Male connector

Abstract

To provide a male connector in which abrasion of an engagement part due to relative movement of a coupler hardly occurs and the coupler can be stably held at a predetermined position.SOLUTION: A male connector 100 includes a body part 110, a coupler 120 movable between a first position where it can be screwed with a female connector and a second position which is closer to a base end side than the first position and where a male luer part 111 is exposed, and a coupler stopper 130 for fixing the coupler 120 to the second position. The coupler stopper 130 has a wing-like part 131 projecting in the vertical direction and extending in the axial direction and a stopper part 132 projecting in the horizontal direction and extending in the vertical direction, the coupler 120 has a notch 123 extending from the base end to the tip side and holding the wing-like part from both sides at the second position, and the notch has an engaging part engaging with the stopper part 132.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to male connectors. [Background technology]

[0002] Among male connectors, there are connectors in which the male lure body and the coupler are configured independently, allowing the coupler to move freely toward the base end. For such couplers, a male connector has been proposed that has a coupler stopper that prevents the coupler from moving toward the base end more than a certain distance and can temporarily hold the moved coupler in place (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-008760 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, conventional male connectors that can maintain the position of a coupler are configured to maintain the position by engaging an engagement claw formed on the inner surface of the coupler with an engagement ring formed at the tip of the coupler stopper. When the coupler is moved, the engagement claw formed on the inner surface of the coupler rubs against the main body of the male connector, causing wear and bending and deformation. From the perspective of operability, it is desirable that the engagement between the engagement claw and the engagement ring be strong enough to allow easy holding and release with one hand. When the engagement claw, which is set to such a holding strength, wears down, the holding force decreases, causing the coupler to easily release and move due to gravity, for example.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to realize a male connector that is less susceptible to wear at the engagement portion due to relative movement of the coupler and that is expected to improve the stability of the structure that holds the coupler. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A first aspect of the male connector of the present disclosure comprises a main body portion having a male luer portion on its tip side that can be inserted into a female connector provided upstream, a coupler that is movable between a first position where it can be threaded with the female connector and a second position that is closer to the base end than the first position and where the male luer portion is exposed, and a coupler stopper that fixes the coupler in the second position, wherein the coupler stopper has wing-like portions that protrude in a vertical direction that intersects the axial direction and extend axially, and a stopper portion that protrudes from a main surface of the wing-like portion in a horizontal direction that intersects the axial and vertical directions and extends vertically, the coupler extending from the base end to the tip side and has notches that sandwich the wing-like portions from both sides at the second position, and the notches have engaging portions that engage with the stopper portion.

[0007] In the first aspect of the male connector, the stopper portion is formed on the main surface of the wing-like portion, and the engaging portion that engages with the stopper portion to temporarily fix the coupler in the second position is formed as a notch. Therefore, compared to when the stopper portion is provided on the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the main body, there is less wear when the coupler is moved relative to the axial direction, and a stable holding force is exerted. Furthermore, the stopper portion is formed to extend vertically on the wing-like portion. Therefore, even if the wing-like portion is slightly deformed by the application of force and the position of the stopper portion is shifted, the engagement between the stopper portion and the engaging portion can be prevented from being released.

[0008] A second aspect of the male connector comprises a main body having a male luer portion on its tip side that can be inserted into a female connector provided upstream, a coupler that is movable between a first position where it can be threaded with the female connector and a second position that is closer to the base end than the first position and where the male luer portion is exposed, and a coupler stopper that fixes the coupler in the second position, wherein the coupler stopper has wing-like portions that protrude in a vertical direction that intersects the axial direction and extend in the axial direction, and a stopper portion that protrudes from the main surface of the wing-like portion in a horizontal direction that intersects the axial and vertical directions, and the coupler extends from the base end to the tip end and has notches that sandwich the wing-like portions from both sides at the second position, and the notches have an expanded groove width and have engaging recesses that engage with the stopper portion.

[0009] In a second aspect of the male connector, the stopper portion is formed on the main surface of the wing-shaped portion, and the structure that engages with the stopper portion to temporarily fix the coupler in the second position is an engagement recess with an expanded notch groove width. Compared to when the stopper portion is provided on the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the main body, wear is less likely to occur when the coupler is moved axially relative to the main body, and a stable holding force is exerted. Furthermore, when the structure that engages with the stopper portion is an engagement recess, when a force is applied in the direction of gripping and rotating the wing-shaped portion, the stress from the stopper portion is dispersed and the coupler can easily absorb it. Furthermore, because the stopper portion is a protrusion that engages with the engagement recess, it is stronger and less likely to break than when the structure that engages with the stopper portion is convex.

[0010] In any aspect of the male connector, the main body has a flange formed at the base end of the male luer part, the coupler has an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the flange, has a step that abuts against the base end surface of the flange, is formed thicker at the step than at the base end, and the notch can be made to reach the step. With this configuration, the coupler can be prevented from slipping out toward the tip end, and since the notch is formed in the thick part, the strength of the notch can be improved.

[0011] In any of the male connector embodiments, the wings may have rims formed on their longitudinal outer edges. This configuration increases the strength of the wings, making them less likely to break when gripped and manipulated. The wings also provide a better grip for fingers, improving maneuverability.

[0012] In any embodiment of the male connector, the wing-like portion has a guide portion that limits the longitudinal position of the notch relative to the wing-like portion. The guide portion protrudes laterally from the main surface of the wing-like portion and has a minimum height from the central axis that is 1.1 times greater than the outer radius at the base end of the coupler. This configuration allows the notch to engage with the wing-like portion at a predetermined longitudinal position. This makes it less likely that the longitudinal position of the notch will be shifted or the notch will be tilted, resulting in incomplete engagement with the wing-like portion.

[0013] In any aspect of the male connector, the wing-like portion can have a recessed portion recessed from the base end toward the tip end, and the recessed portion can have a gate mark. With this configuration, gate marks are not formed on the surface of the main body or on the side and top end surfaces of the wing-like portion, which are likely to be touched by fingers, making it less likely that fingers will come into contact with the gate mark when gripping the connector, causing discomfort. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the male connector of the present disclosure, the stability of the coupler holding structure can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a coupler in a male connector according to one embodiment is in a first position. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which the coupler in the male connector according to one embodiment is in a second position. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a coupler. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the engagement between the notch and the wing-like portion. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the main body portion. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a male connector according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, male connector 100 according to one embodiment has a main body 110, a coupler 120, and a coupler stopper 130. Main body 110 has a male luer portion 111 at its distal end that can be inserted into an upstream female connector. Coupler 120 is movable between a first position shown in Figure 1 where it can be threadedly coupled with the female connector, and a second position shown in Figure 2 that is closer to the proximal end than the first position and where male luer portion 111 is exposed. Coupler stopper 130 prevents coupler 120 from moving proximally beyond the second position and temporarily fixes coupler 120 in the second position.

[0017] 3, the main body 110 has an extension 112 that extends to the base end side at least to the second position. The base end side of the extension 112 forms a tube port to which a tube 200 is connected.

[0018] In this embodiment, the coupler stopper 130 is molded integrally with the main body 110. The coupler stopper 130 is provided on the base end side of the extension 112 and has a wing-like portion 131 that protrudes from the extension 112 in a vertical direction intersecting the axial direction and extends axially. The wing-like portion 131 has a stopper portion 132 that protrudes from its main surface in a width direction perpendicular to the axial and vertical directions. The lateral width of the wing-like portion 131 gradually increases from the tip end side and is widest at the stopper portion 132. The width of the stopper portion 132 gradually increases from the tip end side and gradually decreases toward the base end side.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 4, coupler 120 has a large-diameter cylindrical portion 121 having a female thread 125 formed on its inner surface to be threaded with a female connector, and a small-diameter cylindrical portion 122 having a smaller diameter than large-diameter cylindrical portion 121. Small-diameter cylindrical portion 122 has a notch 123 formed from the base end toward the tip end. As shown in Fig. 5, in this embodiment, notch 123 has a shape that is somewhat complementary to wing-like portion 131, and receives and engages with wing-like portion 131.

[0020] In this embodiment, the notch 123 has an engagement recess 124 with an increased groove width as an engagement portion that engages with the stopper portion 132. The maximum groove width w1 of the engagement recess 124 is approximately equal to or slightly larger than the maximum width of the stopper portion 132. Furthermore, a portion with a groove width w2 that is slightly narrower than the maximum width of the stopper portion 132 is provided on the proximal side of the engagement recess 124.

[0021] Therefore, when the circumferential positions of the notch 123 and the wing-like portion 131 are aligned and the coupler 120 is moved toward the base end, the stopper portion 132 can be moved with almost no resistance until just before it reaches the base end of the engagement recess 124. Just before the axial positions of the engagement recess 124 and the stopper portion 132 are aligned and engage, the stopper portion 132 overcomes the portion of the groove width w2 (narrow portion), providing a clicking sensation. These configurations have the effect of encouraging the operator to operate the coupler reliably.

[0022] The portion with groove width w2 generates resistance when stopper portion 132 is released from engagement recess 124, so gravity alone will not release the engagement between stopper portion 132 and engagement recess 124. Therefore, when stopper portion 132 and engagement recess 124 are engaged, coupler 120 can maintain the second position even if male luer part 111 is directed downward.

[0023] In this embodiment, the engaging portion on the coupler 120 side is an engaging recess 124 that engages with a stopper portion 132 provided on the wing-like portion 131. Therefore, compared to when the engaging portion is formed on the outer surface of the main body 110 and the stopper portion is formed on the inner surface of the coupler, it is possible to reduce the chance of the stopper portion and the engaging portion rubbing against each other and becoming worn when the coupler 120 is moved in the axial direction. Furthermore, although the portion with groove width w2 rubs against the widest portion of the stopper portion 132, because the engaging portion is formed as a notch, the coupler is easily bent and the force acting on the stopper portion can be sufficiently reduced.

[0024] When inserting or removing the male luer part 111 into or from the female connector, a force may be applied that rotates the male luer part 111 relative to the female connector. The rotational force may be applied by gripping the wing-like part 131 or by gripping the coupler 120 engaged with the wing-like part 131. If a force is applied so as to twist the wing-like part 131 or the coupler 120 while the stopper part 132 is engaged with the engagement recess 124, the stopper part 132 and the engagement recess 124 may rub against each other, causing wear to the engagement recess. However, even if the engagement recess 124 is scraped by the stopper part 132 and the groove width is widened, the stopper part 132 does not easily escape from the engagement recess 124, and therefore the engagement force is unlikely to decrease. Furthermore, because the wing-like part is thickened by the stopper part, it is strong and can adequately withstand the external force associated with the relative rotation, reducing the risk of breakage.

[0025] In this embodiment, the groove width at the base end of the notch 123 is wider than the maximum width of the stopper portion 132. Therefore, the stopper portion 132 does not contact the notch 123 until it reaches just before the engagement recess 124, resulting in almost no resistance. Furthermore, the resistance generated when the stopper portion 132 overcomes the portion just before the engagement recess 124 decreases when the stopper portion 132 engages with the engagement recess 124. In a configuration in which the notch and the wing-like portion are tapered, the resistance gradually increases. However, in the configuration of this embodiment, a sudden change in resistance occurs just before engagement, providing a clicking sensation. This makes it easier for the operator to intuitively confirm that engagement has occurred. Furthermore, the resistance required for engagement can be set by adjusting the maximum width of the stopper portion 132 and the width w2 of the portion just before the engagement recess 124, thereby easily achieving both operability and secure fixation. Furthermore, with this configuration, unlike when the notch and the wing-like portion are fitted together at a tapered angle, there is no continuous force applied by the wing-like portion 131 to push the notch 123 apart, which has the advantage of making it less likely for deformation of the notch 123 to occur. Furthermore, even if a rotational force is applied and the coupler is slightly bent, the protruding stopper portion is more likely to get caught in the recess, reducing the risk of the stopper portion and the engaging recess becoming disengaged as a result of relative rotation.

[0026] However, the notch 123 and the wing-like portion 131 are not limited to this configuration and can have various shapes that allow them to engage with each other. For example, the notch 123 can be formed with a portion whose groove width is the same as or slightly smaller than the maximum width of the stopper portion 132, and this portion can be engaged with the notch 123 and the stopper portion 132. In this case, the groove width of the notch 123 can be gradually narrowed toward the tip side so that the groove width of the notch 123 and the width of the stopper portion 132 match at a predetermined position. Alternatively, the notch 123 can be formed with a convex portion that protrudes inward to provide a portion with a narrow groove width, and the stopper portion can be formed with a concave shape so that they can engage with each other.

[0027] In this embodiment, the stopper portion 132 extends vertically across the wing-like portion 131. Therefore, even if the axis of the coupler 120 is misaligned with the axis of the main body 110 and the vertical position of the notch 123 is shifted, the engagement between the stopper portion 132 and the notch 123 is not released. However, the stopper portion 132 may also be configured to be formed only at a certain vertical position on the wing-like portion 131.

[0028] In this embodiment, a thick rim 134 is provided on the outer edge in the vertical direction of the wing-like portion 131. By providing the rim 134, the strength of the wing-like portion 131 is improved and fingers can be easily placed on the wing-like portion 131 when gripping it. This makes it easier to grip and operate the wing-like portion 131 when inserting or removing the male luer part 111 into or from the female connector.

[0029] In this embodiment, the rim 134 is designed so that if the axis of the coupler 120 is significantly inclined relative to the axis of the main body 110 and the vertical position of the base end of the notch 123 becomes higher, the base end of the notch 123 will come into contact with the rim 134, preventing the coupler 120 from moving toward the base end. Specifically, a guide portion is formed in the rim 134, and the width of the guide portion in the horizontal direction is wider than the groove width at the base end of the notch 123. Furthermore, the height h1 of the guide portion from the central axis at its tip is greater than the outer radius r1 at the base end of the coupler 120, and is 1.1 times or less, preferably 1.05 times or less.

[0030] The coupler 120 is attached to the main body 110 with a certain amount of play to allow smooth movement and rotation. Therefore, the axis of the coupler 120 can be tilted by up to approximately 5° relative to the axis of the main body 110. If an attempt is made to engage the notch 123 with the wing-like portion 131 while the coupler 120 is tilted, the stopper portion 132 and the engagement recess 124 may become caught and locked in a state where they are not fully engaged, and even a slight force may cause the coupler 120 to come loose and move toward the tip. In this embodiment, the rim 134 functions as a guide that limits the vertical position of the base end of the notch 123 so that the notch 123 and the wing-like portion 131 do not engage when the coupler 120 is tilted. This makes it less likely that an incomplete locking will occur.

[0031] In this embodiment, the wing-like portion 131 is chamfered at its tip, and the rim 134 is formed along this chamfered shape, so that the height of the rim 134 is lowest at the tip of the wing-like portion 131. To prevent the notch 123 from physically engaging with the wing-like portion 131 when the coupler 120 is significantly tilted, it is preferable to limit the vertical position of the notch 123 at the tip of the wing-like portion 131. However, even if the lowest part is not at the tip of the wing-like portion 131, the tilt of the coupler 120 can be corrected to make incomplete fastening less likely to occur.

[0032] In this embodiment, the rim 134 functions as a guide portion that limits the height position of the base end of the notch 123 and engages the notch 123 with the wing-like portion 131 while keeping the coupler 120 and the main body 110 as parallel as possible. However, a guide portion can also be provided separately from the rim 134. In this case, the guide portion can be a convex portion provided at a predetermined vertical position. The convex portion serving as a guide portion can be provided as a point near the tip of the wing-like portion 131 or can extend in the axial direction. Note that the rim and guide portion can be provided as needed. Neither can be provided, or only a rim without a guide function can be provided, or only a convex portion serving as a guide portion without a rim function can be provided. Note that the reinforcing rim is not limited to the outer edge of the wing-like portion 131, and can be provided at any position that does not interfere with engagement with the coupler 120.

[0033] In this embodiment, the main body 110 has a large-diameter flange 113 at the base end of the male luer portion 111. The coupler 120 has a step 126 that abuts against the flange 113 on the inner surface of the boundary between the large-diameter cylindrical portion 121 and the small-diameter cylindrical portion 122. The step 126 abuts against the flange 113 to prevent the coupler 120 from slipping off toward the tip end. The step 126 is also formed to be thicker than the base end of the small-diameter cylindrical portion 122. By making the step 126 thicker, the strength of the step 126, which prevents slipping off toward the tip end, can be ensured. The strength of the notch 123 can also be improved by forming the notch 123 from the base end of the small-diameter cylindrical portion 122 to the position of the thickened step 126.

[0034] In this embodiment, the wing-like portion 131 has a recessed portion 136 at its base end that is recessed toward the tip. When the main body 110 is formed by injection molding, it can be molded using a mold in which the gate is positioned toward the base end surface of the wing-like portion 131. Molding in this manner leaves a gate mark on the recessed base end surface of the wing-like portion 131. Because the gate mark is uneven, it is preferable to locate it in a location that is as unlikely to be touched by hands or come into contact with other components as possible. Since the recessed base end surface of the wing-like portion 131 is difficult to touch and does not come into contact with other components such as couplers or female connectors, some unevenness is acceptable, eliminating the need for precise finishing of the gate mark after molding. This improves productivity. Furthermore, since the flow of molten resin during molding can be made approximately unidirectional, molding defects are less likely to occur. To make the gate mark less likely to be touched by fingers, the base end surface of the recessed portion 136 is preferably located closer to the tip than the base end surface of the extension portion 112. Note that gate marks can also be left in other locations.

[0035] The base end surface of the wing-like portion 131 where the gate is provided during molding is preferably made thick to some extent in order to improve the flow of molten resin, but making the base end surface thick is also preferable in terms of reinforcement.

[0036] In this embodiment, the base end of the extension 112 functions as a tube port 116 to which the tube 200 is connected. The portion of the tube port 116 can be changed depending on the outer diameter of the tube 200 to be connected. For example, a main body 110A compatible with thin tubes can be provided with an extension 112A having a tube port 116A with a small inner diameter, as shown in FIG. 7. Even in the extension 112A compatible with thin tubes, the wing-like portion 131 that serves as a coupler stopper can be used without modification.

[0037] In this embodiment, multiple recesses 115 are formed on the tip side of the extension 112. By forming the recesses 115, the amount of resin used can be reduced. In addition, by making the wall thickness as constant as possible, it is possible to prevent sink marks from occurring. By providing ribs extending in the axial direction between the recesses 115, it is possible to prevent a decrease in strength. In this embodiment, no recesses 115 are formed in the portion that serves as the tube port, but if the inner diameter of the tube port portion is to be reduced, recesses can also be provided in the tube port portion to adjust the wall thickness.

[0038] Male connector 100 of this embodiment can be combined with cap 300. Cap 300 has cap body 301, attachment portion 302 for attachment to tube 200, and connecting portion 303 that connects cap body 301 and attachment portion 302. By attaching cap body 301 to the tip of male connector 100 when male luer portion 111 is not connected to the female connector, it is possible to prevent dust and the like from entering the flow path.

[0039] The cap body 301 has a luer engagement portion that engages with the male luer portion 111 and a coupler engagement portion that engages with the coupler 120.Therefore, when the cap body 301 is attached to the tip of the male connector 100 with the coupler 120 in the first position, the cap body 301 engages with the male luer portion 111 and the coupler 120, thereby restricting movement of the coupler 120 from the first position.

[0040] Cap body 301 is attached to tube 200 by attachment portion 302 and connecting portion 303, so it will not be dropped or lost when not in use. In addition, attachment portion 302 allows tube 200 to move freely, so it can be moved to a position that does not get in the way when not in use.

[0041] The cap 300 is not limited to this configuration and can have various other configurations. The cap 300 can be provided as needed, or can be omitted altogether.

[0042] In this embodiment, the wing-like portions 131 that make up the coupler stopper 130 are formed on an extension portion 112 that is molded integrally with the male luer portion 111. This configuration has the advantage that the wing-like portions 131 can be grasped and manipulated when inserting or removing the male luer portion 111 into or from the female connector. However, as in the modified example shown in Figure 8, a coupler stopper 130B having the wing-like portions 131 can also be provided on a member that is separate from the male luer portion 111.

[0043] In the male connector 101 of this modification, a main body 110B and a coupler stopper 130B are connected by an extension tube 141. The main body 110B is substantially the same as the main body 110 shown in FIG. 3 except that it does not have the wing-like portion 131. It has a male luer portion and an extension portion serving as a tube port. The coupler stopper 130B has a cylindrical base 138 with tube ports provided at both the distal and proximal ends, and wings 131 protruding from the base 138. The wings 131 are the same as those shown in FIG. 3 except that they are provided on the base 138, and are provided with stopper portions 132 and rims 134. A coupler 120 having a notch 123 can be engaged with the wings 131 at the position of the base 138 to temporarily secure the coupler 120. The configuration of the coupler 120 is the same as that of the previously described embodiment.

[0044] This configuration has the advantage that the second position where the coupler 120 is temporarily fixed can be freely set by adjusting the length of the extension tube 141. If the extension tube 141 is made of a flexible, soft tube, it can be bent between the main body 110B and the coupler stopper 130B, improving the degree of freedom in layout. The extension tube 141 can also be made of a rigid, hard tube. In this case, the same operability as a coupler stopper integrated with the main body can be obtained.

[0045] Although an example has been shown in which wing-like portions 131 are provided on base portion 138 which has tube ports on both sides, it is also possible to directly connect tube 200 to the tube ports of main body portion 110B and provide wing-like portions on a sleeve that covers tube 200. In this case, the sleeve can be configured to move relative to tube 200, or the sleeve can be fixed to tube 200 with an adhesive or the like so that it does not move relative to tube 200.

[0046] The male connector according to the modified example shown in FIG. 8 can also be modified in various ways that are applicable to the male connector of the embodiment shown above. [Industrial Applicability]

[0047] The male connector of the present disclosure can stably hold a coupler in place and is particularly useful as a male connector for medical use, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 100,101 male connector 110,110A,110B Main body 111 Male lure part 112,112A Extension 113 Collar 115 recess 116,116A Tube Port 120 coupler 121 Large diameter cylinder 122 Small diameter cylinder part 123 Notch 124 Engagement recess 126 Step 130,130B Coupler stopper 131 Wings 132 Stopper part 134 rims 136 Recess 138 Base 141 Extension tube 200 tubes 300 caps 301 Cap body 302 Mounting part 303 Connecting part

Claims

1. a main body portion having a male luer portion at a tip end thereof that can be inserted into a female connector provided on the upstream side; a coupler that is movable between a first position where it can be threadedly coupled with the female connector and a second position that is closer to the base end than the first position and where the male luer part is exposed; a coupler stopper that fixes the coupler at the second position, the coupler stopper has a wing-like portion that protrudes in a longitudinal direction intersecting the axial direction and extends in the axial direction, and a stopper portion that protrudes from a main surface of the wing-like portion in a lateral direction intersecting the axial direction and the longitudinal direction and extends in the longitudinal direction, the coupler has a notch extending from a base end toward a tip end and sandwiching the wing-like portion from both sides at the second position; The notch has an engaging portion that engages with the stopper portion.

2. a main body portion having a male luer portion at a tip end thereof that can be inserted into a female connector provided on the upstream side; a coupler that is movable between a first position where it can be threadedly coupled with the female connector and a second position that is closer to the base end than the first position and where the male luer part is exposed; a coupler stopper that fixes the coupler at the second position, the coupler stopper has a wing-like portion that projects in a longitudinal direction intersecting the axial direction and extends in the axial direction, and a stopper portion that projects from a main surface of the wing-like portion in a lateral direction intersecting the axial direction and the longitudinal direction, the coupler has a notch extending from a base end toward a tip end and sandwiching the wing-like portion from both sides at the second position; The notch has an expanded groove width and has an engaging recess that engages with the stopper portion.

3. The main body portion has a flange-shaped portion formed at the base end of the male luer portion, the coupler has an inner diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the flange-shaped portion, a stepped portion that abuts against a base end surface of the flange-shaped portion, and is formed thicker at the stepped portion than at the base end, The male connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the notch reaches the step portion.

4. 3. The male connector of claim 1, wherein the wings have rims formed on the outer longitudinal edges.

5. the wing-like portion has a guide portion that limits the longitudinal position of the notch relative to the wing-like portion; 3. The male connector according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion protrudes laterally from the main surface of the wing-like portion and has a minimum height from the central axis that is greater than but not greater than 1.1 times the outer radius of the coupler at its base end.

6. The wing-like portion has a recessed portion at a base end that is recessed toward a tip end, The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the recessed portion has a gate mark.

Images