Abstract: A fluid quick connector assembly (20) according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, among other possible things includes a housing (22) having a passage (32) configured to receive an endform (26), and a retainer (24) including a bridge (68). A beam (78) extends from the bridge. Two retainer arms (70) extend from the bridge to retain the male endform (26) in the passage of the housing when the retainer is in an engaged position. Two guiding legs (72) extend from the bridge that guide the retainer (24) during movement to the engaged position. The bridge (68), the beam (78), the two retainer arms (70), and the two guiding legs (72) are an integral unitary single piece component, and the beam (78) contacts the endform (26) when the retainer (24) is in the engaged position.

Abstract: A fluid quick connector assembly (20) according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, among other possible things includes a housing (22) having a passage (32) configured to receive an endform (26), and a retainer (24) including a bridge (68). A beam (78) extends from the bridge. Two retainer arms (70) extend from the bridge to retain the male endform (26) in the passage of the housing when the retainer is in an engaged position. Two guiding legs (72) extend from the bridge that guide the retainer (24) during movement to the engaged position. The bridge (68), the beam (78), the two retainer arms (70), and the two guiding legs (72) are an integral unitary single piece component, and the beam (78) contacts the endform (26) when the retainer (24) is in the engaged position.

Abstract: A fluid coupling between first and second fluid carrying components is formed by spin welding. The first fluid carrying component can have a bore with an inner surface defining an inner weld surface. The second fluid carrying component can have a fluid passage between a first and a second opening. The second fluid carrying component can have an endform having an outer weld surface. The second fluid carrying component endform can be adapted to insert into the first fluid carrying component bore. The two fluid carrying components are sealingly joined by a spin weld formed between the outer weld surface and the inner weld surface. Alternatively, the second fluid carrying component can include an annular recess adapted to receive the first fluid carrying component, creating an additional inner weld zone in the recess.

Abstract: A fluid quick connector includes first and second coupled housings having aligned bores. A biased shut off valve is mounted in the first housing and has a seal end normally biased into a fluid flow blocking position; but movable away from the seal upon contact with an end form inserted into the bores to a fluid flow enabling position. The first and second housings interact at an adjustable axial interface formed of mating threads to vary the insertion distance of the endform into the first housing after the endform is latched in the first and second housings by a retainer carried in the second housing, to regulate the fluid flow through the quick connector.

Abstract: A fluid quick connector includes first and second coupled housings having aligned bores. A biased shut off valve is mounted in the first housing and has a seal end normally biased into a fluid flow blocking position; but movable away from the seal upon contact with an end form inserted into the bores to a fluid flow enabling position. The first and second housings interact at an adjustable axial interface formed of mating threads to vary the insertion distance of the endform into the first housing after the endform is latched in the first and second housings by a retainer carried in the second housing, to regulate the fluid flow through the quick connector.

Abstract: A water supply shut off valve is mounted in a fluid quick connector carrying a retainer for releasably and latching an endform of an external fluid operative device or conduit to connect the fluid device to a water supply conduit fluidically coupled to the quick connector. The shut off valve is movably mounted in the cartridge between a fluid flow position in response to the full sealing insertion of the endform into the cartridge. In this position, an outlet of in the cartridge is fluidically coupled to a bore in a housing surrounding the cartridge and connected at one end to the water supply conduit. The cartridge is rotatably mounted in the housing such that an outlet in the cartridge is movable with respect to the bore in the housing between maximum fluid flow, intermediate fluid flow, and fluid flow blocking positions.

Abstract: A conduit including at least one thermoplastic layer and a wire bondably embedded in the thermoplastic layer. The wire composed of a bendable material capable of maintaining the conduit in a bent configuration.

Abstract: A bundle clip apparatus and method of making the same includes a body that least one article receiver and a clip element for holding an article in the receiver, and a mount attachable to a support. A vibration dampening material is mounted in the receiver in contact with an article disposed in the receiver to absorb vibrations in the article from the support on which the clip is mounted. In one aspect, the vibration dampening material is double shot molded as a unitary part of the body of the bundle clip.

Abstract: A one-way flow valve quick connector is used in automotive fuel tank filler systems to interconnect the fuel filler tube with the fuel tank without the use of tools or special equipment. The quick connector includes a check valve to establish a substantially hermetic seal between the tank and the environment at all times to prevent the escape of liquid fuel during the refueling process as well as the escape of toxic vapors. A bypass vent operates during the refueling process to draw any vapors escaping from the tank or entering through the fuel fill tube inlet, filtering and returning them to the fuel tank.

Abstract: A quick connector housing element includes an elongated barb design for coupling the female housing to a tubing member. The elongated barb design includes a generally cylindrical sealing surface proximate a terminal end of the female housing. The sealing surface of the elongated barb enhances sealing properties between the female housing and the tubing and provides other advantages especially in connection with the use of multilayer tubing. Further, an O-ring is disposed about the sealing surface to provide a better seal.

Abstract: The present invention is a high pressure quick connector especially for use in connecting brake lines of a vehicle. The connector includes a housing which selectively receives a tube retainer cap. Retaining means such as a garter spring or snap ring allow for a low force insertion of the cap into the housing with an very high pull-off force. The cap is used to trap a tube with a bead upset, and the tube may be removed after the cap is unlocked. A second way of releasing the tube includes the use of a tube retainer plug selectively received in the cap, the upset trapped between the plug and cap. The plug can be removed while the cap is still locked in the housing, releasing the tube. A release tool may be used to unlock the cap from the housing. An insertion indicator ring is used to establish the locking of the cap within the housing. A dust boot prevents contaminants from interfering with the operation of the connector.

Abstract: A quick connect pop top indicator for use with thin walled connectors includes a generally annular sleeve adapted to fit adjacent an opening on a thin walled tubing housing member. The sleeve nests an indicator member substantially within the cap and housing. The indicator includes a base member and axially extending leg members extending from the base and connected to a generally annular indicator member. Means are provided for separating the indicator member from the base and leg members upon proper coupling of the housing with a corresponding male member. Means are also provided on the sleeve and indicator for maintaining the sleeve and indicator in proper axial and circumferential alignment prior to proper coupling of the housing and male member.

Abstract: A quick connector for fast connection of fluid carrying assemblies such as a mating tube and a fluid unit includes a connector body that houses the connector components and accepts a redundant clip, which is adapted to engage an upset bead of the male tube. The redundant clip is generally L-shaped and includes a retaining head that is inserted into the connector body and is adapted to engage the upset bead. A body portion, which extends along the side of the connector body and in the preferred embodiment is contoured to mate with the connector body, extends between the retaining head and a base member. The base includes a camming edge for facilitating the insertion of the retainer head into the connector body.

Abstract: A quick connector housing element includes an elongated barb design for coupling the female housing to a tubing member. The elongated barb design includes a generally cylindrical sealing surface proximate a terminal end of the female housing. The sealing surface of the elongated barb enhances sealing properties between the female housing and the tubing and provides other advantages especially in connection with the use of multilayer tubing. Further, an O-ring is disposed about the sealing surface to provide a better seal.

Abstract: An insertion indicator employed in conjunction with a quick connector assembly includes a base member carried within a female housing, two or more leg members extending axially from the base member and terminating adjacent an axial housing opening. A generally annular indicator member is disposed substantially within the housing opening and releasably engages the ends of the leg members. Means are provided to axially displace the base member upon engagement of the male and female elements to effect separation of the base and indicator members. Guide and limiting means are provided to ensure proper orientation of the indicator device relative to the quick connector before and during coupling of the male and female elements.

Abstract: The present invention is a high pressure quick connector especially for use in connecting brake lines of a vehicle. The connector includes a housing which selectively receives a tube retainer cap. Retaining means such as a garter spring or snap ring allow for a low force insertion of the cap into the housing with an very high pull-off force. The cap is used to trap a tube with a bead upset, and the tube may be removed after the cap is unlocked. A second way of releasing the tube includes the use of a tube retainer plug selectively received in the cap, the upset trapped between the plug and cap. The plug can be removed while the cap is still locked in the housing, releasing the tube. A release tool may be used to unlock the cap from the housing. An insertion indicator ring is used to establish the locking of the cap within the housing. A dust boot prevents contaminants from interfering with the operation of the connector.

Abstract: A high pressure quick connector having a tube which includes an upset adjacent one end. A male locking assembly is positioned about the tube and includes a cavity enclosing the upset and a contoured outer surface defining first and second grooves spaced axially along the male locking assembly. A female member having an internal bore is adapted to receive the male locking member. The female member has an internal bore that includes a locking groove. An expandable annular locking ring is mounted about the contoured outer surface and the locking ring is initially mounted in the first groove and is slidable from the first groove to the second groove upon axial movement of the male locking assembly into the female member.

Abstract: An insertion indicator device (10) is employed in conjunction with a quick connector (12) assembly comprising a male element (14) and a female element (16). The indicator device includes a base member (112) carried within the female element. Two or more leg members (114, 116) extend axially from the base member and terminate adjacent an axial housing opening. A generally annular indicator member is disposed substantially adjacent the opening and releasably engages the ends of the leg members. Means are provided to axially displace the base member upon engagement of the male and female elements to effect separation of the base and indicator members. Lastly, guide means are provided to ensure the maintenance of proper orientation of the indicator device with respect to the quick connector before and during the engagement process.

Abstract: The present invention is a quick connector preferably for use in connecting a fuel filler neck to a fuel tank. The connector includes a housing having a first end which receives a tube or nipple having an upset portion which is preferably mounted to the fuel tank. The connector includes a sliding collar with expandable fingers, a compression ring mounted about the collar and retaining forks for retaining the collar and ring within the housing. The upset can be inserted past the expandable fingers with little force. When the tube is attempted to be withdrawn, the compression ring compresses the fingers about the tube restricting release requiring exceedingly larger forces to remove the tube. The opposite end of the connector of the disclosed embodiment includes a quick connect for connecting a hose to the housing. This connector includes a compression sleeve which is mounted about the hose and compressed by a locking ring which locks to the housing.

Abstract: A tool for releasing a male fitting from a mating female connector coupled together by a retaining element includes an elongated H-shaped handle, a bifurcated body including complementary body halves resiliently carried by one end of the handle in a spaced-apart relationship which embraces an outer surface of the connector in a fixed orientation substantially overlying a radial opening therein which exposes the retaining element, and an abutment member which extends from one or both of the body halves operable to radially penetrate the opening to displace the retaining element from an engaged position to an O.D. release position. A second bifurcated body including a second set of complementary body halves is carried on the other end of the handle. Finger members carried by the second body axially engages the retaining element to effect I.D. release of the connector.