Search Patents
  • Patent number: 5711549
    Abstract: A high pressure quick connector is disclosed for use in connecting brake lines of a vehicle, particularly to a brake junction for an anti-lock brake system. The connector includes a housing for receiving a tube retainer. The tube retainer has a lower cylindrical portion that is positively attached to enclose a flared end form to provide a fluid seal. Retaining means in the form of a snap ring works in conjunction with a pop top to provide a low force and a positive insertion indicator. The snap ring has ears that are compressed together and inserted up inside a slot in the pop top. Upon installation of the tube retainer and retaining means into a central bore of the housing, an end portion of the housing makes contact with the pop top so that the pop top slides up the tube. As the pop top slides up the tube, the snap ring ears are released from the pop top slot. The snap ring expands upon release into a final latching position with the housing and tube retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: ITT Automotive, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce A. Beans
  • Patent number: 6113151
    Abstract: A high pressure quick connector is disclosed for use in connecting brake lines of a vehicle, particularly to a brake junction for an anti-lock brake system. The connector includes a housing for receiving a tube retainer. The tube retainer has a lower cylindrical portion that is positively attached to enclose a flared end form to provide a fluid seal. Retaining means in the form of a snap ring works in conjunction with a pop top to provide a low force and a positive insertion indicator. The snap ring has ears that are compressed together and inserted up inside a slot in the pop top. Upon installation of the tube retainer and retaining means into a central bore of the housing, an end portion of the housing makes contact with the pop top so that the pop top slides up the tube. As the pop top slides up the tube, the snap ring ears are released from the pop top slot. The snap ring expands upon release into a final latching position with the housing and tube retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce A. Beans
  • Patent number: 5178424
    Abstract: An insertion indication device for use with a quick connect fitting includes a generally annular base member which is adapted for positioning about a male conduit inside of a connector housing. One or more leg members extend axially from the base member and terminate near an axial opening formed in the housing for receiving the conduit. A generally annular indicator member positioned adjacent to the opening releassably engages the end members. Upon couplings of the male and female elements of the quick connector, the indicator member is separated from the leg members to provide visual conformation that coupling has taken place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: ITT Corporation
    Inventor: Gary Klinger
  • Patent number: 5456500
    Abstract: An insertion indicator employed in conjunction with a quick connector assembly includes a base member carried within a female housing, two or more leg members extending axially from the base member and terminating adjacent an axial housing opening. A generally annular indicator member is disposed substantially within the housing opening and releasably engages the ends of the leg members. Means are provided to axially displace the base member upon engagement of the male and female elements to effect separation of the base and indicator members. Guide and limiting means are provided to ensure proper orientation of the indicator device relative to the quick connector before and during coupling of the male and female elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: ITT Corporation
    Inventors: Gary Klinger, Anthony Carman, Rick Kelley, Darrell Wilczynski
  • Patent number: 5297818
    Abstract: An insertion indicator device (10) is employed in conjunction with a quick connector (12) assembly comprising a male element (14) and a female element (16). The indicator device includes a base member (112) carried within the female element. Two or more leg members (114, 116) extend axially from the base member and terminate adjacent an axial housing opening. A generally annular indicator member is disposed substantially adjacent the opening and releasably engages the ends of the leg members. Means are provided to axially displace the base member upon engagement of the male and female elements to effect separation of the base and indicator members. Lastly, guide means are provided to ensure the maintenance of proper orientation of the indicator device with respect to the quick connector before and during the engagement process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: ITT Corporation
    Inventor: Gary Klinger
  • Patent number: 5779278
    Abstract: An insertion indicator for a metal quick connector assembly includes an annular base adapted to be releasably received within the mouth of a female connector component's axial bore, such that the male end form of the connector assembly's male component, including an external flange thereon, is insertable through the indicator's base into the axial bore. The indicator further includes two legs projecting both axially and radially-inwardly from its base so as to extend deeper within the female component's axial bore than the "locking" abutment surfaces of a retainer, also disposed within the bore, when the indicator is releasably received therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignees: ITT Automotive, Inc., ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Eugene Grooters, George Szabo