Abstract:
A fluid quick connector includes a connector housing having a through bore adapted to receive a tubular endform. A retainer is transversely mountable through the connector housing into engagement with the endform. A retention clip having at least one angled end projection is carried on the retainer for movement to a final latched position with the endform while enabling the endform to be inserted into the connector housing without substantial contact with the retention clip. The retention clip is in the form of a planar body having at least one angled projection extending therefrom. Preferably, a plurality of angled projections are formed on the retention clip. The retention clip is fixedly secured to the retainer or insert molded in the retainer for movement concurrent with movement of the retainer relative to the connector housing.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates, in general, to fluid quick connectors which couple two fluid operative components together.  
           [0002]    Snap-fit or quick connectors are employed in a wide range of applications, particularly, for joining fluid carrying conduits in automotive and industrial application. Such quick connectors utilize retainers or locking elements for securing a first connector component, such as a tubular conduit, within a complimentary bore of a second connector component or housing. Such retainers are typically of either the axially-displaceable or radially-displaceable type. The terms “axially-displaceable” or “radially-displaceable” are taken relative to the axial bore through the second component.  
           [0003]    In a typical quick connector with an axially displaceable retainer, the retainer is mounted within a bore in a housing of the second connector component of housing. The retainer has a plurality of radially and angularly extending legs which extend inwardly toward the axial center line of the bore in the housing. A tube or male component to be sealingly mounted in the bore in the second component includes a radially upset portion or flange which abuts an inner peripheral surface of the retainer legs. Seal and spacer members as well as a bearing or top hat are typically mounted in the bore ahead of the retainer to form a seal between the housing and the first connector component when the first connector component is lockingly engaged with the retainer legs in the housing.  
           [0004]    Radially displaceable retainers are also known in which the retainer is radially displaceable through aligned bores or apertures formed transversely to the main throughbore in the second connector component housing. The radially displaceable retainer is typically provided with a pair of depending legs which are sized and positioned to slip behind the radially upset portion or flange on the first component or conduit only when the conduit is fully seated in the bore in the second component. This ensures a positive locking engagement of the conduit with the second component as well as providing an indication that the conduit is fully seated since the radially displaceable retainer can be fully inserted into the second component only when the conduit has been fully inserted into the bore in the second component.  
           [0005]    In other types of quick connectors used with flangeless endforms, a clip in the form of an annular ring is provided in the second connector housing and has a plurality of angularly extending fingers projecting from the inner diameter of the ring. The fingers are angled to allow easy insertion of an endform and the conduit into the housing through the fingers. However, a reverse movement in the direction to separate the endform from the housing causes the fingers to dig into the exterior wall of the endform to resist and provide pull-out force resistance to tend to maintain the endform in the second connector housing.  
           [0006]    In such an endform, the retention clip is held in the housing by means of a retainer, such as an axially insertable retainer which is inserted into the open end of the second connector housing after the retention clip has been inserted into the second connector bore.  
           [0007]    However, while such retention clips provide a means for securing a flangeless endform or tube in a connector housing, they necessarily represent a separate member which increases the assembly time of the connector assembly. More importantly, the angled fingers on the retention clip dig into and scrape the exterior surface of the endform while the endform is being inserted into the connector housing. This may remove the protective coating normally found on metal tubes which could lead to corrosion and an eventual breakdown or leak through the quick connector.  
           [0008]    Thus, it would be desirable to provide a quick connector retention means which overcomes the problems of previously devised retention means used in quick connectors for flangeless endforms. It would also be desirable to provide a quick connector retention means for flangeless endforms which does not require excessive modification of existing quick connector designs. It would also be desirable to provide a quick connector retention means which minimizes damage to the endform during insertion into the connector housing. It would also be desirable to provide a quick connector retention means which reduces the number of separate components required in the quick connector assembly. It would also be desirable to provide a quick connector retention means which is operative only on movement of a quick connector retainer to a last position in the quick connector housing.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    The present invention is a fluid quick connector with a retention clip for securing a flangeless endform to a connector housing.  
           [0010]    In one aspect, the fluid quick connector includes a housing having a through bore extending between opposed first and second ends, the endform insertable into the bore through the first end of the housing. The second end of the housing is attachable to a fluid operative element.  
           [0011]    The retention clip has at least one radially extending projection adapted to engage the endform to prevent movement of the endform opposite to an insertion direction of the endform into the housing bore.  
           [0012]    A retainer is mountable in the housing. The retention clip is carried by the retainer for movement between a first position spaced from an insertion path of the endform into the bore in the housing, and a second position concurrent with movement of a retainer to a second position engaged with the endform.  
           [0013]    In one aspect the retention clip is unitarily carried with the retainer. The retention clip has a first portion fixed to the retainer, and at least one projection cantilevered from the first portion into the bore in the housing.  
           [0014]    In another aspect the retention clip is fixedly joined to the retainer.  
           [0015]    In this aspect, the retention clip is insert molded in the retainer, which the at least one projection extending from the retainer into the bore in the housing when the retainer is in the second mounting position.  
           [0016]    The retention clip includes a planar body having a first end fixed to the retainer, the at least one projection extending from the first end. The end portion of the retainer extends transverse to the housing bore.  
           [0017]    In another aspect, the retention clip includes at least a first leg depending from the end portion of the retainer body.  
           [0018]    In one aspect the retention clip includes:  
           [0019]    at least one end fixed to the retainer;  
           [0020]    a pair of legs extending from the end; and  
           [0021]    the projection formed on at least one of the end and the legs.  
           [0022]    the at least one projection is carried on at least one of the side legs.  
           [0023]    Preferably at least one projection comprises a plurality of projections, at least one of the plurality projections carried on each of the end and each of the legs.  
           [0024]    Alternately the at least one projection includes a plurality of projections, at least one of the plurality projections carried on each of the end and each of the legs of the retention clip.  
           [0025]    An inner end of the projection(s) is disposed at a diameter less than the outer diameter of the endform.  
           [0026]    In one aspect, the projection on the retention clip has an inner end. The retainer is mountable in the housing in a temporary mounting position allowing insertion of the endform into the bore in the housing without substantial contact between the inner end of the projection and the endform.  
           [0027]    In another aspect the at least one projection has an inner end disposed at a predetermined, non-perpendicular angle with respect to the endform. Preferably the inner end of the at least one projection is angled toward the second end of the housing.  
           [0028]    The fluid quick connector of the present invention provides an expedient and simplified connection between connector body having a transversely moveable retainer and a flangeless endform while at the same time preventing engagement between a retention clip carried on the retainer and the endform during insertion of the endform into the housing. This minimizes possible damage to the protective coating which may be applied to the exterior surface of the endform by preventing engagement between the sharp edges of the retention clip and the endform while the endform is being inserted into the quick connector housing. However, the lock fingers on the retention clip are moveable into engagement with the endform during transverse movement of the retainer into a fully locked position in the connector housing. The angled ends of the lock fingers prevent axially outward separation of the endform.  
           [0029]    The retention clip and retainer configuration of the present invention enables a retainer and a quick connector housing suited for use with endforms having annular beads or flanges to be uniquely used with a flangeless endform while still providing all the necessary sealed locking of the endform in the connecting housing. These advantages are achieved without significant modification to the retainer and connector housing. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0030]    The various features, advantages and other uses of the present invention will become more apparent by referring to the following detailed description and drawing in which:  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of a quick connector carrying a first aspect of a retention clip according to the present invention;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 2 is an enlarged, exploded, perspective view of the retainer shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 3 is an end view of the quick connector and retainer, with the retainer shown in a partially inserted, storage position;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 4 is an end view of the quick connector and retainer, with the retainer depicted in a fully inserted, position in the female component;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view generally taken along line  5 - 5  in FIG. 4; and  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 5; but depicting another aspect of the retainer and retention clip of the present invention; 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0037]    For clarity in understanding the use and operation of the present invention, reference will first be had to FIGS.  1 - 5  which depict a retainer  10  which lockingly couples first and second components  12  and  14 , respectively, of a fluid quick connector  16 .  
         [0038]    The following description of the first connector component or element  12  is by way of example only as the first connector component  12  may have any suitable shape typically found in quick connectors.  
         [0039]    Further, the following description of the use of the fluid quick connector to connect the second component  14 ; such as a tubular member to the first component  12  will be understood to apply to the connection of conduits, hoses, and/or solid metal or plastic tubes to each other in fluid flow communication. The end of a conduit or tubular member inserted into the interior of one end of the quick connect will be defined as an endform. The endform can be a separate member which receives a separate hose or conduit at one end or a shape integrally formed on the end of an elongated metal or plastic tube. Further, the endform can be integrally formed on or mounted as a separate element to a fluid use device, such as a pump, filter, etc., rather than as part of an elongated conduit.  
         [0040]    The present quick connector finds advantageous use with tubular members, such as conduits, tubes, or hoses which are capable of defining a continuous electrically conductive path through the tubular member itself or through a conductive layer or portion of the tubular member. For example, conductive layers have been provided in multi-layer tubes as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,524,673, and 5,743,304. Reference is made to these conductive layers which provide an electrically conductive path from the quick connector of the present invention to a remote electrical ground to dissipate static electric charges which can build up within the fuel system due to fast flowing fluids, such as vehicle fuels. The first component  12  includes a housing  20  having an elongated, axially extending, internal stepped bore  22 , shown in detail in FIG. 5, extending from a large diameter first, open end  24  to a smaller diameter, second open end  26 . The stepped bore  22  includes a first bore portion  21  extending from an opening at the first end  24  of the housing  20  to a second smaller diameter second stepped bore portion  23 . A third yet smaller diameter stepped bore portion  25  extends axially from one end of the second stepped bore portion  23  and communicates to a still smaller fourth stepped bore portion  27  which extends to the open second end  26  of the housing  20 .  
         [0041]    As is conventional, a top hat or bearing  34  is mounted in the second stepped bore portion  23  immediately adjacent the end of the first bore portion  21 . A seal means  30  is also mounted in the second stepped bore portion  23  between one end of the top hat  34  and the third stepped bore portion  25 .  
         [0042]    The inner diameter of the first stepped bore portion  21  is sized to slidably receive the outer diameter of the radially enlarged flange or upset bead  18  formed on the second component or fitting  14 . Further, the inner diameters of the seal means  30  and the top hat  34  are sized to sealingly engage the outer diameter of the end portion  11  of the second component  14  extending from the radially enlarged flange  18  to the tip end  13  of the second component  14 . The third stepped bore portion  25  has an inner diameter sized to snugly engage the outer diameter of the end portion  11  of the second component  14  when the second component  14  is fully inserted into the stepped bore  22  as described hereafter. The seal means  30  is formed, by example, of at least one and preferably two O-rings  31  which are separated by a rigid, annular spacer  33 .  
         [0043]    As shown in FIGS.  1 ,  3 ,and  4 , the first end  24  of the housing  20  is formed with a pair of opposed, exterior flat surfaces  40  and  42 . The flat surfaces  40  and  42  are diametrically opposed on the first end  24  and may be centrally located on each diametrical side of the first end  24 . The adjacent surfaces of the housing  20  to one side of the flat surfaces  40  and  42  form an opposed pair of lock surfaces or flats, such as a first flat  43  and a second flat  44 . A second pair of flats  45  and  46  are formed on the housing  20  or the other side of the flat surfaces  40  and  42 . The flats  43  and  44  extend axially a short distance from the first end  24  of the housing  20 . Opposed surfaces  48  and  50  of the first end  24  of the housing  20  between the flats  43  and  44  and the flats  45  and  46  have a generally arcuate shape as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Apertures  49  and  51  are formed respectively in each surface  48  and  50 . The apertures  49  and  51  are aligned to form a transverse bore extending through the first end  24  of the housing  20  which is disposed in communication with the first bore portion  21  in the housing  20 .  
         [0044]    The retainer  10 , described hereafter, is by way of example only as other radially-displaceable retainer designs having side locking projections may also employ the release tool of the present invention.  
         [0045]    The retainer  10  is formed of a one-piece body of a suitable plastic, such as a thermoplastic, for example, and has an end wall  62  formed of a generally curved or arcuate shape, by way of example only, and first and second spaced side legs  64  and  66 . The side legs  64  and  66  extend generally parallel to each other from opposite ends of the end wall  62 . Further, each side leg  64  and  66  has an outer end  72 , although it is also possible to connect the side legs  64  and  66  at a lower portion by an arcuate member.  
         [0046]    A pair of projections  70  extend along the length of the retainer  10  between opposed side edges of the side legs  64  and  66 , respectively. The projections  70  are located adjacent the outer end  72  of each leg  64  and  66 . The projections  70  engage surfaces on the housing  20  to position the retainer  10  in the shipping position shown in FIG. 3, or in the fully inserted, latched position shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and  6 .  
         [0047]    Further, a pair of outward extending lock tabs or edges  74  are formed adjacent the end wall  62  on each side leg  64  and  66 .  
         [0048]    As shown in FIGS.  1 - 5 , the retainer  10  includes a tubular member receiving means  80  which is preferably carried as an integral, one-piece part of the retainer  10 . The receiving means  80  includes first and second depending arms  82  and  84  which extend from a boss or enlargement  86  integrally formed on the inner surface of the end wall  62  of the retainer  10 . An inverted, U-shaped slot  88  is formed on the inner surfaces of the arms  82  and  84  and the boss  86  which is sized to snugly conform to the outer diameter of the tubular portion  11  of the second component  14 . The outer ends  91  of each of the arms  82  and  84  are angled or tapered to act as a guide surface to assist in sliding movement of the arms  82  and  84  over the tubular end  11  of the second component  14 .  
         [0049]    As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,each of the arms  82  and  84  extends from one side end contiguous with a first side end  90  of the retainer  10  to an opposed side end contiguous with a second side end  92  of the retainer  10 .  
         [0050]    As shown in FIGS. 1, 2,  3  and  4 , the projections  70  on the legs  64  and  66  of the retainer  10  are formed with an angled hook-like shape terminating in a tip  95 . The tip  95  is disposed at an acute, upturned angle with respect to the corresponding legs  64  and  66 .  
         [0051]    Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the grooves  40 ′ and  42 ′ are formed in the interior of the flat surfaces  40  and  42 , respectively, and include a recess or notch  96  at one end which is shaped complimentary to the shape of the tip  95  of the projection  70  on each of the legs  64  and  66  of the retainer  10 . In this manner, pull out of the retainer  10  from the housing  20  is resisted by the interlocking tips  95  on the legs  64  and  66  of the retainer  10  which are seated within the notches  96  in the grooves  40 ′ and  42 ′ in the housing  20  as shown in the partially inserted, shipping position of the retainer  10  in FIG. 3. The flats or lock edges  44  and  46  are disposed at an angle complimentary to the acute angle of the tips  95  on the legs  64  and  66  of the retainer  10 . This enables interlock of the tips  95  with the flats  44  and  46  resists pull out of the retainer  10  from the housing  20  from the fully latched position shown in FIG. 4.  
         [0052]    The hook shaped tips  95  on the legs  64  and  66  of the retainer  10  in conjunction with the grooves  40 ′ and  42 ′ in the housing  20  also provide, a distinct, “avalanche effect” snap action of the retainer  10  in the housing  20 . The grooves  40 ′ and  42 ′ in the housing  20  are formed in generally planar flat surfaces. The inner surfaces force the ends  72  of the legs  64  and  66  laterally inward toward each other when the retainer  10  is inserted into the housing  20 . When the tips  95  clear one edge of the grooves  40 ′ and  42 ′, the resilient nature of the legs  64  and  66  snaps the ends  72  and the tips  95  laterally outward to create an “avalanche effect” which provides a distinct tactile feedback to the user indicating that the retainer has lockingly engaged the housing  20  in either the partially inserted position shown in FIG. 3 or the fully inserted position shown in FIG. 4.  
         [0053]    It should be noted that further insertion force on the retainer  10  moving the retainer  10  from the partially inserted position shown in FIG. 3 to the fully inserted position shown in FIG. 4 again causes the end  72  of the legs  64  and  66  to be urged laterally inward when the tips  95  of the legs  64  and  66  slide along the lower portion of the inner surfaces. When the tips  95  clear the outer end of the inner surfaces, the legs  64  and  66  spring laterally outward in a distinct “avalanche effect” manner. The lower ends of the grooves  40 ′ and  42 ′ are angled to enable the tips  95  to slide out of the grooves  40 ′ and  42 ′ toward the fully latched position.  
         [0054]    The retainer  10  can be first be installed on the housing  20  in a shipping or storage position as shown in FIG. 3. In this position, the projections  70  on the side legs  64  and  66  of the retainer  10  snap into and engage the longitudinally extending grooves  40 ′ and  42 ′.  
         [0055]    Further insertion of the retainer  10  through the aligned apertures  49  and  51  in the housing  20  causes the ends  72  of the legs  64  and  66  to pass along the lower portion of the inner surfaces of the flat surfaces  40  and  42  until the tips  95  clear the ends of the surfaces and then snap outward exteriorly of the outer surface of the first end  24  of the housing  20  as shown in FIG. 4. In this fully inserted position of the second component  14  in the first component  12 , an opening is formed between the arms  82  and  84  of the retainer  10  and the shoulder between the first and second bore portions  21  and  23 . This position represents the fully latched position in which the second component  14  is fully seated in the first component  12 .  
         [0056]    One aspect of a retention clip  100  is disposed in the opening between the retainer  10  and the shoulder between the first and second bore portions  21  and  23  in the housing  20 . As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the retention clip  100  is in the form of a rigid one piece body  102  preferably of a strong material, such as metal or plastic. The body  102  has an end wall or portion  104  from which opposed side legs  106  and  108  project. At least one lock finger, or projection tab  110  is formed on the body  102 , preferably as an integral part of the body  102 . By example only, the at least one finger  110  is illustrated as extending from a central portion of the end  104  intermediate the side legs  106  and  108 . Optionally, and for additional retention force, lock fingers or tabs  112  and  114  formed on the ends of the side legs  106  and  108 , respectively.  
         [0057]    All of the lock fingers  110 ,  112  and  114  project radially inward into the opening  116  formed between the side legs  106  and  108  and the end  104 . The inner diameter of the opening  116  between the radially inner surfaces of the lock fingers  110 ,  112  and  114  is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the endform  14 .  
         [0058]    As shown in FIG. 5, each lock finger, such as lock finger  114 , is formed at an angle to the plane of the end  104  and the side legs  106  and  108  of the body  102 . This angle extends the lock fingers  110 ,  112  and  114  in a direction of the insertion direction of the endform  14  into the housing  20  or from the right to the left in the orientation of the quick connector  16  shown in FIG. 5. The angle of each lock finger  110 ,  112  and  116  with respect to the plane of the body  102  determines to some extent the amount of pull-out force exerted by the retention clip  100  on the endform  14  resisting pull-out of the endform  14  from the housing  20 . Greater angles provide less pull-out force resistance than do shallower angles.  
         [0059]    To simplify the assembly of the retention clip  100  and the retainer  10  to the quick connector  16 , the retention clip  100  is preferably mounted on and carried with the retainer  10 . For example, the end  104  and adjoining portions of the side legs  106  and  108  may be adhesively joined to the one end face of the arms  82  and  84  and the boss  86  of the retainer  10 .  
         [0060]    An alternate mounting configuration of the retention clip  100  on the retainer  10  is shown in FIG. 6. In this aspect of the invention, at least the end  104  and possibly the adjoining end portions of the side legs  106  and  108  are insert molded in the retainer  10  during the formation of the retainer  10 , such as in an end portion of the boss  86 . This positions the side legs  106  and  108  along the end surface of the arms  82  and  84  with the lock fingers  110 ,  112  and  114  projecting angularly therefrom as shown in FIG. 6.  
         [0061]    Both aspects of the mounting of the retention clip  100  to the retainer  10  shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 operate in the same manner. Initially, the retainer  10  is deployed in the temporary storage position shown in FIG. 3. In this position, the ends of the side legs  106  and  108  will be spaced from an insertion opening in the housing  20  for the endform  14  thereby allowing the endform  14  to be easily inserted past the retention clip  100  without any significant contact of the lock fingers  110 ,  112  and  114  with the retention clip  100  thereby preventing any scraping of the protective coating which may be from the exterior surface of the endform  14 .  
         [0062]    When the endform  14  is fully inserted into the bore  22  in the housing  20 , the retainer  10  can be urged to the fully latched position shown in FIGS.  4 - 6 . In this position, the lock fingers  110 ,  112  and  114  engage the exterior surface of the endform  14 . The angular disposition of the lock fingers  110 ,  112  and  114  resist axial pull-out or separation of the endform  14  from the housing  20  in a direction to the right in the orientation shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.  
         [0063]    To separate the endform  14  from the housing  20 , the retainer  10  is moved to the temporary storage position shown in FIG. 3 or completely separated from the hosing  20 . The enables the endform  14  to be separated without damage from engagement with the edges of the lock fingers  110 ,  112  and  114 .  
         [0064]    In summary, there has been disclosed a unique fluid quick connector with a retainer carrying a retention clip releasably engageable with a flangeless endform which operates to secure the endform in the quick connector housing with sufficient pull-out force resistance to prevent undesired separation of the endform from the housing. The retainer is moveable between a temporary, storage position in the quick connector housing to a fully inserted, locking position in the housing. In the temporary storage position of the retainer, the retention clip is spaced from an insertion path of the endform into the quick connector housing. This minimizes damage to the exterior protective coating on the endform caused by engagement with the sharp edges of the lock fingers on the retention clip.  
         [0065]    The present retention clip uniquely enables transversely moveable retainers in fluid quick connectors to be used to lockingly engage flangeless endforms in a quick connector housing. At the same time, the retention clip does not require modification to existing transversely mounted retainer and quick connector designs to accommodate the mounting of the retention clip on the retainer.