Patent Abstract:
A fluid quick connector includes a retainer mounted in a housing which lockingly couples a first endform to the housing. Latch arms bendably extend from the housing for latching engagement with a second endform. An inner diameter of the latch arms are proximate the outer diameter of the first endform inserted through the housing to prevent substantial movement of the latch arms in a direction which would disengage the latch arms from the second endform. In another aspect, the retainer has inner arms which engage a recessed surface engagement feature in the first endform to lock the other endform to the housing. A portion of a spherical surface is formed on the ends of the inner arms to reduce the push in force required to insert the first endform through the housing and past the retainer.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/796,677, filed Mar. 9, 2004 and is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/796,677, filed Mar. 9, 2004 and co-pending U.S. application Ser. Nos. 10/104,405, filed Mar. 22, 2002, the contents of each of which is incorporated herein in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     The present invention relates, in general, to fluid quick connectors which couple fluid carrying components.  
         [0003]     Snap-fit or quick connectors are employed in a wide range of applications, particularly, for joining fluid carrying conduits in automotive and industrial application. In a typical quick connector with an axially displaceable retainer, the retainer is fixedly mounted within a bore in a housing of a connector component or element. 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 fitting to be sealingly mounted in the bore in the housing 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 fitting when the fitting is lockingly engaged with the retainer legs.  
         [0004]     Radially displaceable retainers in which the retainer is radially displaceable through aligned bores or apertures formed transversely to the main through bore in the housing are also known. 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 fitting only when the fitting or conduit is fully seated in the bore in the connector. This ensures a positive locking engagement of the conduit with the connector as well as providing an indication that the conduit is fully seated since the radially displaceable retainer can be fully inserted into the connector only when the conduit has been fully inserted into the bore in the connector.  
         [0005]     In most fluid quick connectors, one or more seal elements, such as resilient O-rings and and/or a rigid spacer member between two spaced O-rings, are mounted in the housing bore to form a seal between the housing and the inserted endform.  
         [0006]     A top hat is typically mounted in the end of the bore to retain the seal elements in the bore prior to insertion of the endform into the bore in the housing or after removal of the endform from the housing. The top hat typically includes a sleeve portion which slides within the bore of the housing, and an end flange which seats in an enlarged end portion of the bore. While effective in securing the seal elements in the housing bore, the top hat represents an additional component which requires assembly time in the fluid quick connector.  
         [0007]     In addition to retainers for fluid quick connectors which engage an upset in the form of an enlarged diameter bead or flange spaced from the tip end of an endform, it is also known to construct retainers for fluid quick connectors which secure the endform in the quick connector housing.  
         [0008]     Regardless of the type of retainer, the housing of a fluid connector typically includes an elongated stem having one or more annular barbs spaced from a first end. The barbs provide secure engagement with a hose or conduit which is forced over the barbs to connect the housing with one end of the conduit.  
         [0009]     Due to the secure engagement between the conduit and the housing, the open end of the axial through bore in the connector portion of a fluid connector designed with an axially displaceable retainer or the transverse bores in a connector designed to receive a radially displaceable retainer are fixed in one circumferential position depending upon the position of the tubing and the connector when the conduit and the connector are joined together. In certain applications, this could limit accessibility to and make it difficult to insert the retainer into the connector, particularly in the case of a radial retainer. Interference with surrounding components frequently makes access to the quick connector for both locking or unlocking operations difficult, if not impossible.  
         [0010]     To address these problems, two part fluid quick connectors which are easily rotatable over 360° to facilitate insertion or removal of the retainer into or out of the quick connector have been devised. In such quick connectors, the quick connector housing, typically of one piece construction, is replaced with two engagable portions, one attachable to or mountable on a fluid component, such as a tube or conduit, and the other receiving a second conduit or endform as well as receiving the retainer for locking the first component and the endform together.  
         [0011]     It would be desirable to provide an improved fluid quick connector which has enhanced snap on capability, and a minimal number of separate components. It would also be desirable to provide an improved fluid quick connector having a retainer configured for engagement with endforms having a reduced diameter engagement surface or groove.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0012]     The present invention is an improved fluid quick connector for joining first and second endforms in fluid flow communication.  
         [0013]     In one aspect the fluid quick connector includes a housing having a bore extending from an open end for receiving a first endform. A retainer in mountable in the housing for lockingly coupling the first endform in the housing.  
         [0014]     The housing includes one or more latch arms extending axially from one end of the housing. The latch arms are configured for snap-in engagement with an enlarged groove in the second endform.  
         [0015]     One or more seal elements are mounting in the bore of the housing or in the bore in the second endform for sealingly coupling the first endform to the housing or second housing. The bore in the housing has a stepped bore configuration formed of a first large diameter bore extending from the open end to at least one smaller diameter bore portions extending from the first bore portion. The inner diameter of the one smaller bore portion is sized to be concentrically disposed about the tip end of the second endform when the first endform is inserted into the housing. This places the latch arms in close proximity to the first endform which prevents radially inward movement of the latch arms in a direction which would disengage the housing from the second endform.  
         [0016]     At the same time, the outer axial ends of the latch arms are positioned in the bore of the second endform to retain any seal elements mounted in the bore of the second endform. This eliminates the need for a separate top hat thereby reducing the cost and assembly time for the fluid quick connector.  
         [0017]     In another aspect, the first endform has an engagement surface in the form of a reduced diameter annular groove spaced from the tip end of the first endform. The inner diameter of inner arms of a tranversably removable retainer are sized to engage the groove in the endform to locking couple the first endform in the housing. At the same time, the inner diameter of the retainer arms is smaller than the outer diameter of the tip end of the first endform so as to prevent insertion of the first endform into the bore in the housing if the retainer is in the fully latched position in the housing.  
         [0018]     The retainer, which can be latched in a shipping position in the housing which allows insertion of the tip end of the first endform into the bore in the housing, can be transversely moved to the fully latched position in the housing only when the engagement surface or groove in the first endform is aligned with the inner arms of the retainer. This insures that the tip end of the first endform is fully inserted into engagement with the seal elements in the housing or the second endform when the first endform is lockingly coupled to the housing by the retainer.  
         [0019]     In another aspect, the inner arms of the retainer have an extended length so as to be disposed between adjacent surfaces of the housing forming a portion of the transverse bore in the housing when the retainer is in the fully latched position of the quick connector. This places the ends of the inner arms in an engagement position with the housing to increase the pull out force resistance acting against separation of the first endform from housing.  
         [0020]     In another aspect, the ends of the inner arms of the retainer are formed with a spherical surface. This reduces the push in force required to insert the tip end of the first endform past the retainer when the retainer is in the temporary shipping position in the housing.  
         [0021]     Thus, there has been disclosed a unique fluid quick connector having numerous improvements over previously devised fluid quick connectors. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0022]     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:  
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of one aspect of a fluid quick connector;  
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is an exploded, perspective, longitudinal cross-sectional view of quick connector shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is a perspective, longitudinal cross-sectional view of the assembled quick connector of  FIGS. 1 and 2  shown in an assembled state;  
         [0026]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the quick connector in the assembled state;  
         [0027]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another aspect of a fluid quick connector;  
         [0028]      FIG. 6  is a exploded, perspective view of the quick connector shown in  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0029]      FIG. 7  is longitudinal, cross-sectional view take along the longitudinal axis of the quick connector shown in  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0030]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged, side elevational view of the housing of the quick connector shown in  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0031]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged perspective view of the retainer of the quick connector shown in  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0032]      FIG. 10  is an end view of the quick connector shown in  FIG. 5 , prior to insertion of the endform into the housing and with the retainer shown in a pre-assembly, shipping position;  
         [0033]      FIG. 11  is an end view, similar to  FIG. 10 , but showing the retainer in the fully latched position after endform insertion into the housing;  
         [0034]      FIG. 12  is an exploded, perspective view of another aspect of the quick connector shown in a preassembled state; and  
         [0035]      FIG. 13  is a perspective, longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the quick connector shown in  FIG. 12 , but depicted in an assembled state. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0036]     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-4  of the drawing, there is depicted a fluid quick connector  100  and, more particularly, a fluid quick connector  100  having two rotatable components, one receiving a retainer and a second mountable to or carried on a separate fluid component, such as a tubular conduit described by example only hereafter.  
         [0037]     The fluid quick connector  100  is adapted for sealingly and lockingly, yet removably interconnecting first and second fluid members, such as conduits, in a fluid tight, leak proof, sealed connection by a snap together arrangement.  
         [0038]     The quick connector includes a housing assembly  102  formed of the first housing  106  and a second housing  114  which are adapted to be axially connected to provide an axially extending through bore between opposite ends.  
         [0039]     The first housing  106  can be formed as an integral extension of a fluid operative device, such as a manifold, valve, etc., or as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , of a one piece body, preferably of a high strength plastic or metal, having a stepped exterior surface housing extending from a lip  108  at one end to an opposed second end  110 . At least one and, preferably, a plurality of longitudinally spaced barbs or projections not shown, may be formed along the exterior of the first housing  106  adjacent the second end  110  for secure engagement with a flexible conduit, such as a plastic or elastomer conduit, which is slidably urged thereover into sealed connection with the barbs. An annular groove or recess  109  is formed in an enlarged portion  111  in the first housing  106  adjacent the lip  108 , the purpose of which will be described hereafter.  
         [0040]     The second housing  114  is also preferably formed of a one piece, integral, unitary body, also of a high strength plastic  106 . The second housing  114  includes first and second annular ring members  116  and  118 , respectively. The first and second ring members  116  and  118  are spaced apart and interconnected by a pair of side flanges  122  which extend between peripheral edges of the first and second ring members  116  and  118 . Notches  126  are formed along one side edge of each of the side flanges  122  for receiving an interconnecting projection in the retainer  66 , as described hereafter.  
         [0041]     Preferably, the side flanges  122  and  124  are parallel to each other and, in conjunction with the first and second ring members  116  and  118 , define transversely opening apertures  125  and  127 . The transversely extending apertures  125  and  127  communicate with a through bore which extends longitudinally through the second housing  114  from a first aperture  120  within the second ring member  118  to an aperture or bore  138  extending through a tubular extension or collar  136  projecting from the first ring member  116  and terminating in a first outer end  140 . The collar  136  serves as a top hat to retain the seal elements  60 ,  62  and  64  in the bore in the first housing  106 .  
         [0042]     The quick connector  100  further includes the generally U-shaped retainer  66  adapted to be received in the transverse apertures  125  and  127  in the second housing  114  such that spaced legs  146  of the retainer  66  will pass along either side of an exposed section of a tube or conduit  50  as the retainer  66  is inserted leg-first into the second housing  114 .  
         [0043]     Each leg  146  includes an inner arm  148  which defines a “locking” surface adapted to axially oppose and preferably, axially engage one side of the upset bead or flange  52  of the tube  50  when the retainer  66  is fully inserted in the second housing  114 . In this manner, the locking surface on each retainer leg serves to prevent axial displacement of the upset bead  52  from the axial bore of the housing  102  beyond a predetermined point, thereby locking the conduit therein.  
         [0044]     The retainer  66  also includes a secondary latch  149  as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,782,502, the contents of which are incorporated herein in its entirety with respect to the description of the structure and operation of the retainer  66 .  
         [0045]     It will also be understood that the first and second housings  106  and  114  of the connector  102  of the present invention may be used with other types of radially displaceable retainers shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,542,716, 5,951,063 and 5,782,502.  
         [0046]     Further, the swivel connection between two portions of the connector  100  can also be applied to quick connectors having axially displaceable retainers as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,542,712 and 5,456,600.  
         [0047]     As is conventional, the side flanges  122  in the second housing  114  include a pair of centralized, axially-extending, inward opening notches, not shown, while the retainer  66  includes a catch means, such as a ramped external projection or retention barb extending outwardly on each leg. The longitudinal notches cooperate with the retention barbs to releasably secure the retainer  66  in a partially-inserted, “pre-assembly” or “shipping” position within the second housing  114 .  
         [0048]     In this manner, the retainer  66  can be retained with the second housing  114  while otherwise permitting axial passage of the upset bead into the bore past the very same locking surfaces on the retainer legs that will later prevent axial displacement of the upset bead upon full insertion of retainer  66  into the second housing  114 .  
         [0049]     A collar  136  includes a plurality of flexible or bendable legs, with four legs  150 ,  152 ,  154 , and  155  being shown in  FIGS. 1-4  by example. The legs  150 ,  152 ,  154  and  155  each have a generally arcuate shape and form a discontinuous circular shape for the collar  136 . Two adjacent legs, such as legs  150  and  152  or legs  150  and  154 , are separated by slots  156  which allow bending of each leg  150 ,  152 ,  154  and  155  during connection of the first and second housings  106  and  114 .  
         [0050]     The first and second housings  106  and  114  are swivelably and rotatably connected to each other by at least one and preferably a plurality of locking projections or fingers  160  which extend radially outward from the collar portion of the legs  150 ,  152 ,  154  and  155 . Each projection  160  has a tapered or angled ramp surface  162  extending from the end portion of each leg  150 ,  152 ,  154  and  155 . The ramp portion  162  terminates in a radially outer edge  164  which is disposed adjacent to an annular recess  166  formed between each projection  160  and the adjacent annular ring  116  of the second housing  114 .  
         [0051]     During engagement of the first and second housings  106  and  114 , the axially extending end portion of each leg  150 ,  152 ,  154  and  155  passes freely through the open end of the bore in the first housing  106  inward of the lip  108 .  
         [0052]     The ramp surfaces  160  then engage the lip  108  and cause radially inward bending of each leg  150 ,  152 ,  154  and  156  until the top edge  164  of each leg  150 ,  152 ,  154  and  156  clears the radially inner edge of the lip  108  and brings the lip  108  into engagement with the adjacent recess  166 . Each of the legs  150 ,  152 ,  154  and  156  then snaps radially outward.  
         [0053]     In the interconnected position, the projections  160  lock the first and second housings  106  and  114  together against axial movement while still being rotatable within the enlarged end portion  111  of the first housing  106 .  
         [0054]     The lip  108  also assists in non-axially joining the first and second housings  106  and  114  while providing a rotatable surface for rotational movement of the first and second housings  106  and  114  relative to each other.  
         [0055]     Referring now to  FIGS. 5-11 , there is depicted another aspect of a fluid quick connector  180  which forms a fluid coupling between a first fluid carrying component or endform  182  and a second fluid carrying component or endform  184 .  
         [0056]     It will be understood that the first and second endforms  182  and  184  may be the integral end portions of fluid carrying conduits, valves, manifolds, pump housings, etc., or discrete members mounted on such components, or separate fluid carrying components in their own right.  
         [0057]     As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the first endform  182  generally comprises a tubular member having a surface engagement feature  186  located at a position on a tip end portion  188  extending from a tip end  190 . The surface engagement feature  186 , by example only, is an annular recess or groove  192  formed in the endform  182 . The annular recess or groove  192  has a smaller inner diameter than the inner diameter of the tip end portion  188  or the remainder of the endform  182 . A step  194  of a large inner diameter than the inner diameter of the recess  192 , but smaller than the inner diameter of the remainder of the endform  182  is also formed as part of the surface engagement feature  186  and extends as a transition surface between the groove  192  and the remainder of the endform  182 . It will be understood that the surface engagement feature  186  can function, as described hereafter, without the step  194 .  
         [0058]     The second endform  184  is shown by example only as having a necked down or small diameter portion  196  extending from a larger inner diameter and larger outer diameter end portion  198  which extends linearly from a first end  200 . A bore extends from the first end  200  of the second endform  184  at a first  202 . The bore  202  steps down to a smaller diameter bore portion  204  and then to a third yet smaller diameter bore portion  206 . It will be understood that the bore extending through the second endform  184  may have other configurations including more or less stepped down or stepped up diameter portions.  
         [0059]     An annular recess or groove  208  is formed in the bore portion  202  spaced inward from the first open end  200  of the second endform  184 . The purpose of the recess  208  will be become apparent from the following description.  
         [0060]     As shown in  FIGS. 6, 7  and  8 , the quick connector  180  includes a housing  210  formed, by example, as a one-piece, unitary body of, typically a plastic, but also of other materials. The housing  210  includes a first pair of spaced, arcuate ring members  211  and  212  and a second pair of arcuate ring member  213  and  214 . A pair of spaced, generally parallel second pair ring members  213  and  214 . The ring members  211 ,  212 ,  213 , and  214  are joined to each other by a pair of side flanges  216  and  218  which extend between the ends of the ring members  211 ,  212 ,  213 , and  214 . A recess  220 , only one of which is shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , is formed on one edge of the side flanges  216  and  218  for receiving a portion of a retainer as described hereafter. The ring members  212  and  214  and the interconnecting portions of the side flanges  216  and  218  form a first aperture  222  at a first end of the housing  210 . Similarly, the ring members  211  and  212  and the opposite end portions of the side flanges  216  and  218  form a second bore  224 . The first and second bores  222  and  224  are co-axial.  
         [0061]     The spaced apart ring members  211  and  212  form a first bore  226  which is aligned with a second transverse bore  228  formed between the opposite ring members  213  and  214 . The transverse bores  226  and  228  form a through transverse bore extending through the housing  210  which intersects a longitudinal through bore formed by the bores  222  and  224 .  
         [0062]     Notches  230  and  232  are formed on an inner surface of the side flanges  216  and  218  for receiving a retainer in a pre-assembled, shipping position as described hereafter.  
         [0063]     In this aspect of the quick connector  180 , the housing  210  is rotatably latched to the second endform  184 . It will be understood that the features of the quick connector  180  may also be employed in quick connector housings which are fixedly and non-rotatably latched to another fluid component or endform.  
         [0064]     The housing  210  includes a collar  236  which is formed of at least one or, more typically, a plurality of arcuate shaped legs, with four legs being described by way of example only, even though only three legs  238 ,  240  and  242  are shown in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0065]     Each leg  238 ,  240  and  242  extends from one edge of the ring members  211  and  213  and/or the edge of the side flanges  216  and  218  in a generally axial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis through the aligned bores  222  and  224  in the housing  210 . Each leg  238 ,  240 , and  242  defines a portion of a circle and has a cantilevered, bendable configuration with respect to the remainder of the housing  210  enabling each leg  238 ,  240  and  242  to bend inward during coupling of the housing  210  to the second endform  184 , as described hereafter, and then to snap radially outward such that a portion of each leg  238 ,  240  and  242  snaps into and rotatably, but axially non-movably, locks the housing  210  to the second endform  182 .  
         [0066]     Each leg  238 ,  240  and  242  includes a locking surface  244  in the form or a projection or hook extending radially from the axial extent of each leg  238 ,  240 , and  242 . The axially forwardmost portion of each locking surface  244  has a ramp  246  to facilitate the radial inward bending movement of each leg  238 ,  240  and  242  as describe hereafter.  
         [0067]     The locking surfaces  244  snap into the annular recess  208  in the second endform  184 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , to rotatably, but non-axially movably, couple the housing  210  to the second endform  184 .  
         [0068]     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the inner diameter  247  of each of the legs  238 ,  240  and  242  is the same or just slightly larger than the outer diameter of the tip end portion  188  of the first endform  182 . This coaxially disposes the arms  238 ,  240 , and  242  in line with the seal means in the housing  210 . In this manner, the housing  210  eliminates the need for a separate top hat typically employed in prior quick connectors to retain the seal means, such as a pair of O-rings  248  and an intervening, rigid annular spacer ring  249 , in the bore in the second endform  184 . The inner diameter  247  of the legs  138 ,  240  and  242  also serves as a bearing surface for the tip end  188  of the endform  182 .  
         [0069]     As shown in detail in  FIGS. 5-11 , a retainer  250  forms part of the quick connector  180  and functions to releasibly latch the first endform  182  in the housing  210 . The retainer  250  is typically constructed as a one piece, unitary body formed of a molded plastic. The retainer  250  includes first and second side legs  252  and  254  which extend from an end wall  256 . A pair of side tabs  258  and  260  extend laterally outward at the connection point of the side legs  252  and  254  to the end wall  256 .  
         [0070]     An opposite end of each side leg  252  and  254  carries a latch element  262  and  264  in the form of an outwardly extending hook-shaped latch projecting laterally outward from the outer surface of each side leg  252  and  254 , respectively. The latch elements  262  and  264  serve a first function of latching the retainer  250  in a preassembly, shipping position shown in  FIG. 10  by bending inward during insertion of the retainer  250  through the first transverse bore  226  and then snapping laterally outward into the notches  230  and  232  in the side flanges  216  and  218 , respectively, of the housing  210 .  
         [0071]     While the retainer  250  can slide downward within the notches  230  and  232  from the initial latched position shown in  FIG. 10 , the latch elements  262  and  264  still remain captured within the notches  230  and  232  thereby preventing removal of the retainer  250  from the housing  210 .  
         [0072]     A pair of inner arms  266  and  268  are disposed laterally inward of the side legs  252  and  254 , respectively. The arms  266  and  268  are interconnected by an end wall  270  which is spaced by a recess  272  from the end wall  256 . An opposed recess is also formed on an opposite edge of the end wall  270  and the end wall  256 . The end wall  270  is interconnected to the side legs  252  and  254  and/or the end wall  256  by webs  274  and  276 . An inner surface  278  formed by the arms  266  and  268  and the end wall  270  forms a portion of a circle. The diameter of the inner surface  278  between opposed portions of the arms  266  and  268  is the same or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the recess  192  in the first endform  182 .  
         [0073]     The inner diameter of the inner surface  278  or the spacing between the arms  266  and  268  is smaller than the outer diameter of the tip end portion  188  of the first endform  182 . In this manner, if the retainer  250  is inadvertently moved from the preassembled, shipping position shown in  FIG. 10  to the fully latched position shown in  FIG. 11  and described hereafter, prior to insertion of the first endform  182  into the housing  210 , the inner arms  266  and  268  will block insertion of the tip end  188  of the first endform  182  past the retainer  250  into the housing  210 . Only when the retainer  250  is in the preassembled shipping position shown in  FIG. 10 , with the ends  280  and  282  of the arms  266  and  268  not substantially entering the longitudinal through bore in the housing  210 , can the tip end  188  of the endform  182  be fully inserted through the housing  210  and into the bore portions  202  and  204  in the second endform  184 , shown in  FIG. 7  wherein the tip end  188  is sealed by the seal elements  248  and  249  to the second endform  184 . At this time, the retainer  250  can be urged laterally through the housing  210  which initially causes the ends  280  and  282  of the arms  266  and  268  to initially flex outward about the outer diameter of the recess  192  and then close around the recess  192  to lock the retainer  250  in the surface engagement feature  186  or recess  192  of the first endform  182  and latch the first endform  182  in the housing  210 .  
         [0074]     At this time, as shown in  FIG. 11 , the latch elements  262  and  264  have moved laterally inward and then snapped back laterally outward along a lower surface of the side flanges  216  and  218  to latch the retainer  250  in the housing  210  in the fully latched position.  
         [0075]     The ends  280  and  282  of the arms  266  and  268 , respectively, are provided with a length so as to extend into the bore  228  formed between the annular ring members  213  and  214 , as shown in  FIG. 11  when the retainer  250  is in the fully latched position. This causes the arms  266  and  268  to uniquely increase the pullout force resistance provided by the retainer  250  to resist separation of the first endform  182  from the second endform  186  in the housing  210  due to the engagement of the ends of the arms  266  and  268  with the ring member  214  of the housing  210 .  
         [0076]     Further, as shown in  FIGS. 6, 9  and  11 , endform contact surfaces  284  and  286  are formed on the ends  280  and  282  of the arms  266  and  268 , respectively. Rather than an angled or flat, tapered surface, the surfaces  284  and  286  are formed as part of a spherical surface. The outer surface of the arms  266  and  268  are formed with an elliptical shape thereby making the length of the arms  266  and  268  longer so as to be disposed within the bore  228  formed between the ring members  213  and  214  when the retainer  250  is in the fully latched position shown in  FIG. 11 .  
         [0077]     The contact surfaces  284  and  286  will project into the longitudinal bore extending to the housing  210  depending upon the position of the retainer  250  in the preassembly, shipping position shown in  FIG. 10 .  
         [0078]     In use, the retainer  250  will initially be latched to the housing  210  in the shipping position shown in  FIG. 10 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the tip end  188  of the first endform  182  is inserted through the bore  222  extending from one end of the housing  210  until the tip end  188  of the first endform  182  engages the contact surfaces  284  and  286  of the retainer  250  the insertion force applied to the first endform  182  forces the retainer  250  upwards in the orientation shown in  FIG. 10  until the contact surfaces  284  and  286  clear the outer diameter of the tip end  188  of the first endform  182  thereby allowing the tip end  188  of the first endform  182  to clear the contact surfaces  284  and  286  and the entire inner legs  266  and  268  of the retainer  250  and pass into the bore in the second endform  184  until the tip end  188  sealingly engages the seal member  248  and  249  and the end of the tip end  188  seats within the bore portion  204  of the first endform  188 . At this time, the surface engagement feature  186  or groove  192  will be aligned with the ends  280  and  282  of the inner arms  266  and  268 , respectively, of the retainer  250 . The retainer  250  can then be urged from the preassembly, shipping position shown in  FIG. 10  to the fully latched position shown in  FIG. 11 . During such transverse movement, the arms  266  and  268  expand radially outward around the outer diameter of the recess  192  in the first endform  188  and then move back to the nominal position shown in  FIG. 11  in which the arms  266  and  268  of the retainer  210  are fully seated in the recess  192  to latch the first endform  182  to the second endform  184 .  
         [0079]     The housing  210  carrying the latched first endform  182  is now latchingly coupled to the second endform  184 . However, in the aspect described above, the housing  210  the first endform  182  of the second endform  184  and the housing  210  of the fluid quick connector may be rotated relative to each other to place the retainer  250  in a convenient location for manipulation.  
         [0080]     During assembly of the fluid coupling employing the quick connector  180 , the seal members  248  and  249  are first inserted into the bore portion  204  of the second endform  184  through the open end  200  of the second endform  184  as shown in  FIG. 7 . The housing  210  carrying the retainer  250  in the preassembled, shipping position shown in  FIG. 10  is then urged through the open end of the second endform  184 . During such insertion, the legs  238 ,  240  and  242  of the housing  210  bend radially inward through engagement of the ramp surface  246  on each leg  238 ,  240  and  242  with a complementary ramp surface formed at the first end  200  of the second endform  184  to enable the first endform  182  is inserted a sufficient distance into the second endform until the projections  244  snap radially outward into the recess  208  in the first endform  184  as the legs  238 ,  240  and  242  move radially outward to their nominal position as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 .  
         [0081]     The outermost ends of the latch arms  380  are disposed coaxially with the seal elements  330  and  332  since the inner diameter  383  of the latch arms  380  and the adjoining portion of the housing  351  is sized to be only slightly larger than the outer diameter of the tip end of the endform to be inserted through the housing  351  and into the bore  352  in the use element  354 . The inner diameter  383  of th latch arms  380  and the adjoining portion of the housing  351  forms a bearing surface for the endform. In addition, the close proximity of the inner diameter of the latch arms  380  and the adjoining portion of the housing  351  and the outer surface of the endform, after the endform is fully inserted into the joined housing  351  and use element  354 , prevents substantially radially inward movement of the projections or hooks  382  on the latch arms  380  so as to minimize inadvertent disengagement of the housing  351  from the use element  354 .  
         [0082]     Referring now to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , there is depicted another aspect of a quick connector  350  according to the present invention in which the quick connector  350  is configured for pre-mounting in the form of a stuffer pack in a bore  352  in a use element  354 , prior to receiving an endform, such as endform  13  on a tubular conduit  11 , in a sealed latched position to dispose the conduit  11  in fluid flow communication with the bore  352  in the use element  354 .  
         [0083]     The quick connector  350  is constructed in essentially the same manner as the quick connector  100  described above in that it has an end configuration adapted for transversely receiving the retainer  360  which is substantially identical to the retainer  60  in  FIGS. 1-4 . Further details concerning the end configuration of the quick connector  350  will not be described herein as such features are the same as the corresponding structure in the quick connector  100  shown in  FIGS. 1-4 .  
         [0084]     The remaining portion  360  of the top hat  358  has a diameter to slidably extend through the third stepped bore portion  24  in the housing  351  of the quick connector  350 .  
         [0085]     In this aspect, the bore  352  in a use element  354  is provided with a stepped configuration having a first bore portion  370  extending from the outer end  372  of the use element  354 , an adjacent smaller, second diameter bore portion  374 , a third bore portion  376  and an optional fourth bore portion  378  of even smaller diameter both extending coaxially from the second bore portion  374 .  
         [0086]     The second bore portion  374  is configured for premountingly receiving the seal means, such as one or more O-rings  331  and an intervening spacer  331 .  
         [0087]     The housing  351  of the quick connector  350  is provided with at least one and preferably a plurality of circumferentially spaced legs or arms  380 , with three of the four equally spaced arms  380  being depicted in  FIG. 12 . Each arm  380  is spaced by a slot from an adjacent arm  380 . Further, each arm  380  terminates in a radially outwardly extending hook or projection  382 . The projection  382  is releasably engagable with a latch receiver  384  formed as a plurality of coplanar recesses or as a continuous annular groove  384  in the bore  352  in the use element  354  between the first bore portion  370  and the second bore portion  374 .  
         [0088]     As shown in  FIG. 13 , after the seals  30  and the spacer  31  have been premounted in the second bore portion  374 , the quick connector housing  351  is inserted through the first bore portion  370  of the use element  354 . The arms  380  have sufficient flexibility so as to bend radially inward to allow the projections  382  to clear the end of smaller diameter first bore portion  370 . When the housing  351  has been inserted a sufficient distance into the bore  352  in the use element  354 , the projections  382  will snap radially outward into the latch receivers  384  latching the quick connector housing  351  to the use element  354 .  
         [0089]     The retainer  360  can be then mounted in the quick connector housing  351  by transverse movement to the storage position shown in  FIG. 10  or premounted in the quick connector housing  351  before the quick connector housing  351  is inserted into the bore  352  in the use element  354 , as described above.  
         [0090]     After the quick connector housing  351  is mounted in the bore  352  and the retainer  60  is situated in the temporary storage position shown in  FIG. 10 ,  
         [0091]     The endform of a conduit can then be inserted through the open end of the quick connector housing  351  into full engagement with the seals  330  and  331 . Only when the endform has been fully inserted into engagement with the seals  330  and  331  can the retainer  60  be moved from the temporary storage position shown in  FIG. 10  to the fully latched position shown in  FIG. 11 .  
         [0092]     Reverse movement of the retainer  360  back to the storage position shown in  FIG. 4  or completely from the quick connector housing  351  will enable the endform to be separated from the quick connector  350  and the use element  354 .

Technology Classification (CPC): 5