Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a connector system for releasably connecting together tubes, for example medical tubing, and methods of making and using such a connector system, whereby the connector system includes a female coupler having a first passageway; a male coupler having a second passageway; and a catch assembly comprising a catch movably coupled to the female coupler, a catch-biasing member which biases the catch, and a follower responsive to a cam, whereby the catch is responsive to the follower and correspondingly, the cam.

Abstract: A self-centering valve adapter connection assembly includes a first equipment flange that is connected to a second equipment flange with an adapter ring. The adapter ring includes a first longitudinal flange with a tapered inner surface and a cylindrical outer surface. The adapter ring aids in centering the first and second equipment flanges while smoothing a fluid flow corridor between the first equipment flange and the second equipment flange.

Abstract: A cam-lock actuating device for use in a locking coupling assembly that couples two tubular members, includes an actuatable lever having a head pivotally mounted on a female tubular coupler, an angularly positioning member coupled to be turned with the head, and leading and trailing releasably retaining members independently disposed on at least one of the head and the angularly positioning member such that, during turning of the actuatable lever to an unlocked position, the trailing releasably retaining member can be held in partially locking engagement with a male tubular coupler to prevent complete removal of the male tubular coupler from the female tubular coupler while permitting gradual relief of internal pressure.

Abstract: A fitting connectable to an end portion of a pipe generally includes a housing configured for receiving at least part of the end portion of the pipe into the housing, and an insert member disposed at least partly within the housing. The insert member is configured to be received at least partly within the end portion of the pipe when at least part of the end portion of the pipe is received into the housing. A retention member is movable relative to the housing for selectively connecting the fitting to the end portion of the pipe. The retention member is movable to press at least part of the end portion of the pipe radially against at least part of the insert member to help secure the fitting to the end portion of the pipe when the end portion of the pipe is received into the housing.

Abstract: A water hose connector assembly has a main body, an elastic snapper seat, a sleeve and a pipe locking ring. A plurality of oblique guide blocks are formed on a tubular portion of the main body. The oblique guide blocks have an oblique guide surface. An elastic snapper seat has a C-shaped chassis and a plurality of elastic claws. The chassis is received in slots at a bottom of the oblique guide blocks. Elastic pushers are formed onto an inner wall of the sleeve and aligned with the oblique guide blocks.

Abstract: A fitting connectable to an end portion of a pipe generally includes a housing configured for receiving at least part of the end portion of the pipe into the housing, and an insert member disposed at least partly within the housing. The insert member is configured to be received at least partly within the end portion of the pipe when at least part of the end portion of the pipe is received into the housing. A retention member is movable relative to the housing for selectively connecting the fitting to the end portion of the pipe. The retention member is movable to press at least part of the end portion of the pipe against at least part of the insert member to help secure the fitting to the end portion of the pipe when the end portion of the pipe is received into the housing.

Abstract: A feed-through for a shower hose contains in the feed-through a securing mechanism, which is configured such that it definitely allows the hose to be pulled out, yet prevents it from being pulled back. In order to release the securing mechanism, a second tug is made on the hose, so that, when it is next pulled back, it can then be pulled inward through the feed-through.

Abstract: A system is configured for forming a flange at an end of a tube. The system includes a collar configured to receive the tube. A first roller engages the collar and a second roller is configured to cooperate with the first roller to rotate the collar and the tube. A rotatable cam is disposed about the second roller and includes a cam surface configured to bend the end of the tube to thereby form the flange. The collar may be configured to restrict axial movement of the tube relative to the collar. Additionally or alternatively, the collar may be configured to restrict rotational movement of the tube relative to the collar.

Abstract: The present invention is a male and female safety cap to protect hose and liquid transport fittings and the hand of the operator. The male safety cap has a circular disk with a diameter larger than the female fitting and a loop handle. The female safety cap has raised parallel ridges to protect the cam arm and a loop handle. A T-handle cam is provided to improve handling. In one embodiment, the safety caps are covered in a resilient material to reduce shock. In another embodiment, the safety caps are molded from an electrical dissipative material to prevent static electricity buildup and discharge when removing the safety cap. The loop handle forms a continuous arcuate structure to provide protection to the operator's hand. The safety caps can be color coded or affixed with labels to prevent product cross contamination. Safety caps can be adapted to threaded couplings and fittings.

Abstract: A coupling for tubular goods having male and female coupling halves adapted to provide a straight-through conduit path when joined together. In a preferred embodiment, the male member has a sliding gate which opens automatically when the coupling halves are mated and closes off the central passageway automatically when the coupling halves are separated. The gate prevents debris from entering the central passageway when the coupling is de-mated. This is a particular advantage in undersea environments. The coupling may include seals for providing a fluid-tight connection between the male and female members.

Abstract: A connecting mechanism for two parts, which are at least partially insertable into one another, presents a cam-operated component, which runs on bearings and which is adjustable between a passive and an active position, on the one part, for shifting a number of contact elements between a withdrawal and a contact position, whereby the contact elements, when in the contact position, mesh in a retaining indentation on the other part, and a driving device for the adjustment of the cam-operated component between the active and passive positions. In order to ensure a secure and stable connection of these parts, using simple design means without additional pre-stressing or restraining devices, even when the parts are only partially inserted into one another, the contact elements are arranged in two or more levels essentially parallel to the insertion direction of the two parts and the cam-operated component for shifting the contact elements between the withdrawal and contact positions is allocated to each level.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously moving male and female coupling members attached to manifold or junction plates together or apart includes sloped cam surfaces on the first or rear junction plate, a central shaft having cam followers that move up the sloped cam surface to urge the two junction plates together, and thereby connect male and female coupling members and corresponding sloped cam surfaces on the opposite side of the first junction plate with cam followers that move across the sloped cam surface to disconnect the coupling members.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving together simultaneously male and female coupling members attached to manifold or junction plates is disclosed. The apparatus includes a sloped cam surface on the first or lower junction plate, and a central shaft having a cam follower that moves up the sloped cam surface to urge the two junction plates together, and thereby connect male and female coupling members.

Abstract: A twist-lock connector for adjustably connecting interlocking telescopic tubular members includes a camming surface on the interior surface of a rotatable member which cooperates with the camming member of a seating member attached to a first tubular member. The twist-lock connector is employed by inserting the male end of a second tubular member inside the female end of a first tubular member to which the seating member is attached, and rotating the rotatable member in a first direction until the camming action causes the engaging surface of the seating member to lock by frictionally engaging the outer surface of the second tubular member. Disconnection of the tubular members is effected by reversing the order of the steps for connection. The twist-lock connector also includes an overtightening protection feature. When the rotatable member is rotated in the first direction relative to the seating member by approximately 180°, the lock is released, but without breakage of the twist-lock connector.

Abstract: A device for establishing a flange connection, having a bearing which can act on a first flange, a counter-bearing which can act on a second flange, and a connecting lever between the two bearings is described. The invention is distinguished by the fact that the connecting lever is a lever with a drawing element. The drawing element and the lever each have a first and second end. The drawing element's first end engages the bearing and its second end jointedly mounts in between the first and second ends of the lever. The counter-bearing has at least one contact location for the first end of the lever and a recess for the drawing element.

Abstract: A cam mechanism couples flat-faced, male and female couplers while minimizing the tendency of a pressurized fluid from exerting a force tending to resist the coupling. Internal valve assemblies within the couplers are maintained closed during the coupling. Once the coupling is complete, a control lever of the cam mechanism is actuated to open both valve assemblies to enable flow of the pressurized fluid.

Abstract: A water manifold is usable in the construction of a fluid-based heat-transfer system for space heating, the supply and distribution of potable water, and other applications. The water manifold is formed from a number of elements in a flexible manner, in that the elements are assembled as needed for a particular application. A plurality of manifold segments 100, each supporting a pipe directed away from a main pipe, transfer heat to a specific area, and may be be connected in a linear manner, as required by the design of the application. A cross tee segment 300 is attachable to the manifold segments, and may be used to support a thermometer unit 200, an automatic air vent or other apparatus. A spigot 400 is attachable to the cross tee segment, adjacent to the thermometer. An open end cap 500 provides a male plastic fitting connected to a brass female fitting, thereby allowing connection of the manifold to metal plumbing. A closed end cap 600 allows the manifold to be terminated.

Abstract: A coupling for attachment to the end portion of a pipe (1) having circumferentially directed shoulder (3a) in such end portion includes a coupling body (6) which receives the end portion of the pipe (1) therein and a set of jaw members (24E-27E) which, after the end portion of the pipe (1) is received in the coupling body (6), move to a closed position to engage the shoulder (3a) so that the coupling is locked onto the end of the pipe (1) and the pipe cannot be pulled from the coupling because the jaw members (24E-27E) acting against the shoulder (3a) prevent such movement. The coupling can be provided with sets of jaw members (24E-27E) at each end to couple together two pipes (1, 2) each with end portion shoulders (3a, 4a) or have jaw members at one end and conventional connectors such as threads (64, FIG. 6), ridged inserts (121, FIG. 12), flanges, or other types of connectors at the other end. Valves (FIG. 5) or other fittings may be incorporated into the coupling.

Abstract: A coupling for attachment to the end portion of a pipe having a circumferential shoulder in such end portion includes a coupling body which receives the end portion of the pipe therein and a set of jaw members which, after the end portion of the pipe is received in the coupling body, move to a closed position to engage the shoulder so that the coupling is locked onto the end of the pipe and the pipe cannot be pulled from the coupling because the jaw members acting against the shoulder prevent such movement. The coupling can be provided with sets of jaw members at each end to couple together two pipes with end portion shoulders or have jaw members at one end and threads, flanges, or other types of connectors at the other end. Valves or other fittings may be incorporated into the coupling between the ends of pipes being coupled.

Abstract: A releasable connection made of plastic includes a sleeve-shaped central body having a first end connectable with a tube-shaped part and a second end axially receiving a junction piece having a circumferentially extending clamping rib. A rotatable clamping sleeve encircles the second end of the central body. The central body includes at least two radially deflectable resilient locking tabs with a cam surface on the interior of the clamping sleeve acting to selectively deflect the locking tabs radially inward to engage the junction piece. A first of the tabs is located to engage closely adjacent the clamping rib to prevent axial withdrawal of the junction piece and a second of the tabs is located at a position axially spaced from the first tab to radially position and stabilize the junction piece in the central body.

Abstract: A tube connector has a cylindrical socket for mounting in a hole of a plate and a connector securable to a desired one of a plurality of radially spaced-apart mounting positions of the socket and having opposite end cylindrical portions for tube connection provided on the axially opposite sides of the socket and communicating with each other.

Abstract: An adapter for coupling a flexible corrugated drainpipe to a sewage disposal site inlet, includes a hollow tubular member having an opened drainpipe end portion adapted to engage threadably an end of a corrugated drainpipe. A hollow adapter member has an opened rear end portion adapted to be inserted into the disposal site inlet, and an opened upstanding front end portion, receives telescopically in a tight fitting relationship an opened rear end portion of the tubular member to interconnect the two members in fluid communication. A quick release mechanism on the tubular and adapter members enables a user to disassemble the two members by rotating the members axially relative to one another.

Abstract: A flexible joint for conduit includes inner and outer conduit members having telescoped end portions. The end portion on one member has a generally spherical surface portion facing toward the end portion of the other member and lying generally on the surface of a sphere having a sphere center intersecting the longitudinal axis of the one member. Sealing means extends from the other conduit member in sealing engagement with the spherical surface portion. Diagonally opposite pivot connections pivotally connect to the two members on a pivot axis which intersects the sphere center. The sealing means remains sealingly engaged with the spherical surface portion during limited pivotal movement of the two conduit members relative to one another about the pivot axis.