Swivelable Quick Connector Assembly

The present invention relates to a connector assembly for providing a swivelable quick connection.

In the automotive industry, as well as for many other industries, the need always exists for low-cost, reliable, and easy to assemble components. This need is especially apparent with respect to providing a connection between fluid carrying conduits, such as a fuel or refrigerant lines. In older threaded connectors, substantial assembly time could be accumulated in screwing on a cap to a fitting and tightening the cap down to the proper torque needed to provide for a fluid tight seal. Further, an inventory would have to be maintained to keep track of the number of caps and fittings, and any liners or other components that may be necessary. Also, retightening of the caps may be required to maintain the seal after the automobile or other system has been put in use.

Accordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide an improved connector assembly for providing a swivelable quick connection between fluid conveying conduits.

In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a pre-assembled connector housing and retainer element so that a connection to a tubular fluid conveying conduit may be made in one step without resorting to any tools.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pre-assembled connector housing and retainer element so that a snapping connection may be made to a tubular fluid conveying conduit.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a connector assembly that may be employed to join dissimilar electrically conducting materials that would be otherwise subject to galvanic corrosion.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a connector assembly which is adapted to provide a for a bleed-down position when disconnecting a conduit from the housing of the connector assembly.

Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the detailed description of the preferred embodiments which makes reference to the following set of drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective assembly view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view, partially in cross-section, of the connector assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is another view of the connector assembly of FIG. 2, shown in the bleed-down position.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a retainer element according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of a third embodiment of a retainer element according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of a fourth embodiment of a retainer element according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the retainer element of FIG. 6 coupled to a housing according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view, partially in cross-section, of the retainer element and housing of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view, partially in cross-section, of another embodiment of the connector assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a retainer element, and its relationship to a conduit is illustrated.

FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of the connector assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the retainer element of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the retainer element for the connector assembly of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a side elevation view, partially in cross-section of another embodiment of the connector assembly according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective assembly view of a connector assembly 10 according to the present invention is shown. The connector assembly is generally comprised of a tubular conduit 12 adapted to convey fluid, a housing 14, and a retainer element 16. Conduit 12 is provided with an outwardly projecting annular surface 18 displaced from a beveled connecting end 20 of the conduit. Annular surface 18 is formed with a blocking wall portion 22 disposed transversely or perpendicularly to a central axis 24 of conduit 12, and a sloping wall portion 26 gradually increasing from an outer surface 28 of the conduit. Housing 14 may have any suitable outer surface shape, and in one form of the present invention, the housing is provided with an enlarged diameter portion 30, a reduced diameter portion 32, and a third diameter portion 34. The housing is adapted to provide for apertures or openings 36 a-d, which are equidistantly spaced around the circumference of enlarged portion 30 of the housing. Apertures 36 are provided to receive and position retainer element 16 transversely to axis 24 of the conduit. The retainer element is made from a resilient material, such as plastic, and is comprised of a pair of generally parallel elongated legs 38 joined at one end by a cross member 40, which provides a separation between the legs approximately equal to the outside diameter of conduit 12. Each retainer leg 38 includes a sloping lead area 42 formed in the interior side of the leg, and a barb 44 projecting from the exterior side of the leg. In addition, each retainer leg further includes a first recess 46 and a second recess 48 formed in the front side of the leg.

Referring to FIG. 2, a side elevation view of connector assembly 10 is shown, partially in cross-section, in a fully assembled position. Housing 14 is shown to be formed with a central bore 50, having an enlarged diameter portion 52, a reduced diameter portion 54, and a third diameter portion 56. Housing 14 also includes a bushing 58 and an elastomeric ring 60 disposed in third diameter portion 56 of housing central bore 50. Bushing 58 also includes a flange portion 62, which extends into enlarged diameter portion 52 of central bore 50. A surface 64 of flange portion 62 is shaped to provide a slope corresponding to sloping wall portion 26 of conduit 12.

In the preferred embodiment, connector assembly 10 may be connected by first coupling retainer element 16 to housing 14, and then inserting connecting end 20 of conduit 12 into central bore 50 of the housing. Retainer element 16 is coupled to housing 14 by inserting legs 38 into apertures 36a and 36b and out through apertures 36c and 36d until barbs 44 extend through apertures 36c and 36d. Barbs 44 projects outwardly a distance sufficient to engage the upper edges of apertures 36c and 36d and prevent the removal of the retainer element from the housing. Apertures 36 a-d are shaped sufficiently large to permit both an inward and outward deflection of retainer legs 38. When retainer element 16 is being inserted into housing 14, the retainer legs deflect inwardly to permit barbs 44 to entend through apertures 36c and 36d. When connecting end 20 of conduit 12 is being inserted into bore 50 of housing 14, the retainer legs deflect outwardly to permit annular surface 18 to translate past the retainer legs. Sloping wall portion 26 of annular surface 18 cooperates with sloping lead area 42 of retainer legs 38 to reduce the force required to translate the annular surface past the retainer legs. After conduit 12 is fully inserted into central bore 50 of housing 14, as shown in FIG. 2, retainer legs 38 cooperate with blocking wall portion 22 of annular surface 18 to resist the disconnection or removal of conduit 12 from housing 14.

An important feature of housing 14 is elastomeric ring 60. This ring provides a fluid tight seal between conduit 12 and housing 14, and yet permits the conduit to rotate or swivel relative to the housing. Ring 60 is positioned transversely to axis 24 of conduit 12 by bushing 58. Flange portion 62 of bushing 58 provides a means for impeding further insertion of conduit 12 within central bore 50 when surface 64 of flange portion 62 contacts sloping wall portion 26 of annular surface 26 of the conduit.

Referring to FIG. 3, another view of connector assembly 10 is shown. Here, the connector assembly is illustrated in the "bleed-down" position. This feature of the invention may be used to safely disconnect conduit 12 from housing 14 when the fluid pressure is greater than ambient. Accordingly, retainer element 16 is partially removed or lifted up to the point where first and second recesses, 46 and 48 respectively, permit the retainer element to be translated toward a first end 66 of housing 14, in the direction of the arrows shown in FIG. 2. Surfaces 68 and 70 of the retainer recesses will engage the vertical edges of apertures 36 a-d adjacent to housing end 66, and prevent further axial translation of retainer element 16. Conduit 12 may then also be translated toward housing end 66, past the point where elastomeric ring 60 contacts conduit end 20. This will interrupt the fluid tight seal, and permit the pressure of the fluid to rapidly decrease. When this seal is broken, legs 38 of retainer element 16 will prevent the total ejection of the conduit from the housing under the force of the fluid pressure by engaging blocking wall portion 22 of annular surface 18. After the fluid pressure has decreased to the ambient pressure, the conduit may then be translated back toward a second end 72 of the housing, so that the retainer element may be removed. The conduit may then be removed from the housing without any obstruction.

Referring to FIG. 4, a second embodiment of a retainer element 74 is shown. Retainer element 74 is similar to retainer element 16, and the reference numerals for the corresponding components are the same. As in the case of retainer element 16, retainer element 74 is an integral element, formed in any conventional manner from a resilient material, such as plastic. The difference between these retainers resides in the lead areas formed in the sides of legs 38. Retainer element 74 is formed with an annular outwardly extending lead area 76 in each of the legs. Lead areas 76 have approximately the same thickness as the thickness of legs 38. Lead areas 76 may extend to the back surface of retainer element 74, or may only partially extend the width of legs 38, as shown in FIG. 4 at reference numeral 78. In contrast, lead areas 42 of retainer element 16 do not outwardly extend. Rather, lead areas 42 are recessed in the interior sides of legs 38 for retainer element 16. Thus, the thickness of legs 38 for retainer element 16 is reduced at the front surface of the legs, and gradually increases to the normal leg thickness at the back surface.

Referring to FIG. 5, a third embodiment of a retainer element 80 is shown. Retainer element 80 is also intended for use with housing 14 shown in FIG. 1. Retainer element 80 is made from a resilient material, and is comprised of a pair of generally parallel elongated legs 82 joined at one end by a cross number 84, which is extended to form annular members 86. These annular members generally conform to and partially encircle the outside surface of enlarge diameter portion 30 of housing 14. Annular members 86 are each formed with a barb 88 and a handle 90. Legs 82 are each formed with a lead area 92 similar in shape to lead area 42 for legs 38 of retainer element 16.

Retainer element 80 is coupled to housing 14 by inserting legs 82 into apertures 36a and 36b and out through apertures 36c and 36d. As legs 82 are being inserted, annular members 86 deflect outwardly to permit their translation around the outside surface of housing 14. When the retainer element is inserted, barbs 88 will extend inwardly into apertures 36c and 36d to lock the retainer element in place. Handles 90 are used to assist the removal of retainer element 80 from housing 14, which is achieved by deflecting annular member 86 outwardly to disengage barbs 88 from the appertures and lifting the retainer element out from the housing.

Referring to FIG. 6, a fourth embodiment of a retainer element 94 is shown. Again, retainer element may be used with housing 14, and is made from a resilient material. Retainer element 94 is comprised of a pair of generally parallel elongated legs 96 joined at one end by a cross member 98. Legs 96 are each formed with an inwardly extending barb 100, and a lead area 102 similar in shape to lead area 42 of retainer element 16. Retainer element 94 is coupled to housing 14 by deflecting legs 96 outwardly a sufficient distance to permit their insertion into apertures 36a and 36b and out through apertures 36c and 36d. When fully inserted, barbs 100 engage the lower lateral edges of apertures 36c and 36d to lock retainer element 94 in place.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, retainer element 94 is shown coupled to a housing 104, similar in construction to housing 14. FIG. 7 is a front elevation view and FIG. 8 is a side elevation view partially in cross-section. Housing 104 is provided with an enlarged diameter portion 106 at a first end 108 for receiving a conduit and for mounting retainer element 94, and a reduced diameter portion 110 at a second end 112 for providing a fluid path. Housing 104 is also provided with a third diameter portion 114 interposed between enlarged diameter portion 106 and reduced diameter portion 110. Housing 104 further includes a bushing 116, two elastomeric rings 118 and 120, and an annular sleeve 122 for separating the rings. This housing illustrates that more than one elastomeric ring may be employed to provide a fluid tight seal, as may be required for the particular application of the connector assembly.

Referring to FIG. 9, another embodiment of a connector assembly 124 according to the present invention is shown. This embodiment illustrates a housing 126 that may be employed to provide a fluid tight connection between a tubular conduit 128 and a metallic tubular conduit 130. As in the case of conduit 12 of FIG. 1, conduit 128 includes an outwardly projecting annular surface 132, which is formed with a blocking wall portion 134 and a sloping wall portion 136. Conduit 130 is formed with an enlarged diameter portion 138, which provides the third diameter portion of the above described housings 14 and 104. Housing 126 is provided with a bushing 140, an elastomeric ring 142, and a spacer 144 mounted in enlarged diameter portion 138 of conduit 130. Both bushing 140 and spacer 144 are made from an electrically non-conductive material, such as plastic, and serve an important function when both conduits 128 and 130 are made from dissimilar metals subject to galvanic corrosion. Bushing 140 and spacer 144 support conduit 128 within housing 126 and preclude an end 146 of conduit 128 from contacting a reduced diameter portion 148 of conduit 130. Thus, where the fluid being conveyed is a liquid having the properties of an electrolyte, bushing 140 and spacer 144 prevent the completion of a circuit loop which would allow a corrosion current to flow. Housing 126, as well as housings 14 and 104, may be made from either plastic or metal. Any of the retainer elements 16, 74, 80, or 94 may be coupled with housing 126 in the manner described above.

Referring to FIG. 10, a fifth embodiment of a retainer element 150 is shown in relation to a conduit 152. Retainer element 150 is comprised of two wedge shaped members 154 and 156, which combine to form a jam fit against the blocking wall portion (not shown) of an annular surface 158 of conduit 152. Wedge member 156 is comprised of a pair of generally parallel elongated legs 160 joined at one end by a cross member 162. Similarly, wedge member 154 is comprised of a pair of generally parallel elongated legs 164 joined at one end by a cross member 166. Wedge member 156 further includes an outwardly extending barb 168 formed at the end of each of legs 160. Similarly wedge member 154 includes an outwardly extending barb 170 formed in the side of each of legs 164. The sides of the legs 160 and 164 where wedge members 156 and 154 are joined are reciprocably slanted and formed with serrations, as indicated generally at reference number 172. Retainer element 150 may be coupled to a housing, such as housing 14 of FIG. 1 to force annular surface 158 of conduit 152 securely against a bushing, such as bushing 58 of FIG. 2. Retainer element 150 may be coupled to housing 14 by inserting legs 164 of wedge member 154 into apertures 36a and 36b, and inserting legs 160 of wedge member 156 into apertures 36c and 36d in a similar manner to that described above for retainer element 16. As the wedge members are being inserted, the serrated edges of legs 160 and 164 engage and exert a further insertion force on conduit 152 via annular surface 158. After the wedge members are fully inserted, the serrated edges of legs 160 and 164 fixedly hold the wedge members in their relative positions. It of course should be appreciated by one skilled in the art that conduit 152 may be inserted into housing 14 before the wedge members are coupled to the housing.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, another embodiment of a connector assembly 174 according to the present invention is shown. FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of a retainer element 176, and FIG. 11 illustrates a side elevation view, partially in cross-section, of the fully assembled connector assembly. Connector assembly 174 is comprised of a tubular conduit 178, a housing 180, and retainer element 176. Housing 180 may be made from any suitable material, such as plastic or metal, and may have any appropriate outer shape, such as a cylinder or hex construction. Housing 180 is formed with a central bore 182, which provides an enlarged diameter portion 184, a reduced diameter portion 186, and a third diameter portion 188. Housing 180 further includes an inwardly extending flange 190, forming a forth diameter portion, for mounting retainer element 176 to the housing. Flange 190 may have a slant shape as shown in FIG. 11 or may have a flat surface. Housing 180 is also provided with a bushing 192, two elastomeric rings 194 and 196, a sleeve 198, and a spacer 200 generally mounted in third diameter portion 188. Retainer element 176 is made from a resilient material, and is comprised of a pair of opposing annular leg members 202 and 204 centrally joined by a recessed ring 206, which positions the retainer element at flange 190 of housing 180. Annular leg 202 is formed with a radially extending tab end 208 on one side of recessed ring 206 and a radially converging jaw end 210 on the other side of the recessed ring. Similarly, annular leg 204 is formed with a radially extending tab 212 on one side of recessed ring 206 and a radially converging jaw 214 on the other side. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the distance between annular leg members 202 and 204 at the converging ends corresponds approximately to the outside diameter of conduit 178. Retainer element 176 is coupled to housing 180 by insertion into central bore 182 until flange 190 engages or straddles recessed ring 206. Conduit 178 is then inserted into central bore 182 with an insertion force sufficient to deflect converging jaw ends 210 and 214 outwardly to permit an annular surface 216 of the conduit to be translated passed retainer element 176. After conduit 178 is fully inserted into housing 180, converging jaw ends 210 and 214 of retainer element 176 cooperate with a blocking wall portion 218 of annular surface 216 to resist the disconnection or removal of conduit 178 from the housing. Conduit 178 may be removed from housing 180 by compressing extending tab ends 208 and 212 together sufficiently to extend converging jaw ends 210 and 214 apart, so that the conduit may be extracted from the housing without having to remove retainer element 176.

Referring to FIG. 13, another embodiment of a retainer element 220 for the connector assembly of FIG. 11 is shown. Retainer element 220 is made from a resilient material, and is comprised of a ring 222 for mounting the retainer element on flange 190 of housing 180, a pair of opposing jaws 224 and 226 projecting from one side of the ring, and a pair of tabs 228 and 230 projecting from the other side of the ring and positioned on opposite sides of the jaws. Ring 222 is formed with an outer diameter approximately corresponding to the bore diameter provided by flange 190 of housing 180. Jaws 224 and 226 extend beyond the outer diameter of ring 222 at an end 232 and converge at another end 234 to provide a separation approximately corresponding to the outside diameter of conduit 178. When retainer element 220 is coupled to housing 180, flange 190 is interposed between tabs 228 and 230, and extending end of jaws 224 and 226. Retainer element 220 operates to maintain conduit 178 in housing 178 in a similar manner to that described above for retainer element 176. However, retainer element 220 is of a simplified design in that the retainer element is not provided with an integral means to assist the removal of conduit 178 from housing 180.

Referring to FIG. 14, another embodiment of a connector assembly 236 according to the present invention is shown. Connector assembly 236 represents a union-type connector, and is essentially a duplicate of the structure described above for the previous embodiments. Generally, connector assembly 236 is comprised of two conduits 238 and 240, a housing 242, and a pair of retainer elements 244 and 246. Housing 242 includes a pair of bushings 248 and 250, a set of four elastomeric rings 252-258, a pair of sleeves 260 and 262, and a central spacer 246.

While the above description constitutes the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope and fair meaning of the accompanying claims.