Abstract:
A hand tool for releasing a quick-detach coupling (QDC) from engagement with a mating component includes a handle having first and second spaced-apart forks defining a gap therebetween, a generally U- or V-shaped elastic element attached to the handle and having first and second arms with distal ends disposed adjacent opposite sides of the gap, and first and second contact elements attached to the ends of the respective arms and projecting toward the gap. The tool is adapted to be positioned adjacent to and urged toward a QDC so the forks encircle the QDC. Outward pressure on the contact elements causes the elastic arms to flex outwardly until the contact elements come to bear against and depress latch tabs on the surface of the QDC, thereby releasing a latching mechanism of the QDC so that it may then be pulled axially out of engagement with a mating component.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This disclosure relates to quick-disconnect fluid couplings and to a hand tool used to disconnect said couplings. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Quick-disconnect couplings (abbreviated as “QDCs”) are used to provide fast and easy connection and disconnection of fluid lines. These couplings are also known as quick connects or quick release couplings. Typically quick-disconnect couplings are operated by hand and often are used to replace coupling connections which require tools to assemble and disassemble. Quick-disconnect fluid couplings are used in a wide range of applications where two fluid-carrying components (hoses, pumps, reservoirs, etc.) are required to be connected with one another in a manner so that they may be relatively easily disconnected for service or repair of the related fluid system. Disconnection of the QDC from its mating connector may be necessary when, for example, the involved system requires repair or servicing (such as to replace a defective component or change fluid). 
         [0003]    A quick-disconnect coupling (QDC) typically includes a mechanical latching mechanism that holds the coupling in engagement with a mating component until a user manually releases the latching mechanism by some sort of movement such as pressing one or more latches radially inward and/or axially. 
         [0004]    In many practical applications of QDCs, limited space around the coupling and mating/related components due to packaging constraints makes it difficult to reach the latching mechanism with the user&#39;s hand/fingers in order to manipulate the latch. The accumulation of dirt or other contaminants during use may also “gum up” the latch mechanism, making manual actuation difficult. 
         [0005]    It is known to use a general-purpose or special-purpose tool, rather than one&#39;s fingers, to actuate the QDC&#39;s latch mechanism. For example, a pair of pliers of the proper size may be used to grip the coupling and/or to squeeze inwardly on a latching mechanism. If there is limited space around the coupling, however, it may be difficult or impossible to reach and engage the coupling effectively with pliers or similar tools. Further, the leverage provided by a pliers-type tool increases the likelihood that the user will apply excessive force to a coupling, which may result in a damaged or broken connector (and/or the mating component) requiring the replacement of one or both components and thereby adding to the repair/service time and cost. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    According to an embodiment disclosed herein, a hand tool for releasing a quick-detach coupling (QDC) from a mating component comprises a handle having first and second spaced-apart forks defining a gap therebetween, an elastic element attached to the handle and having first and second arms with distal ends disposed adjacent opposite sides of the gap; and first and second contact elements attached to the ends of the respective arms and projecting toward the gap whereby outward pressure on the contact elements causes the arms to flex outwardly. The tool is adapted to be positioned adjacent to and urged toward a QDC so the forks encircle the QDC and the contact elements depress latch tabs on the surface of the QDC, thereby releasing a latching mechanism of the QDC so that it may then be pulled axially out of engagement with a mating component. 
         [0007]    According to another embodiment, a hand tool comprises a handle having first and second forks spaced apart to receive therebetween a quick-disconnect coupling, first and second contact elements disposed adjacent the first and second forks respectively to engage respective first and second release tabs on opposite sides of the coupling when the coupling is between the forks, and an elastic element urging at least one of the contact elements into engagement with a respective at least one of the release tabs. The elastic element may be generally V-shaped or U-shaped with the first and second contact elements attached to respective distal ends of the elastic element. 
         [0008]    According to another embodiment, a hand tool comprises a handle having first and second forks spaced apart to define a gap therebetween, first and second contact elements disposed adjacent the first and second forks respectively on opposite sides of the gap and mounted to the handle for movement relative thereto toward and away from the gap, and an elastic element urging at least one of the contact elements toward the gap. 
         [0009]    The disclosed tool may be used to easily and quickly unlatch a QDC from engagement with a mating connector even when there is such limited space around the QDC that it cannot be accessed with a conventional tool such as a pair of pliers. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a tool as disclosed herein along with an example of a quick-disconnect connector; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 2A-2C  present orthogonal top, side, and end views of the tool of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3A-3C  present, in simplified form, the sequence of engaging the tool of  FIG. 1  with a quick-disconnect connector; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a simplified view of a second embodiment tool according to the present disclosure; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a simplified view of a third embodiment tool according to the present disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a simplified view of a fourth embodiment tool according to the present disclosure; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a simplified view of a fifth embodiment tool according to the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a tool  20  according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown along with a quick-disconnect coupling (QDC)  10 . The tool  20  is used to unlatch the QDC  10  from a mating fitting (not shown) attached to another component of the fluid system, as is described below. 
         [0019]    QDC  10  is of a type well-known in the prior art and is typically used to terminate a length of fluid-carrying tubing (not shown). Such a QDC may, for example, be used in automotive vehicle systems to carry fuel, brake fluid, or a diesel exhaust aftertreatment liquid such a urea. 
         [0020]    A high-pressure, fluid-tight connection between QDC  10  and a mating component is achieved by moving the QDC and the mating component toward one another along axis A into engaging contact. (Usually, but not necessarily, the QDC fits over/around the mating component.) This engagement causes a latching mechanism internal to the QDC to engage complementary features of the mating component to hold the two parts together and effectively resist “pull-out” relative to one another. 
         [0021]    The QDC&#39;s latching mechanism is released from engagement with the mating component by pressing radially inward on latch tabs  12  (only one of which is visible in  FIG. 1 ) located on diametrically opposite sides of the QDC  10 . Latch tabs  12  are the only components of the latching mechanism pertinent to the present invention, and accordingly are the only components of the latching mechanism shown in the present drawings. The QDC  10  may then be pulled axially away from the mating component. Some QDCs are known to have a latching mechanism which requires that the QDC be moved axially relative to the mating component in addition to depressing the latch tabs  12 . Disconnection of the QDC from its mating connector may be necessary when, for example, the involved system requires repair or servicing (such as to replace a defective component or to exchange fluid). 
         [0022]    Tool  20  comprises a handle  22  with a bifurcated end forming left and right forks  24  defining therebetween a gap  26 . Gap  26  is of sufficient width to receive the QDC  10  in manner to be described below. Handle  22  and forks  24  are preferably formed of a substantially rigid material such as metal or a rigid plastic. Handle  22  is shown as having a simple, generally rectangular form but may be sized, shaped, contoured, and/or textured to enhance gripping by a user&#39;s fingers and/or for purely esthetic reasons. The overall width of tool  20 , and particularly the width at the forked end of the tool, is preferably kept to a minimum so that the tool can be utilized when there is limited clearance around the QDC  10 . 
         [0023]    A generally U- or V-shaped elastic element  28  is disposed adjacent to the upper (as viewed in  FIG. 1 ) surface of the handle  22  and is connected to a peg  32  by which the element is mounted to the handle  22 . Left and right arms of the elastic element  28  extend toward the respective forks  24  so that their distal ends are adjacent opposite sides of the gap  26 . The elastic element  28  is attached to the handle  22  only by the peg  32 , and is formed of a stiff but elastically deformable material so that the arms may deflect outwardly (away from one another) from the neutral or un-deflected positions (shown in  FIGS. 1, 2A -C, and  3 ) when sufficient pressure is applied to their distal ends. Contact elements  30  are attached to the ends of the arms of element  28  distal from peg  32  and project inwardly (toward the gap  26 ) therefrom. Elastic element  28 , contact elements  30 , and peg  32  may all be formed from metal or plastic materials having appropriate mechanical properties. 
         [0024]    Elastic element  28  may advantageously be formed from a unitary piece of thin spring-steel (or other material having appropriate elastic modulus) formed into a generally U- or V-shape, or the element may comprise two separate arms which are separately connected to the peg  32  or directly to the handle  22 . Alternatively, the ends of the two arms of the elastic element  28  may be connected to the handle  22  independently of one another and at separate locations. 
         [0025]    The terms “generally U-shaped” and “generally V-shaped” as used herein are both defined as a shape formed by two, spaced apart cantilever arm connected to one another at a vertex or bight and extending therefrom to define a gap therebetween. The term does not exclude a component in which one or more of the arms are curved or comprise any combination of straight and curved segments. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 3A-C  depict a sequence of steps in which the tool  20  is used to release the latching mechanism of QDC  10  so that the QDC may be disengaged from its mating component. First, as shown in  FIG. 3A , the tool  20  is positioned so that the plane defined by the forks  24  is normal to the longitudinal axis A of the QDC  10 , and the tips of forks are adjacent to and generally aligned with the latch tabs  12  on opposite sides of the QDC. In this position, the inner edges of forks  24  (that is, the edges immediately adjacent to the gap  26 ) are aligned with and begin to engage a groove  14  formed around the circumference of QDC  10 . 
         [0027]    The inner edges of the forks  24  have a thickness slightly less than the width of the groove  14  so that they slide into the groove with little resistance. In the depicted embodiment, this is achieved by forming the forks  24  with a reduced-thickness ledge  36  matching the width of the groove  14 . This is by way of example only, however, as the forks  24  may have any cross-sectional shape so long as the inner edges are able to fit into the groove  14 . 
         [0028]    As seen in  FIG. 3A , the distance d 1  between the contact elements  30  when the arms of element  28  are at rest (undeflected) is smaller than distance d 2  across the outermost and opposing surfaces of the tabs  12 . The distance d 2  may or may not be substantially equal to the outside diameter of QDC  10 . 
         [0029]    Next, as seen in  FIG. 3B , the tool  20  is moved further toward the QDC (in direction D) so that the QDC moves farther into the gap  26 . The engagement of the inner edges of the forks  24  with the groove  14  ensures that the tool  20  remains in proper overall alignment with the QDC  10  and, most importantly, does not inadvertently slip along the longitudinal axis A. In this condition, the contact elements  30  contact and begin to slide over the outer surface of QDC  10  at positions nearly diametrically opposite one another. This physical interference between the contact elements  30  and the QDC  10  causes the arms of element  28  to deflect (in the manner of cantilever beams) outwardly relative to the QDC and the gap  26  so that the contact elements are pressing inwardly on the QDC. Contact elements  30  may be of any shape appropriate to effectively engage the latch tabs  12 , and may advantageously have smooth, rounded inner surfaces so as to slide easily over the outer surface of QDC  10  without causing damage thereto. 
         [0030]      FIG. 3C  illustrates the latch-release condition wherein the tool  20  is positioned relative to QDC  10  such that the contact elements  30  engage and bear upon latch tabs  12 . In this latch-release condition, the inwardly-directed force generated by the elastic bending of element  28  urges the contact elements  30  against the latch tabs  12  with sufficient force to move the tabs inwardly as is required to release the latch mechanism of the QDC  10 . The level of inward force generated by the elasticity of element  28  is sufficient to overcome the designed resistance to movement of latch tabs  12  and any additional resistance such as may occur due to the latch mechanism being contaminated by dirt, grit, grime, or fluid that may be present in its installed environment. As will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art, a sufficient level of inward force may be obtained by proper selection of the materials and geometries of the respective parts of the element  28 . 
         [0031]    Engagement of the forks  24  with the groove  14  allows the user to urge the QDC axially relative to the mating component if such movement is also necessary to release the latch mechanism requires. After the latch mechanism is released, the QDC  10  may be removed from engagement with the mating component using the tool  20 . 
         [0032]    It will be seen that the disclosed tool  20  may be used to unlatch and remove a QDC even when there is such limited space around the QDC that it cannot be accessed with a conventional tool such as a pair of pliers. 
         [0033]      FIG. 4  illustrates an alternative embodiment of a QDC removal tool, generally indicated at  420 , having a pair of spring-actuated units  440  mounted to the forks  424  on opposite sides of the gap defined between the forks. Each unit  440  comprises a housing  442  fixed to its respective fork  424 , a coil spring  444  contained within the housing, and a plunger  446 . The respective springs  444  serve as elastic elements urging the plungers  446  inwardly toward the gap between the forks  424  so that the contact elements  430  at the inner ends of the plungers  446  are urged against and depress the latch tabs  12  of a QDC  10  in a manner similar to that shown in  FIGS. 3A-C  for the first embodiment. 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  illustrates a third embodiment of a QDC removal tool, generally indicated at  520 , in which left and right pivot members  550  are pivoting mounted to a handle  522  at pivot points  552 . A contact element  530  is provided at the end of each pivot members  550  adjacent to the gap  26 . A coil spring  554  extends between the ends of the pivot members  550  distal from the gap  26  and is in compression. Spring  554  serves as an elastic element urging the lower (as viewed in  FIG. 5 ) ends of the pivot members  550  outwardly relative to one another so that the contact elements  530  are urged inwardly toward to the gap. The contact members  530  therefore bear against and depress the respective latch tabs of a QDC in a manner similar to that shown in  FIGS. 3A-C  for the first embodiment. 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  illustrates a fourth embodiment of a QDC removal tool, generally indicated at  620 , in which pivot arms  650  are mounted to the handle  622  at pivot points  652 , and a tension member  654  is attached to the pivot members as shown. Tension member  654  may be a coil spring, as shown, or an elastic tension member made from rubber or other elastomer. Tension member  654  serves as an elastic element urging the pivot arms  650  toward one another so that contact elements  630  at the distal ends of the arms will bear against and depress the QDC latch tabs  12  in a manner similar to that shown in  FIGS. 3A-C  for the first embodiment. Alternatively, the two pivot arms  650  could share a common pivot point. 
         [0036]      FIG. 7  illustrates a further embodiment of a tool  720  having two operating ends, one at each end of the handle  722 , sized for use with two differently-sized QDCs (not shown). The widths of the inter-fork gaps  726   a,    726   b  at the opposite ends are different from one another, and the sizes/geometries of the elastic elements  728  and contact elements  730  are matched to differently sized QDCs. 
         [0037]    While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.