Patent ID: 6543814
Filing Date: 2003-04-08
Classification: F16L

Abstract:
A quick connector assembly, comprising a male member, a female housing member, and a retaining element, the male member having a terminal end and an annular bead spaced apart from said terminal end, the female housing member having a first bore, a second bore, a third bore, and an annular channel, with a first chamfered radial wall formed between said annular channel and second bore and a second chamfered radial wall between said second and third bores, the male member being receivable within the female housing member, characterized in an improvement in the single piece retaining element comprising:a body, said body having a collar portion; a plurality of opposing, circumferentially spaced leg members each extending from said body, each of said leg members including: a deflectable leg portion extending from said collar portion, ending in a semi-cylindrical portion; a pair of spaced apart retaining fingers having a terminal end and extending generally axially towards said collar portion from said semi-cylindrical portion, said retaining fingers substantially parallel to said leg member, said retaining fingers angled radially inward towards the longitudinal axis of said body for engaging with said annular bead of said male member; a locking tab extending radially outward from said semi-cylindrical portion, for engaging with said annular channel within said female housing member.