Abstract: A latch assembly for connection of conduit, the assembly comprising a female portion and a male portion, wherein each of the female portion and the male portion have a shell and a connection device. The connection device of the female portion includes a connection assembly with a molded-in slot, a release button, and a raised rib or alternatively is a connection opening. The connection device of the male portion includes a cantilevered region with a ramped engagement feature or alternatively is a raised cantilevered release button. When connected the cantilevered region or button deflects to accommodate the female portion until the ramped engagement feature or button engages the molded-in slot or connection opening, thus releasing the deflection. Depressing the release button disengages the latch allowing separation of the assembly.

Abstract: A latching female tubing coupler comprises an opening, a collet finger, and an actuation member. The opening is adapted to guide a male connector along a first line of action as the male connector passes into the opening to be received within the latching female tubing coupler. The collet finger includes an engagement feature adapted to engage a coupling feature of the male connector and displace along a second line of action generally normal to the first line of action. The actuator member is adapted to displace along a third line of action generally normal to the first and second lines of action in order to disengage the engagement feature from the coupling feature of the male connector. When the engagement feature is engaged with the coupling feature on a male connector, a fluid conduit of the male connector is held in fluid communication with a fluid conduit of the latching female tubing coupler.

Abstract: A shutoff valve for a fluid conduit connector has a housing and an integrally formed shutoff valve located within the housing. The integrally formed shutoff valve has a spring region that defines a lumen and a sealing feature on one or both ends. The spring region defines one or more fluid pathways between an outer surface and an inner surface of the integrally formed shutoff valve. The spring region may be a formed as a helical coil or a fenestrated tube. The sealing feature provides a fluid-tight seal between the housing and the integrally formed shutoff valve.

Abstract: An integral button latch is formed for use in a female fluid connector housing. The button latch has a latch plate, a button actuator, and two or more cantilevered leg springs extending from beneath the actuation surface to interface with the connector housing. The latch plate, the button actuator, and the leg springs are all integrally formed. The leg springs bias the latch plate in a locked position and resist depression forces applied to either of the button actuator or the latch plate. By integrally forming the button latch structure, the separate costs associated with purchasing the springs, molding the lock latch, and the ensuing assembly of the three are significantly diminished.

Abstract: A female receiving connector for connecting sections of tubing is provided. The female receiving connector includes a housing having a top housing portion and a bottom housing portion coupled to the top housing portion. The female receiving connector also includes a button moveably coupled within the housing. A locking plate is coupled to the button and configured to move with the button. The locking plate has a profile lead-in having an interfacing surface located at a proximal side of the profile lead-in for interfacing a male connector. The interfacing surface extends along at least a portion of at least three sides of an aperture of the locking plate and is tapered along one or more of the at least three sides. Additionally, the profile lead-in includes a locking surface located at a distal side of the profile lead-in for securing the male connector within the housing of the female receiving connector. A substantially flat surface is located between the interfacing surface and the locking surface.

Abstract: A male bayonet connector connects a section of tubing to a female latch connector. The male bayonet connector includes a shaft defining a lumen, a distal end portion, and a proximal end portion. The distal end portion of the shaft has a sealing surface configured to engage a seal member within the female latch connector to create a fluid-tight seal. The shaft defines an annular recess proximal to and adjacent the distal end portion. The annular recess has a proximal chamfered sidewall and a distal sidewall perpendicular to the axis of the lumen, which are separated by a band of smaller diameter than the sealing surface. A grip is formed on the make bayonet connector between the proximal end portion and the annular recess. A ratio of a length of the first sealing surface to a distance between the grip and the distal sidewall is such that a side-load force, as imparted on the male bayonet connector, will not break a fluid-tight seal between the sealing surface and the seal member.

Abstract: A connection assembly for creating a releasable fluid seal connection between two or more sections of tubing includes a male fitting and a female fitting. Connection assemblies generally include the male fitting having a pair of clasps that releasably interact with corresponding catch structures on the female fitting. Interactions between the female and male fittings can be rotatable with respect to the male and/or female fittings. Buckle structures are also disclosed having connection capabilities for a plurality of sections of tubing.

Abstract: A connection assembly for creating a releasable fluid seal connection between two or more sections of tubing includes a male fitting and a female fitting. Connection assemblies generally include the male fitting having a pair of clasps that releasably interact with corresponding catch structures on the female fitting. Interactions between the female and male fittings can be rotatable with respect to the male and/or female fittings. Buckle structures are also disclosed having connection capabilities for a plurality of sections of tubing.

Abstract: A fluid conduit coupling assembly has a depressible latch mechanism that secures a first fluid conduit to a second fluid conduit via a first coupler and a second coupler. The first coupler connects to the first fluid conduit and the second coupler connects to the second fluid conduit. The depressible latch mechanism is formed by a pair of cantilevered buttons disposed in symmetrically opposed positions on one of the couplers. The cantilevered buttons have engagement lips that extend distally with catches that extend radially outward to engage a ridge formed on an interior wall of the opposing coupler. Fluid ports within the couplers interface when the couplers connect to provide fluid flow between the first and second conduits. Valves may be disposed in each of the couplers to arrest fluid flow when the couplers are detached and automatically open to allow fluid to flow when the couplers are connected.

Abstract: A latching female tubing coupler comprises an opening, a collet finger, and an actuation member. The opening is adapted to guide a male connector along a first line of action as the male connector passes into the opening to be received within the female connector. The collet finger includes an engagement feature adapted to engage a coupling feature of the male connector and displace along a second line of action generally normal to the first line of action. The actuation member is adapted to displace along a third line of action generally normal to the first and second lines of action in order to disengage the engagement feature from the coupling feature of the male connector. When the engagement feature is engaged with the coupling feature on a male connector, the fluid conduit of the male connector is held in fluid communication with a fluid conduit of the female connector.