Connector with movable ring for selectively displaying marks

Abstract

A quick-connect female connector member for forming a fluid-tight connection, the female connector member comprising: a body having an indicia and an axial opening for receiving and locking engagement with a quick-connect male connector member; a ring member which is positioned on the body; a latch for holding the ring in the first position so as to hide the indicia prior to coupling the male connector member and the female connector member; a spring for urging the ring when the latch is released to a second position in which the indicia is fully exposed; and a release member engageable with the male connector member and configured to release the latch when the male connector member is engaged with the female connector body in a locked manner.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to quick connector couplings for providing fluid-tight connections in pipe and tubular fluid conduit systems, and more particularly to quick connector couplings that include means for displaying indicia in a plurality of locations around the connector to provide a visual indication of a completed fluid-tight connection between the quick connector components. Background Art

[0002] It has been recognized that there is a need to provide connection verification to indicate the fluid-tight connection between a quick-connect male connector component and a quick-connect female connector component. A relatively simple mechanism for accomplishing this task involves a verification mark that becomes visible through a window or cutout in one of the connector components when a fluid-tight connection has been achieved. A disadvantage of this verification mechanism is that proper alignment is required between the connector components to allow unobstructed viewing of the mark. This disadvantage can be overcome by providing a keyed or splined connector component that only allows aligned assembly. However, this alignment feature makes assembly more difficult.

[0003] It would be desirable to provide a verification mechanism that exposes markings on a quick-connect female connector member regardless of the angular alignment of the connector member about an axis consistent with the direction in which the male connector member is inserted into the female connector member, and that exposes the markings in multiple areas around / on the surface of the female connector. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The disclosed quick-connect female connector component includes: a body having a mark and an axial opening, the mark being located on an outer surface of the body, the axial opening being used to receive a quick-connect male connector component and engage with the quick-connect male connector component in a locking manner; a ring-shaped member, which is positioned on the body of the quick-connect female connector component and is capable of moving axially along the body of the quick-connect female connector component; a latch member, which is used to hold the ring member in a first position, thereby hiding the mark; a spring, which is used to urge the ring member to a second position when the latch member is released, in which second position the mark is fully exposed; and a release member, which is capable of engaging with a male connector component inserted into the axial opening and is configured to release the latch member when the male connector component engages with the female connector body in a locking manner, whereby the spring urges the ring member to the second position, thereby fully exposing the mark.

[0005] In certain embodiments, the latch is a cantilevered portion of the ring having a protruding detent that can engage a radial opening through the wall of the female connector body to retain the ring in the first position prior to insertion of the male connector member.

[0006] In certain embodiments, the female connector member may further include a retainer that elastically deforms in a radial direction when the male connector member is inserted and that holds the male and female connector members together after full insertion.

[0007] In certain embodiments, the release member is a pin that extends through a radial opening in the wall of the female connector body. The pin has a proximal end that projects into the axial opening of the female connector body and a distal end that is engageable with the latch, whereby full insertion of the male connector member causes engagement with the pin and releases the latch, allowing the spring to urge the ring to the second position in which the indicia is exposed.

[0008] In some embodiments, when the ring is in the second position to expose the markings, the protruding pawl portion of the cantilevered portion engages on the top of the retaining member to completely enclose the retaining member, thereby preventing the retaining member from being opened again to provide a secondary lock to the connected male connector member and female connector member. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is a side view of a quick-connect female connector component according to the present disclosure.

[0010] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A side view of a quick connect female connector member fully connected to a quick connect male connector member is shown in FIG.

[0011] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a quick-connect male connector member partially inserted into a quick-connect female connector member, taken along a cutting plane including the axis.

[0012] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along a cutting plane including the axis, showing the quick-connect male connector member being fully inserted into the quick-connect female connector member.

[0013] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view of the coupled male and female components using a plastic retainer along a cutting plane perpendicular to the axis.

[0014] Figure 6 It is a cross-sectional view of the coupled male and female components using a metal retainer along a cutting plane perpendicular to the axis. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Figure 1 A quick connect female connector member 10 is shown having a body 12. Indicia 14 are provided in a plurality of areas on the outer surface of the wall of the body 12. Figure 2 ) Before connection, the marker 14 is completely or at least partially covered by the ring 16 (eg Figure 1 As shown in ). Figure 3 As shown in FIG, the female connector member 10 has an axial opening 22 for receiving an end 24 of the male connector member 20. A ring 16 may be fitted on the outer surface of the body 12.

[0016] A first fluid conduit device, such as a tubing or pipe (not shown), is connected to the exposed end 26 of the male connector member 20, and a second fluid conduit device, which may be the same as or different from the first fluid conduit device, is connected to the end 28 of the female connector member 10. Typically, the conduit devices are connected to the respective connector members before the connector members are joined to each other.

[0017] A latch 30 is provided to retain the ring 16 in the first position, thereby concealing at least a portion of the indicia 14 prior to coupling the male connector member 20 to the female connector member 10. The latch 30 may be any device that locks the ring 16 in the first position until the male connector member 20 is fully inserted into the axial opening 22 and then releases the ring 16 after full insertion, thereby allowing the ring 16 to be urged by the spring 32 to the second position relative to the body 12, thereby fully exposing the indicia 14 (e.g., Figure 2 ).

[0018] exist Figures 1 to 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the latch 30 is a cantilevered portion of the ring 16 having a protruding catch or detent 34 that is resiliently biased into engagement with a radial opening extending through the wall of the body 12. Prior to connecting the female and male connectors together, a portion of the radial opening is occupied by the detent 34. The remainder of the radial opening is occupied by a release member or pin 36 that extends from the detent 34 into the opening 22. During assembly of the quick connect, as the male component 20 is nearly fully inserted into the axial opening 22, the outer wall of the component 20 contacts the proximal end of the pin 36, which is opposite the distal end that engages the detent 34, and when the component 20 is fully inserted, the pin 36 and detent 34 are urged in a radially outward direction, thereby unlocking the ring 16 from the body 12 and allowing the spring 32 to urge the ring 16 from the first position ( Figure 1 and Figure 3 ) moves to the second position ( Figure 2 and Figure 4 ), in this second position, the mark 14 is completely exposed.

[0019] Although the ring 16 can be locked into the first position with the indicia 14 partially exposed, it is ideal that a portion of the indicia 14 is hidden in the first position to prevent machine or human reading of the indicia, and the indicia 14 is only readable when the component 20 is fully inserted and the connection between the components 10 and 20 is complete.

[0020] The indicia 14 may include human-readable characters, such as letters, numbers, colors, and / or symbols. The indicia 14 may include only machine-readable codes, such as QR codes, bar codes, etc. The indicia 14 may include a combination of machine-readable codes, human-readable characters, and color codes. Such indicia may be applied to the body 12 as a pre-printed sticker, or may be applied to the body 12 by laser etching, printing, painting, engraving, embossing, molding, or other means. Multiple indicia may be spaced circumferentially along the outer surface of the body 12 to allow machine readability from any angle or viewing angle.

[0021] The spring 32 may be a coil spring, a helical spring, a leaf spring, a wave spring, etc. The spring 32 is made of elastically deformable metal (eg, stainless steel) or other elastic materials.

[0022] The preferred embodiment includes two latches. However, generally any number of latches and associated release members may be used. Similarly, while the preferred embodiment includes four (4) springs evenly spaced apart in angle, any number of springs may be used.

[0023] A metal or plastic retainer 38 may be provided in the slot 39 of the member 10 to help hold the male connector member 20 and the female connector member 10 together after the member 20 is fully inserted into the member 10. Figure 4 ) period, the retaining member 38 is opened due to the enlarged (eg, frustoconical) portion ( Figure 3 ) and deform radially outwardly due to the outwardly inclined surface 40. After the male connector member 20 is fully inserted into the axial opening 22, the retaining member 38 rebounds into the recess 42 defined by the male connector member, thereby helping to lock the members 10 and 20 together.

[0024] like Figure 4As shown in , the latch 30 can be configured to cover and engage the retainer 38 to provide a secondary lock to retain the ring 16 in the second position, thereby keeping the indicia 14 exposed.

[0025] like Figure 5 As shown in FIG, the retainer 38 has an outwardly protruding yoke 44 to which pressure can be applied to release the latch 30, thereby facilitating separation of the components 10 and 20.

[0026] Figure 6 An alternative metal (eg, steel) retainer 38 ′ is shown having a yoke 46 that can be pulled radially outward to facilitate separation of components 10 and 20 .

[0027] The foregoing description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims and their full scope of equivalents. It is anticipated and intended that further developments will occur in the art and that the disclosed devices, kits, and methods will be incorporated into such further embodiments. Accordingly, the present invention is capable of modification and variation and is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A quick-connect female connector component, comprising: a female connector body having an outer wall, the female connector body having an axial opening adapted to receive and lockingly engage a male connector member; markings on the outer wall of the female connector body; a ring-shaped member positioned on the outer surface of the female connector body to move in the axial direction along the outer wall; a latch for retaining the ring in a first position to at least partially conceal the indicia; a spring configured to urge the ring member toward a second position when the latch member is released, thereby exposing the marking; as well as a release member extending from an inner wall of the axial opening, the release member being engageable with a male connector member inserted into the axial opening, the release member being configured to release the latch when the male connector member is engaged with the female connector member in a locking manner, whereby the spring urges the annular member to the second position, thereby exposing the mark.

2. The connector member according to claim 1, wherein The latch is a cantilevered portion of the ring having a catch that projects into a radial opening through the wall of the female connector body prior to insertion of the male connector member.

3. The connector member according to claim 1, wherein The spring is a coil spring, a leaf spring or a wave spring.

4. The connector member according to claim 1, further comprising a retaining member that radially deforms when the male connector member is inserted and that holds the male connector member and the female connector member together after the male connector member is fully inserted into the female connector member.

5. The connector member according to claim 1, wherein The release member is a pin that extends through a radial opening in the wall of the female connector body, the release member having a proximal end that projects inwardly into the opening of the female connector body, the proximal end of the release member being engageable with the male connector member when the male connector member is fully inserted into the female connector, the release member having a distal end opposite to the proximal end that is engageable with the latch, thereby causing the latch to be released when the male connector member is fully inserted into the female connector member, and urging the ring member to the second position by the spring to expose the marking.

6. The connector member according to claim 1, wherein The female connector body has a plurality of markings on the outer surface of the wall.

7. The connector member according to claim 1, wherein The connector member has a plurality of latches for retaining the ring in the first position.

8. The connector member according to claim 1, wherein The connector member has a plurality of springs for urging the ring toward the second position.

9. The connector member according to claim 4, wherein The latch is a cantilevered portion of the ring having a catch that projects into a radial opening through the wall of the female connector body prior to insertion of the male connector member.

10. The connector member according to claim 1, wherein The marking includes a machine-readable code.

11. The connector member according to claim 1, wherein The markings include letters, numbers and / or symbols that are readable by humans.

12. The connector member according to claim 10, wherein The machine-readable code is a QR code or a barcode.

13. The connector component according to claim 1 further includes a radially deformable retaining member, the retaining member being located in a slot defined in the female connector body, the retaining member being configured such that during insertion of the male connector component, the retaining member deflects radially outward and rebounds into a recess located on the male connector component to lock the male connector component and the female connector component together.

14. The connector member according to claim 13, wherein The latch is configured to cover and engage the retainer to provide a secondary lock when the male connector member is fully inserted into the female connector member.

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