Abstract: Break-away connectors are disclosed. The break-away connectors may be configured to be coupled in at least two configurations, for example, a high force configuration and a low force configuration. The break-away connectors may also be incrementally adjustable between the high force configuration and the low force configuration. The break-away connectors may be coupled to a first medical device and a second medical device. Methods of using and/or coupling the break-away connectors are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an connector comprising a first part and a second part, each provided with a contact surface and at least one non-contact surface facing away from the contact surface, at least one opening in the contact surface having an fluid connection to at least one opening of the non-contact surface, a releasable covering of the opening in the contact surface, and complementary means for mechanically coupling the parts at the contact surfaces to form the connector. The complementary means for mechanically coupling the parts are configured to mechanically interlock with each other.

Abstract: A connector includes a connecting body with a fluid passage at least part way therethrough, and a seal is provided with an outer portion of a fluid tube. A cartridge proximate to the connecting body has a hollow portion therethrough. A grab part has at least one tooth to retain the fluid tube and is between the cartridge and the seal. A demount part within the hollow portion moves the teeth to allow release of the fluid tube. A latch is located on one of the connecting body or a sleeve covering at least part of the cartridge or the connecting body. A mating catch is located on the other of the sleeve or the connecting body, and engagement of the latch with the catch connects the sleeve to the connecting body and helps restrain cartridge movement.

Abstract: A pipe fitting includes a socket that receives an end of a pipe section therein such that a gap exists between an outer surface of the pipe section and an inner surface of the socket. A pair of ports extend through the socket and are in fluid communication with the gap. A clamp secures the pipe section within the socket as a bonding agent is extruded into the gap via a port. The clamp includes a pair of arcuate segments, each having an inner circumferential wall, first and second end portions, and an elongated sealing member. Each arcuate segment includes a plurality of spring-loaded devices, each having a distal end portion extending through the inner circumferential wall that is urged into contact with the pipe section outer surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a locking coupling including a first coupling unit and a second coupling unit, which in each case extend along a longitudinal axis and are designed to be identical. Each coupling unit includes a valve unit and a locking unit. The first and the second valve unit are designed to form a fluid connection between the first and the second coupling unit, and the first and the second locking unit are designed to connect the first coupling unit and the second coupling unit mechanically to one another. The first coupling unit includes an actuating element, by actuation of which the first and the second coupling unit can be mechanically connected to one another via the first and the second locking unit and can be fluidically connected to one another via the first and the second valve unit.

Abstract: An air-line safeguard for use with an air-line connection comprising a first connector and an opposing connector, wherein the first connector comprises a tongue, an interface, and a shaft and wherein the opposing connector comprises an opposing tongue, an opposing interface and an opposing shaft, the safeguard comprising of at least one body that removably attaches to and accommodates the first air-line connector and extends between the shaft and the tongue of the first connector and least partially between the opposing tongue and the opposing shaft of the opposing connector to prevent the first connector from substantially rotating relative to the opposing connector.

Abstract: A device includes first and second inter-engageable parts, each having a longitudinal axis and a connecting face extending substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis. The first part has an engagement formation extending substantially axially and the second part has a receiving formation extending substantially axially, and in which the engagement formation is receivable. The engagement and receiving formations each includes a substantially helicoidal surface extending at least partially around the longitudinal axis of the respective part of the connector, so that rotation of the parts relative to one another about the longitudinal axes, when the parts are substantially co-axially aligned, so that the connecting faces of the parts face one another in a substantially axial direction, causes engagement of the engagement formation with the corresponding receiving formation.

Abstract: A coupling includes an engagement face included in an engagement hook which is set at an angle in a range where the engagement face is still inclined at a positive angle, which is maintained when the coupling and a counterpart coupling are in a coupling state, even if a fluid leaks as a result of opening a sealing portion of the couplings, at a state where the coupling state is maintained, or even if a hose or the like fitted to the coupling bursts when high pressure is applied to the coupling, the hose, etc., while in use.

Abstract: A connector assembly may be formed by the combination of a latch member and a connector member. The latch member has an annular collar and an arcuate latch wall extending from a circumferential edge of the annular collar. A latch recess and a latch arm are defined within the latch wall. A wing grip extends from an exterior surface of the latch wall adjacent the latch recess and is configured to reinforce the latch arm by countering a tendency of the latch arm to flex radially outward when the connector assembly is subject to a tension load along a longitudinal axis of the connector assembly. A plurality of snap arms are arranged about a circumference of the interior surface of the annular collar to engage the connector member. The connector member receives and retains the latch member directly about an outer male insertion surface thereof rather than passing a barbed end of the connector member through the latch member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pressure vessel (1) for a high pressure press, wherein the pressure vessel comprising a first sub-cylinder (4), a second sub-cylinder (6), pre-stressing means (8), and a securing member (16). The first and the second sub-cylinders (4, 6) are axially connected to form a cylinder body (2) for enclosing a high pressure medium. The first sub-cylinder (4) is in an outer wall provided with a first seat (22) for receiving a first part (24) of the securing member (16) and the second sub-cylinder (6) is in an outer wall provided with a second seat (26) for receiving a second part (28) of the securing member (16). The securing member (16) is fitted in the first and second seats (22, 26). The securing member (16), and the first and second scats (22, 26) are arranged such that the securing member (16), and the first and second scats (22, 26) cooperate to prevent separating axial movement between the first and the second sub-cylinders (4, 6).

Abstract: The connector of the present invention includes a flanged connector having a tabbed gasket which creates an efficient leak-proof, high-pressure connection.

Abstract: A method and a device are provided for contamination-free and/or sterile sealing between two interconnectable connecting means having opposing openings. Interconnection allows transfer of a fluid between the openings. Sealing elements are arranged on the connecting means around the openings, and protective films are provided, covering the sealing elements and the openings and adapted to be removed in the final interconnection. The sealing elements are each provided with at least one recess which extends wholly or partly around the associated opening and receives a gas. In use the sealing elements are moved into engagement with each other, interleaved with the protective films, to reduce the volume of the recesses and, thus, increase the pressure of the gas therein. During removal of the protective films, the gas flows out of the recesses to the environment to prevent penetration of contamination into the openings.

Abstract: A remotely releasable brake hose coupler for pressure fluid operated brake systems, such as on a motor truck and semi-trailer unit, and a retrieval mechanism for retrieving flexible hoses connected to the coupler. Pressure air from the truck tractor brake system is conducted through a valve to an actuator for effecting movement of a coupler member to release engagement with a corresponding coupler fitting mounted on a trailer. One or more air brake hoses connected to respective remotely releasable couplers are connected to tensioning mechanisms and to a movable boom mounted on the truck tractor for extending the hoses during a remote release operation and then retracting the hoses and couplers to a stored position when the remotely releasable couplers are disconnected from the trailer fittings.

Abstract: A quick-release joint for two tubes which includes a first connector having a first inner lip formed on an inner surface of the first connector, a second connector pivotally connected to the first connector and axially offset from the first connector. The second connector has a protrusion formed on an inner surface of the second connector and has an outer groove formed on the protrusion next to a top face of the second connector to correspond to the first flange. A retainer is formed on a side of the first connector and the second connector to move the first connector to axially align with the second connector such that after the first inner lip is received in the outer groove of the protrusion, the first connector and second connector are solidly and rigidly coupled.

Abstract: An apparatus for establishing aseptic/sterile connections including a substantially flexible, substantially transparent sterile barrier enclosing a terminal end of a conduit and a resilient, deformable support card which further includes an adhesive perimeter covered by a release paper and a rolling membrane with a continuous, removable, yieldable, flexible strip material is disclosed. A portion of the rolling membrane is removably adhered to the support card and overlies the end of said conduit. A force applied to the free end thereof withdraws the entire rolling membrane to expose the end of said conduit whereby an aseptic/sterile connection is achieved by adhering opposing support cards together, removing said rolling membrane thereby creating a sterile corridor between a first sterile barrier and a second sterile barrier, and mating the terminal end of a first conduit and a second conduit together.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for simulating static load of a connection to a ventilated rack of animal cages when at least one of the racks are not connected to a central ventilation system. Accordingly, the device assures that the ventilation system is balanced when one or more of the ventilated racks are removed from their respective air supply or exhaust drops of the central ventilation system. The device includes a pair of spring biased legs which automatically close when a rack is removed from the central air system. The legs have an outwardly curved shape at one end forming an opening between the first and second leg. In the closed position, ends of the legs are adjacent to one another such that the distance between the legs is reduced, thereby creating a partial obstruction to air flow in the connection which is identical to the static load created by the ventilated rack.

Abstract: A hose coupling for ½ inch to ⅞ inch hose comprised of a coupling member having fastening means and a cylindrical opening therethrough, the fastening means comprising a cam and ramp, lug and face, the face supporting a gasket, the cam having a ramp angle between 3 and 5 degrees, the gasket having a thickness of between 220 and 280 microns, the gasket having a face area between 0.4 to 0.6 square inches.

Abstract: There is described a security device 10 and a method for verifying the identity of a person making a transaction. The security device 10 comprises a document 12 bearing a picture of the intended user 14 of the security device 10, the picture 14 having been produced by printing of picture 14 by a printer activated by computer memory in which a likeness of the intended user is stored. The devices 10 may be self adhesive for attachment to a second document and be provided in a form comprising a plurality of such devices.

Abstract: A coupling apparatus is constituted by a pair of couplers. The pair of couplers have substantially the same structure and are complementary to each other. A cylindrical body of each coupler has at least a pair of locking pieces projecting in an axial direction and locking pieces engageable with the locking pieces. When the pair of couplers are abutted against each other in the axial direction and the locking pieces of one coupler are engaged with the locking pieces of the other coupler, the pair of couplers are coupled to each other.

Abstract: A medical ventilator tube and manifold assembly. The assembly is used to connect between a patient breathing tube and a medical ventilator machine used in providing assistance to a patient for breathing. The tube and manifold assembly provides a quick-change patient ventilator circuit which allows a plurality of tubing connections to be disconnected and reconnected simultaneously so that a portion of the ventilator circuit may be removed for sterilization and quickly replaced, thus minimizing danger to the patient. The ventilator circuit includes a ventilator machine manifold and a circuit manifold connectable to the ventilator machine manifold. A latch is provided for securely holding the manifolds together. The necessary tubing connections are made between the patient breathing tube and the circuit manifold and between the medical ventilator and the ventilator machine manifold. The manifolds have a plurality of sealingly separated passageways therethrough which are connected to the corresponding tubing.

Abstract: Sterile connectors which utilize tabs or strips, portions which can be withdrawn from apertures which are to be interconnected in sterile fashion are disclosed. The connectors disclosed are utilized in conditions of differential pressure between the inside of conduits to which the connectors are coupled and the surrounding ambient. Contamination resulting from air flow due to the pressure differential is prevented by encasing the tab or strip in a sleeve or extension which isolates the strip or tab from the surrounding ambient. When a pair of sterile connectors is mated, deformable washers are brought into contact and the tabs or strips are pulled through channels in the washers into the sleeves or extensions while portions of the washers remain in contact forming an hermetic seal.

Abstract: A hose coupling with an annular frame member fastened to a hose end for locking to a second hose end with a crosspiece fixed transversely in the frame member and a pin projecting out parallel to the center axis and having transverse holes therein including a hole in its projecting position. The crosspiece has an opening to receive a like pin from a second hose coupling, and a latch in a locking position engaging transverse holes in the pin from the second hose coupling and a transverse hole in the pin from the first mentioned hose coupling.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting two otherwise coupled railroad vehicles in gaseous flow communication comprises first and second ducts each mounted respectively at one end to one of the railroad vehicles, first and second coupling ducts each mounted respectively at an opposite open end of the first and second ducts to pivot about a vertical axis with one end enclosed in its respective duct and with a second end extending out from its respective duct, first and second frame members each mounted respectively at the second end of the first and second duct and having a mating surface circumferentially surrounding the second end, and first and second biasing means to extend between the respective pair of duct and coupling duct to urge the second end away from its duct and maintain the respective mating surfaces in abutting and sliding engagement one with the other.

Abstract: An improved hermaphroditic multiple connector plug having a front or mating end, and a back or cable end, comprising a cylindrical body having a contact assembly, including means to support a plurality of electrical contacts. The contact assembly surrounds and is sealed to the body, and has projections adapted to mesh with the corresponding projections on the contact assembly of a mating plug, so as to relatively index the two plugs and their contacts. The plug has a cylindrical tubular locking ring with diametrically disposed extensions which mesh with the extensions of the locking ring on a mating plug. There are sloping grooves and ridges on the projections so that as the locking ring is rotated clockwise with respect to a locking ring on a mating plug, the two plugs will be pulled and locked together. When the locking rings are turned counterclockwise with respect to each other, cam surfaces on the ends of the projections act to unlock and separate the two plugs.