Line connector lock

A line connector lock is used with intravenous (IV) or feeding tube connections to prevent inadvertent disconnections or fluid contamination. The line connector lock has a hollow body and a tensioning element attached to the body. The body fits over an insertion tube and is forced against a line connection through the tensioning element. Installation and removal of the line connector lock is possible on existing tube connections. The two ends of the line connector lock are preferably of different diameters to accommodate various types and sizes of connections.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates to a device for securing a tubular connection. More 
particularly, it concerns the securing a tubular connection of an 
intravenous (IV) tube or feeding tube system. When used, the line 
connector lock ensures the continued in-line connection between two tubes, 
stopping inadvertent disconnection failures and/or fluid contamination. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Prior Art techniques for securing an intravenous tube or feeding tube still 
basically consists of taping and tieing techniques. Although some 
particular devices have been proposed for this purpose, the known Prior 
Art devices generally rely upon some connection to the patient. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention provides a locking mechanism for detachable tubular 
connections. The locking mechanism overcomes the problem of leakage and 
unintentional disconnection of the tubular connection. Additionally, the 
present invention permits locking of tubular connections for both 
screw-type and linear-type connections. The present locking device permits 
installation on and removal from existing tubular connections.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
As shown in FIG. 1, a front elevation, line connector lock 1 has a cylinder 
body 10, a longitudinal slot or opening 13, and a tensioning element 11. 
One end of the tensioning element 11 is connected to the body 10 at an 
attachment point (not shown) with the other end of the tensioning element 
11 forming a loop 16. The body 10 is preferably made of resilient 
material. The longitudinal slot 13 extends between ends 14 and 15 of the 
body 10. Ends 14 and 15 have different circumferences which extend to 
about the mid-portion of the body 10 where they meet. This allows for a 
size selection between the two ends when engaging the line connector lock 
1 on a tubular connection. 
FIG. 2 shows a rear elevation of the line connector lock 1. Tensioning 
element 11 is attached to body 10 at attachment point 12. Loop 20 of 
tensioning element 11 is placed around a "T" shaped projection 19 which is 
part of the body 10. The attachment point 12 allows rotational movement of 
the tensioning element 11 in relation to the body 10. Alternatively, 
tensioning element 11 may be attached to the body 10 by being directly 
molded thereto. Tensioning element 11 is preferably an elastic material, 
which allows elastic deformation at least along the length thereof. In the 
currently preferred embodiment, loops 16 and 20 are also elastic and the 
body 10 is of a moldable plastic material. 
In FIG. 3, the line connector lock 1 is shown on a line connection formed 
between male portion 115 attached to an insertion tube 104 and female 
portion 106 attached to a receiving tube 102. The male portion 115 has 
first circumferential ring 112 and second circumferential ring 110 which 
define a recess or cavity 109 therebetween. Recess 109 and edge 105 of 
circumferential ring 110 remain exposed after the male portion 115 is 
inserted into the female portion 106. 
To use line connector lock 1, loop 16 is placed around receiving tube 102 
prior to mating the male portion 115 with the female portion 106 and body 
10 is positioned to end 14 can be inserted into recess 109. As noted 
previously, the body 10 is rotatable about attachment point 12, and 
tensioning element 11 is elastically extendable. Longitudinal slot 13 
allows the body 10 to be inserted over tube 104. Once inserted in cavity 
109, end 14 is urged against the inter walls defining recess 109. Loop 16 
remains in frictionally engagement with tube 102 to maintain a force on 
body 10, and retain the connection between portions 106 and 115. 
The attachment point 12 allows rotation of the body 10 to place either 
small end 14 or large end 15 against the male portion 115. Small end 14 
inserts into the cavity area 109, as shown in FIG. 3, and ensures positive 
and secure placement of the body 10 in relation to the male portion 115. 
The large end 15 of body 10 permits capping over the edge 105 of the male 
portion 115, as shown in FIG. 4, should this be necessary. When using 
large end 15, it is unnecessary for the male portion 115 to form a cavity 
area. The large end 15 lays over the edge 105 of the male portion 115, and 
the locking force is imparted onto the male portion 115 from the body 10 
through the edge 105 to the male portion 115. This versatility between 
ends 14 and 15 of the body 10 allows for varying configurations of line 
connections and multiple uses of the line connector lock 1. 
An alternative embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, shows the line 
connector lock 1 on a line connection formed between the male portion 115 
on the insertion tube 104 directly mated into the receiving tube 102. Loop 
16 of tensioning element 11 remains engaged and attached to a raised 
surface 31 of a tie anchor 30, which is independently shown in FIG. 5. The 
tie anchor 30 has a base portion 32, wings 33 and raised surfaces 31 on 
the same side of the wings 33. Wings 33 are configured to receive a tube 
therebetween into an area formed by wings 33 and base portion 32. The tie 
anchor 30 allows installment and removal of the line connector lock 1 
without the need to disconnect a line connection. 
Installation of the tie anchor 30 is performed by inserting the receiving 
tube 102 between the wings 33. Afterward, loop 16 is placed around raised 
surfaces 31 to force the wings 33 close together so they firmly hold 
against the receiving tube 102 through frictional force. This holds the 
tie anchor 30 in place along the receiving tube 102 while the elastic 
tensioning element 11 remains elongated. The body 10 is manually extended 
beyond the edge 105 to a position along side of the insertion tube 104 by 
elastically extending the tensioning element 11. The body 10 is rotated 
about attachment point 12 to permit large end 15 to be placed in the 
direction of the edge 105. The insertion tube 104 is placed through the 
longitudinal slot 13 and encapsulated by the body 10. The body 10 
traverses along the insertion tube 104 towards the edge 105 and large end 
15 is capped over the edge 105, forcing the inter wall of body 10 against 
the edge 105. After the inter wall of body 10 is placed against the edge 
105, the elongated condition of tensioning element 11 continuously forces 
the body 10 against the edge 105 of the male portion 115, thereby forcing 
and locking the insertion tube 104 into the receiving tube 102. The amount 
of force of the body 10 against the edge 105 is proportional to the 
distance of the tie anchor 30 from the edge 105. Removing the tie anchor 
30 requires that the loop 16 is unfastened from the raised surfaces 31, 
thereafter the receiving tube 102 is manually pushed between the wings 33 
away from the base portion 32, disengaging the tie anchor 30 from the 
receiving tube 102. The tie anchor 30 may also have a hole or fastening 
device 35 which allows it to remain connected to the body 10, through a 
tether 21, when the line connector lock 1 is not in use.