Leaf Spring Patents (Class 285/319)
  • Publication number: 20140001752
    Abstract: A quick connector assembly for quickly connecting and establishing fluid communication between a male end form having a bead and a tube. The quick connector assembly includes a housing having a stem portion for receiving the hose and a female receiving portion for receiving the male end form. The quick connector includes a locker which is moveable between a non-engaged position for allowing the male end form to be inserted into or withdrawn from the quick connector assembly and an engaged position for trapping the male end form in the quick connector assembly. The locker includes a pair of outside legs, each having a notch, and the housing includes a pair of windows for receiving the notches when the locker is in the engaged position. The locker cannot be moved back to the non-engaged position until the outside legs are pulled outwardly, thereby disengaging the notches from the windows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Brian A. Parks, Matthew D. Lutzke
  • Patent number: 8596690
    Abstract: A quick connector capable of surely confirming that a pipe body is engaged by a retainer when an elastically-deformable claw of the retainer and an elastically-deformable claw of a checker are adjacently arranged in an axial direction. Checker-axis direction elastically-deformable claws have distal-end sides formed flexibly deformable in the axial direction, maintain a state of being engaged by a second engagement portion of a retainer body by having deflective deformation regulated by a retainer diameter-expanding elastically-deformable claw in a state in which the retainer diameter-expanding elastically-deformable claw is expanded diametrically, and regulate sliding from a first position with respect to the retainer body toward a set radial direction by being engaged by the second engagement portion of the retainer body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yamada, Kazushige Sakazaki, Takahiro Shibata, Ryo Ikegami, Hisashi Terayama
  • Publication number: 20130307263
    Abstract: A quick connector assembly for quickly connecting and establishing fluid communication between a male end form having a bead and a hose or any other type of tube. The quick connector assembly includes a housing having a stem portion for receiving the hose and a female receiving portion for receiving the male end form. A plunger is disposed within the housing, and the plunger is biased in a first direction by a spring. The quick connector further includes a locker which is held in a non-engaged position until the male end form has been inserted into the housing until the bead moves the plunger in a second direction opposite of the first direction. Once the bead of the male end form clears the locker, the locker can be moved into an engaged position with the bead of the male end form being trapped between the locker and the plunger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventors: Brian Parks, Matthew Lutzke
  • Publication number: 20130300108
    Abstract: The present invention provides a quick connect coupling with a retention feature that resists inadvertent disconnection of the coupling in a pressurized state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Timothy A. Frick, W. Randall Tucker
  • Patent number: 8573652
    Abstract: An inlet hole capable of inserting a pipe thereinto is formed in a pipe joint body along an axis. Retainer attaching holes for attaching with a retainer that prevents detachment of the pipe are formed in a side surface of the pipe joint body to extend therethrough. These retainer attaching holes are configured symmetrically with respect to an X axis passing through a center of the inlet hole as a symmetrical axis. Thus, a circumference of the inlet hole opens symmetrically, so that the heat shrinkage condition after molding is equalized in the circumferential direction. Accordingly, it is not necessary to process a molding pin for the inlet hole with imbalance of heat shrinkage amount in mind, so that the molding pin becomes easy to process. In addition, the retainer can selectively utilize the retainer attaching holes at two positions, so that selective use depending on installation environment can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Togo Seisakusyo Corporation
    Inventors: Yukihiro Ogawa, Kenji Tozaki
  • Patent number: 8561703
    Abstract: An apparatus usable with a well includes a gas lift valve having a check valve arrangement located between an annulus and a passageway of a tubing. The check valve arrangement is adapted to selectively allow fluid flow from the check valve arrangement from an inlet side of the check valve arrangement to an outlet side of the check valve arrangement, and is biased to prevent a leakage flow through the check valve arrangement from the outlet side to the inlet side. The check valve arrangement is defined by a valve element movable into and out of engagement with a valve seat wherein one of the valve element and the valve seat has a first sealing structure engageable with a second sealing structure on the other of the valve element and the valve seat. At least one of the first and second sealing surfaces include at least one pair of sealing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Abdel-Rahman Mahmoud, Kevin T. Scarsdale
  • Publication number: 20130240064
    Abstract: A hydro pack includes a water bag for receiving liquid therein and a water withdrawing device is connected to the water bag. The water withdrawing device includes a base fixed to the water bag and a connection unit. The connection unit has two resilient plates located on two sides thereof. Each resilient plate has a first end fixed to the connection unit and a second end of each resilient plate is a curved end and extends outward. A protrusion protrudes from the outside of each resilient plate. The connection unit is inserted into the base which has holes with which the two protrusions on the two resilient plates are engaged. The water withdrawing device is easily assembled to and removed from the water bag, and is easily cleaned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventor: CHIEN-PING LIEN
  • Patent number: 8516678
    Abstract: A pipe for connecting to a similar adjacent pipe. The pipe has a female end with a plurality of rigid fingers extending into the space within the female end. The plurality of rigid fingers extends from at least one interior circumferential groove on the interior surface of the female end. On the male end of the pipe there is at least one exterior circumferential groove that is sized and positioned to receive the plurality of rigid fingers from a corresponding interior circumferential groove on the female end of an adjacent pipe. The number of interior circumferential grooves on the female end with the plurality of rigid fingers extending from them typically corresponds to the number of exterior circumferential grooves on the male end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Bilfinger Water Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Hennemann, Garth H. Saul
  • Patent number: 8511714
    Abstract: A connector assembly for a flow restricting apparatus is disclosed. The flow restricting apparatus comprises an outlet configured to be in fluid communication with an outlet conduit. The connector assembly comprises a first member configured to be engaged with the flow restricting apparatus at least partially about the outlet. The first member comprises a first face, a second face, and a bore defined through the first member. The connector assembly comprises a second member comprising a first side, a second side, a bore defined through the second member, at least one projection extending outwardly from the first side of the second member, and sealing means for sealing positioned intermediate the first member and the second member. The at least one projection forms a receiving portion configured to receive a portion of the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Ipex Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Guillaume Hugo Marquis-Martin
  • Patent number: 8505982
    Abstract: In a connection apparatus for a corrugated tube a sealing sleeve, a coupling part, and an insertion part that can be inserted into the coupling part and comprises outwardly protruding latching portions on its outside surface, the coupling part is provided on an outside surface with cooperating latching portions. The coupling part comprises an inner holding device through which the corrugated tube can be guided in the direction towards the insertion part and performs elastically resilient radial movements thereby securing the corrugated tube against withdrawal. The corrugated tube extends into the sealing sleeve sitting in the interior of the insertion part having an axial flow passage, and with the holding device protruding axially into the opening of the insertion part in a coupled state. The outwardly protruding latching portions exposed on the outside of the connection apparatus when in the coupled state. The holding device compressing the sealing sleeve when in the coupled state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Schlemmer GmbH
    Inventors: Yanning Lei, Michael Gerking
  • Patent number: 8474878
    Abstract: A securing device for axially connecting a sleeve-shaped end section of a first fluid line part to an end section, which is designed as a pointed end, of a second fluid line part includes a clamping body which is of annular design and has a passage opening for insertion of the second fluid line part, at least one retaining element of a hook-shaped design, and at least one spacer of web-shaped design, wherein the at least one retaining element and the at least one spacer are both integrally formed with the clamping body and extend in the same axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Centrotherm Systemtechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Hans Jurgen Richter
  • Publication number: 20130147187
    Abstract: A quick connector capable of surely confirming that a pipe body is engaged by a retainer when an elastically-deformable claw of the retainer and an elastically-deformable claw of a checker are adjacently arranged in an axial direction. Checker-axis direction elastically-deformable claws have distal-end sides formed flexibly deformable in the axial direction, maintain a state of being engaged by a second engagement portion of a retainer body by having deflective deformation regulated by a retainer diameter-expanding elastically-deformable claw in a state in which the retainer diameter-expanding elastically-deformable claw is expanded diametrically, and regulate sliding from a first position with respect to the retainer body toward a set radial direction by being engaged by the second engagement portion of the retainer body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: TOKAI RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: TOKAI RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
  • Patent number: 8408604
    Abstract: A quick connector capable of surely confirming that a pipe body is engaged by a retainer when an elastically-deformable claw of the retainer and an elastically-deformable claw of a checker are adjacently arranged in an axial direction. Checker-axis direction elastically-deformable claws have distal-end sides formed flexibly deformable in the axial direction, maintain a state of being engaged by a second engagement portion of a retainer body by having deflective deformation regulated by a retainer diameter-expanding elastically-deformable claw in a state in which the retainer diameter-expanding elastically-deformable claw is expanded diametrically, and regulate sliding from a first position with respect to the retainer body toward a set radial direction by being engaged by the second engagement portion of the retainer body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yamada, Kazushige Sakazaki, Takahiro Shibata, Ryo Ikegami, Hisashi Terayama
  • Patent number: 8342579
    Abstract: A pipe for connecting to a similar adjacent pipe. The pipe has a female end with a plurality of rigid fingers extending into the space within the female end. The plurality of rigid fingers extends from at least one interior circumferential groove on the interior surface of the female end. On the male end of the pipe there is at least one exterior circumferential groove that is sized and positioned to receive the plurality of rigid fingers from a corresponding interior circumferential groove on the female end of an adjacent pipe. The number of interior circumferential grooves on the female end with the plurality of rigid fingers extending from them typically corresponds to the number of exterior circumferential grooves on the male end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas L. Hennemann, Garth H. Saul
  • Patent number: 8336924
    Abstract: Coupling device is provided having a male tubular end fitting; a connection mechanism to be mounted around the male end fitting by being coupled to a female end fitting and including a coupling end to be housed in a groove of the female end fitting; and a locking member for locking this connection mechanism that is to be mounted around the male end fitting in order reversibly to bring the coupling end into a locked position in the groove. The connection mechanism includes a radially internal bearing zone to be mounted against the male end fitting and ending in the coupling end, which includes tabs that are elastically deformable in the radial direction extending the bearing zone, each tab being able to be jammed in the locking position by flexing against the groove and against one of the guide and locking-aid ramps of the male end fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Hutchinson
    Inventors: Stéphane Ully, Damien Gillet
  • Patent number: 8336919
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a snap-on coupling between a fluid pipe and a rigid tubular end fitting, this coupling having a sleeve mounted on a pipe to be coupled to an end fitting that has a peripheral connecting projection, a locking member engaging with this projection to retain the end fitting in the sleeve, and a visual indicator which engages with the projection behind the locking member and occupying an extended position and a depressed position in the sleeve, the member and the indicator each having a head and two elastically deformable side legs, each leg of the indicator having a retention arm engaging with a lower side tooth and with a bottom stop, both formed on the corresponding side of the sleeve, when the indicator occupies the depressed and extended positions, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Hutchinson
    Inventors: Damien Gillet, Luc Milanini
  • Patent number: 8316881
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fuel tank check valve including: a main tubular body attached on a fuel filler pipe; a valve element; a first tube that is disposed between the main tubular body and the fuel filler pipe and that has a first locking portion to engage with the fuel filler pipe; an annular seal member; and a second tube that is disposed to sandwich the annular seal member with the first tube and that has a second locking portion to engage with the main tubular body, wherein the fuel filler pipe is disposed on an inner circumferential surface of the first tube, wherein the first locking portion projects in an inside diameter direction, and wherein the first locking portion engages with an engagement hole in the fuel filler pipe from an outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Piolax Inc.
    Inventor: Kosei Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8297659
    Abstract: The quick connector assembly includes an insertion member that is inserted along a longitudinal axis into a receiving member. A retaining member is disposed in the receiving member for movement in a direction of insertion that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A positioning member is disposed in the receiving member and includes a biasing portion that extends angularly from a base portion to a pair of blocking portions. The blocking portions move between an extended position and a retracted position and are oriented opposite the direction of insertion of the retaining member to block the retaining member from moving into a fully inserted position when the biasing portion is in the extended position. An annular collar of the insertion member engages the blocking portions when the insertion member is axially inserted in the receiving member to move the blocking portions into the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Miniature Precision Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas John Callahan, Juris Julijs Pruzinskis, Steve Mixter, Michael Longhenry, Brent J. Ertl
  • Publication number: 20120267891
    Abstract: A connecting socket for a filter hose has an inner part having a first contact surface extending in circumferential direction on the inner part and an outer part having a second contact surface extending in circumferential direction on the outer part. A contact section of a filter hose is contacting the first and second contact surfaces when secured on the connecting socket. The outer part has an outer sleeve that is pushed onto the inner part such that the contact section of the filter hose is clamped between the first and second contact surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: MANN+HUMMEL GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Walz, Anton Kreiner, Michael Maier, Fabian Wagner
  • Patent number: 8292333
    Abstract: An inlet hole capable of inserting a pipe thereinto is formed in a pipe joint body along an axis. Retainer attaching holes for attaching with a retainer that prevents detachment of the pipe are formed in a side surface of the pipe joint body to extend therethrough. These retainer attaching holes are configured symmetrically with respect to an X axis passing through a center of the inlet hole as a symmetrical axis. Thus, a circumference of the inlet hole opens symmetrically, so that the heat shrinkage condition after molding is equalized in the circumferential direction. Accordingly, it is not necessary to process a molding pin for the inlet hole with imbalance of heat shrinkage amount in mind, so that the molding pin becomes easy to process. In addition, the retainer can selectively utilize the retainer attaching holes at two positions, so that selective use depending on installation environment can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Togo Seisakusyo Corporation
    Inventors: Yukihiro Ogawa, Kenji Tozaki
  • Publication number: 20120256414
    Abstract: A connection device including a tubular male termination, a connecting means adapted to be mounted around and accommodated in a groove of the female termination, and a locking member for locking these means in the female termination to be mounted around the male termination to reversibly move these means into a locking position in the groove. The device includes means for immobilizing and releasing the locking member that are rigidly fastened to the male termination, these means being adapted to prevent the connecting means from being moved to the locking position unless the male termination occupies a predetermined insertion position in the female termination and, only if the male termination has reached that position, to release the locking member, while allowing its movement toward the female termination so that a thrust on this member moves the connecting means into the locking position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: HUTCHINSON
    Inventors: Stéphane Ully, Denis Godeau
  • Patent number: 8282134
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of assembling a thermally responsive fluid coupling of a pressure reducing fuel regulator is provided. The fuel regulator includes an inlet conduit having a longitudinally extending ridge. A generally annular bushing is positioned over the inlet conduit. The bushing includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced figures and a cutout dimensioned to receive the ridge of the inlet conduit. A fluid-carrying member is positioned at least partially within the inlet conduit. A collar is positioned over the inlet conduit. The collar includes a first end adapted to be releasably connected to a cooperative fluid coupling and a second end. The second end of the collar is secured between the plurality of fingers of the bushing and the inlet conduit for preventing axial movement between the collar and the fluid-carrying member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Cavagna Group
    Inventor: Savio Cavagna
  • Patent number: 8267435
    Abstract: A charge-air hose assembly includes a charge-air hose (2) for connecting to a pipe stub (4). The charge-air hose (2), in the assembled position, is pushed into the pipe stub (4) in such a way that overpressure occurring in the charge-air hose (2) presses the charge-air hose (2) radially outward against the radial inner wall (6) of the pipe stub (4). The charge-air hose (2) is assigned a latching device which, during the insertion of the charge-air hose (2) into the pipe stub (4), latches with the pipe stub (4) so as to axially fix the charge-air hose (2) to the pipe stub (4) in a predetermined axial position of the charge-air hose (2) relative to the pipe stub (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: ContiTech MGW GmbH
    Inventors: Jörg Hellfeier, Hartmut Brill, Helmut Hoffmann, Peter Reichardt, Dieter Bamberger, Karl-Heinz Siebels
  • Patent number: 8220837
    Abstract: In a state in which a fuel pipe (11) and a connector (13) are already joined, a swing fulcrum portion (14h) of a drop-off prevention holder (14) is engaged with the fuel pipe (11), and making the drop-off prevention holder (14) swing with this portion as a fulcrum allows a U-shaped first cutout (14d) formed in a first face (14b) to be fitted onto a small diameter portion (13c) of the connector (13), thus restricting the distance between a step (13b) and a second flange (11b) and thereby restraining the fuel pipe (11) and the connector (13) so that they do not separate. Since it is necessary to carry out a snap fitting operation only once in order for the small diameter portion (13c) of the connector (13) to pass through a narrow throat portion (b) formed partway along the first cutout (14d) of the drop-off prevention holder (14), the operation becomes easy compared with a case where snap-fitting operations are required a plurality of times, and the drop-off prevention holder (14) can be installed easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fumio Kaneda
  • Patent number: 8210574
    Abstract: A conical-shaped distributing member 41 is disposed in a refrigerant distributing portion 32 distributing refrigerant, an orifice 34 is disposed by being positioned at an axis 16X of the conical body, the orifice 34 is held by a stop ring 37, and the stop ring 37 urges the orifice 34 in a flow direction of the refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Shimaoka, Kenichi Nakajima, Jun Yamauchi, Shintaro Sugimoto, Yoshimi Kusama
  • Patent number: 8205912
    Abstract: A fluid line coupling includes a receiving part and a locking part connectable to the receiving part. The locking part includes a plurality of elastically resilient spring tongues engageable behind an annular collar formed on a plug-in part that is insertable into the receiving part. A securing part includes a plurality of elongate securing arms. Guide elements are formed on the securing part and the receiving part that are engagable with one another to displace the securing part in relation to the receiving part. In a securing position of the securing part, each securing arm bears against a respective associated spring tongue and prevents the spring tongue from deflecting outwardly. In this manner, the plug-in part is secured by a very high pull-out force against being pulled out of the receiving part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: A. Raymond et Cie
    Inventors: Yasuki Takenaka, Mamoru Ogawa, Norio Yokoo
  • Patent number: 8196970
    Abstract: A connector device having a housing part and a clamping ring arranged in the receiving hole and cooperating with an inner cone of the housing part to lock a plugged-in media conduit. An inner insertion piece is removably connected to a base piece and provided with the inner cone. The insertion piece has at least two radially elastic spring arms to enable removal of the conduit. Radially outward-protruding catching extensions of the spring arms engage catching holes for detaching purposes. A contamination seal is disposed in the region of free ends of the spring arms to circumferentially rest upon the media conduit. The catching extensions are disconnected from the sealing area via a deformation zone so that the radial detaching movement of the catching extensions is performed without being influenced by the contamination seal because the deformation zone is deformed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Voss Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Josef Brandt, Harald Hagen, Martin Lechner, Norbert Terlau, Günter Sieper
  • Patent number: 8181997
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Inventor: Hsin-Fa Wang
  • Patent number: 8167339
    Abstract: There is provided a resin tube-equipped quick connector capable of connecting a fuel-transporting resin tube to a mating pipe without hindrance even if the resin tube has a small diameter. The quick connector is constructed such that it includes a connector body having a press-fitting portion, and a retainer. On the other hand, a press-fit undergoing portion of the resin tube into which the press-fitting portion is to be press-fitted is beforehand expanded in tube diameter prior to the press-fitting, and the press-fitting portion is press-fitted into the expanded press-fit undergoing portion in a withdrawal-preventing condition to provide the quick connector equipped with the resin tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignees: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuichi Yagisawa, Yasuaki Nagai, Kazuhiro Kato, Hirokazu Kitamura
  • Patent number: 8162355
    Abstract: An inflatable safety system for a vehicle, the safety system including an inflator assembly and an airbag assembly. The safety system further includes an airbag inflator connector securely connecting the inflator assembly to the airbag assembly. The inflator assembly and the airbag assembly may be connected to one another at a connection in which a male portion that includes a first exterior projection extends into a tube having a second exterior projection. The airbag inflator connector has, among other elements, a first and second reaction surface, such that the first reaction surface is positioned adjacent a surface of the first projection, and the second reaction surface is positioned adjacent a surface of the second projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Donald Hall
  • Patent number: 8113547
    Abstract: A fluid quick connector includes a retainer mounted in a housing which lockingly couples a first endform to the housing. Latch arms bendably extend from the housing for latching engagement with a second endform. An inner diameter of the latch arms are proximate the outer diameter of the first endform inserted through the housing to prevent substantial movement of the latch arms in a direction which would disengage the latch arms from the second endform. In another aspect, the retainer has inner arms which engage a recessed surface engagement feature in the first endform to lock the other endform to the housing. A portion of a spherical surface is formed on the ends of the inner arms to reduce the push in force required to insert the first endform through the housing and past the retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Cooper Standard Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Andre
  • Patent number: 8113548
    Abstract: A quick connector coupling to releasably connect a rigid tube into a hollow body component bore with a resilient seal member creating a fluid tight seal. A seat member retainer includes legs abutting the body component. It includes an insertion sleeve that receives the axial insertion forces to insert the seal member retainer into the bore. A protective cap is arranged to contain preassembled seal and retainer components for assembly onto the rigid tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: TI Group Automotive Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen Gunderson
  • Patent number: 8113549
    Abstract: A coupling part (1) for a fluid line coupling is provided with a locking element for locking in place a plug-in part that is to be introduced into the coupling (1), and with a checking element (8) to verify proper locking of the plug-in part. The checking element (8) is equipped with axially flexible spring arms (11, 12), which comprise an engagement structure (14, 15) devised to engage with a latching structure (15), and which, in a first checking position, block the checking element (8) from shifting into a second checking position if the plug-in part is not properly locked. After the second checking position has been assumed, as a result of the actuation by the plug-in part of an actuating structure formed on each spring arm (11, 12), the checking element (8) is out of engagement with the plug-in part, and it is therefore possible to remove the plug-in part from the coupling part in the second checking position of the checking part (8), as well, by actuating the locking element (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: A. Raymond et Cie
    Inventors: Sven Bokühn, Axel Feger, Bernd Grünmüller, Daniel Utz, Patrick Borderie, Jacques Boyer
  • Patent number: 8056937
    Abstract: A tube coupling includes a coupling body having a stem with an end to engage in a tube and an encircling head spaced from said end. A cap is mounted on the head having an open end encircling the stem to receive a tube inserted into the cap over the stem, the cap having an internal tapered cam surface. A tube locking collet is located in the open end of the cap and includes an annular member having a plurality of resilient fingers which engage the tapered cam surface. The cap includes a sleeve having a cylindrical main portion which encircles and is mounted on the head of the coupling body. The main portion projects along the stem and a portion of reducing diameter which provides said internal tapered cam surface with which the collet engages and the cap has locking elements which engage the head of the coupling body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: John Guest International Limited
    Inventor: Timothy Steven Guest
  • Patent number: 7992622
    Abstract: A fitting assembly for connecting an oil cooler assembly to a radiator assembly in a vehicle cooling system includes a radiator having an inlet header tank with an outer wall. The outer wall includes an inlet cooler opening and an outlet cooler opening disposed in the outer wall. The inlet cooler opening is disposed about an inlet axis and the outlet cooler opening is disposed about an outlet axis. An oil cooler having an inlet manifold and an outlet manifold is disposed within the header tank. A fitting interconnects the oil cooler and the header tank of the radiator. A pair of tracks are integrated with the outer wall and are disposed within the header tank. A spring clip extends between the tracks and the fitting for retaining the fitting to the header tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel S Newman, Timothy John Peters
  • Patent number: 7984931
    Abstract: A fluid line of thermoplastic material includes a first end section integral with a principal part of the fluid line which is at least partially undulated. A first holding rib engages behind at least one locking projection of a connecting ring. The ring engages behind a second holding rib on a second end section of the pipe. The first end section has an essentially conical initial section located adjacent the principal part of the fluid line. The initial section has an outer diameter which increases in a direction toward the free end of the first end section. The initial section is adjacent to an intermediate section whose outer diameter decreases from the greatest diameter of the initial section to the smallest diameter of a locking groove for the engagement of a first locking projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Norma Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Janos Kertesz, Jerome Chateau, Uwe Wickel
  • Patent number: 7976071
    Abstract: A fluid connector assembly 10 for a fuel pipe of a motor vehicle comprises a plug 12 and a housing 11. The housing 11 has an end opening 23 and the plug 12 has a free end 26 for insertion through the end opening 23. The housing 11 also includes a seal housing portion 16 for receiving the free end 26 of the plug 12 and a coupling portion 17. The plug 12 includes first and second annular ribs 27, 28 spaced apart from each other and offset from the free end 26. The annular ribs 27, 28 are arranged to successively be held by a pair of grips 24 located inside the coupling portion when the plug 12 is inserted into the housing 11 in such a way that when the first annular rib 27 is retained by the grips 24 the plug 12 is sealed by seal means 18 in the seal housing portion 16 and when the second annular rib 28 is retained by the grips 24 the first annular rib 27 is housed between the coupling portion 17 and the seal housing portion 16.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Land Rover
    Inventor: Christopher Bibby
  • Patent number: 7971912
    Abstract: A quick connector with sealing capacity for preventing the leakage and penetration of fuel and the entrance of foreign matters, such as mud, and water past a retainer. The quick connector includes a housing (12) internally provided with first sealing rings (29) and (30) for sealing a gap between the metallic surface of an uncoated end part of a tube (16) and the inside surface of the housing (12), and second sealing rings (33) and (34) for sealing a gap between the surface of a coated part of the tube (16) and the inside surface of the housing (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Sanoh Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Okada
  • Patent number: 7967342
    Abstract: A quick connector coupling assembly comprising a body, a tube, and a retainer to secure the tube in the body. The body defines an internal cavity extending from an opening. The tube has an endform extending through the opening and into the internal cavity. The endform has a tip and an engagement surface. The engagement surface of the endform coacts with a locking surface associated with the body or the retainer to resist rotational movement of the tube relative to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: TI Group Automotive Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen H. Gunderson
  • Publication number: 20110127767
    Abstract: A connection assembly for creating a releasable fluid seal connection between two or more sections of tubing includes a male fitting and a female fitting. Connection assemblies generally include the male fitting having a pair of clasps that releasably interact with corresponding catch structures on the female fitting. Interactions between the female and male fittings can be rotatable with respect to the male and/or female fittings. Buckle structures are also disclosed having connection capabilities for a plurality of sections of tubing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: Value Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Clark Wicks, Bruce Alan Williams
  • Patent number: 7950699
    Abstract: A plug-type coupling for connecting two fluid lines includes a coupling component which has an opening with an adjacent receiving duct, and a coupling piece which is inserted into the receiving duct and has a holding rib which extends from its circumference outwardly and forms a locking surface, wherein the holding rib interacts with a locking stirrup which has at least one leg which is resilient toward the opening. A disassembly element is movably mounted in the coupling component, wherein the disassembly element acts on the leg in the direction of opening the coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Norma Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Bauer, Reiner Koch
  • Patent number: 7942453
    Abstract: Coupling device (60) for mechanically and hydraulically coupling a fuel injector (20) to a fuel rail (18) of a combustion engine (22), the fuel injector (20) having a central longitudinal axis (L) and an injection nozzle (31), having a fuel injector cup (32) being designed to be hydraulically coupled to the fuel rail (14) and to engage a fuel inlet portion (24) of the fuel injector (20), and a spring element (36) being part of the fuel injector (20) and being designed to be in a snap-in engagement with the fuel injector cup (32) to retain the fuel injector (20) in the fuel injector cup (32) in direction of the central longitudinal axis (L) facing towards the injection nozzle (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Mauro Grandi
  • Patent number: 7896404
    Abstract: A tubular reducer fitting for transitioning from an existing electrical nonmetallic tubing socket of one size to an electrical nonmetallic tubing socket of a smaller size. The male end portion has a cylindrical outer surface with a pair of axially-spaced projections extending outwardly therefrom and is receivable in an existing electrical nonmetallic tubing socket. The female end portion has an electrical nonmetallic tubing socket therein. The male end portion is configured for locking reception in a first trade size electrical nonmetallic tubing socket and the opposite female connector end portion has a smaller trade size electrical nonmetallic tubing socket herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: The Lamson & Sessions Co.
    Inventors: Eric G. Hull, Gregory D. Turcovsky, Dennis P. Revlock, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7891710
    Abstract: A connector for use in a system for flowing fluid, having at least one cup-shaped female part, in which an adapted male part on another connector is intended to be sealingly and securely mounted, wherein the female part has integral longitudinal locking tangs which have their free ends pointing in the direction of insertion of a male part into the female part, the free ends of the locking tangs projecting into the space in the female part for engaging with a male part, and wherein the locking tangs have at least one recess which can be used by a tool to urge the locking tangs apart so that the male part and the female part can be disengaged from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Kongsberg Automotive AS
    Inventors: Egil Pedersen, Kristoffer Dale, Jan E. Sangro
  • Patent number: 7891380
    Abstract: A fluid coupling assembly is disclosed comprising a connector body defining a bore extending axially forward from an entrance opening, a tubular male member with an upset, a seal member, and a retainer. The retainer is received within the bore and includes locking members to releaseably retain the tube. The retainer includes a forward extension to support the seal against fluid pressure. The retainer and seal are configured to be applied to the male member before insertion of the male member into the bore of the connector body. Two of the locking members include ramps extending radially outwardly to contact the body portion defining the entrance opening sequentially prior to contact by the locking arms of the other locking members. A removable protective cap attaches the retainer and seal onto a tube end and covers these components prior to assembly. The retainer, seal member and protective cap cannot be assembled onto the tube end unless the seal is present within the protective cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: TI Group Automotive Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen Gunderson
  • Patent number: 7878554
    Abstract: An anchor washer for anchoring a first element and a second element in relative engagement, includes an annular portion from which there extends at least one tooth that is inclined relative to a central axis of the annular portion, the annular portion being designed for mounting on the first element, and the tooth having two side faces between which there extends a rubbing surface for being oriented substantially towards the second element, the surface being connected to the side faces via coupling portions, the tooth being shaped so that at least one of the coupling portions is set back from at least a portion of the surface so that the coupling portion is kept at a distance from the second element. A coupling device including such a washer is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Legris SA
    Inventor: Nicolas Le Bars
  • Patent number: 7878552
    Abstract: An insert coupling more preferably intended for use with fuel lines consists of a sleeve-like coupling body (2) and a tubular insert part (1) carrying a retaining rib (3) on the outside. Via a coupling element (22) axially fixed in the coupling body (2) on to which engagement hooks (4, 4?) are molded which are intended for engagement with the retaining rib (3), a ring shoulder (23) is formed at the same time which together with a ring shoulder (24) of the housing (8) of the coupling body (2) axially spaced from said ring shoulder and the radially spaced cylindrical faces of the housing (8) facing each other and the insert part (1) define a ring space (11) in which a sealing arrangement consisting of two sealing rings (5, 7) and a support ring (6) arranged in-between are accommodated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: A. KAYSER Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Heiko Freter
  • Patent number: 7878555
    Abstract: A coupling device for circular pipes, in which locking rings, inserted into a body to clamp a circular pipe, are arranged in a pair so that the central line of a circular pipe can be aligned when the circular pipe is inserted. Furthermore, the degree to which the body presses the seal packing can be adjusted so that a reliable seal can be maintained and the circular pipe can be securely coupled no matter who uses the coupling device. A coupling device for corrugated and circular pipes is provided for the case where it is more effective to replace one of the circular pipes with a corrugated pipe. The first coupling section and a connecting means, which can engage with a corrugated pipe, are provided opposite the second coupling section, which is coupled with the circular pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Kofulso Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung-Il Oh
  • Patent number: 7878553
    Abstract: A connection assembly for creating a releasable fluid seal connection between two or more sections of tubing includes a male fitting and a female fitting. Connection assemblies generally include the male fitting having a pair of clasps that releasably interact with corresponding catch structures on the female fitting. Interactions between the female and male fittings can be rotatable with respect to the male and/or female fittings. Buckle structures are also disclosed having connection capabilities for a plurality of sections of tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Value Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Clark Wicks, Bruce Alan Williams
  • Patent number: 7871109
    Abstract: A drain basin has a basin with walls and a cavity therein. The basin can have one or more sleeves coupled thereto. The sleeves are in communication with the cavity. The sleeves form pipe couplings to the basin. Each sleeve has a free end and a fixed end. The fixed end is coupled to the basin. The sleeve has an inside diameter that decreases toward the fixed end, which inside diameter is structured and arranged to receive the outside diameter of a small pipe. The sleeve also has an outside diameter that increases toward the fixed end, which outside diameter is structured and arranged to receive the inside diameter of a larger pipe. In addition, catches are provided to couple a corrugated pipe to the sleeve. The catches comprise fingers that flex or projections on ribs. Thus, the drain basin allows several diameters of several different pipes to be coupled to the drain basin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: DFW Alliance Corp.
    Inventors: James Stephen McKinnon, Carl Ryan Whitmarsh