromised with regard to the other force perpendicular
thereto. Therefore, it would be desirable to have a quick connector
which can be easily installed and removed, is inexpensive to
manufacture and which has separate segments for withstanding
longitudinal pull out forces and generating radial retention
forces, but which can be much shorter than conventional connectors
by reducing the length inside the female portion of the connector
to the length currently realized with threaded connectors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with the present invention, a preferred
embodiment of a new and useful quick connector is used to couple a
male conduit within a bore of a female receptacle. The quick
connector has a pair of waist segments, a shoulder segment, a body
segment with an aperture therein, and a leg segment. The leg
segment is defined by a pair of projecting elements which urge the
waist segments radially outward for engagement with the female
receptacle. The projecting elements are also partially compressible
toward one another thereby causing the pair of waist segments to
move toward one another for installation and disassembly. The
aperture within the body segment engagably surrounds a portion of
the male conduit.
[0006] The quick connector of the present invention is advantageous
over the prior art quick connectors in that the waist segments and
shoulder segment are optimized to withstand radially compressive
insertion and removal forces while transmitting radial retention
forces in association with the female receptacle. Concurrently, the
body segment is optimized to withstand longitudinal pull out forces
between the attached male conduit and the adjacent waist segments.
Furthermore, the present invention quick connector can be easily
assembled and disassembled from within the mating female
receptacle, thus, providing an inexpensive to assemble system. This
is accomplished by at least partially compressing the projecting
elements of the leg segment toward one another thereby engaging and
disengaging the quick connector from the mating female receptacle.
Additionally, the present invention can be inexpensively
manufactured. Also, the quick connector is operable with most
conventional swivelable male conduits and with many traditional
female receptacles, so as to convert the rigidly fixed conduit of
conventional threaded connectors to a swivelling type connection.
These quick connectors of the present invention have separated the
springing radial requirement from the requirement to longitudinally
abut a wall in the female receptacle. The quick connector of the
present invention maintains the male conduit in alignment within
the female receptacle thereby providing proper registry of a seal.
The present invention is also beneficial since it allows the male
conduit and female receptacle to incorporate longitudinally smaller
sealing and retaining areas than those associated with traditional
couplings. Additional advantages and features of the present
invention will become apparent from the following description and
appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first preferred
embodiment of a quick connector of the present invention;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a radial member of the
first preferred embodiment of the present invention quick connector
of FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a body segment of the
first preferred embodiment of the present invention quick connector
of FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a sectional view, taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1,
showing another embodiment of the first preferred embodiment of the
present invention quick connector in relation to a male conduit and
a female receptacle;
[0011] FIG. 4A is a sectional view, similar to that of FIG. 4,
showing another embodiment of the female receptacle and another
embodiment of a male conduit within which the first preferred
embodiment of the present invention quick connector of FIG. 1 is
employed;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view, opposite from that of FIG. 2,
showing a radial member of a second preferred embodiment of the
present invention quick connector of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a locking
member used in combination with the second preferred embodiment of
the present invention quick connector of FIG. 5;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective view, showing the locking member of
FIG. 6 assembled to the second preferred embodiment of the present
invention quick connector of FIG. 5;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a sectional view, similar to that of FIG. 4,
showing the first preferred embodiment of the present invention
quick connector of FIG. 1 used with a further embodiment of the
male conduit;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a perspective view, similar to that of FIG. 5,
showing a third preferred embodiment of the radial member of the
present invention quick connector of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 10 is a sectional view, similar to that of FIG. 4,
showing the first preferred embodiment of the present invention
quick connector of FIG. 1 in relation to another embodiment of a
male conduit and a female receptacle; and
[0018] FIG. 11 is a sectional view, similar to that of FIG. 4,
showing a dust cover used in combination with the first preferred
embodiment of the present invention quick connector of FIG. 1 in
relation to yet another embodiment male conduit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] In the automotive industry the need exists for coupling a
male tubular member or conduit to a female receptacle. For example,
coolant hoses and oil hoses must be connected to a radiator or an
engine block. Furthermore, brake hoses often need to be coupled to
one another. Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4 a preferred embodiment
of a quick connector 10 is used to operably retain a swivelable
male conduit 12 to a female receptacle 14. A first preferred
embodiment of male conduit 12 is a rigid metallic member having a
connecting portion 20, a bulged portion 22, a coined recessed
portion 24 and a flanged portion 26 proximate with a distal end 28
thereof. Male conduit 12 further has an annular bead or bushing 30
circumferentially attached therearound. A pair of O-ring seals 32
and an annular washer 34 are longitudinally juxtapositioned between
bushing 30 and flanged portion 26 so as to circumferentially
surround recessed portion 24. In coordination therewith, female
receptacle 14 has an outboard face 40, a frusto-conical chamfered
lead-in section 42, an annular ridge section 44, a retaining
formation or more specifically an undercut groove 46 within which
there is an outboard abutting wall 48 and an inboard abutting wall
50, an annular recessed section 52, a frusto-conical median section
54, a bore 56 defined by a cylindrical inside surface, and a
passageway 58.
[0020] Quick connector 10 is defined by a radial member 70 and a
body segment 72. As can best be observed in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4,
radial member 70 further has a pair of shoulder segments 74, a
plurality of waist segments 76, 77, 79 and 81, and a pair of leg
segments 78. Each shoulder segment 74 has a pair of flanges 80 from
which project three angled side walls 82 joined by a median wall
84, all of which are bordered by a distal edge 86. Moreover, each
leg segment 78 has a pair of projecting elements 100 which project
perpendicular from each adjacent waist segment 76, 77, 79 and 81.
Each projecting element 100 is connected at a distal end 102
thereof by a truss element 104. Portions 100, 102 and 104 provide
compressible outwardly springing action. Waist segments 76, 77, 79
and 81 define an opening 110 which has two partially cylindrical
interior edges 112 and four corner areas 114. Each shoulder segment
74, the adjacent pair of waist segments 76 and 77, and the adjacent
pair of projecting elements 100 are separated from the
symmetrically opposing shoulder segment 74, waist segments 79 and
81, and projecting elements 100, by a pair of gaps 116.
Accordingly, projecting elements 100 can be radially compressed
toward one another such that shoulder segments 74 are radially
translatable toward each other. Leg segments 78 are also configured
to urge shoulder segments 74 outward away from one another.
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, body segment 72 has a pair of
substantially flat faces 150 and 152 bordered by an annular
peripheral edge 154 and an internal aperture 156 defined by an
inner edge. Four bendable tabs 158 also project from the inner edge
surrounding aperture 156. When body segment 72 is assembled to
radial member 70, face 150 is mounted adjacent to waist segments
76, 77, 79 and 81 opposite from leg segments 78. Tabs 158 of body
segment 72 are then aligned with corner areas 114 of radial member
70 and folded over upon a portion of each waist segment 76, 77, 79
and 81 proximate with leg segments 78. Nevertheless, a space 160 is
present between an edge 162 of each tab 158 and the abutting wall
of corner area 114. This allows waist segments 76 and 77, 79 and
81, and shoulder segments 74 to be radially translatable toward one
another between tabs 158 and face 150 of body segment 72. Both
radial portion 70 and body segment 72 are preferably stamped from a
sheet of metallic material such as stainless steel.
[0022] Aperture 156 of body segment 72 circumferentially surrounds
male conduit 12 and is longitudinally trapped between bulged
portion 22 and bushing 30. This is best shown in FIGS. 1 and 4.
Furthermore, peripheral edge 154 of body segment 72 has a smaller
diametral dimension than does annular ridge section 44 and annular
recessed section 52 of female receptacle 14. Accordingly, body
segment 72 serves as a longitudinal and radial retention means
between male conduit 12 and radial member 70. During insertion of
radial member 70 within female receptacle 14, chamfered section 42
serves to radially compress shoulder segments 74 toward one
another. Subsequently, leg segments 78 urge shoulder segments 74
radially outward to engage undercut groove 46. Each shoulder
segment 74 has an interface portion 163 which operably engages
abutting walls 48 and 50 of female receptacle 14. Thus, radial
member 70 is designed to provide radially expansive retention
forces to retain body segment 72 to female receptacle 14.
[0023] An alternate embodiment of a female receptacle 300 is shown
in FIG. 4A. This female receptacle 300 has a slightly constricted
diameter bore 302 and a nominal diameter bore 304. In registry
therewith, a flanged portion 306 of a male conduit 308 has a
diameter corresponding to constricted diameter bore 302. This
provides for improved retention of a pair of O-ring seals 310 prior
to installation of male conduit 308 into female receptacle 300.
[0024] The male conduit assemblies of FIGS. 8 and 11 can
alternatively be used in combination with the present invention
quick connector 10. In FIG. 8 a male conduit 164 has a flared
distal end 166 against which is located a pair of washers 168 and
170, and a pair of annular elastomeric seals 172 and 174.
Furthermore, a first bushing 176 serves to prevent longitudinal
movement of seal 174 and quick connector 10. Longitudinal movement
of quick connector 10 may also be prevented by a second bushing
178. Thus, bushings 176 and 178 are secured around male conduit 164
in order to longitudinally trap quick connector 10
therebetween.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 11, a polymeric or rubber male conduit 180
is illustrated as having a flanged ferrule 182 inserted into a
distal end 184 thereof. A pair of elastomeric seals 186 and 188 and
a washer 190 are juxtapositioned proximate with distal end 184.
Ferrule 182 serves to expand the diameter of male conduit 180 after
installation of quick connector 10 thereon so as to cause the inner
edge surrounding aperture 156 of the quick connector's body segment
72 to be compressibly attached therewith. A bushing 192 is also
compressibly attached around male conduit 180 by employing ferrule
182 to expand conduit 180.
[0026] Another preferred embodiment of leg segments 78 of radial
member 70 is shown in FIGS. 5 through 7. Each projecting element
100 has a first outwardly offset formation 200, an adjacent
inwardly offset formation 202 and a second outwardly offset
formation 204 proximate with a truss element 206. This provides a
receiving area for a finger 210 of an annular locking member 212.
Locking member 212 is first juxtapositioned in position 220 to
allow compression of projecting elements 100 during installation.
Locking member is then moved to position 222 after installation of
quick connector 10 so as to prevent compression of projecting
elements 100. This prevents inadvertent disassembly of quick
connector 10 and male conduit 12 (see FIG. 4) from female
receptacle 14 (see FIG. 1).
[0027] The third preferred embodiment of a radial member 400
employed in the quick connector 10 (see FIG. 1) of the present
invention is illustrated in FIG. 9. Radial member has a single
shoulder segment 402, a first waist segment 404, a second waist
segment 405, a third waist segment 406 and a pair of leg segments
408. Leg segments 408 serve to radially urge shoulder segment 402
and the opposite waist segment 406 into interlocking engagement
with female receptacle 14 (see FIG. 4). A peripheral section 414 of
waist segment 406 and a peripheral section 416 of shoulder segment
402 serve as interface portions. A plurality of holes 410 are shown
in waist segments 404, 405 and 406 so as to aid in use of an
installation or disassembly tool (not shown).
[0028] A further embodiment of a female receptacle 450 and a male
conduit 452 can be seen in FIG. 10. Female receptacle 450 has a
receiving bore 454 and a frusto-conical lead-in portion 456 with a
distal edge 458 therearound. A collar 460 snugly surrounds lead-in
portion 456. Collar 460 has a turned section 462 and a return arm
464 with an abutting edge 466. A localized foot 468 projects
radially inward from collar 460 so as to prevent undesirable
longitudinal translation of collar 460 along female receptacle 450.
The mating male conduit 452 has a nominal section 480 and a flanged
portion 482 proximate with a distal end 484 thereof. A pair of
bushings 486 and 488 are securely fastened around nominal section
480 of male conduit 452. An O-ring seal 490 is longitudinally
trapped between flanged portion 482 and bushing 486. Also, the
first preferred embodiment of quick connector 10 of the present
invention is longitudinally trapped between bushings 486 and 488
such that an interface portion 496 is operably engaged between
abutting edge 466 and distal edge 458 which act as a retaining
formation or means.
[0029] Referring again to FIG. 11, a dust cover 250 is shown which
prevents contaminating particles from entering bore 56 (see FIG. 4)
of female receptacle 14 (see FIG. 4) when quick connector 10 and
male conduit 180 are inserted therein. Cover 250 is comprised of an
annular hub 252 which engagably surrounds male conduit 180. Hub 252
also can be longitudinally slid therealong. A somewhat
parabolic-shaped cup 254 projects outward from annular hub 252.
Furthermore, a circumferential outer wall 256 projects from an
outermost portion of cup 254. Outer wall 256 is open toward distal
end 184 of male conduit 180 and has an inwardly turned lip 258
therein. This inwardly turned lip 258 is interlockably engagable
with female receptacle 14 (see FIG. 4) so as to prevent
contamination from entering therein. Cover 250 is preferably made
from an elastomeric material such as thermoplastic rubber.
[0030] While the preferred embodiment of a quick connector has been
disclosed, it will be appreciated that various modifications may be
made without departing from the present invention. For example, the
body segment and the radial member may be integrated as one part.
Furthermore, the peripheral edge of the body segment may have a
square shape thereto with tabs being inwardly bent therefrom.
Alternatively, the shoulder segments. and waist segments may
slidably overlap each other rather than having a gap therebetween.
Also, the sealing means between the male conduit and the female
receptacle may be comprised of a single elastomeric O-ring, a
pumpable sealant or various other fluid sealing devices as is known
within the art. Moreover, a variety of alternative dust cover
shapes may be used in combination with a quick connector, male
conduit and female receptacle. While specific materials have been
disclosed in an exemplary fashion, various other materials may of
course be employed. It is intended by the following to cover these
and any other departures from the disclosed embodiments which fall
within the true spirit of this invention.
* * * * *