Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
367()ri
~ICK~C~NNECT FLUID ~ITTING ASSEM~Y
~1 = ~
The invention relates generally to fluid conduit fitting or
coupling devices. More particularly, the invention relates to fluid conduit
fittings or couplings adapted for quickly and oonveniently connecting or
disconnecting a pair of fluid conduits.
A wide variety of fluid conduit fittings and couplings have been
provided in the prior art for connecting fluid conduits in fluid
communication with one another. One ~ype of such previously-known
couplings includes an external generally U-~haped staple or spring clip
that is ineerted into generally lateral openings In an assembled fitting
or coupling in order to interlockingly connect the component of the
assembly to one another. Frequently, h~wever, ~uch staples or clips tecome
mispla oed or permanently deforned as a result of repeated assembly and
disassembly of the ooupling and are therefore rendered unusable and must be
replaced. Additionally, such staples or clips frequently protrude
outwardly away from the fitting or coupling ass~mbly where they can snag
on, or interfere with, other adja oe nt components in an apparatus or system.
Finally, in high pressure applications, such Etaples or clip~ are often
re~uired to ~e very stiff and are thus difficult to install and remove from
the fluid oDupling or fitting.
Other prior art fittings or couplings require the use of an
external clamp or s1ng that oomp~esses one of the fluid conduits onto a
nipple-like ~tructure and are very tLme consuming to install or remove
during oonnection or disconnection of fluid conduits. Like the staples or
clips described above, these external clamps or rings often become
misplaoed or permanently damaged d~ring as~embly and disassembly of the
fluid conduit joint and therefore must be frequently replaced.
-- ~LZ~
Still other prior art fitting or coupling a~semblies include
collars or sleeve-like me~ber~ that are interlockingly interc~nnectable and
disconnectable with cne another in order to sealingly connect or di connect
a pair of fluid conduits. Although such fitting or ooupling a~emblies
overoome many o~ the disadv~ltages of the prior art devi oe s described above
by having the collars or sleeves retained on he fluid conduit~ even when
disconnected, but frequently do not Frovide adbquate lateral support for
the fluid conduits being oonnected to one another and there~y providing a
relatively weak connection that is ~usceptible to leakage or that can
result in physical damage to the conduits.
Still okher well-known fitting or coupling assemblies include male
and fenale elements on the oondui~s that are threadably connectable to one
another, but are cumbersome and time-consuming to oonnect o~ disconnect.
These types of couplings are also susceptible to leakage, thereby requiring
the application of sealing oDmpounds or tape~tyFe sealants to the threads
each time the c~upling elenents are connected to one another. In addition,
these types of oouplings or fittings, as well as those described above,
freguently do not provide a means for preventing leakage from the fluid
conduits during oonnection or disoonnection.
Accordingly, it is one of the objec*s of the present invention to
provide an imF~oYed fitting or coupling assembly e~pecially adapted for
quickly, conveniently, and releasably connecting a pair of fluid conduits
in fluid communication with one another.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a
quick-connect fitting or coupling assembly that dbes not include separate
or loose components that can be misplaced or damaged during repeated
connection and di~connection of a pair of fluid oonduits.
Still another objective of the ere æ nt invention is to Erovide a
guick-connect fluid conduit assembly that psovide~ su~stantial lateral
--2--
support for the fluid conduits being c~nnect~d together in order to prevent
damage to ~he oondui~ or the fitting and to prevent leakage therebetween
MCe the fitting i~ assembled.
A fur~her object of one of the ereferred embvdiment6 of the
present invention i6 to provide a fluid conduit fitt~ng or coupling
assembly that includes one or more valve mechanisms for ~ubstantially
preYenting leakage rom the fluid conduits being connected together, both
during connection and disconnection of the assembly.
In accordance with the Fresent invention, a quick-connect fitting
assembly for releasably connecting a eair of fluid conduit6 and fluid
communication with one another includes a 60cket on one of the fluid
conduits for reoeiving the other fluid oonduit inserted longitudinally
inwardly into the socket. m e inserted fluid conduit has a generally
laterally extending p~otuberanoe thereon, and a retainer within the fluid
socket includes a resilient barb member that i~ resiliently deflectable
into a longitudinally interlocking engagement with the protuberance on the
inserted fluid conduit. Preferably, a rem~val member is longitudinally
insertable into the EDcket and selectively m~vable therein in order to
engage and resiliently deflect the barb member laterally out of
interlocking engagement with the protuberance on the lnserted oo~duit,
thereky allow Mg the in&erted oonduit to be withdrawn from the socket.
Lateral support is preferably provided b~th at the outward end of the
fitting assembly and at the inner end of the in6erted fluid conduit in
order to laterally ~upport the inserted fluid conduit relative to the
socket and the remainder of the fitting assembly. In a preferred
embodLment, the akove-x ntioned removal member ~ontr$butes to aNch lateral
support and also functions as a dust cap for 6ubstantially preventing
foreign material ~rom enterLng the fiocket and inhibiting proper operation
of the fitting assembly.
7t:)5
In one preferred embodLment of the invention, the rem~val member
is a generally sleeve-like m~mter ex*ending at least partially into the
socket, with a collar member dispo~ed between the socket and the
sleeve-like removal m~mber~ Such collar ~ nber i8 located at a lc~gitudinal
position generally surrounding both the removal member ~nd a Eecond
laterally-extending protuberance on the in erted conduit BO that the
sl~eve-like removal m~mber and the oollar member laterally support the
inserted fluid conduit. In addition, the retainer in such preferred
embcdLment includes the above-mentioned barb memker for interlockingly
engaging the first ~rotuberanoe on the Lnserted fluid conduit, as well as a
Eecond barb member for retaining the rem~val ~ember within the socket,
while allowing the r~oval member to m~ve laterally Lnwardly to di~engage
the first ~arb mem~er from the Lnserted fluid oonduit. Such pre~erred
retaLner also includes a third barb member for retaining the collar mEmber
in its proper longitudinal FDsition in the socket.
In still another embodiment of the invention, one or more
normally-closed valve means are provided for substantially preventing
leakage from one or both of the fluid oonduits duling disconnection and
prior to oonnection. Such valve means, which can be Ftovided on either or
both of the inserted fluid conduit and the socket, are urged into open
positions when the in~erted fluid oonduit is inserted into the ~ocket and
are urged to their normally-closed po itions when the fitting a~sembly is
disconnected.
In still cther embodim~nts of ~he invention, the quick-connect
fitting assembly includes mean~ for resisting or inhibiting the inadvertent
or unauthorized disconnection of the fluid oonduits from one another.
Additional objec~s, advantages and features o~ the present
invention will become apparent from the following description and the
appended claim~, taken in conjunction with the ac~ompanying drawings.
7~
Figure 1 is a longi~udinal cross-~ectional view of one preferred
e~bodiment of a ~uick-connect fitting assembly according to the Ere6ent
invention.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross~sectional view 6imilar to Figure
1, but showing one of the fluid conduits being inserted into ~he fitting
assembly.
Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view similar to Figures
1 and 2r but shcwing the previously inserted fluid conduit being withdrawn
from the fitting assEmbly.
Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of another
Freferred embodiment of the present Lnvention, wherein a quick-connect
fitting assembly includes valving mechanisms for sub6tantially preventing
leakage from the ~luid conduits during connection or disconnection.
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 5-5
of Figure 4.
Figure 6 is an enlarg~d cross-~ectional view of one of the valve
elements of Figure 4.
Figure 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view ~inilar to that of
Figure 4, but illu~trating the Freviously inserted fluid conduit being
withdrawn from the fitting ass3mbly.
Figure 8 is a longitudinal cross-~ectional view ~imilar to Figure
1, but illustrating an alternate embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 9 is a longitudinal cross-~ectional view ~imilar to Figure
1, but illustrating another alternate embodL~ent of the present inven~ion
wherein the quick-cvnnect fitting assembly is relatively t~mper-resi~tant,
thereby inhibiting the improper disconnection thereo~.
Figure 9A is a lateral cross-sectional view taken generally along
o~
line 9A-9A ~f Figure 9.
Figure 10 is a longitudinal cros~6ectional view 6imilar o ~igure
9, but illustrating ~till another relatively ta~per-resistant embodiment of
the pYesent invention.
Figure 11 is a longitudinal cross-6ectional view of ~till another
alternate ~mkodiment of ~he present invention.
Figure 12 is a lateral cross-~ectional view taken generally along
line 12-1~ of Figure 11, but shown with a portion of the sscket member
broken away to reve21 internal ~hape and components.
Figures 1 through 12 illu6trate various exemplary emkodiments of
the F¢esent invention in quick-o~nnect fitting assemblies for releafiably
connecting pairs of cylindrical fluid conduits ts one another in fluid
communication therebetween. As will beccme apearent to one skilled in the
art from the following discussion, the illustrated embodLments of the
quick-connect fitting assembly according ~o the present invention are also
applicable ~o fluid ystems and fluid conduits of shapes, con~igurations or
types other than those ~hcwn for purpo æs of illustration in the drawing~.
Referring to Figures 1 through 3, a preferred quick-connect
~itting assembly 10 i~ Frovided in accordance with the present invention
for releasably connecting a firs~ fluid conduit 12 and a ~econd fluid
conduit 14 to one another in fluid oammunication therebetween. It ~hould
be noted that the first fluid conduit 12, shown for purposes of
illustration, include~ a nipple portion 16 thereon and is adapted for
connection to a flexible fluid tube or other conduit. It should be
emFhasized, however, that ~uch a construction is Ehuwn merely for purpo æs
of illustration, and the pre~ent invention is equally applicable to a fir~t
fluid conduit of virtually any other known CDnstruCtion~ either rigid or
'7~
fle~ible, and with or without 6UCh fluid conduit ~eing adapted for
oonnection to an3th~r c~nduit.
m e fiecond fluid cDnduit 14, which Fleferably includes first and
~econd generally laterally-extendin~ protuberances 20 and 22 r is
longitudinally insertable into a ~ocket me ~ er or assembly 26 ~hat is
either integrally formed on the first fluid conduit 12 or &ealingl~ secured
thereto. m e s~cke~ member or assembly 26 includes a Freferred resilient
or spring-like retainer m~mber 30 disposed therein and having a first barb
m~mber 32 extending inwardly thererom in a generally longitud mal and
lateral direction.
When the ~econd fluid oonduit 14 is longitudinally inaerted into
tbe socket member 26 as shown in Figure 2, the fir 8t protuberance 20
enga~es the first barb ~ember 32, and caues it to resiliently deflect in a
generally outward direction as the first protuberance 20 passes
longitudinally thereby. Once the first protuberance 20 has longitudinally
cleared the first barb member 32, the first barb member 32 re~iliently
retracts inwardly into a longitudinally interlocking engagement with the
~irst Frotuberan oe 20. m us, in its fully inserted position, the first
Ftotuberance 20 on the second fluid conduit 14 is lGngitudinally re~trained
between the first barb member 32 and a top member 36 dispo~ed in a
retaining and abutting engagement with a ~tepped portion 38 of the ~ocket
member 26. One or more sealing members, such as Eealing members 42 and 44,
are sealingly cGmFressed between the inner ~urface of the Eocket member 26
and the outer surfa oe of the ~eo~nd fluid conduit 14 in order to provide
fluid sealing between ~he first and second fluid conduits 12 and 14,
resFectively. Preferably, the ~ealing members 42 M d 44, are ~eparated and
maintained in their proper positions by an inner collar member 48 and are
longitudinally retained within the socket member 26 between the ~top m~mber
36 and a stepped portion 50 of ~he ~ocket member 26. A reduced diameter
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67~)S
Fortion 54 of the ~ocket nem~er 26 E~ovide6 lateral suppbrt for the Eec3nd
fluid conduit 14 at a longitudinal position generally ~dja oe nt it~ inner
end, thereby ~trengthening the interoonnection therebetween. Although such
inner and lateral 8upport i~ erwided Frimarily by the reduoed diameter
portion 54, the inner oDl1ar nember 48 also oDntributes ~omæ~hat to the
lateral support of the second fluid oonduit 14.
The fittin~ assembly 10 also includes ~ removal memker 56, which
is generally of a sleeve-like configuration and extends at least p~rtially
into the socket ~æmber 26. m e removal member 56 is lo~gitudinally movable
in an inward direction to engage and urge the first barb member 32 into a
resiliently and cutwardly deflected position where it i8 cl~ar of the first
protuberanoe 20 on the ~econd fluid conduit 14. ~hen the first barb n~mber
32 is resiliently deflected into guch a position as ~hown in Figure 3, the
second fluid conduit 14 can be longitudinally withdrawn from the sDcket
member 26, thereby difisDn~ecting the first fluid conduit 12 and ~he ~econd
1uid conduit 14 from one another.
me removal memker 56 preferably includes a flange portion 58 at
its longitudinally outer end that lLmits the longitudinally inward movement
o the removal member 56 and provides an external bearLng surfa~e that is
abuttable by the user's hand or by a tool for ~electively urging the
removal member 56 Ln a longitudinally inward direction in order to remove
the second fluid conduit 14 frcm the ~ocket nember 26. m e removal member
56 also preferably ircludes a generally laterally-exte~ding discontinuity
60 that is engaged l~y a second barb m~ber 62 on the retainer m0ber 30 for
restraining or limiting the longitudinally outward movement of ~:he rem~val
n~mber 56, while ~till allawing it to be Ir~ved longitudinally inwardly in
order to engage ~e first barb member 32. ln this regard, it Ehould be
noted that the discontinuity 60 on the removal m~nber 56 preferably has a
sloped inner end that is generally adjaoent the ~irst barb member 32 when
6~7~D~
the fittin~ æembly 10 is in lt~ a66embled or oonnected oondition and
there~ore E~ovide longi~udinal ~upport ~or the first barb nember 32 in
order to aid in resi~ting any longitudinally outward movement cf the second
~luid conduit 14 relative to the ~ocket m~mber 26. Phrthermore, when the
removal member 56 i5 moved longitudinally inwardly to ngage and
resiliently deflect the first barb member 32 and then released, ~he firfit
barb member 32 resiliently biases the rem~val nember 56 back to its normal
longitudinal position within the socket member 26.
The socket member or assembly 26 also preferably includes an
outer collar member 66 disposed generally adjacent its longitudinally
outward end and retained therein between a socket flange prtion 68 and a
third barb member 70 that extends generally in a longitudin211y outward and
laterally inward directi4n ~o retainingly engage the outer aollar member
66. The outer collar mæmber 66 is positioned laterally between the removal
~ember 56 and the socket member 26 at a longitudinal position wherein it
generally surrounds ~he seoond protuberan oe 22 on the ~econd fluid conduit
14 so that the outer oollar member 66 and the removal mEmber 56 provide
lateral support for the second fluid oonduit 14 generally at or near the
longitudinally outer end of the ~cket me~ber 26. Thi6 later21 ~upQort,
ooupled with the lateral support p~ovided by the reduoed diameter p~rtion
54 at the opposite longitudinal end of the socket member 26, provide
improved st2ength and stability of the oonnection between the first and
second fluid oDnduits 12 and 14, respectively, o~er that provided by prior
art quick-connect fitting ass~mblies. Such ~trength and stability also
contribute g¢eatly ~o substantially preventing leakage between the first
and seoond fluid conduits 12 and 14, respectively.
In addition to the above-di~cussed lateral Buppsrt provid~d at the
longitudinally outer end of the socket member 26 by the outer collar member
S6, the removal member 56, and the æ oond protuberance 22, the engagement
between the interior surface of ~he removal member 56 and the second
protuberance 22, a~ well a3 the engagemen~ between the outer surface of ~he
removal nember 56 and the Dcket flange 68, allow the removal ~ er 56 to
serve as a ~dust cap" that ~ubstantially Erevent6 ~he entry of dub* or
okher foreign material mto the ~o~ket nember 26. Thu6, the Freferred
removal mem~er 56 serves at least three functions, namely the conduit
removal and lateral support functions described above, as well as
substantially preventing the entry of such foreign material.
During initial assembly of the quick-connect fitting ass~mbly 10,
the sealin~ m~mbers 42 and 44 and the Lnner collar member 48 are first
~ rted into the socket member 26 and retained therein ~y the s.op memker
36. ~ext, the retaLner member 30, which can be ~tamped out o~ Eheet sF~ing
material, for exampl2, is inserted into the socket member 26 in a
longitudinal and lateral engagenent with the ~top member 36. The outer
collar m3mker 66 is then inserted into the socket member 26 adjacent the
third barb member 70, and the socket flange 68 is swaged, ~pun, or
okherwise formed into a laterally mwardly-extending c~nfiguration in order
to retain the outer collar member 66 and the retainer member 30 within the
socket member 26.
After ~he above-described assembly of the &ocket member 26 and
related components is completed, the removal member 56 is inserted
longitudinally into the ~ocket member 26, wherein the di~continuity 60
engages and resiliently deflects the second barb member 62 laterally
outwardly until the di~continuity 60 paR~es longitudinally thereby. me
~econd barb member 62 then resiliently retracts into the above-described
longitudinal engasement with the discontinuity 60 on the rem~val member 56.
At this eoint in the assembly operation, the quick-connec~ ~ittLng asEembly
is ready for insertion of the second fluid conduit 14 and for
subsequent connection or disconnection of the first and second fluid
--10--
conduits 12 and 14, respectively. ~
Figures 4 through 7 illus~rate another of the preferred
em~odiments of the p~esent inventionr in which a quick-connect fittiny
assembly 110 is similar in mQny respects to quick-connect fitting a~~mbly
10 of Figures 1 through 3, exceF~ that the preferred fitting a~ambly 110
includes valve assemblies 176 and 276 and an inner sleeve 152 for laterally
supporting the second fluid oonduit 114 generally adja oent its inner end.
Eecause of the many similarities in both oonfiguration and function between
the fitting assembly 110 of Figures 4 ~hrough 7 and the fitting assembly 10
cf Figures 1 through 3r various elements of the fitting as~embly 110 that
are similar in configuration or function to tho~e of the fitting assembly
10 are indicated ty reference numerals that are 100 numerals higher than
the corresponding elements of the fitting assembly 10. Also because of
the many similarities in both configuration and functisn between the
fitting assembly 10 and the fitting assembly 110, the description of 8wh
similar o~ corresponding elements or features i~ nDt repeated herein in
csnnection with the fitting assembly 110.
In the Freferred quick-connect fitting as~embly 110 illustrated in
~igures 4 through 7, the socket m~mber la6 lncludbs the valve as~embly 176
therein, which is a nornally-closed valve næchanism for p~eventing fluid
flcw into or out of the first fluid oonduit 112. The valve assEmbly 176
includes a valve m~mber 178 that i8 longitudinally movable between an open
position ~shown in Figure 4) spa oe d longitudinally away from a valve seat
180, and a closed position (~hown in Figure 7) wherein the valve member 178
is in sealing engagement with the valve Eeat 180.
When the valve member 178 i~ in its open position as Ehown in
Figure 4, fluid communication is provided between the interior of the
socket n~mber 126 and he f ir~t fluid conduit 112, by way o an aperture
181 extending throuqh ~he valve seat 180 and a plurality of opening 188 in
3~7~1~r~
the valve ~Ember 178 (~ee Figure 5). The valve member 17B is re~iliently
biased toward it~ clo~ed po~ition by a ~pring 184 that is cGmpre~sed
between ~he valve member 178 and a 6tepped portion 190 of the fir~t fluid
conduit 112. The valve member 178 al~o includes an actuating rod 186
extendLng in a generally longitudinal direction through the aperture 181 in
the valve fieat 180 and havinq a cross-sectional shape that allows fluid
flow through ~he aperture 181 when ~he v lve member 178 i~ in its open
position. m e valve member 178 al~o preferably includes an annular ridge
p~rtion 182 for ealingly enyaging the valve seat 180.
Preferably, the valve ~eat 180 is an annular disc-shaped nember
oompo æ d of an elastomer or okher ~uitable valve ~eat material. In ~uch
preferred embodiment, the v~lve ~eat 180 iB supported and retain2d in its
proper pDsition within the ~cket member 126 ~y the inner sleeve 152, ~hich
i~ in turn held in its proper longitudinal position within the socket
m~mber 126 by the stop memker 136 and the retainer member 130. An 0-ring or
other suitable sealing member is preferably provided in a groove 173 in the
inner sleeve 152 in order to Frevent le~kage from the first fluid oonduit
112 into the re~ainder of the socket mæmber 126.
The seoond fluid conduit 114 al~o includes a valve a6~embly 276,
whi~h i5 similar in many respects to the valve asaenbly 176 in the ~ocket
member 126. The valve assembly 276 incl~des a valve member 278, which is
longitudinally nsvable between a closed position in eealing engagement with
a valve seat 280 (as ~hown in Figure 7) and an open position ~p~ced
longitudinally away from the valve æ at 280 (as ~hown in Figure 4). Like
the valve æ at 180, the valve seat 280 is F~eferably an annular di~c-&haped
member composed of an elastomeric material or other suitable sealing
material, and has an aperture 281 extending therethrough to allcw fluid
flow into or out of the seoond fluid oonduit 114 when the valve member 278
is in its open p~sition. It ehould be nDted that ~he valve memker 278 is
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Ereferably E~antially identical in oonfiguration to ~ valve ~aber
178, h~ i~ smaller ~;o that it can fit within the ~econd fluid conduit 114.
q~e valve seat 280 i6 retained within the secord fluid o~nduit
114, generally adjaoent an end portion thereof, by ~ backing ring 283
which is sealed with respect to the interior o the eecond fluid oonduit
114 by a sealing n~er 285. The valve seat 280 and the backing ring 283
are retained within the second fluid conduit 114 by a laterally
inwardly-extend~ng flange portion 290. Similar to the valve m~ber 178,
the valve m~r 27 8 includes a plurality of flaw openings 288 extending
therethrough, as well as an actuating rod 286 extending longitudinally
through the aFerture 281 of the valve ~eat 280. As was discussed above in
connection with the actuating rod 186, the actuating rod 286 has a
cro~s-section21 shape and configuration that allow fluid flow thereby when
the valve member 278 is in its open position. A biasing spring 284 is
Fsovided withLn the second fluid conduit 114 for resiliently biasing the
valve member 278 toward its closed p~sition, and is Freferably retained
within the Eecond fluid c~nduit 114 by way of one or more retainer or ~nap
rings, such as thoEe Lndicated ~y referenoe numerals 292 and 294.
When the seoond fluid conduit 114 i~ longitudinally inserted into
the socket member 126, the actuating rods 186 and 286, which extend
longitudinally in opposite direction~, akuttingly ~nga~e one another in
order to urge their respective valve n~mbers 178 and 278 into their open
positions. Thus, when the first and second fluid oonduits l12 and 114 are
connected together Ln the quick-connect fitting assembly 110 as shown in
Figure 4, the resFective valve assemblies 176 and 276 are opened in order
to Erovide fluid ccmmunication between the firfit and ~econd fluid o~nduits
112 and 114, respectively. It should be noted, however, that eeior to such
insertion of the second fluid conduit 114, the valve a ~emblies 176 and 276
ase in their n~rnally-clo~ed condition, thereby substantially Freventing
;7~;
leakage fram the ~ir~t flui~ conduit 112 and the ~econd fluid condui~ 114,
re~pectively.
~ n order t~ ~ubstan~ially Erevent apFreciable leakage from the
fir~t and ~econd fluid conduit~ 112 and 114, respectively, when they are
rele~sably disconnected, ~he biasing spring6 la4 and 2~ langitudinally
urge their respective valve members 178 and 278 into ~heir closed positions
as the second fluid conduit 114 is longitudinally withdrawn from the ~ocket
member 126. Preferably, the longitudinal travel of the valve m~mbers 178
and 278 in kheir closing directions is less than the distance between at
least one of the fiealin9 m~mbers 142 and 144 and the end of the second
fluid cDnduit 114 when the second fluid conduit 114 i8 fully in erted into
the 60cket m2n~er 126. Yy ~uGh an arrang~ment, the fluid eeal betw~en the
&econd fluid conduit 114 and the socket member 126 (by way of ~ealing
members 142 and 144) is pFeserved during withdrawal of the second fluid
conduit 114 until ~ter the valve memkers 178 and Z78 have moved into their
closed positions. Thus, when the ~econd fluid c~nduit 114 is rem~ved fram
the socket member 126, at most only a small and relatively negligible
amount of fluid between the sealing member 144 and the valve seat disc 180
is allowed to escape. This arrangement, therefore, allows the
quick-oonnect fitting assembly 110 to be u~ed in fluid ~ystems where it is
ne oessary or desirable to substantially prevent or minimize the ~mount of
leakage or pre~sure loss fr~m the fluid conduits during connection or
di~connection, or in fluid systems wherein such oDnnection or disconnection
must be performed while the fluid conduits are Fressurized and~or contain
fluid.
Figures 8 through 12 illustrate other embodiment~ o~ the ereænt
invention in which alternate removal mæmbers are fihown in a quick-connect
fitting assembly generally ~imilar tD that o~ Figures 1 through 3. It
should be noted, however, that the ~tructural ~ariation~ and ~he inventive
-14-
~67(~S
FrinCiple6 Ebown in Figure~ 8 through 12 are ~qually applicable t~ ~he
~mbodi~ents of the invention ~hown in Figures 4 through 7.
Because of the m~ny similarities in both ~onfiguration and
function tetween the embodiment6 shchm in Figure~ 8 through 12 and that of
Figures 1 through 3, various elements in Figures 8 thrnugh 12 that are
similar in configuration or function to those o~ Figures 1 through 3 are
indicated t~ reference numerals that are 300 numeral~- higher in Figure 8,
400 numerals higher in Figure 9, 500 numerals higher in Figure 10, and 600
numerals higher in Figures 11 and 12, than the corresponding elements of
the quick-connect fitting assembly 110 of Figures 1 through 3. Also
because of ~he many Rimilarities in both configuration and function ~etween
the fitting assemblies of Figures 8 through 12 and the fitting a~sembly 110
of Figures 1 through 3, the descripkion of such simllar or corresponding
elements or features is not repeated in oonnection with Figures 8 through
12.
In Figure 8, a quick-connect fitting a6sembly 310 includes a
retainer member 330 that is generally similar to the retainer member 30 in
Figures 1 through 3, except that the second barb member 62 i5 deleted
therefrGm. In place of the ~eoond barb member 62 on the ~ccket member 326,
the removal member 356 is F~ovided with a resilient removal karb nember 364
which is stamped or ~ut out of the removal member 356 (or otherwi~e formed
thereon). The barb member 364 protrudes in a generally laterally and
longitudin lly outward direction ~uch that when ~he removal member 356 is
inserted into the socket member 326, the barb member 364 resiliently
deflect generally laterally outwardly to longitudinally engage the outer
collar member 366 associated with the EGcket m~mber 326 and interlockingly
retain the removal member in the socket nemker 326. ~he barb member 364
also restrains or limits the longitudinally outward mcvement o~ the removal
member 356, while still allowing it to be moved longitudinally Lnwardly Ln
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6~
ord~r ~o engage and d~flect ~he ~ir~t barb m~ber 332 a$ described abcve in
connectionn with Figures 1 through 3. It ~hould be ncted that the outer
collar member 366 can optionally be deleted from the ~ocket me~ker 326, and
the barb ~ember 332 can be po~itioned on the removal member ~ ~s to engage
the Eccket flange 368.
In the embsdLm2nt illustrated in Figure 9, a quick-connect fitting
assembly 410 includes a retainer member 430 that is generally similar to
the retainer member 30 m Figuxes 1 ~hrough 3, excepk that the third barb
n~mker 70 is deleted therefrom. In addition, the removal m~mber 456 is
contained wholly within the socket member 426 thus making ~he fitting
assembly 410 relatively tamper-resi~tant in order to inhibit the
inadvertent o~ unauthorized di~connection of the fir~t and ~econd fluid
conduits 412 and ~14, respectively, from one another~
Instead of the outer oollar member 66 ~hown in Figures 1 through
3, the removal mçmber 456 of Figure 9 includRs an enlarged flange nember
465 that extends laterally between the retainer member 430 and thus
Frovides lateral ~upport between the ~eoond protuberanoe 422 on the second
fluid oonduit 414 and the ~ocket member 426. Du~ing initial asEembly of
the fitting assembly 410, the removal mRmber 456 is inserted into the
fiocket member 426 and the outer end thereof is ~pun, &waged, or o~herwise
formed laterally inwardly to fcrm the ~ocket flange 468 for retaining the
r~mGval member 455 and restraining or limiting its longitudinal outward
movement wi~hin the socket m~mber 426.
When it is desired to disconnect the ~irst and second fluid
conduits 412 and 414, respectively, in Figure 9, a generally U-shaped
di~connect tool 472 (shown in Figures 9 and 9Aj is eteferably slipped wer
the second fluid conduit 414 and i8 slidably mcv~d inwardly to abuttingly
engage and urge the removal tool 456 longitudinally lnwardly in order to
engage and deflect the first barb member 432 as deEcribed above in
367(~S
oDnnection with Fi~ures 1 through 3. ~5 ~hown in Figure 9A, the disconnect
t~ol 472 inclu~es an outer flange 47~ that is abuttable ~y the u er'~ hand
or another tool, a cylindrical portion 476, a generally U-Ehaped opening
478, and a longitudinal recess 4B0. The longitudinal reces6 provides
clearance for the second protuberance 422 when the di~connect tcol 472 is
urged longitudinally mwardly. Alternatively, a ~cr~w driver or other
suitable common tool or device nsy be in6erted into the socket member 426
to urge ~he removal member 456 laterally inwardly.
Figure 10 illustrates a quick-connect assembly 510 that is s~milar
to the quick-connect assembly 410 of Fi~ure 9, excepk that the second barb
member 462 is deleted in the retainer member 530. In addition, the
discontinuity 460 is deleted frcm the removal mæmber 556 and is replaoed by
a radiused inner end portion for engaging and deflecting the first ~arb
nember 532 as described absve. In other respect~, the fitting assembly 510
is similar in function and configuration to fitting assembly 410, and the
disconnect tool 572 is similar to the disconnec~ tool 472 of Figu¢es 9 and
9A. m e elements of disconnect tools 472 and 5J2 are therefore numbered
oorrespondingly.
Figures 11 and 12 illustrate 6till another ~lternate quick-oonnect
fitting ass ~ ly 610, ~hich is generally ~cm~what similar in function to
the fitting as~emblies 410 and S10 of Figures 9 and 10, but varies ~omewhat
therefrom in con~iguration. m e socket nemker or asscmbly 626 in Figures
11 and 12 includes an in~er portion 692 generally oonoentrically disposed
therein. The inner portion 692 is received within the ~eoond fluid oonduit
614, with sealing member~ 694 and 696 therebetween, when it is inserted
into the ~ocket member 626 to provide fluid ccmmunication with the fir6t
fluid ~nduit 612, which is brazed, &oldered, or otherwiEe aecured ~o the
60cket member 626. Alternatively the fir~t fluid conduit 612 can be
integrally formed with the socket mmber 626.
7~
The seco~d fluid oDnduit 614 in ~igu¢e6 11 and 12 includes a first
p~otuberance 620 ~hat is preferably flared la~erally outwardly a~d
laterally inwardly and ~hat is further 6ealed with respec~ to the ~3cke~
m~mber 626 by sealLng mem~er 698. A ~umber of circumferentially spaoed,
~ep~rate and independent leaf EFrings or resilient barb ~mkers Ç32 extend
laterally and longitudinally inwardly from the interior of the socket
member 626. meæ barb members 632 longitudinally interlockingly engage
the first protuberanoe 620 and retain the second fluid conduit 614 within
the socket member 626 in a manner 6imilar to that of the first barb
members on the retainer members discus6ed above in connection with the
o~her embodiments of ~he invention.
The barb members 632 of the fitting afi~embly 610 shown in Figures
11 and 12 are reoe ived withLn internal slots 628 in the so~ket member or
a6sembly 626, and the socket member or assembly 626 includes a collar
member 666 for retaining the barb m#mbers 632 in ~he internal ~lot~ 628.
~he 810ts ~28 are formed in the socket m~mber 626 between in~ermediate
portions 629, which are 0waged, F~essed, or otherwise formed laterally
inwardly in the socket member 626. Preferably, the collar member 666
includes an inner portion that is 60m2what resilient in the lateral
direction so that it re iliently engages an annular ridge or barb m~mber
664 formed on the removal me$ber 656 ~hen it is inEerted into the socket
member 626. Thus, the collar member 66S re~trains or limits the
longit~dinal outward movement of the re val mmber 656 within the socket
er 626 in a manner ~imllar to that described above in CDnneCtiOn with
the other embcdLments of ~he invention.
In Figures 11 and 12, the second fluid conduits 614 i~ laterally
supported relative to the ~ocket member 626 along virtually the full
longitudinal length ~ the inner E~rtion 692, and ~ way of ~he ~econd
protuberance 622, the removal menber 656, and the collar n~mber 666. In
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~ 2~3~705
other resFects, the fitting as&embly 610 functions simllar ~o the ~ther
embodiments of the invention described above, and preferably ~ncludes the
tamper-resi~tant feature and disconnect tool 672 described a~ove in
connection with Figures 9 through 10.
m e foregoing discussion disclose~ and describes exemplary
embodix nts of the Fresent invention. One ~killed in the art will readily
recogm ze from ~uch discussion that various changes, mcdifications and
variations may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope
of the invention as defined in the following claims.
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