Abstract:
An integral button latch is formed for use in a female fluid connector housing. The button latch has a latch plate, a button actuator, and two or more cantilevered leg springs extending from beneath the actuation surface to interface with the connector housing. The latch plate, the button actuator, and the leg springs are all integrally formed. The leg springs bias the latch plate in a locked position and resist depression forces applied to either of the button actuator or the latch plate. By integrally forming the button latch structure, the cost associated with purchasing the springs, molding the lock latch, and the ensuing assembly of the three is significantly diminished.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/976,943, filed Dec. 22, 2010, and published as U.S. Patent App. Pub. No. 2011/0210541 on Sep. 1, 2011, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent App. No. 61/361,228, filed Jul. 2, 2010, and U.S. Provisional Patent App. No. 61/289,998, filed Dec. 23, 2009, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
         [0002]    This application is also related to U.S. Provisional Patent App. No. 61/289,990, filed Dec. 23, 2009, U.S. Provisional Patent App. No. 61/289,545, filed Dec. 23, 2009, U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/352,637, filed Dec. 23, 2009, and issued as U.S. Design Pat. No. D650,478 on Dec. 13, 2011, and U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/351,665, filed Dec. 9, 2009, and issued as U.S. Design Pat. No. D649,240 on Nov. 22, 2011, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0003]    The technology described herein relates to latch mechanisms for fluid tube connection devices. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0004]    Tubing sections are often be joined together to provide for gas and/or liquid fluid flow from one component to another. Thus, it is often desirable to connect and disconnect tubing sections from one another. For example, when a patient&#39;s blood pressure is taken with an automatic blood pressure monitor, tubing from the blood pressure cuff (which is generally wrapped around the patient&#39;s arm) is connected to the tubing that is connected to the blood pressure monitor. To disconnect the cuff from the blood pressure monitor, it is desirable to merely detach the tubing section connected to the cuff from the tubing connected to the blood pressure monitor. Similarly, when providing intravenous fluids, it is often required to replace an empty fluid bag with a full fluid bag without removing the intravenous needle or stent from the patient. In order to switch between the first fluid bag and the second fluid bag, it is desirable to merely detach a tubing section connected with the fluid bag to the tubing section connected with the needle or stent placed intravenously in the patient, which can then be easily connected with a tubing section connected with the new fluid bag. 
         [0005]    Single lumen blood pressure cuff connectors are commercially available from various manufacturers. Common connectors currently use two metal springs and a separate molded lock latch part in conjunction with the disconnect button to form a button-actuated latch mechanism. Generally, the greater number of parts forming a connector, the more expensive it will be to manufacturer due to the cost of multiple parts and the greater number of steps in the manufacturing and assembly process. 
         [0006]    The information included in this Background section of the specification, including any references cited herein and any description or discussion thereof, is included for technical reference purposes only and is not to be regarded subject matter by which the scope of the invention is to be bound. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    An integral button latch is formed in a female fluid connector housing having a latch plate, an actuator portion, and two or more cantilevered springs extending from beneath the actuation surface. The latch plate is integral with and extends downwardly from the button actuator. The leg springs are integrally formed with either or both the button actuator and the latch plate and extend from either or both the button actuator or the latch plate. The plurality of cantilevered leg springs bias the latch plate in a locked position and resist depression forces applied to each of the button actuator and the latch plate. 
         [0008]    By integrally forming the button latch structure, the separate costs associated with purchasing the springs, molding the lock latch and the ensuing assembly of the three is significantly diminished. In one implementation, the button latch is designed with three plastic springs and a dual latch, which are all molded as part of a single disconnect button. The four parts (button, 2 springs, and the lock latch) are thus consolidated into one button latch. As a further advantage, by designing a connector with no metal springs, the connector is compatible for use during a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedure or in other environments in which metal parts or multiple parts might malfunction or become hazardous. 
         [0009]    This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. A more extensive presentation of features, details, utilities, and advantages of the present invention is provided in the following written description of various embodiments of the invention, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and defined in the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a female connector with a button latch and a corresponding male bayonet connector. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2A  is a top front isometric view of an embodiment of a button latch with integrally molded cantilevered springs. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2B  is a bottom rear isometric view of the button latch of  FIG. 2A  with integrally molded cantilevered springs. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2C  is a front elevation view of the button latch of  FIG. 2A  with integrally molded cantilevered springs. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3A  is a top front isometric view in partial cross section of the button latch of  FIG. 2  positioned in the female connector of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 3B  is a front elevation view in cross section of the button latch of  FIG. 2  positioned in the female connector of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 3C  is a side elevation view in cross section of the button latch of  FIG. 2  positioned in the female connector of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 4A  is a side elevation view in cross section of the button latch of  FIG. 2  positioned in the female connector of  FIG. 1  initially receiving the male bayonet connector. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4B  is a side elevation view in cross section of the button latch of  FIG. 2  positioned in the female connector of  FIG. 1  with the male bayonet connector deflecting the button latch as it is inserted within the female connector. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4 c    is a side elevation view in cross section of the button latch of  FIG. 2  positioned in the female connector of  FIG. 1  with the male bayonet connector fully inserted within the female connector and the button latch engaging the male bayonet connector. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5A  is an illustration of finite element analysis results indicating areas of stress on the integrally molded springs on the button latch. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5B  is a schematic drawing of a spring arm of the button latch in a rest position. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5C  is a schematic drawing of a spring arm of the button latch in a deformed position. 
           [0023]      FIG. 6A  is an isometric view of a second embodiment of a button latch with integrally molded cantilevered springs. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6B  is an isometric view of the second embodiment of the button latch positioned within a female connector housing shown in partial cross section. 
           [0025]      FIG. 6C  is an isometric view of the second embodiment of the button latch positioned within a female connector housing shown in partial cross section. 
           [0026]      FIG. 6D  is an enlarged view of a portion of the second embodiment of the button latch as indicated in  FIG. 6C . 
           [0027]      FIG. 6E  is an isometric view of the second embodiment of the button latch positioned within a female connector housing shown in partial cross section with the button in a depressed position. 
           [0028]      FIG. 6F  is an enlarged view of a portion of the second embodiment of the button latch as indicated in  FIG. 6E . 
           [0029]      FIG. 6G  is a side elevation view in cross section of the second embodiment of the button latch positioned within a female connector housing. 
           [0030]      FIG. 6H  is a side elevation view in cross section of the second embodiment of the button latch positioned within a female connector housing with the button in a depressed position. 
           [0031]      FIG. 7A  is an isometric view of a third embodiment of a button latch with integrally molded cantilevered springs. 
           [0032]      FIG. 7B  is an isometric view of the third embodiment of the button latch positioned within a female connector housing shown in partial cross section. 
           [0033]      FIG. 8A  is an isometric view of a fourth embodiment of a button latch with integrally molded cantilevered springs. 
           [0034]      FIG. 8B  is an isometric view of the fourth embodiment of the button latch positioned within a female connector housing shown in partial cross section. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0035]    A female fluid connector may be used conjunction with male bayonet connectors to releasably connect sections of tubing. In one embodiment, for example as shown in  FIGS. 1-2C , the female receiving connector  102  includes a button latch  100  that actuates an integral, guillotine-type latch plate  112 . The latch plate  112  physically secures a male bayonet connector  104  within the female connector  102 . When the male bayonet connector  104  is inserted distally into the female receiving connector  102 , a distal end of the male bayonet connector  104  interfaces with a proximal edge of a receiving aperture  114  within the latch plate  112  to bias the latch plate  112  downward and lower the receiving aperture  114  through which the male bayonet connector  104  may pass. The downward travel of the latch plate  112  is countered by an arrangement of cantilevered springs  118 ,  120 ,  122  (see  FIGS. 2A-2C ) extending from the button actuator  106  and interfacing with surfaces on the interior walls of the housing of the female connector  102  in order to bias the latch plate  112  in an upward, locked position. The male bayonet connector  104  defines an annular channel  142  that is engaged by the edges of the aperture  114  in the guillotine latch plate  112  upon sufficient insertion of the male bayonet connector  104  into the female receiving connector  102 . 
         [0036]    The orientations “proximal” and “distal” as used herein have been arbitrarily chosen, and are not meant to limit the present disclosure, but will follow the convention just described with reference to the ends of the female receiving connector  102  and male bayonet connector  104 . 
         [0037]    In this embodiment, the female connector  102  is primarily designed for connection between the tubing from a blood pressure monitor and a male connector, which is attached to tubing from a blood pressure cuff. The blood pressure cuff is fastened about the patient&#39;s arm. When the female connector  102  is connected to the male connector  104 , the flow of air can pass through. The term “dual lumen” indicates that there are two air pathways within the connector. Disconnect between the female connector  102  and the male connector  104  is achieved via pressing the actuation button latch  100 , which disengages the male connector  104  from the latch plate  112  and then the two components can be pulled apart. 
         [0038]    In the implementation depicted in  FIGS. 1-5C , the button latch  100  has three cantilevered legs that function as springs, namely, a left spring  118 , a right spring  120 , and a rear spring  122 . Each of the springs  118 ,  120 ,  122  is integrally formed with the actuator  106  and the latch plate  112 . The latch plate  112  extends downwardly and generally perpendicularly from the proximal edge of the button actuator  106 . The actuator  106  is a surface that resides within an aperture in the top of the housing of the female connector  102 . The exposed surface of the actuator  106  may be ergonomically formed to support a thumb or finger of a user when depressing the actuator  106  to disengage the male connector  104 . The actuator  106  may have a thickness defined by a sidewall  108  that interfaces with and travels along a corresponding sidewall of the aperture within the housing of the female connector  102 . The actuator  106  may also define a retention flange  110  that extends outwardly at the base of the sidewall  108  underneath the top surface of the female connector housing to engage the housing and retain the button  100  within the apertures. 
         [0039]    Each of the left spring  118  and the right spring  120  extend from a top lateral corner of the latch plate  112  and curve downwardly to a distance below the bottom of the latch plate  112 . Each of the left and right springs  118 ,  120  may be understood as having an outer shoulder  124 , an inner hollow  126 , an outer radius  128 , and an inner radius  130 . There is thus a curved separation space between the inner radius  130  and the lateral sides of the latch plate  112 . This separation space allows the left and right springs  118 ,  120  to flex when under pressure from the downward force of the button  100 , either through depression of the actuator  106  by a user or due to the insertion of a male connector  104 . 
         [0040]    As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the outer radius  128  of each toward the lower ends of the left and right springs  118 ,  120  interfaces with an inside surface of the housing of the female connector  102  as it transitions along a curve from side surfaces to the bottom surface of the housing. As the button is depressed, the left and right springs  118 ,  120  slide along the curved inner surface of the housing and deflect both laterally inward and upward. 
         [0041]    In addition to the left and right springs  118 ,  120 , the rear of the button  100  is further supported by a rear spring  122  to provide a “tripod” support structure. The rear spring  122  curves distally outward from the button  100  rather than underneath it as the left and right springs  118 ,  120  do. The curve of the rear spring may be understood to define a rear spring outer radius  134 . As shown in  FIG. 3C , the outer radius  134  of the rear spring  122  interfaces with a curved inside surface of the housing of the female connector  102 . As the button is depressed, the rear spring  122  slides along the curved inner surface of the housing and deflects both distally and upward. 
         [0042]    The button  100  is constantly biased upward due to the three springs  118 ,  120 ,  122 . The springs  118 ,  120 ,  122  need to be “loaded” so that the button  100  remains in the upward or locked position until the user depresses the button  100  or until a male bayonet connector in inserted into the connector aperture  114 , which will mechanically force the button  100  downward. The interface between the retention flange  110  and a guide wall  138  of the housing of the female connector  102  surrounding the button aperture therein ensures that the button  100  is retained within the female connector while under the bias of the springs  118 ,  120 ,  122 . The thickness of the actuator  106  and therefore the height of the sidewalls  108  may be selected to be larger than the downward travel distance of the button  100  within the guide wall  138  when connecting and disconnecting with the male connector  104 . In this way the sidewall  108  acts as a guide to align the button  100 . The button  100  remains centered and level within the female connector  102  while it is depressed and further the actuator  106  does not slip under the housing of the female connector  102  to become stuck or misaligned. 
         [0043]    Curved leading latch surfaces  116  located on the proximal side of the latch plate  112  on the bottom edge and lower sidewalls of the aperture  114  enable the button  112  to be actuated to its “down” position as the male bayonet connector  104  is inserted into the female connector  102 . The distal end of the male connector  104  may be similarly curved or chamfered to aid in sliding past the latch surface  116 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 4A  illustrates a male bayonet connector  104  entering the aperture of the female connector housing  102 . In some embodiments, the male bayonet connector  104  may include a proximal portion shaped as a barbed frustum for coupling with fluid tubing. The distal portion  140  of the male connector  104  may be generally cylindrical with a substantially smooth surface that may serve as a sealing surface when the male bayonet  104  is fully inserted into the female receiving connector  102 . The male connector  104  may also have an annular channel  142  located proximal to and adjacent the distal portion  140 . The annular channel  142  may be defined by sidewalls that are perpendicular or beveled with respect to the axis of the lumen of the male connector  104  that may be used to engage the latch plate  112 . 
         [0045]    As the distal portion  140  of the male bayonet connector  104  enters into the female connector  102 , it contacts the latch surface  116  of the connection aperture  114  as shown in  FIG. 4B . As axial force is applied to insert the male bayonet connector  104  through the aperture  114 , the latch plate  112  is forced downward against the opposing bias of the right, left, and rear springs  118 ,  120 ,  122  as the distal portion  140  slides against the ramped or curved latch surface  116 . The latch plate  112  moves downward until the male bayonet connector  104  is able to pass through the larger area of the aperture  114 . The male bayonet connector  104  extends through the aperture  114  until the annular channel  142  of the male bayonet connector  104  is aligned with the latch surface  116  of the latch plate  112  as shown in  FIG. 4C . When the channel  142  is aligned with the latch plate  112 , the latch plate  112  is forced upward by the springs  118 ,  120 ,  122  whereby the latch plate  112  engages the channel  142  to secure the male bayonet connector  104  within the female receiving connector  104 . 
         [0046]    The above descriptions demonstrate the need for the springs  118 ,  120 .,  122  to maintain their spring force and resiliancy and resist creep, otherwise the female connector  102  will not securely engage and retain the male connecotr  102 . Such female connectors  102  will typically see  20 , 000  male connects and  20 , 000  disconnects during a product life. The button  100  is mechanically depressed by the male bayonet  104  during insertion and the end user must manually depress the button to the “down” position to disconnect. Therefore, the product will typically see the button  100  depressed to its “down” position  40 , 000  times during its life. 
         [0047]    A standard product specification is a tension pull load test. While the male connector  104  is locked into the female connector  104 , the two are pulled apart. It is desirable that the connection withstand a 10 lb. tension axial pull load. Another typical product specification is the male insertion force. It is desirable that the force required to connect the male connector be lower than 4 lbs. A further typical product specification is the squeeze-to-disconnect force, i.e., button push-down force. It is desirable that the force not exceed 3.5 lbs. 
         [0048]    There is a direct relationship between the spring force, the button push-down force, and the force required to connect the male. If the spring force increases, the push-down and insertion forces increase. If the spring force decreases, the push-down and insertion forces decrease. If the initial spring force is too low, there is a risk of the springs creeping or relaxing or deforming over time. The springs  118 ,  120 ,  122  need to maintain enough spring force to lift the button  100  to its “up” or “locked” position throughout the lifecycle of the female connector  102 , i.e., for 40,000 depressions. 
         [0049]    In one exemplary implementation, acetal plastic may be used for the molded button as well as the male connector  104  and/or the female connector housing  102 . Acetal has very good shape memory and a high creep resistance. Acetal also has a low coefficient of friction which helps keep the insertion force low as the acetal male connector  104  makes contact with the latch surface  116  of the latch plate  112  and similarly as the springs  118 ,  120 ,  122  slide against the inner surface of housing of the female connector  102 . 
         [0050]    The springs  118 ,  120 ,  122  are designed so that the resultant stress is distributed over a large percentage of the spring&#39;s surface to minimize deformation of the springs  118 ,  120 ,  122  over extended use. See e.g.,  FIG. 5A  for a finite element analysis of a desirable force distribution. The design of the three springs  118 ,  120 ,  122  is based upon a delicate balance between minimizing the spring force (to maintain the desirable push-down and male connection forces) and creating a geometry that will return to the original shape even after 40,000 actuations. 
         [0051]      FIGS. 5B and 5C  depict how the left and right springs  118 ,  120  of the present embodiment slide along the mating housing in both a vertical and horizontal direction as the button  100  is depressed downward. The mating geometry which enables the spring(s) to move in both a vertical and horizontal is significant to achieve the low push-down and insertion forces, as well as distributing forces through the springs in such a way that it minimizes flexural creep and deformation of the spring(s) over repeated use. 
         [0052]    Through finite element analysis and actual testing, a desirable relationship between the radius of curvature of the outer shoulder  124  to the radius of curvature of the inner hollow  126  at the base of the left and right springs  118 ,  120  has been determined as a ratio in a range between 5.40 and 9.67 for the springs  118 ,  120  of this implementation to adequately perform. 
         [0053]    Similarly, through finite element analysis and actual testing, a desirable relationship between the outer radius of curvature  128  to the inner radius of curvature  130  of the left and right springs  118 ,  120  has been determined as a ratio in a range between 1.06 and 1.22 for the left and right springs  118 ,  120  of this implementation to adequately perform. 
         [0054]    Further, through finite element analysis and actual testing, a desirable relationship between the outer radius of curvature  128  of the left and right springs  118 ,  120  to the radius of curvature  132  of the mating surface on the connector housing has been determined as a ratio in a range between 1.06 and 1.22 for the left and right springs  118 ,  120  of this implementation to adequately perform. 
         [0055]    Additionally, through finite element analysis and actual testing, a desirable relationship between the radius of curvature  132  of the mating surface on the connector housing to the outer radius of curvature  128  of the rear spring  122  has been determined as a ratio in a range between 6.44 and 8.30 for the rear spring  122  of this implementation to adequately perform. 
         [0056]    Additional implementations of button latches with integrally molded cantilevered springs are possible. Several additional examples of such implementations are presented in  FIGS. 6A-8B . As before, the molded in cantilever springs are designed to simplify a button latch where helical or other coil springs would normally be used to force the button to return to its resting position after being pushed down in some fashion. Each of the following examples is a button with molded springs that provide specific return forces and /or resistances to push-down and may be designed to meet particular specifications. 
         [0057]      FIGS. 6A  depicts an exemplary implementation of a button  600  that pivots or is hinged in the rear and allows for the front portion of the button  600  to move. The button  600  is composed of an actuator  606  with short sidewalls  608 , a retention tab  610  on the proximal end, and a hinge tab  622  on the distal end to retain the button  600  within the housing of the connector. 
         [0058]    The left and right cantilever leg springs  618 ,  620  have a form similar to sleigh runners. In this embodiment, the springs  618 ,  620  have a right angle channel cross section for structural reinforcement. The left and right springs  618 ,  620  may be formed with various cross sections to achieve desired levels of spring force, structural rigidity, and creep resistance. The left and right springs  618 ,  620  attach to the button actuator  606  at the distal end and sweep downward and proximally underneath the actuator  606 . As in the prior embodiment, the button  600  has a latch plate  612  with a sloping latch surface  616  that defines an aperture  614  for receipt of and connection with a male connector. 
         [0059]      FIGS. 6B-6H  depict the button  600  disposed within a female connector housing composed of an upper housing  602  and a lower housing  604  that are connected together, e.g., by ultrasonic welding, adhesive, detent tabs, or otherwise. The upper housing  602  defines a connector aperture  638  at the proximal end that provides access for a male connector. The lower housing defines a connector lumen  640  that is in fluid communication with the connector aperture  638  on the proximal end and with a barb lumen  644  defined within a barb fitting section  644  on the distal end. In this embodiment, the barb fitting section  642  is integrally formed as a part of the lower housing  604  and is configured for retaining a flexible fluid tube thereon. The retention tab  610  halts the upward travel of the button  600  under bias of the springs  618 ,  620  upon interfacing with a retention surface  628  in the upper housing  602 . The hinge tab  622  is retained under and pivots against a bearing surface  624  of the upper housing  602  as the button  600  is pushed downward by a user. 
         [0060]    The left and right leg springs  618 ,  620 , as shown in  FIG. 6B , extend to a point below the proximal end of the button  600  on either side of the latch plate  612 . This position provides the largest vertical travel distance for the button  600 , minimizes the forward rocking motion of the button  600 , and provides a good, stable feel to the push-down motion. The springs  618 ,  620  deflect upwards as indicated by the arrows in  FIG. 6B  under a downward force on the actuator  606 . The leg springs  618 ,  620  also slide proximally within a guide track  632  formed in the bottom wall of the female connector housing  602 . A shallow guide wall  634  may also be formed in the housing  602  to prevent the leg springs  618 ,  620  from angling inward. Such restraint may be desirable to limit the vertical travel of the button  606  or as another method for resisting creep by limiting lateral movement of the leg springs  618 ,  620 . The bias in the left and right leg springs  618 ,  620  will force the button to return up to its resting position when the user force is removed from the button  600 . 
         [0061]    As noted, the button  600  pivots at the interface of the hinge tab  622  and the bearing surface  624  under the downward force on the actuation surface  606 . As the latch plate  612  travels downward within a latch channel  636  formed within the upper housing  602  and lower housing  604 , the latch plate  612  flexes along a flexion area  626  at the interface between the latch plate  612  and retention tab  610  on the button  600 . The flexion area  626  is formed as a thinner section of the latch plate  612  and allows the latch plate  612  to flex and maintain a constantly vertical orientation in view of the constraints of the latch channel  636  even though the movement of the proximal end of the button  600  is angular downward and distally due to the hinge structure of the hinge tab  622  at the distal end of the button  600 . By maintaining a vertical orientation of the latch plate  612  within the latch channel  636 , a better locking interface between the latch surface  616  and the inserted male connector is achieved. 
         [0062]      FIG. 7A  is another exemplary implementation of a button  700  that slides vertically along cantilevered leg springs  718 ,  720  extending from the lateral proximal edges of the button  700 . The button  700  is composed of an actuator  706  with short sidewalls  708  and retention tabs  710  on the proximal and distal ends to retain the button  700  within the housing of the connector. The left and right cantilever leg springs  718 ,  720  are curved slightly laterally outwardly, but primarily extend downwardly substantially normal to the actuator  706 . As in the prior embodiment, the button  700  has a latch plate  712  with a sloping latch surface  716  that defines an aperture  714  for receipt of and connection with a male connector. 
         [0063]      FIG. 7B  depicts the button  700  disposed within a female connector housing  702 . The left and right leg springs  718 ,  720 , as shown in  FIG. 7B , extend to a point below the proximal end of the button  700  on either side of the latch plate  712 . The springs  718 ,  720  deflect laterally inwards and move symmetrically toward each other as indicated by the arrows in  FIG. 7B  under a downward force on the actuator  706 . The leg springs  718 ,  720  also slide laterally along a guide surface  732  formed in the bottom wall of the female connector housing  702 . The guide surface  732  may be formed in a similar manner to a cam surface in that the guide surface  732  can be designed to push the springs closer together or release tension based upon the thickness of the wall at various points along the guide surface  732 . Such variations in the guide surface  732  may be desirable to change (e.g., increase) the force on the button  706  as the springs travel  718 ,  720  or as another method for resisting creep by limiting lateral movement of the leg springs  718 ,  720 . The bias in the left and right leg springs  718 ,  720  will force the button to return up to its resting position when the user force is removed from the button  700 . 
         [0064]      FIG. 8A  is another exemplary implementation of a button  800  that slides vertically along cantilevered leg springs  818 ,  820  extending from the lateral proximal edges of the button  800 . This embodiment of a button  800  is very similar to the prior embodiment of the button  700  with the addition of two rear springs  822 ,  824  and several additional alignment features. The button  800  is composed of an actuator  806  with short sidewalls  808  and retention tabs  810  on the proximal end to retain the button  800  within the housing of the connector. Additionally, a pair of rear alignment walls  840  extends downwardly from the distal end of the actuator  806  defining a curved saddle therebetween. Retention tabs (not shown) are also on the distal faces of the rear alignment walls  840 . A pair of guideposts  836 ,  838  also extends downward, normal to the bottom surface of the actuator  806 . The left and right cantilever leg springs  818 ,  820  are curved slightly laterally outwardly, but primarily extend downwardly substantially normal to the actuator  806 . As in the prior embodiment, the button  800  has a latch plate  812  with a sloping latch surface  816  that defines an aperture  814  for receipt of and connection with a male connector. In this embodiment, two additional cantilevered rear springs  822 ,  824  extend slightly downward from the center of the sidewalls of the actuator and then form shoulders from which they extend downward at a distal angle. 
         [0065]      FIG. 8B  depicts the button  800  disposed within a female connector housing  802 . The left and right leg front springs  818 ,  820 , as shown in  FIG. 8B , extend to a point below the proximal end of the button  800  on either side of the latch plate  812 . The springs  818 ,  820  deflect laterally inwards and move symmetrically toward each other as indicated by the arrows in  FIG. 8B  under a downward force on the actuator  806 . The left and right leg springs  818 ,  820  also slide laterally along a surface in the bottom wall of the female connector housing  802 . The bias in the left and right leg springs  818 ,  820  will force the button  800  to return up to its resting position when the user force is removed from the button  800 . The rear leg springs  822 ,  824  also slide distally within a guide track  832  formed in the bottom wall of the female connector housing  802  while resisting the downward force on the button  800 . A shallow guide wall  834  may also be formed in the housing  802  to prevent the rear leg springs  818 ,  820  from angling inward. Such restraint may be desirable to limit the vertical travel of the button  806  or as another method for resisting creep by limiting lateral movement of the leg springs  818 ,  820 . The bias in the rear leg springs  822 ,  824  will force the button  800  to return up to its resting position when the downward user force is removed from the button  800 . 
         [0066]    In addition, the guideposts  836 ,  838  may be aligned with and fit within cylindrical guide tubes  844  extending upward from the bottom of the housing  802 . The interface between the guideposts  836 ,  838  and the guide tubes  844  helps maintain the vertical alignment of the button  800  within the female connector housing  802  and may further be used to limit the vertical travel distance of the button. Further, the saddle  842  formed between the rear alignment walls  840  may be used to align the button  800  with a wall of a lumen  846  formed within the female connector  802 . 
         [0067]    All directional references (e.g., proximal, distal, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, lateral, longitudinal, front, back, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, radial, axial, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader&#39;s understanding of the present invention, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the invention. Connection references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and joined) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a collection of elements and relative movement between elements unless otherwise indicated. As such, connection references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other. The exemplary drawings are for purposes of illustration only and the dimensions, positions, order and relative sizes reflected in the drawings attached hereto may vary. 
         [0068]    The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments of the invention. Although various embodiments of the invention have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention. Other embodiments are therefore contemplated. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only of particular embodiments and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the basic elements of the invention as defined in the following claims.