Abstract:
A retaining clip for attaching together two conduits comprising a spine member having a first end and a second end, a first set of pincer arms extending from the first end of the spine member, and a second set of pincer arms extending from the second end of the spine member. Once the first conduit is inserted within the second conduit, the first set of pincer arms attaches to the first conduit, and the second set of pincer arms attaches to the second conduit, thereby preventing the first conduit from separating from the second conduit. The retaining clip may be removed to separate the two conduits.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/241,074 filed on Oct. 17, 2000. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a retainer clip for holding two generally cylindrical articles such as hoses together.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Connecting two conduits, such as water pipes or lines, together, especially in a restricted space such as under a sink, is a rather awkward and involved process. It normally requires a clamp or swivel nut, which must be tightened by the installer. This involves the installer getting under the sink, using both hands, and utilizing tools such as a screwdriver or wrench. It would be very advantageous if two conduits, such as water hoses, could be connected rather easily and without the use of tools. The present invention provides a retainer clip for connecting two conduits such as hoses, which can be easily and readily installed without the use of tools or screws.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    The present invention provides a retainer clip for connecting two conduits such as water pipes. The retainer clip can be quickly and easily assembled and disassembled with and from the conduits. The retainer clip contains two longitudinally spaced apart clip portions, each clip portion having a pair of flexible legs. The retainer clip is forced over two joined conduits such as water hoses. Once over the hoses the two pairs of legs spring back toward each other clasping the hoses between them. One clip portion is secured to one of the hoses while the other clip portion is secured to the other hose. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0005]    [0005]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the retainer clip of the present invention and two hoses which the retainer clip connects, the retainer clip and the hoses are in the unassembled or unconnected position;  
         [0006]    [0006]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the retainer clip;  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the retainer clip of the present invention and two hoses which the retainer clip connects, the retainer clip and the hoses are in the assembled or connected position;  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along lines  4 - 4  in FIG. 3;  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 5 is a left side elevational view of the retainer clip;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along lines  6 - 6  in FIG. 5;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along lines  7 - 7  in FIG. 5;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the retainer clip;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the retainer clip; and  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the retainer clip, connecting both pieces of hose together.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0015]    The retainer clip of the present invention is indicated in the figures by reference numeral  10 . Referring to FIG. 1, retaining clip  10  is used to connect securely a first fluid conduit  100  with a second fluid conduit  200 . The first fluid conduit  100  includes a distal attachment portion  101  for receiving the retaining clip  10 . The distal attachment portion  101  comprises a proximal hose section  102 , a groove section  110 , the groove section  110  being distal to the proximal hose section  102 , a middle hose section  104 , distal to the groove section  110 , and a distal hose section  114 . The distal hose section  114  is connected with the middle hose section  104  via bridge sections  116 . In between the bridge sections  116  and the middle and distal hose sections,  104  and  114 , respectively, are slots  112 ,  113 . The groove section  110  has a smaller diameter than the middle hose section  104 .  
         [0016]    In an alternative embodiment, the distal attachment portion  101  may be separate from the first fluid connector  100 , and may be attached to the first fluid conduit  100  for the purpose of receiving the retainer clip  10 . In such an embodiment, this distal attachment portion  101  may be clamped to the first fluid conduit  100  via a clamp  107 , or attached by some other means. As shown in FIG. 1, a clamp  107  may still be used to add additional strength to the distal portion of fluid conduit  100 .  
         [0017]    Also shown in FIG. 1 is the second fluid conduit  200 . Second fluid conduit  200  comprises a nipple portion  212 , for attachment inside the first fluid conduit  100 , an annular notch portion  213 , for receiving an O-ring  220 , and an annular groove section  210 , the annular groove section  210  being distal to the notch portion  213 .  
         [0018]    Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, retainer clip  10  is a one-piece member preferably made, such as by molding, of a resilient material such as high strength plastic. Retainer clip  10  includes two clip portions  20  and  30 , which are longitudinally spaced apart from each other along member  12 . Clip portion  20  includes a pair of spaced legs  22 ,  24  formed integrally at their upper ends with longitudinally extending, arcuate-shaped member  12 . Clip portion  30  includes a pair of spaced legs  32 ,  34  formed integrally at one end with member  12 . Legs  22 ,  24  extend from a first inner concave surface  14  of arcuate-shaped member  12 . Legs  32 ,  34  extend from a second inner concave surface  16  of member  12 . Legs  22 ,  24  and  32 ,  34  are flexible and can be separated or pulled apart and spring back together to their original position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 upon release of the prying apart force.  
         [0019]    As shown in FIG. 2, a gripping portion  13 , which can be grasped or held by the hand, extends from the top of member  12 . Grip portion  14  is comprised of a generally flat, rectangular-shaped member  15  extending from, and formed integrally with, arcuate-shaped member  12 . At the top of rectangular-shaped member  15  is a cylindrical spine member  17 , which extends along the length of rectangular-shaped member  15  and is formed integrally therewith.  
         [0020]    The clip portion  20  is wider in diameter than clip portion  30 . That is to say legs  22  and  24  are wider apart than legs  32  and  34 . As best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 7, legs  22  and  24  have upper portions  23  and  25  that are bowed out, with the interiors thereof being concave and forming a generally smooth, partially circular shape. The bottom sections  28 ,  29  of legs  22 ,  24  flare outwardly and diverge from each other. Rounded elbows  26 ,  27  are formed at the junction of the bottom sections  28 ,  29  of the legs with the upper sections  23 ,  25  of legs  22 ,  24 .  
         [0021]    This construction of the clip portion  20  allows easy mounting and retention of clip portion  20  in groove  110  of first fluid conduit  100  (FIG. 1).  
         [0022]    Clip portion  30  includes a pair of spaced apart legs  32 ,  34 . As best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6 legs  32  and  34  have upper portions  33 ,  35  and lower portions  38 ,  39 . Upper portions  33 ,  35  of legs  32 ,  34  are generally parallel. The bottom sections  38 ,  39  of legs  32 ,  34  flare outwardly and diverge from each other. Rounded elbows  36 ,  37  are formed at the junction of the bottom sections  38 ,  39  of the legs with the upper sections  33 ,  35  of legs  32 ,  34 .  
         [0023]    The inner portions of the upper sections  33 ,  35  have inwardly extending raised portions  40 ,  41 . These raised portions  40 ,  41  extend through slots  112 ,  113  in first fluid conduit  100  and engage groove  210  in second fluid conduit  200 , thereby securely connecting second fluid conduit  200  to first fluid conduit  100  when the retainer clip  10  is mounted thereon.  
         [0024]    In a preferred embodiment of the invention, and as shown in FIG. 10, the upper portions  33 ,  35  of legs  32 ,  34  contain partially semi-circular grooves  45 . As will be described in further detail below, these semi-circular groove  45  help secure the retainer clip  10  in place once the retainer clip  10  is attached to the fluid conduits  100 ,  200 .  
         [0025]    In order to attach the retainer clip  10 , the second fluid conduit  200  is inserted into the distal attachment portion  101  of first fluid conduit  100 . The retainer clip  10  is held at gripping portion  13  and pressed onto the distal attachment portion  101 . The legs  22 ,  24  and  32 ,  34  of retainer clip  10 , being resilient or flexible, are forced apart when elbows  26 ,  27   36 ,  37  come into contact with groove  110  and end section  114  of conduit  100 . The legs then snap back together after the elbows pass over conduit  100  and prevent the retainer clip from being withdrawn. The clip portion  20  functions as the anchor for the retainer clip  10 , while clip portion  30  functions to lock second fluid conduit  200  in first fluid conduit  100 .  
         [0026]    To use the retaining clip the retaining clip legs  22 ,  24  assemble onto the cylindrical diameter of the groove  110  while legs  32 ,  34  engage with slots  112 ,  113 . The raised portions  40 ,  41  (or smaller inner diameter sections) of legs  32 ,  34  extend into slots  112 ,  113  and engage groove  210 . An O-ring  220  seals off the connected hoses  100  and  200 . As fluid conduits  100 ,  200  are subjected to pressure, they have the tendency to pull apart from each other, thereby forcing legs  32 ,  34  apart. This pulling apart tendency is resisted by the resiliency in legs  32 ,  34 , and the fact that legs  32 ,  34  are contained within groove  210  of second fluid conduit  200 . In addition, end section  114  of first fluid conduit  100  rests within grooves  45 , further preventing legs  32 ,  34  from moving outwards.  
         [0027]    The above describes the present invention by means of the best mode contemplated by the invention at the time of filing the application. It would be clear to one skilled in the art that variations and modifications of the present invention are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.