With Manipulator Patents (Class 285/308)
  • Patent number: 11959710
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for vehicle arranged to allow an internal circulation of at least one fluid, comprising at least a heat exchanger bundle and at least a duct (10) at least partially outside the heat exchanger bundle, the duct (10) penetrating into the heat exchanger bundle by a hole arranged in a terminal plate (8) of the heat exchanger bundle, the duct (10) comprising at least a collar (42) lining the hole, characterized in that the heat exchanger comprises a reinforcing mean (20) in touch with the collar (42) of the duct (10) and with the terminal plate (8) of the heat exchanger bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: VALEO AUTOSYSTEMY SP. Z O.O
    Inventors: Pawel Sus, Mateusz Kaczmarczyk, Tomasz Wator, Karol Pokrywinski
  • Patent number: 11851181
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) cluster includes a plurality of mission UAVs and a plurality of core UAVs arranged in a cluster. One or more of the mission UAVs is configured for controlled independent flight. The plurality of core UAVs are distributed throughout the cluster according to a selected distribution pattern that distributes the core UAVs according to a predefined mission characteristic of the UAV cluster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: David W. Kirkbride
  • Patent number: 11843231
    Abstract: A conduit outlet assembly for a rigid metal conduit raceway of an electrical system is provided. A conduit outlet assembly includes a gasket, a gripping ring, and a condulet assembly. The gasket is sized to circumscribe an outer surface of a rigid metal conduit of the rigid metal conduit raceway. The gripping ring is sized to circumscribe the outer surface of the rigid metal conduit. The condulet assembly is sized to receive the rigid metal conduit, and includes an adapter and a condulet. The adapter includes a compression section and a coupling section, wherein the compression section is sized to receive the rigid metal conduit with the gasket and the gripping ring disposed thereon. The condulet is sized to receive the coupling section of the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Joseph Edward Platt, Joseph Vincent Lopez, Vinod Manohar Shet
  • Patent number: 11811167
    Abstract: A first housing is formed with an escaping groove into which a cam pin is insertable. A lever to be assembled with the first housing is provided with a locking protrusion capable of holding the lever in a rotation restricted state by locking an edge part of the escaping groove. A second housing is provided with a first pressing portion for deforming the lever in a direction separating from the first housing by coming into contact with the lever, and a second pressing portion for releasing the rotation restricted state of the lever by coming into contact with the locking protrusion. The first pressing portion first comes into contact with the lever, and the second pressing portion is set to come into contact with the locking protrusion with the lever deformed in the direction separating from the first housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: Masanori Hirota
  • Patent number: 11796100
    Abstract: A connector and a process for coupling a tube to another device is disclosed. The connector comprises a receptacle for receiving a first tube. The receptacle includes a socket and a modular head mated to said socket in one of a plurality of relative orientations. The modular head comprises an indexing member. A retention clip embraces the receptacle and has a leg positioned in a slot in the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Gocha, Stephen S. Frederiksen, Christian A. Veraza
  • Patent number: 11796107
    Abstract: A fluid line quick connector for joining fluid lines together, such as coolant fluid lines in electric vehicle automobile applications, among other possible applications. A check valve is incorporated into the fluid line quick connector in order to preclude unwanted backflow through a passage of the fluid line quick connector. The check valve has a rigid partition wall and a flexible diaphragm. The partition wall has one or more through-holes residing therein. The diaphragm closes the through-hole(s), and moves relative to the partition wall in order to open a portion or more of the through-hole(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Norma U.S. Holding LLC
    Inventor: Jorge Alberto Marquez Carrillo
  • Patent number: 11692656
    Abstract: A joint body has tube connection holes each having an inner circumferential surface including a plurality of contact walls, which are equiangularly spaced about an axis of the tube connection hole and extend along the axis. A joint guide is cylindrical and includes a barb on its outer circumferential surface. The joint guide is configured such that, when the joint guide is press-fitted into the tube connection hole, the outer circumferential surface of the joint guide comes into contact with inner wall surfaces of the contact walls and the barb catches the contact walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: SMC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoichi Morodomi
  • Patent number: 11584571
    Abstract: A fluid transfer hub has a first vessel closure, a second vessel closure, a gasket arranged between the first vessel closure and the second vessel closure, and a clamp at least partially surrounding the first vessel closure, the second vessel closure, and the gasket. The first vessel closure has a first body, one or more apertures extending axially through the first body, one or more first inserts extending axially through the one or more apertures, and a cast seal disposed within the first body and surrounding each first insert. The second vessel closure has a second body, one or more apertures extending axially through the second body, one or more second inserts extending axially through the one or more apertures, and a cast seal disposed within the second body and surrounding each second insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Inventor: Michael A. Zumbrum
  • Patent number: 11566737
    Abstract: A quick connect and disconnect system for a fluid coupling includes an axially extending fitting configured to be secured to a fluid conduit, a clip, and a quick connect and disconnect adaptor. The clip is coupled to the fitting and includes a base, a wing extending from the base, and a first lug extending from the first wing. The quick connect and disconnect adaptor includes a first release tab configured to resiliently deflect through an aperture of the adaptor. The adaptor is configured to transfer a compressive force to resiliently deflect the first lug to move the clip in an axial direction from an installed position to an uninstalled position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Schumacher, Ravi Kumar Rajendran, John C. Redding
  • Patent number: 11529722
    Abstract: A fluid connector, including a tubular member, a connector body, including an exterior opening groove, and a retainer clip to lock the tubular member to the connector body, an assurance cap including one or more latch fingers engaged with the exterior opening groove, and a tool, including an annular collar mountable over the tubular member, and a plurality of fingers carried on and extending axially from the annular collar, the plurality of fingers operatively arranged to engage the latch fingers when the collar and the plurality of fingers are engaged with the assurance cap to disengage the latch fingers from the exterior opening groove to disconnect the assurance cap from the connector body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Oetiker NY, Inc.
    Inventors: James Anthony Kujawski, Jr., Bradley Chester Fremont, Kip Steveley
  • Patent number: 11451027
    Abstract: A press coupler is provided for use with a pipe or conduit system. The press coupler facilitates increased ease and speed of assembly of pipe and conduit installations and can be used with both threaded and non-threaded connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Bradford Morse, Joseph Platt
  • Patent number: 11395960
    Abstract: Various examples are provided for adapters for virtual reality (VR) hand controllers. The adapters can be coupled to hold the VR controllers in temporal axial alignment. In one example, an adapter includes a first end, a second end and one or more cross members connecting the first and second ends. The first adapter coupled to the second adapter in a fixed temporal orientation via a first coupling assembly installed in the first end or the second end of the first adapter and a second coupling assembly installed in the first end or the second end of the second adapter. For example, the first and second coupling assemblies can include a post coupling assembly and a recess coupling assembly. In another example, a system including two adapters can be coupled together to hold VR hand controllers in a fixed orientation with each other, e.g., in temporal axial alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Derek Allen Ham
  • Patent number: 11320076
    Abstract: A connector for connection between two fluid-conveying elements, in particular for connection between two motor vehicle pipes, with a female plug-in part and a male plug-in part which is insertable into the female plug-in part. A retainer is connected to the female plug-in part, the retainer allowing the male plug-in part to be fixed, in the inserted state, to the female plug-in part. The retainer may be pivoted from an open position to a fixing position—and vice versa—about a pivot axis arranged in the region of the outer surface of the female plug-in part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: TI AUTOMOTIVE (FULDABRÜCK) GMBH
    Inventors: Reiner Rohde, Iris Barthel, Kay Bube, Andre Häckel, Alexander Bol, Gerd Fischbach, Harald Knobloch
  • Patent number: 11291822
    Abstract: A breakaway medical tubing connector and method for joining two sections of medical tubing includes a pump side member and a patient side member positioned axially opposite from the pump side member. The patient side member has a first channel disposed within the pump side member and a first valve disposed within the first channel. The pump side member has a second channel disposed within the patient side member and a second valve disposed within the second channel. The first valve may be an active valve and the second valve may be a passive valve. A securing bar may be disposed on the pump side member and a securing arm may be disposed on the patient side member for providing a detachable coupling of the two members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Site Saver, Inc.
    Inventors: Spencer A. Jones, Jordan Mykleby, Vance Clement
  • Patent number: 11268332
    Abstract: A riser extending from a floating rig includes one or more flow control devices having at least one flow connection and having at least one control connection. A riser manifold is disposed on the riser above the one or more flow control devices and has a first mechanical connector, a first flow coupling, and a first control coupling. A rig manifold can be manipulated by an arm to couple in an automated manner to the riser manifold when running the riser from the rig. The rig manifold has a second mechanical connector that mechanically connects to the first mechanical connector of the riser manifold. Additionally, the rig manifold has a second flow coupling mating with the first flow coupling of the riser manifold for conducting flow, and has a second control coupling mating with the first control coupling of the riser manifold for conducting control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Ziegler, Julmar Shaun S. Toralde, Gordon Thomson, Edvin Andersen, Øystein Christensen, Anthony James Reid
  • Patent number: 11262009
    Abstract: A fluid female coupling element (11), comprising a female body (21), able to receive a male coupling element (2), a bolt (41), mounted sliding transversely between a holding position and a releasing position of the male coupling element and a plunger (51), movable between forward and rear positions. To automatically oppose the removal of the male element fitted within it, even if the male element has a reduced length, the female coupling element (11) comprises a memory ring (61), movable between an advanced position for holding the bolt (41) in the releasing position and a withdrawn position allowing the movement of the bolt (41) toward its holding position, the plunger (51) driving the memory ring (61) toward the withdrawn position when the plunger moves toward the rear position and the memory ring being in the advanced position in the uncoupled position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: STAUBLI FAVERGES
    Inventors: Alain-Christophe Tiberghien, Christophe Durieux
  • Patent number: 11187360
    Abstract: A fluidic connection assembly and methods for quickly connecting or disconnecting a tube to a port by hand and without the use of tools. A body is adapted to receive a tube therethrough, and may have at least two sides which are hinged. Each of the hinged sides has corresponding latching portions or projections located near a lower end of the body. These projections are adapted to fit into a port or other fitting and be securely held in place. The assembly may include a tube extending through a body and through a spring located between the end of the body and the end of the tube, whereby the spring exerts a force directly or indirectly against the end of the tube and against the body, thus holding the tubing securely and sealingly engaged in the port when the assembly is connected. The body may further comprise an additional body or an adapter, and/or a cap and latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: IDEX Health & Science LLC
    Inventors: Eric Beemer, Scott Ellis, Craig Graham, Nathaniel Nienhuis, Troy Sanders
  • Patent number: 11147958
    Abstract: A system includes a syringe adapter having a first end and a second end with the first end of the syringe adapter configured to be connected to a first container and the second end of the syringe adapter including a lock member having an open position and a closed position. The system also includes a vial adapter having a first end and a second end with the second end of the vial adapter configured to be connected to a second container and the first end of the vial adapter having a locking surface. The lock member includes at least one projection that extends radially outward. The syringe adapter has at least one corresponding projection configured to engage the at least one projection of the lock member to retain the lock member to the syringe adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Company Limited
    Inventors: Laurie Sanders, Matthew Zachek
  • Patent number: 11105780
    Abstract: The invention provides compression fittings and methods of assembling compression fittings. In exemplary embodiments, compression fittings are provided that include a fitting body, a ferrule and a tube. For example, the fitting body can be removably coupled to the ferrule when the tube is disposed therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: WATERS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sylvain Cormier, Kurt D. Joudrey, Joshua A. Shreve
  • Patent number: 10865925
    Abstract: Disclosed is a quick-disassembly nipple connector structure, which is mainly composed of a pipe, a pivoting assembly, a screwing member, a plurality of gripping jaws, a sleeve and a handle. The handle can be pulled by users to enable the quick-disassembly nipple connector structure to be rapidly connected to or separated from a grease nipple. When the handle is pulled downwards, the sleeve is located at a lock position to lock the grease nipple; and when the handle is pulled upwards, the sleeve is located at a release position to release the grease nipple. Thus, the quick-disassembly nipple connector structure has the advantages of being capable of improving work efficiency, high in positioning speed, high in accuracy and good in fixing property and has a good overall constituent strength, so that the motion stability is improved, and the operation smoothness and service life are ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Shuoxing Metal Products (Kunshan) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Heng-Chia Kuo
  • Patent number: 10865924
    Abstract: Disclosed is a quick-disassembly nipple connector structure, which is mainly composed of a hollow pipe, a pivoting assembly, a screwing member, a plurality of gripping jaws, a sleeve, a handle and a spring. The handle is additionally disposed on the sleeve and the pivoting assembly; when the handle is not pulled, the sleeve is located at a lock position to lock a grease nipple; and when the handle is pulled downwards, the sleeve is located at a release position to release the grease nipple. The quick-disassembly nipple connector structure can be rapidly switched to the lock position or the release position, thus, facilitating operation, shortening the work time, achieving accurate alignment, improving work efficiency, and avoiding damage to internal parts caused by excessive force application by users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Shuoxing Metal Products (Kunshan) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Heng-Chia Kuo
  • Patent number: 10746335
    Abstract: A pipe system includes a pipe having an axis and a retainer groove formed in an exterior of the pipe. A retainer is mounted in the retainer groove. An entirety of the retainer is both axially movable and radially movable relative to the retainer groove during formation of a pipe assembly with a tubular body to form a pipe assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: NORTH AMERICAN PIPE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joshua E. Clapper, Dmitry Yashin, Roy L. Dean
  • Patent number: 10670175
    Abstract: A connector for connecting at least one fluid line with another fluid line or a power unit. The connector includes a housing, a mating connector and an adapter sleeve. The adapter sleeve includes positive-locking elements that retain the adapter sleeve engaged with the housing. The adapter sleeve further includes latching arms releasably retaining the mating connector in the adapter sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: VOSS Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Klein, Eugen Heinrichs
  • Patent number: 10569074
    Abstract: A coupling for fluid-tight connection of two fluid-guiding portions in medical applications. The coupling is an axially lockable quick-connect coupling and comprises a male coupling portion having a continuous first passage and a female coupling portion adapted to be slipped over the male coupling portion and having a continuous second passage. A preferably circumferential radial sealing is provided on the outer periphery of the male coupling portion and/or on the inner periphery of the female coupling portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: B. Braun Avitum AG
    Inventors: Bruno Stenzel, Sebastian Brögger, Uta Ludwig
  • Patent number: 10520004
    Abstract: An apparatus is presented comprising a captive screw comprising an upper portion, an upper middle portion, a central middle portion, a lower middle portion, and a lower portion, the central middle portion comprising a threaded portion, the lower portion comprising a barbed portion, the upper middle portion and the lower middle portion comprising a smooth portion, and the upper portion comprising a grip portion, wherein an outer circumference of the barbed portion is flexible, wherein the captive screw is configured with a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion to attach to a first member of an auxiliary device, and wherein the captive screw is configured to act as a set screw with respect to a second member of an auxiliary device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Gyrus Acmi, Inc.
    Inventor: William F. Kratoska
  • Patent number: 10507702
    Abstract: Suspension system of a vehicle and a shock absorber assembly of the suspension system, the shock absorber assembly includes a top mount and a jounce bumper. The jounce bumper includes a main body made of an elastic material, such as a foam elastomer or rubber and a fixing element made of a second harder material. The fixing element has a wall portion that extends around the outermost upper part of the main body and at least one elastic retaining area cooperating with a respective protuberance arranged in the top mount to fix the jounce bumper to the top mount. Between the outermost upper part of the main body and the fixing element there is a gap that enables the main body to expand radially also in the area covered by the wall portion of the fixing element when the main body is compressed during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: CIKAUTXO, S.COOP.
    Inventors: Iñaki Azpiazu Echave, Asier Celaya Arrizabalaga, Jon Plaza Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 10502347
    Abstract: The production of a quick connection device including a metal journal that fits in a complementary manner into a connector is performed by a process including the following steps: a metal tube is extruded to form a blank of the journal extending longitudinally from a large end to a small end along a first cylindrical portion; from the first cylindrical portion, the blank narrows along a conical portion to a second cylindrical portion. The wall of the tubular blank has a thickness that is substantially constant in all three portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: MAHLE INTERNATIONAL GMBH
    Inventors: Andrzej Krupa, Krystian Klemt
  • Patent number: 10480698
    Abstract: A tube connector for attachment to an end of a tube of a pressurized fluid system has a housing, a main sealing element, a gripping element and a cone element. The main sealing element is arranged for sealing an inner surface of the housing to an outer surface of a tube. The gripping element comprises a gripping edge for engaging with an outer surface of a tube. The cone element limits a movement of the grip-ping element. The tube connector further has an integrated release element. The release element has a tubular part, a top part and an environmental sealing. A release edge of the tubular part engages with the gripping element and the environmental sealing is adapted for sealing a receptacle formed in the housing of the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Kongsberg Automotive AS
    Inventors: Tommy Rafteseth, Geir Liaklev, Henning Rud
  • Patent number: 10458583
    Abstract: The quick release tool includes a U-shaped body which presents a base that has a first side and a second side. The body also has a pair of legs that are spaced laterally from one another and extend away from the first side of the base to respective distal ends. Each of the distal ends presents a pair of ledges that are spaced longitudinally from one another to receive fingers on the locker of the quick connector assembly. The base of the U-shaped body presents a living hinge which is spaced laterally between the legs for pivoting the distal ends of the legs away from one another in response to the application of a force onto the second side of the base, thereby allowing the locker to be moved from the locked position to the unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: A. RAYMOND ET CIE
    Inventor: Brian A. Parks
  • Patent number: 10309566
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus for a quick connect spray shield includes an inner sleeve having a first end, a second end, and a center axis that is parallel to an axis from the first end to the second end, wherein the inner sleeve has an inner surface that is contoured to position the inner sleeve relative to a female quick connect fitting; and an outer sleeve having a first end, a second end, and a center axis that is parallel to the center axis of the inner sleeve, wherein the outer sleeve has an inner surface contoured to position the outer sleeve relative to an actuating collar of the female quick connect fitting, wherein the actuating collar has an engaged position and a disengaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Francis R. Krug, Jr., Robert K. Mullady
  • Patent number: 10273766
    Abstract: A plug and play connection system for a managed pressure drilling system includes a connection hub flange disposed around an outer surface of an outer barrel of a telescopic joint that includes a plurality of pass-through ports and a plurality of connection hub flange ports. A connection hub ring is removably disposed around an outer surface of the connection hub flange. The connection hub ring includes a plurality of dogs configured to removably attach the connection hub ring to the outer surface of the connection hub flange and a plurality of stab-in connectors disposed around an outer surface of the connection hub ring. A ported bottom flange is connected to a bottom distal end of the outer barrel of the telescopic joint and includes a plurality of bottom flange ports. A plurality of conduits connect the plurality of connection hub flange ports to the plurality of bottom flange ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: JLE INOVAÇAO TECNOLOGICA LTDA EPP
    Inventors: Jorge Chami Batista, Leandro Diniz Brandao Rocha, Jose Eugenio de Almeida Campos
  • Patent number: 10167114
    Abstract: A configurable container-support frame is disclosed. The frame includes at least two sections, each section including at least three substantially parallel telescoping members, each connected to two other members by a cross member that is substantially perpendicular to the telescoping members. The telescoping members of one section telescopically engage with the telescoping members of at least one other section and the engaged sections define a configurable volume. The frame may be disposed within an existing container, such as a bag or a box, to improve the protective capabilities of that container. Or the frame may be integrated with a surface, such as a fabric, to create a configurable container with improved protective capabilities over the surface alone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Tigerback Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Scott C. Casey
  • Patent number: 10139025
    Abstract: A female connector (1) configured to receive a male connector (2), having an annular exterior retaining rim (24), the female connector including a body (10), and a transverse slide (4) forming a housing, the housing (4) including two lateral grooves (41,42), the female connector including a separate deformable locking ring (3) capable of being inserted in the housing and of locking the male connector in the coupling position, the locking ring including two first concave arched portions (31), as viewed from the axis, and two second arched portions (32), with inverse curvature, i.e. convex when viewed from the axis, the second arched portions being capable of flexing towards the exterior during insertion of the male connector and capable of abutting on the external annular retaining rim and preventing withdrawal of the male connector, whereby after locking of the male connector in the female connector a definitive locking is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: SANTORIUS STEDIM FMT SAS
    Inventors: Florian Blake, Jeremy Gibelin
  • Patent number: 10113678
    Abstract: Sliding quick-coupling joints are provided. Such joints have a tubular coupling element, in which an inner duct extends. The inner duct has a cylindrical chamber with an open end, an intermediate cylindrical section narrower than the cylindrical chamber, a central duct section, an inner transverse shoulder surface which connects the intermediate cylindrical section to the central section of duct, and a transverse surface that connects the cylindrical chamber and the intermediate cylindrical section. The cylindrical chamber accommodates a slidably movable annular locking element, a movable shoulder, and a sealing device. A pipe may be inserted into the cylindrical chamber and through these elements. The annular locking element is interposed between the transverse surface and the movable shoulder. The joint keeps the pipe mechanically coupled while providing fluid-tight seal and allowing the pipe to undergo thermal expansion. Methods of mounting such sliding quick-coupling joints are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Inventor: Roberto Messana
  • Patent number: 10107426
    Abstract: Conduit connectors for liquid manifolds and methods of fabrication are provided. In one embodiment, a conduit connector is integrated, at least in part, within a liquid manifold, and includes a conduit-receiving opening or socket and at least one releasable retention component. The conduit-receiving opening is disposed within the liquid manifold and in fluid communication with at least one liquid-carrying channel of the liquid manifold. The releasable retention component(s) is selectively operative to threadlessly secure in a fluid-tight manner a conduit within the conduit-receiving opening in fluid communication with the at least one liquid-carrying channel of the liquid manifold to facilitate flow of liquid through the liquid-carrying channel(s), or to release the conduit from the conduit-receiving opening of the conduit connector. The releasable retention component(s) resides at least partially within the liquid manifold when operatively holding the conduit within the conduit-receiving opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas J. Brunschwiler, Evan G. Colgan, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Gerd Schlottig
  • Patent number: 10024472
    Abstract: A quick-acting coupling for the disconnectable connection of two pipelines (C1, C2) which has a female element (A) equipped with a locking device (6) slidingly mounted in a body (1) of the female element and equipped with a raised portion-and wherein the locking device is movable between a first position in which the raised portion cooperates with a flange (102) of a male part (B), and a second position in which the locking device allows the male part to release itself from the female element, and wherein a safety device retains the locking device in the first position when the male part is in the configuration fitted in the female element and wherein when the locking device is in the first position, a force on the safety device releases the locking device from the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: STAUBLI FAVERGES
    Inventors: Alain-Christophe Tiberghien, Christophe Durieux, Igor Bahno
  • Patent number: 10006577
    Abstract: A quick connector and assembly therewith is provided. The connector includes a housing having a tubular housing wall with an inner surface extending between open opposite ends with at least one locking opening extending through the wall. The inner surface bounds a through bore and forms a radially inwardly extending shoulder. A retaining member has an annular retainer wall with inner surface sized for receipt about at least a portion of the housing wall. The retainer wall has at least locking member resiliently biased radially inwardly for receipt through the opening of the housing wall in axially spaced relation from the shoulder by a gap, in which the annular collar of the insertion member is received and locked. The at least one locking member is restrained against substantial axial and rotational movement within the at least one opening, and thus, prevents unwanted removal of the insertion member from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: MINIATURE PRECISION COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Brandon Meister, Tyler Walczak, William Kahabka, Tim Hammond
  • Patent number: 9995643
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for dynamically determining a static tip resistance of a dynamically-loaded component having a tip. One example method comprises receiving gauge data from one or more gauges associated with the component proximate the tip. The gauge data may represent measurements related to one or more impacts on the component. The example method may further comprise determining measured data and estimated data corresponding to the one or more impacts on the component based at least in part on the gauge data. Furthermore, the method may comprise performing an inversion to select the estimated data having the least amount of difference in comparison to the measured data. The method may also comprise determining the static tip resistance based at least in part on the selected estimated data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignees: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc., Florida Department of Transportation
    Inventors: Michael McVay, Khiem Tat Tran, Rodrigo Herrera, Peter Lai
  • Patent number: 9939094
    Abstract: A connection device for pipe lines includes a connection element that has a receiving opening for a pipe line and a retainer element that stops the pipe line from being pulled out. The retainer element is designed as a spring-elastic toothed ring that has teeth distributed across a circumference and which extend radially inward at an incline and act against the pipe line. The toothed ring is mounted to have limited axial play. At the transition region between an outer circumferential region and the retainer teeth, the toothed ring interacts with a circumferential tilt edge such that the toothed ring can pivot about the tilt edge out of a position in which its outer circumferential region is pressed against a first, lower contact section and a second, upper contact section. The retainer teeth being able to be elastically deformed by bending.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: VOSS AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Harald Hagen, Adrian Klehr, Jochem-Andreas Hess
  • Patent number: 9890886
    Abstract: A quick connect coupling assembly for interconnecting a tubular component to a mounting component is provided. The coupling assembly includes a retainer adapted to be coupled to the mounting component and having a pair of resiliently cantilevered snap arms. A housing for coupling with the mounting component has an inner cam surface and is configured to abut the mounting component. The snap arms each include a first deflector ramp that is aligned in proximity to the inner cam surface and a second deflector ramp adapted to releaseably engage a back surface of the mounting component. A push/pull feature permits the retainer to be pushed and causes the first deflector ramps to engage the inner cam surface and cause the snap arms to deflect inwardly and release the second deflector ramp from engagement with the back surface and allow the coupling assembly to be pulled out of the mounting component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: MINIATURE PRECISION COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Schuessler, Brandon Meister-Place
  • Patent number: 9777876
    Abstract: The connector comprises a housing having a connection hole where a pipe with a flange is inserted, a retainer having a latching portion that retains the pipe by being arranged at a location facing the connection hole and engaged with the flange, and a checker that is supported by the housing at the retaining position and is movable from the retaining position to the connection confirmation position when the pipe is inserted into the connection hole up to the normal connection position. The checker is configured to release the engagement between the latching portion and the flange, when at the connection confirmation position, by having the retainer that is engaged with the flange of the pipe at the normal connection position pushed to expand the distance of the retainer so that the pipe can be pulled out from the connection hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignees: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD., HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichiro Kaneko, Naoki Mori, Kenta Kuwayama, Yoshikazu Kaneyasu, Masaru Tomimatsu, Shoji Uhara
  • Patent number: 9732892
    Abstract: A quick connect coupling includes a male coupling and a female coupling. A stop may be associated with the male coupling and configured to prevent the male coupling from being inserted into a port of the female coupling beyond a predetermined depth. The stop may be axially slidable between a first position and a second position. The first position may be located between a leading edge of the male coupling and the second position. The stop may be biased towards the first position so that the stop substantially resets to the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Gates Corporation
    Inventor: Donald R. Gilbreath
  • Patent number: 9642775
    Abstract: A system includes a syringe adapter having a first end and a second end with the first end of the syringe adapter configured to be connected to a first container and the second end of the syringe adapter including a lock member having an open position and a closed position. The system also includes a vial adapter having a first end and a second end with the second end of the vial adapter configured to be connected to a second container and the first end of the vial adapter having a locking surface. The lock member includes at least one projection that extends radially outward. The syringe adapter has at least one corresponding projection configured to engage the at least one projection of the lock member to retain the lock member to the syringe adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Company Limited
    Inventors: Laurie Sanders, Matthew Zachek
  • Patent number: 9423061
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus for a quick connect spray shield includes an inner sleeve having a first end, a second end, and a center axis that is parallel to an axis from the first end to the second end, wherein the inner sleeve has an inner surface that is contoured to position the inner sleeve relative to a female quick connect fitting; and an outer sleeve having a first end, a second end, and a center axis that is parallel to the center axis of the inner sleeve, wherein the outer sleeve has an inner surface contoured to position the outer sleeve relative to an actuating collar of the female quick connect fitting, wherein the actuating collar has an engaged position and a disengaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Francis R. Krug, Jr., Robert K. Mullady
  • Patent number: 9228681
    Abstract: A coupling (10) for receiving and retaining the end of a conduit. The coupling (10) includes a leading body part (12), a grab ring (14), a sealing ring (16), a trailing body part (18) and a sleeve (11). The trailing body part (18) has an outer surface portion (46) which is inclined to diverge outwardly and a rear face (20) that extends from a trailing end of the outer surface (46), and that faces axially. The sleeve (11) extends circumferentially around the leading body part (12), the grab ring (14), the sealing ring (16) and the trailing body part (18). The sleeve (11) includes a forward end (24) for engaging the leading body part (12) a first axial portion (23) which extends from the forward end (24), an inclined portion (22) which extends from the axial portion (23) and which is inclined complimentary to the outer surface portion (46).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: RELIANCE WORLDWIDE CORPORATION (AUST.) PTY. LTD.
    Inventor: William Vernon Kluss
  • Publication number: 20150145244
    Abstract: In a socket of the present invention, an incorporated plug part is disposed in a third base part. The socket is in an inserted state when an engaging portion of this incorporated plug part is engaged with a first engaged portion of an engaged part. In this state, an engaging portion of a plug is engaged with steel balls disposed in the incorporated plug part, thereby allowing the plug and the socket to be fitted to each other, so that an airtight condition is established in a pipe fitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: DAISEN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroaki TAGUCHI, Kouechi UCHIYAMA
  • Publication number: 20150145243
    Abstract: A quick connection arrangement is for detachably connecting a medium line to a (SAE) connecting piece. The quick connection arrangement includes a housing having an opening for receiving the medium line and a connecting piece opening for receiving the (SAE) connecting piece so as to permit a medium to flow through the housing between the medium line and the (SAE) connecting piece. An inner locking element for locking the (SAE) connecting piece in the connecting piece opening is arranged essentially inside the connecting piece opening. An outer locking element for locking the inner locking element when the (SAE) connecting piece is locked. The inner locking element is arranged essentially outside of the connecting piece opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventor: Holger Dude
  • Publication number: 20150135502
    Abstract: A motorized latch assembly includes an electric motor, an eccentric cam attached via gears to a shaft of the motor and a latch plate configured to lock the reagent cartridge to the coupler. The eccentric cam is rotated when the shaft of the motor rotates. When the eccentric cam is rotated so that the eccentric cam presses down upon the latch plate, the latch plate moves a sufficient distance to permit the reagent cartridge to be disconnected from the coupler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: William J. Rankin, Robert Keith Johnson
  • Patent number: 9016729
    Abstract: In a quick connection device for piping installed with a checker (40), a connector housing (20) of a quick connector (10) is formed with opening portions (74) for inserting resilient legs (58) therein through the opening portions (74) in a direction perpendicular to an axis from leading ends of the resilient legs, and inserted portions of the resilient legs (58) are held inside the connector housing (20). The resilient legs (58) are resiliently deformed in an axially inward direction by an annular projecting portion on an outer peripheral surface of a mating pipe at insertion of the mating pipe, to unlatch latching pawls (64) of the resilient legs (58) from corresponding latch portions of the connector housing (20), whereby the checker (40) is allowed to be removed out of the connector housing (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignees: Sumitomo Riko Company Limited, A. Ryamond et CIE-SCS
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu Ishida, Yasuki Takenaka
  • Publication number: 20150021902
    Abstract: A detachable plug connection including a tubular insert part having a retaining projection on its outer circumference, a sleeve-shaped receiving part, and a connecting element connected to the receiving part with an inwardly directed, upwardly pivotable retaining edge that engages behind the retaining projection after pushing in the insert piece. A sleeve-shaped locking element surrounds the connecting element in a sliding manner and can be displaced between a release position, in which the axial sliding movement is transformed into an opening movement of the retaining edge(s) oriented transversally thereto, and a locking position, in which it surrounds the connecting element preventing upward bending in the region of the retaining edge(s) and the connecting element projects above the locking element, in an intermediate or coupling position of the locking element such that the retaining edge(s) can be bent upwards when the retaining projection on the insert piece is pushed in.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: NEOPERL GMBH
    Inventor: Werner Kury