Quick connector assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9851035-B2
Application number	US-201414548741-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 20, 2014
Priority date	Nov 20, 2014
Publication date	Dec 26, 2017
Grant date	Dec 26, 2017

Abstract

The connector assembly includes a housing with an open bore which extends along an axis from an open first end to an open second end. The housing further includes a plurality of fingers that are spaced circumferentially from one another and are deflectable in a radial direction. At least one of the fingers has a plurality of teeth that are spaced axially from one another and extend into the open bore of the housing for biting into the first tube to resist pull out of the first tube from the open bore. Each of the teeth also extends by a height to a leading edge of an engagement surface which also includes an angled portion that extends at an angle relative to the axis. The axially spaced teeth have at least one of differing heights and differing angles of the angled portions.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A connector assembly for connecting and establishing fluid communication between a first tube and a second tube, comprising:
a housing made as a single monolithic piece with an open bore which extends along an axis from an open first end to an open second end;
at least one sealing element disposed in said open bore for establishing a fluid tight seal between said housing and one of the first and second tubes;
said monolithic housing including a plurality of fingers that are spaced circumferentially from one another and are deflectable in a radial direction;
a plurality of rows wherein each row contains a plurality of teeth interconnected with one another through a spine which is at least partially embedded within at least one of said fingers, each row of teeth being spaced axially from one another, an end of each tooth being transversely offset from said spine, and each tooth extending into said open bore of said housing for engaging into the first tube to resist pull out of the first tube from said open bore;
each of said teeth having a triangular portion which projects into said open bore, said triangular portion having a front surface which extends perpendicularly to said axis and a back surface which is angled relative to said axis by less than ninety degrees;
wherein at least one of said front surfaces of said axially spaced teeth have differing heights and said back surfaces of said axially spaced teeth extend at differing angles relative to said axis; and
wherein said teeth are made of metal for biting into the first tube or second tube.

2. The connector assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said at least one finger has at least three axially spaced teeth including a first tooth adjacent said second open end of said housing and a second tooth and a third tooth which is furthest from said second open end.

3. The connector assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein angles of said back surfaces of said at least three teeth relative to said axis decrease away from said second open end.

4. The connector assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said angle of said back surface of said first tooth relative to said axis is approximately 38 degrees, said angle of said back surface of said second tooth relative to said axis is approximately 33 degrees and said angle of said back surface of said third tooth is approximately 28 degrees.

5. The connector assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said heights of said at least three teeth decrease away from said second open end.

6. The connector assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein both said angles of said back surfaces of said at least three teeth and said heights of said front surfaces of said at least three teeth decrease away from said second open end.

7. The connector assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said at least three axially spaced teeth is further defined as six teeth which are integrally connected together in a clip and are disposed in three rows of two.

8. The connector assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said integrally connected teeth are partially embedded within said at least one finger.

9. The connector assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said teeth presents a flat surface which extends between said front surface and said back surface and which extends parallel to said axis.

10. The connector assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said fingers includes a plurality of said axially spaced teeth.

11. The connector assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fingers of said housing are separated from one another by slots.

12. The connector assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fingers are sloped radially outwardly away from said axis to enlarge said second open end of said housing for preventing or scratching of the first tube during insertion into said open bore of said housing.

13. The connector assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fingers are curved concavely away from said axis to enlarge said second open end of said housing for preventing or limiting scratching of the first tube during insertion into said bore of said housing.

14. The connector assembly as set forth in claim 1 further including a tube of cross-linked polyethylene engaged with an outer surface of said housing and and a copper or CPVC pipe partially received in said open bore of said housing and wherein said teeth bite into said copper or CPVC pipe for resisting detachment of said copper or CPVC pipe from said housing.

15. The connector assembly as set forth in claim 1 further including a spacer received in said open bore of said housing adjacent said sealing element.

16. The connector assembly as set forth in claim 15 further including an insert received in said open bore and engaged with said housing to retain said spacer and said sealing element in said open bore.

Assignees

• Hunt Mitchell W
• Lutzke Matthew D
• A Raymond Et Cie

Inventors

• Hunt Mitchell W
• Lutzke Matthew D

Classifications

• F16L47/12

  with additional locking means · CPC title

• F16L37/133 Primary

  using flexible hooks {(F16L37/1215 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• F16L37/138

  using an axially movable sleeve · CPC title

• F16L33/22

  with means not mentioned in the preceding groups for gripping the hose between inner and outer parts · CPC title

• F16L47/24

  for joints between metal and plastics pipes · CPC title