Universal O.D. release tool

Abstract: A tool for releasing a male fitting from a mating female connector coupled together by a retaining element includes an elongated H-shaped handle, a bifurcated body including complementary body halves resiliently carried by one end of the handle in a spaced-apart relationship which embraces an outer surface of the connector in a fixed orientation substantially overlying a radial opening therein which exposes the retaining element, and an abutment member which extends from one or both of the body halves operable to radially penetrate the opening to displace the retaining element from an engaged position to an O.D. release position. A second bifurcated body including a second set of complementary body halves is carried on the other end of the handle. Finger members carried by the second body axially engages the retaining element to effect I.D. release of the connector.

Description: Introduction The present invention relates to application specific hand tools employed to reconfigure mechanical assemblies and, more particularly, to release tools employed to de-couple fittings from mating connectors. More particularly still, the present invention relates to tools adapted for releasing tubular male conduit fittings from mating female connectors. Background of the Invention Quick connectors have long been used to facilitate assembly of mechanical devices without the use of special tooling. This is particularly true in complex automotive systems wherein numerous fluid conduit interconnections are required. In the design of quick connectors used in the industry today, it is sometimes desirable to incorporate a manually inaccessible retaining mechanism within the fitting. Since the retainer is manually non-accessible, a tool is needed to open the retainer fingers and thus allow the male fitting to be removed from the female housing. Although tools adapted for release of quick connector type fittings are known, they suffer from a number of infirmities and no design has yet received widespread acceptance. Secondly, release tools have frequently been difficult to manipulate due to the small size of the fittings and the relatively high pull apart forces involved. Known tools have tended to be fragile and easily broken, even with proper use, thereby further discouraging their acceptance. A related shortcoming of known tools is in their requirement for two hand operation which is particularly difficult in many installations where access is limited. In the design of quick connectors used in the industry today, it is sometimes desirable to place the connector in such an orientation so as to make the open female end manually inaccessible. Since it is impossible to create an expanding force on the I.D. (inner diameter) of the retainer fingers to release the male tube in such cases, a tool is needed to collapse the retaining fingers inwardly and free the tube and retainer as a single unit. A current approach in use makes use of a forked structure that slides on a grooved portion of the quick connector to create the collapsing motion on the retainer fingers. This grooved track creates weak spots in the housing material and adversely effects the overall connector performance. The design is also exclusive of such connector size and design and requires that the groove track be molded into the female housing. Therefore, it cannot be used with any currently manufactured plastic quick connectors already in the field. Brief Description of the Invention The present invention overcomes many of the above described shortcomings of prior art quick connector release tools by providing a single tool for both metal and plastic type quick connectors of most known configurations. Furthermore, the present invention provides an inexpensive tool of robust design which can easily be held and manipulated by one hand. According to the present invention, a tool which is adapted for releasing male fittings from mating female connectors coupled together by a retaining element includes an elongated handle and a bifurcated body including first and second complimentary body halves which are resiliently carried by the handle in a spaced-apart relationship which, in application, embrace an outer surface of the connector in a fixed orientation to substantially overlie radial openings formed therein to provide external accessibility to the retaining element. Lastly, an abutment member extends from one or both of the body halves which, in application, penetrates the female connector opening(s) to displace the retaining element from an engaged position to a released position to effect release of the fitting from the connector. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the bifurcated body includes first and second complimentary body halves which are resiliently carried by the handle. Further, an abutment member extends from each body half which cooperate, in application, to penetrate their respective openings to displace the retaining element towards its release position. This arrangement has the advantage of providing simple construction and one hand operation. According to the invention, the body halves define flange surfaces which circumscribe the abutment members to limit penetration of the abutment members within the openings. This arrangement provides a degree of self-gauging of the tool and necessitates relatively little attention of the operator. According to another aspect of the invention, the abutment members have characteristic peripheral profiles which are similar to and slightly smaller than that of the openings whereby the abutment members and flange surfaces cooperate to guide the tool to a predetermined orientation with respect to the female connector. This arrangement provides the advantage of allowing use of the tool without close observation of the user, such as in close conditions typically found in an automobile environment. According to yet another aspect of the invention, a locator nose is provided which extends from the body halves away from the handle which, in application, is operative to initiate engagement with the female connector and momentarily engage at least one of the openings to limit relative axially movement therebetween. This arrangement provides the advantage of rapidly pre-aligning the tool with the female connector during the engagement process. According to still another aspect of the invention, the abutment members define opposed abutment surfaces which are generally diverging when the tool is at an at-rest condition and which, in application, are re-positioned to a substantially parallel orientation when displacing the retainer to its release position. This arrangement has the advantage of radially guiding the tool towards its engaged position with the female connector and thereafter to displace the retaining element from its engaged position to its release position while maintaining line contact therebetween and thereby minimize the chance of distortion or rotation of portions of the retaining element during the release process. According to the invention, the handle, body and abutment members are integrally formed from a homogeneous material such as plastic. This arrangement has the advantage of providing extremely low unit cost. The present invention includes a generally U-shaped handle including a base portion and generally parallel resilient arm portions extending therefrom and wherein the complementary body halves are carried by corresponding free ends of the arm portions. This arrangement has the advantage of simple design and a handle which inherently resiliently positions the body halves with respect to one another and permits their momentarily displacement, in application, as the tool is mounted on the female connector. According to still another aspect of the present invention, the handle is provided with a through passage for receiving a tether or other suitable member to ensure against loss. This arrangement has the advantage of providing a more robust design to the handle as well as allows the tool to be attached or supported from another device. These and other features and advantages of this invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification, which along with the drawings describes and discloses a preferred and alternative embodiment of the invention in detail. Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1, is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the universal release tool according to the present invention; Figure 2, is a top plan view of an enlarged scale of the tool of Figure 1; Figure 3, is a side plan view of the tool of Figure 2; Figure 4, is a cross-sectional view taken on lines IV-IV of Figure 2; Figure 5, is a cross-sectional view taken on lines V-V of Figure 2; Figure 6, is an exploded, perspective view of a typical plastic bodied quick connector assembly with which the tool of the present invention is employed; Figure 7, is a broken, partial section view of the present invention in application with the quick connector of Figure 6, with the male fitting and female connector in the latched condition; Figure 8, represents the application of Figure 7, with the tool having displaced the retaining element of the fitting radially inwardly to release the male fitting and retaining element from the female connector; Figure 9, corresponds to a cross-sectional view taken on lines XIII-XIII of Figure 7, but with the release tool in its pre-positioning orientation; Figure 10, is a cross-sectional view taken on lines XIII-XIII of Figure 7; Figure 11, is a cross-sectional view taken on lines XIV-XIV of Figure 8; and Figure 12, is an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Description of the Preferred and Alternative Embodiments Referring to Figures 1 through 5, a universal quick connector O.D. release tool, shown generally at 10, includes an elongated handle portion 12, a first body portion 14 configured to effect outside diameter (O.D.) release of conventional quick connect fittings. Handle 12 is generally U-shaped, including a base 18 and two generally parallel arms 20 and 22 extending therefrom. Base 18 and arms 20, 22 are deemed to form a generally U-shaped handle portion. The junctures of arms 20 and 22 with base 18 each have a reduced section and comprises a resilient hinge 28 and 30, respectively. The free ends of arms 20, 22 each support first body halves 36, 38, respectively comprising first body portion 14. Arms 20 and 22 are generally rectangular in cross-section and each define a finger grip 44 and 46, respectively, on an outer surface thereof approximately midway therealong. Base 18 supports a generally rectangular placque 52 bearing informational, advertising or other indicia 53. Each first body half 36, 38 supports an inwardly directed abutment member 54, 56 located centrally thereon and has a generally rectangular characteristic peripheral profile (see Figure 4). The inside surface of first body halves 36, 38 is partially cylindrical, having a constant radius which corresponds with the outer diameter of the mid-range female connector to be employed with tool 10 as will be described in detail hereinbelow. The inner surfaces of body halves 36, 38 define generally cylindrical flange surfaces 58, 60 which operate to selectively embrace the outer circumferential surface of a female connector as will be described in detail hereinbelow. The opposed, outer surfaces of first body halves 36, 38 form finger grips 63, 65, respectively. The innermost surfaces of abutment members 54, 56 form abutment surfaces 62, 64 which, in the position illustrated in Figure 2, at rest, are configured to be slightly diverging from one another and from the center line of elongation of handle portion 12. Nose protrusions 66, 68 extend leftwardly from first body halves 36, 38 and converge slightly inwardly. Arms 20, 22 each form an outwardly directing dog leg 70, 72 at their respective points of transition into first body halves 36, 38. Support ribs 74, 76 reinforce dog leg 70, 72, respectively. Tool 10 is ergonomically optimized to be held in a single human hand and is deemed to be a single tool in that arms 20 and 22 function as a single lever. Referring to Figure 6, an exploded view of a typical quick connect coupling assembly 118 for which the release tool 10 would be employed is illustrated. Assembly 118 includes a female connector body 120, a male tubular fitting 122 and a retainer 124. Female body 120 has generally tubular construction of injection molded plastic or other suitable material and includes an enlarged end 126 forming an opening 128 for receiving an end 130 of male fitting 122 therein. Opposed radially extending passageways 132 and 134 provide external radial accessibility to the interior of enlarged end 126. Passageways 132 and 134 are generally rectangular in shape and the leading edge thereof (as viewed in Figure 6) forms an abutment surface 136, 138, respectively. A circumferential flange 140 formed on male fitting 122 adjacent end 130 provides a second abutment surface. Retainer 124 includes two paddle-like axially extending retainer tabs 142, 144 which co-act with abutment surfaces 136 and 138 and flange 140 to effect coupling together of female body 120 and male fitting 122. Referring to Figures 7, 8, and 9 through 11, a typical application of tool 10 to effect an O.D. release of coupling assembly 118 is illustrated. By way of example, O.D. release may be required when male fitting 122 is integrally formed with a large diameter disposable fuel filter 146 which is close coupled to opening 128 of female connector body 120 preventing axial access thereto. As viewed in Figure 7, retainer 124 maintains female body 120 and male fitting 122 in an engaged condition whereby retaining tabs 142, 144 define a leftwardly facing abutment surface 148, 150 engaging the right-hand most surface of flange 140, as well as rightwardly facing abutment surfaces 152, 154 engaging abutment surfaces 136, 138 of female body 120, respectively, to prevent relative axial displacement between female body 120 and male fitting 122. Referring to Figure 9, O.D. release is initiated by positioning tool 10 generally normal to female body 120 adjacent its enlarged end 126 and probing with nose protrusions 66, 68 to locate passageways 132, 134. Inasmuch as nose protrusions 66, 68 have substantially similar lateral dimensions as the axial width of passageways 132, 134, once located as illustrated in Figure 9, nose protrusions 66, 68 will snap resiliently into their illustrated position to axially fix tool 10 with respect to female body 120. Thereafter, the application of rightward force as indicated by arrow 156 will transition tool 10 from the position illustrated in Figure 9 to the position illustrated in Figure 10 wherein abutment members 54, 56 self-locate within passageways 132, 134. In so doing, abutment members 54, 56 engage the edges of female body 120 defining passageways 132, 134 to correct any slight skewing or mis-alignment of handle portion 12 with respect to female body 120. When positioned as illustrated in Figure 10, first body halves 36, 38 are spaced radially outwardly from the outer surface of female body 120 by a distance which is equal or slightly greater than the degree of radial purchase of abutment surfaces 152, 154 upon abutment surfaces 136, 138. As illustrated in Figures 7 and 10, abutment surfaces 62, 64 establish a line contact with the radially outermost edge of retaining tabs 142, 144 at the point wherein they transition into abutment surfaces 152, 154, respectively. Surfaces 62, 64 remain in a slightly outwardly converging orientation with respect to an imaginary center line of tool 10. To effect O.D. release, radially inwardly opposed forces are applied as indicated by arrows 160 and 162 against finger grips 63, 65 to displace first body halves 36, 38 to their illustrated positions in Figure 11 wherein flange surfaces 58, 60 abut the outer circumferential surface of enlarged end 126 of female body 120 to limit radial penetration of abutment members 54, 56 within passageways 132, 134 and to ensure the maintenance of precise positional orientation of tool 10 with respect to female body 120. As best illustrated in Figure 8, displacement of body halves 36, 38 to their illustrated release position rotationally displaces retaining tabs 142, 144 radially inwardly to disengage abutting surfaces 152, 154 from surfaces 136, 138. In transitioning between the positions illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, body halves 36, 38 rotate slightly about their respective hinge points 28, 30, to effect approximate parallel alignment of abutment surfaces 62, 64. Because retainer 124 is formed of inherently resilient material, once its release is effected from female body 120, it will tend to move rightwardly as viewed in Figure 9 to enhance its removal in assembly with male fitting 122. After release of coupling assembly 118, body halves 36, 38 will resiliently return to the position illustrated in Figure 10 for removal in a direction opposite to that suggested by arrow 156. Upon de-coupling of coupling 118, retainer 124 will remain in assembly with female body 120. Finger grips 44, 46, 63 and 65, constitute a tactile indicator system which provide the tool user with non-visual cues as to the tool's orientation as well as predetermined force application points as was described hereinabove. The system ensures optimal use of the tool 10, 168, particularly in sight limited applications. In addition to the foregoing functions, it is envisioned that release tool 10 could be applied to release fittings which include an integral release collar. Referring to Figure 12, an alternative embodiment of a universal O.D. quick connect release tool 168, including a handle portion 170 forming a U-configuration including a base 172 and arms 174 and 176 depending therefrom, is illustrated. The central portion of base 172 has an increased section defining a through passage 182 suitable for receiving a tether such as a beaded chain 184 for securing tool 168 to another object. It is to be understood that the invention has been described with reference to a specific embodiment and variations to provide the features and advantages previously described in that such embodiments are susceptible of modification within the scope of the appended claims as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims: A tool (10) adapted for releasing a male fitting (122) from a mating female connector (120) coupled together by a retaining element (124) disposed within said female connector (120) and externally accessible through opposed radial openings (132, 134) within the female connector (120), said tool (10) comprising in a one-part design of homogeneous material: a generally U-shaped handle (12) including a base portion (18) and generally parallel resilient arm portions (20, 22) extending from said base portion (18); first (36) and second (38) complementary body halves carried by corresponding free ends of said arm portions (20, 22) spaced apart at a distance sufficient to embrace resiliently an outer generally cylindrical surface of said female connector (120) in a fixed, predetermined orientation substantially overlying said openings (132, 134); and an abutment member (54, 56) extending from each body half (36, 38) said abutment members cooperating, in application, to radially penetrate said openings (132, 134) to displace said retaining element (124) from an engaged position to a release position and said body halves (36, 38) defining generally cylindrical flange surfaces (58, 60) circumscribing said abutment members (54, 56) operative to limit penetration of said abutment members (54, 56) within said openings (132, 134). The tool of claim 1, wherein said cylindrical surfaces (58, 60) are axially aligned and opposed, each having a characteristic radius R 1 , and said female connector (120) has a generally tubular body having a characteristic radius R 2 , wherein R 1 substantially equals R 2 . The tool of one of claims 1 to 2 wherein said abutment members (54, 56) have characteristic peripheral profiles similar to that of said openings (132, 134). The tool of claim 3, wherein said flange surfaces (58, 60) and abutment members (54, 56) are operable, in application, to interact with said openings (132, 134) and an outside surface of said female connector (120) to guide said tool (10) to a predetermined orientation with respect to said female connector (120). A tool of one of claims 1 - 4, wherein said body halves, (36, 38) are spaced apart by a dimension substantially similar to a characteristic outer diameter dimension of said female connector (120). The tool of one of claims 2 - 5, wherein said flange surfaces (58, 60) extend essentially normally to a line of elongation of said handle (12). The tool of one of the preceding claims, wherein said body halves (36, 38) and abutment members (54, 56) are formed symmetrically. The tool of one of the preceding claims, further comprising resilient hinges (28, 30) formed near an intersection between said base portion (18) and each said arm portion (20, 22). The tool of one of the preceding claims, further comprising a locator nose (66, 68) extending from at least one of said body halves (36, 38) away from said handle (12), said nose (66, 68) operative, in application, to initiate engagement with said female connector (120) and momentarily engage at least one said radial opening (132, 134) to limit relative axial movement therebetween. The tool of claim 9, wherein said nose (66, 68) has a characteristic lateral width substantially equal to a characteristic lateral dimension of said abutment members (54, 56). The tool of claim 10, wherein one said nose (66, 68) extends from each body half (36, 38) in a generally inwardly converging direction. The tool of one of the preceding claims, further comprising opposed, outwardly directed grip surfaces (44, 46, 63, 65) formed on said body halves (36, 38). The tool of one of the preceding claims, wherein said abutment members (54, 56) define opposed abutment surfaces (62, 64) which are generally diverging in an at-rest condition and, in application, are generally parallel when said retaining element (124) is in said release position. The tool of claim 1, wherein said material is plastic. The tool of claim 1, wherein said material is metal. The tool of one of the preceding claims, wherein said handle base portion (18) defines a tether receiving through passage (182).

Inventors: KLINGER GARY, KLINGER, GARY
Applicants: ITT, ITT INDUSTRIES, INC. (A DELAWARE CORPORATION)
Application year: 1992
Main classification: B25B27
IPC codes: F16L37, B25B27