Quick connect with indicator tab

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11262010-B2
Application number	US-201816631972-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 7, 2018
Priority date	Aug 14, 2017
Publication date	Mar 1, 2022
Grant date	Mar 1, 2022

Abstract

A quick connect connection assembly, including a quick connect, including a first end, a second end, a first radially outward facing surface, a first radially inward facing surface, a second radially inward facing surface, and at least one aperture extending from the first radially outward facing surface to the first radially inward facing surface, and an indicator tab operatively arranged to be removably secured to the quick connect, the indicator tab including at least one arm, wherein the at least one arm is arranged to extend through the at least one aperture and radially inward from the first radially inward facing surface.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A quick connect connection assembly, comprising:
a quick connect, including:
a first end;
a second end;
a first radially outward facing surface comprising a first circumferential groove and one or more apertures arranged circumferentially in the first circumferential groove;
a first radially inward facing surface;
a second radially inward facing surface; and,
at least one aperture extending from the first radially outward facing surface to the first radially inward facing surface;

a retaining clip arranged in the first circumferential groove and including one or more protrusions, wherein each of the one or more protrusions engage each of the one or more apertures; and,
an indicator tab operatively arranged to be removably secured to the quick connect, the indicator tab comprising at least one arm, wherein the at least one arm is arranged to extend through the at least one aperture and radially inward from the first radially inward facing surface.

2. The quick connect connection assembly as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a tube end form arranged to be connected the quick connect, the tube end form comprising:
a third end;
a fourth end;
a second radially outward facing surface;
a third radially outward facing surface; and,
a second circumferential groove arranged on the second radially outward facing surface.

3. The quick connect connection assembly as recited in claim 2 , wherein each of the one or more protrusions extend through each of the one or more apertures and engage the second circumferential groove.

4. The quick connect connection assembly as recited in claim 3 , wherein in a non-fully connected state the indicator tab is not removable from the quick connect.

5. The quick connect connection assembly as recited in claim 3 , wherein in a fully connected state:
the third end of the tube end form is inserted into the second end of the quick connect until the third radially outward facing surface is arranged proximate the second radially inward facing surface;
the third radially outward facing surface engages the at least one arm; and,
the indicator tab is removable from the quick connect.

6. The quick connect connection assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the indicator tab comprises two arms and the quick connect comprises two apertures.

7. The quick connect connection assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the second radially inward facing surface is frusto-conical.

8. The quick connect connection assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first radially outward facing surface is frusto-conical.

9. The quick connect connection assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the indicator tab further comprises a radio-frequency indication (RFID) tag.

10. A quick connect connection assembly, comprising:
a quick connect, including:
a first end;
a second end;
a first radially outward facing surface;
a first radially inward facing surface;
a second radially inward facing surface; and,
at least one aperture extending from the first radially outward facing surface to the first radially inward facing surface; and,

an indicator tab operatively arranged to be removably secured to the quick connect, the indicator tab including:
an outer surface; and,
at least one tab comprising a tongue, wherein the at least one tab is arranged to extend through the at least one aperture and radially inward from the first radially inward facing surface;

wherein:
in a fully connected state of the quick connection assembly, the outer surface protrudes from the first radially outward facing surface; and,
in a non-fully connected state of the quick connect connection, the outer surface is flush with the first radially outward facing surface.

11. The quick connect connection assembly as recited in claim 10 , wherein the first radially outward facing surface comprises:
a first circumferential groove; and,
one or more apertures arranged circumferentially in the first circumferential groove.

12. The quick connect connection assembly as recited in claim 11 , further comprising a retaining clip arranged in the first circumferential groove and including one or more protrusions, wherein each of the one or more protrusions engage each of the one or more apertures.

13. The quick connect connection assembly as recited in claim 12 , further comprising a tube end form arranged to be connected the quick connect, the tube end form comprising:
a third end;
a fourth end;
a second radially outward facing surface;
a third radially outward facing surface; and,
a second circumferential groove arranged on the second radially outward facing surface.

14. The quick connect connection assembly as recited in claim 13 , wherein each of the one or more protrusions extend through each of the one or more apertures and engage the second circumferential groove.

15. The quick connect connection assembly as recited in claim 14 , wherein in the fully connected state:
the third end of the tube end form is inserted into the second end of the quick connect until the third radially outward facing surface is arranged proximate the second radially inward facing surface; and,
the third radially outward facing surface engages the at least one tab.

16. The quick connect connection assembly as recited in claim 14 , wherein in the fully connected state
the indicator tab is at least partially ejected from the quick connect.

17. The quick connect connection assembly as recited in claim 13 , wherein the second radially outward facing surface is frusto-conical.

18. The quick connect connection assembly as recited in claim 13 , wherein the indicator tab further comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.

19. The quick connect connection assembly as recited in claim 13 , wherein the tongue is completely enclosed within and displaceable with respect to the at least one tab.

20. A quick connect connection assembly, comprising:
a quick connect, including:
a first end;
a second end;
a first radially outward facing surface;
a first radially inward facing surface;
a second radially inward facing surface; and,
at least one aperture extending from the first radially outward facing surface to the first radially inward facing surface; and,

an indicator tab operatively arranged to be removably secured to the quick connect, the indicator tab including:
a first section forming an outermost surface and a third radially inward facing surface; and,
a tab extending from the third radially inward facing surface and comprising a tongue, wherein the tab is arranged to extend through the at least one aperture and radially inward from the first radially inward facing surface;

wherein in a non-fully connected state of the quick connection, the outermost surface does not protrude from the first radially outward facing surface.

Assignees

• Oetiker Ny Inc

Inventors

• Hagen Kristian
• Hall Thomas

Classifications

• F16L37/0885 Primary

  with access to the split elastic ring from a radial or tangential opening in the coupling · CPC title

• F16L2201/10

  Indicators for correct coupling · CPC title

• F16L37/10 Primary

  using a rotary external sleeve or ring on one part · CPC title

• F16L37/088

  by means of a split elastic ring · CPC title