Patents by Inventor Duane Eckard

Duane Eckard has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10107433
    Abstract: A connector assembly and method of making and ensuring a reliable, fluid-tight connection, the assembly includes a housing a having a wall bounding a bore extending along a central longitudinal axis. The wall has a locking opening, a slot, and a window. A retaining member has a cylindrical wall received in the bore of the housing. The cylindrical wall has a detent received in the locking opening and a locking arm cantilevered by a hinge connection for pivotal movement. The locking arm is spaced from the cylindrical wall by a gap and is received in the slot when the detent is received in the locking opening. A visual indicator attached to the cylindrical wall moves radially outwardly into the window in response to the collar being fully received in the gap to provide visual evidence of a fluid-tight seal between the insertion member and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: MINIATURE PRECISION COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Duane Eckard, Umashanker Natarajan, Brian Champion, Michael Longhenry
  • Publication number: 20170284583
    Abstract: A connector assembly and method of making and ensuring a reliable, fluid-tight connection is provided. The assembly includes a housing a having a wall bounding a bore extending along a central longitudinal axis. The wall has a locking opening, a slot, and a window. A retaining member has a cylindrical wall received in the bore of the housing. The cylindrical wall has a detent received in the locking opening and a locking arm cantilevered by a hinge connection for pivotal movement. The locking arm is spaced from the cylindrical wall by a gap and is received in the slot when the detent is received in the locking opening. A visual indicator attached to the cylindrical wall moves radially outwardly into the window in response to the collar being fully received in the gap to provide visual evidence of a fluid-tight seal between the insertion member and the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Duane Eckard, Umashanker Natarajan, Brian Champion, Michael Longhenry
  • Patent number: 6902206
    Abstract: A quick connector for establishing a connection between a flexible tube and an interior chamber of a vessel. The vessel has a wall structure through which a mounting bore extends. A canister assembly associated with the quick connector includes a housing is adapted for installation in the mounting bore, a retainer coupled to the housing that adapted to accept and retain a port connector of the hose therein, and a spring clip for coupling the housing to the wall structure. Flanged ends of the spring clip are retained in, and project outwardly from, corresponding apertures formed through a leading end of the housing. Upon installation of the housing into the mounting bore, the end flanges are deflected inwardly until the leading end of the housing extends beyond the mounting bore. Then the flanged ends return to their expanded condition, thereby coupling the canister assembly to the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Miniature Precision Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Jed W. Zenko, Duane Eckard
  • Publication number: 20040041398
    Abstract: A quick connector for establishing a connection between a flexible tube and an interior chamber of a vessel. The vessel has a wall structure through which a mounting bore extends. A canister assembly associated with the quick connector includes a housing is adapted for installation in the mounting bore, a retainer coupled to the housing that adapted to accept and retain a port connector of the hose therein, and a spring clip for coupling the housing to the wall structure. Flanged ends of the spring clip are retained in, and project outwardly from, corresponding apertures formed through a leading end of the housing. Upon installation of the housing into the mounting bore, the end flanges are deflected inwardly until the leading end of the housing extends beyond the mounting bore. Then the flanged ends return to their expanded condition, thereby coupling the canister assembly to the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: Jed W. Zenko, Duane Eckard
  • Patent number: 6595556
    Abstract: A quick connector for establishing a connection between a flexible tube and an interior chamber of a vessel. The vessel has a wall structure through which a mounting bore extends. A canister assembly associated with the quick connector includes a housing is adapted for installation in the mounting bore, a retainer coupled to the housing that adapted to accept and retain a port connector of the hose therein, and a spring clip for coupling the housing to the wall structure. Flanged ends of the spring clip are retained in, and project outwardly from, corresponding apertures formed through a leading end of the housing. Upon installation of the housing into the mounting bore, the end flanges are deflected inwardly until the leading end of the housing extends beyond the mounting bore. Then the flanged ends return to their expanded condition, thereby coupling the canister assembly to the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Minature Precision Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Jed W. Zenko, Duane Eckard
  • Patent number: 5947531
    Abstract: A connector assembly for conveying fluids, the connector assembly includes a retainer member positioned and locked inside a housing having an axial bore for receiving one end of a male conduit member. A locking arm is flexibly attached to one end of the retainer member to lock the male conduit member into the housing by engaging an annular collar located a given distance from approximal end of said male conduit member thereby providing a fluid tight connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Miniature Precision Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Duane Eckard, Mark Thomas Van de Bogert