Connector

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9777878-B2
Application number	US-201213601167-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 31, 2012
Priority date	Aug 31, 2012
Publication date	Oct 3, 2017
Grant date	Oct 3, 2017

Abstract

A connector for a component fitting assembly of an air conditioning system includes a substantially planar plate having a recessed portion and a slot portion. The recessed portion and the slot portion are formed in the plate to define an opening for receiving a conduit therein. A method for coupling the conduit to the connector includes the step of urging at least the portion of the conduit through the slot portion and into the recessed portion of the plate, whereby the at least the portion of the conduit is deformed to correspond with a configuration of the opening to militate against disengagement between the plate and the at least the portion of the conduit disposed in the opening of the plate.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A connector comprising:
a substantially planar plate including a first opening for receiving a first conduit, a second opening for receiving a second conduit, and a third opening for receiving a fastening member, a longitudinal axis of the plate extending through a center of the first opening and a center of the third opening, the second opening including a recessed portion and a slot portion, wherein a center of the recessed portion is laterally offset from the longitudinal axis of the plate in a direction towards the slot portion, wherein a shoulder is formed between the recessed portion and the slot portion, the shoulder having an inside corner and an outside corner wherein an edge of the outside corner is configured to protrude into the second conduit to prevent both a lateral movement and a rotational movement of the second conduit within the recessed portion to prevent a disengagement of the second conduit from the connector.

2. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the plate, prevents at least one of a rotational movement, a lateral movement, and an axial movement of the second conduit disposed in the second opening formed in the plate.

3. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the second opening formed in the plate has a generally mushroom shape.

4. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the recessed portion has a generally semi-circular shape.

5. The connector according to claim 4 , wherein the recessed portion has a radius corresponding to a radius of the second conduit after insertion into the second opening formed in the plate.

6. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the recessed portion has one of a generally triangular shape, a generally square shape, a generally rectangular shape, and a generally irregular shape.

7. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the slot portion extends laterally outwardly from the recessed portion to an outer peripheral edge of the plate.

8. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein a width of the slot portion in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plate increases from the recessed portion to an outer peripheral edge.

9. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the plate about the second opening is formed with a first draft angle and a second draft angle to prevent an axial movement of the second conduit disposed in the second opening formed in the plate.

10. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the plate includes an outer peripheral edge having a substantially planar portion formed opposite the slot portion to provide a stable surface for tooling or fixture to contact during an urging of the second conduit into the second opening formed in the plate.

11. A component fitting assembly comprising:
a first conduit for receiving a fluid therein;
a second conduit for receiving the fluid therein; and
a connector including a substantially planar plate including a first opening, a recessed portion and a slot portion formed therein to define a second opening, and a third opening for receiving a fastening member, a longitudinal axis of the plate extending through a center of the first opening and a center of the third opening, the first conduit received in the first opening and the second conduit received in the second opening, wherein a center of the recessed portion of the second opening is laterally offset from the longitudinal axis of the plate in a direction towards the slot portion of the second opening, the second opening having a shoulder formed between the recessed portion and the slot portion, the shoulder having an inside corner and an outside corner wherein an edge of the outside corner is configured to protrude into the second conduit to prevent both a lateral movement and a rotational movement of the second conduit within the recessed portion to prevent a disengagement of the second conduit from the connector.

12. The component fitting assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the recessed portion has one of a generally semi-circular shape, a generally triangular shape, a generally square shape, a generally rectangular shape, and a generally irregular shape.

13. The component fitting assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the slot portion extends laterally outwardly from the recessed portion to an outer peripheral edge of the plate.

14. A method for coupling a conduit to a connector, comprising the steps of:
providing a connector including a substantially planar plate having a first opening, a second opening for receiving at least a portion of the conduit, and a third opening for receiving a fastening member, a longitudinal axis of the plate extending through a center of the first opening and the third opening, wherein the second opening includes a recessed portion and a slot portion, a center of the recessed portion laterally offset from the longitudinal axis of the plate in a direction towards the slot portion, the second opening including a shoulder formed between the recessed portion and the slot portion, wherein the shoulder has an inside corner and an outside corner and an edge of the outside corner is configured to protrude into the conduit to prevent both a lateral movement and a rotational movement of the conduit within the recessed portion to prevent a disengagement of the conduit from the connector; and
urging the at least the portion of the conduit through the slot portion and into the recessed portion of the plate, whereby the at least the portion of the conduit is deformed to correspond with a configuration of the second opening.

15. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the second opening formed in the plate has a generally mushroom shape.

16. The method according to claim 14 , wherein a press die urges the at least the portion of the conduit into the second opening formed in the plate.

17. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the at least the portion of the conduit is urged into the second opening formed in the plate subsequent a coupling of another conduit in the first opening of the plate.

18. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the outside corner is formed inwardly of the inside corner with respect to a longitudinal direction of the connector, the slot portion extending laterally outwardly from the outside corner of the shoulder, wherein a width of the slot portion adjacent the outside shoulder in the longitudinal direction is less than a diameter of the recessed portion.

19. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the outside corner is foamed inwardly of the inside corner with respect to a longitudinal direction of the connector, the slot portion extending laterally outwardly from the outside corner of the shoulder, wherein a width of the slot portion adjacent the outside shoulder in the longitudinal direction is less than a diameter of the recessed portion.

Assignees

• Kesler Eric William
• Shaska Kastriot
• Davis Jr Anthony
• Turner Christopher
• Hanon Systems

Inventors

• Kesler Eric William
• Shaska Kastriot
• Davis Jr Anthony
• Turner Christopher

Classifications

• F28F9/0253

  with multiple channels, e.g. with combined inflow and outflow channels · CPC title

• F16L21/08

  with additional locking means (F16L21/06 takes precedence; couplings of the quick-acting type F16L37/00) · CPC title

• Y10T29/49948

  Multipart cooperating fastener [e.g., bolt and nut] · CPC title

• F16L3/00 Primary

  Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets (anchors for holding pipes on or under the ground F16L1/06; noise absorbers in the form of specially adapted hangers or supports F16L55/035; arrangements specially adapted for supporting insulated bodies F16L59/12) · CPC title

• B60H1/00571 Primary

  of liquid ducts, e.g. for coolant liquids or refrigerants · CPC title