Patent Description:
The field relates to fluid connectors. More particularly, this disclosure relates to a quick connector with a verifier that visually indicates a correct fluid connection.

Quick connectors find use in the automotive and other industries for coupling fluid piping. In such couplings, a tube is joined to another device such as a pump, tank, or another tube. The quick connector may have a tubular female receptacle body arranged to sealingly receive a male tube therein. The male tube may include an endform adapted to make a snap engagement with the female receptacle body and provide a locking relationship between the endform and the female receptacle body. Use of quick connectors is advantageous in that a sealed and secured fluid line may be established with a minimum amount of time and expense. <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> each disclose examples of such quick connectors.

A first embodiment of this disclosure provides a quick connector assembly that couples a fluid line between a first and a second fluid tube. The quick connector assembly comprises a receptacle body having a cavity extending through the receptacle body to a stem portion connected to the second fluid tube. A sealing section is located within the cavity and a socket portion extends from the sealing section. The socket portion includes a wall bordering a socket opening in alignment with the cavity. A pair of latch openings extend through a portion of the wall into the socket opening. A sealing member having a receiver opening is installed in the sealing section with the receiver opening in alignment with the socket opening and the stem portion. A bracket is installed on the wall and includes a pair of spring latches with each spring latch extending through a respective one of the pair of the latch openings into the socket opening. A first fluid tube having an insertion portion and a raised upset has the insertion portion placed through the socket opening into the receiver opening making a fluid connection to the second fluid tube and causing the upset to be captured by each spring latch retaining the first fluid tube to the receptacle body.

In a second embodiment a process for forming a coupling in a fluid line between a first and second fluid tube is disclosed. The process comprises, coupling the second fluid tube to a stem of a receptacle body that has a cavity extending through the receptacle body. A sealing member having a receiver opening in alignment with the socket opening and the stem portion is installed in a sealing section formed within the cavity. A socket portion extends from the sealing section that includes a wall bordering a socket opening in alignment with the receiver opening. A pair of latch openings extend through a portion of the wall into the socket opening and a bracket is installed on the wall that includes a pair of spring latches with each spring latch extending through a respective one of the pair of the latch openings into the socket opening. The process further includes forming an endform on the first fluid tube including an insertion portion and a raised upset and inserting the insertion portion through the socket opening into the receiver opening wherein the first fluid tube makes a fluid coupling to the second fluid tube and causing the upset to be captured by each spring latch and retaining the first fluid tube to the receptacle body.

A verifier is used in both the first and second embodiments to verify the coupling of the first fluid tube to the receptacle body. The verifier includes fixing fingers and a pair of arms. Each arm extends from either side of a push surface. The verifier arms and fixing fingers are installed through respective recesses in the wall into the socket opening. Upon capture of the first fluid tube upset by each of the spring latches, a force applied to the verifier push surface causes each verifier arm to travel along the sides of the first fluid tube upset to rest below a respective spring latch and the fixing fingers to capture the first fluid tube upset. Verifier symbols located on a surface on each verifier arm are visible through the latch openings verifying the coupling of the first fluid tube to the receptacle body. The fixing fingers capture the first fluid tube upset when each verifier arm extends fully into the socket cavity on either side of the upset; and each verifier arm further includes a billboard member having verifier symbols located on a billboard surface, wherein each billboard surface is visible through a respective latch opening when each verifier arm extends fully into the socket cavity, verifying the coupling of the first fluid tube to the receptacle body. In the second embodiment, the verifier is placed in an installed condition by applying a force to the verifier push surface.

All figures serve illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The drawings are generally to scale, but some features may not be true to scale and serve to emphasize certain details of the various aspects of the invention. Common items between different embodiments of the figures have common reference numerals. It should be noted that for purposes of clarity, the quick connector of the present disclosure is shown with its longitudinal extent position in a horizontal plane and the terms "top," "bottom," have been used in describing the connector body. However, in use, the quick connector coupling can reside in any orientation without regard to the horizontal and vertical planes and "top," "bottom," "sides," and "lateral" are thus used in relation to the figures and illustrations herein.

An exploded view of an example quick connector assembly <NUM> for coupling a fluid line to another fluid line, is illustrated in <FIG>. As is shown in <FIG>, the quick connector assembly <NUM> is used to form a fluid connection in a fluid line between a first fluid tube <NUM> and a second fluid tube (not shown) installed on a stem <NUM> of a receptacle body <NUM>. The first fluid tube <NUM> may be a pipe, a hose, or any other fluid conveying component. The first fluid tube <NUM> includes an endform <NUM> of a tubular configuration arranged to be accepted within a complementary female socket portion <NUM> of the receptacle body <NUM> and along generally a longitudinal axis A about which the quick connector <NUM> is arranged. The endform <NUM> includes a cylindrical insertion portion <NUM> and a raised upset <NUM>. The raised upset <NUM> extending circumferentially about the exterior of endform <NUM>. The upset <NUM> may be formed integrally from the material of the endform <NUM> during its manufacture or may be a separate component bonded to the exterior of endform <NUM>. The quick connector assembly <NUM> of the present disclosure further includes a sealing member <NUM>, a bracket <NUM>, and a verifier <NUM>.

The receptacle body <NUM> is a tubular member defining a male end that forms the stem <NUM>. Stem <NUM> extends axially from a female end or socket portion <NUM>. The stem <NUM> generally includes various ribs, ridges, and grooves <NUM> for coupling to the interior cavity of the second fluid tube. The various ribs, ridges, and grooves <NUM> of stem <NUM> may take several configurations depending on the structure of the second fluid tube attached over stem <NUM>. The socket portion <NUM> is structured for accepting therein a sealing member <NUM> through an internal cavity <NUM>, shown on <FIG>. The cavity <NUM> extends from the socket portion <NUM> through stem <NUM> and forms a portion of the fluid line. The quick connector <NUM> further includes a sealing member <NUM>, a bracket <NUM>, and a verifier <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate an example of a sealing member <NUM> of the present disclosure and its installation into receptacle body <NUM>. The sealing member <NUM> has a cylindrical outer diameter that is complementary to a cylindrical inner diameter of cavity <NUM> at a sealing section <NUM> of the socket portion <NUM>. As can be seen in <FIG>, the socket portion <NUM> is generally D-shaped in configuration and has a socket opening <NUM> leading into the internal cavity <NUM>. The entrance to the sealing section <NUM> extends from the annular abutment surface <NUM> to an annular end stop surface <NUM> having a cylindrical internal wall <NUM> therebetween.

As is illustrated in <FIG>, the sealing member <NUM> is comprised of a cylindrical body <NUM> having a receiver opening <NUM> extending through the sealing member <NUM>. The receiver opening <NUM> has an inner cylindrical diameter that matches the outer cylindrical diameter of the insertion portion <NUM> of endform <NUM>. The body <NUM> has an outer cylindrical diameter that allows the outer surface <NUM> of body <NUM> to be housed internally within the sealing section <NUM>. The sealing member <NUM> further includes an annular flange <NUM> on a first end <NUM> of the body <NUM>. The flange <NUM> extends outward from the body <NUM> and includes a front planar face <NUM> and an annular shoulder <NUM>. A second end <NUM> of the sealing member <NUM> includes a pair of channels <NUM> extending about the body <NUM> separated by a spacer ring <NUM>. The spacer ring <NUM> has outer diameter that is substantially similar to the diameter of body <NUM>. Inner portions of each channel <NUM> opens into receiver opening <NUM>. A pair of elastomeric seals, such as for example, O-rings <NUM> are arranged to be installed in each channel <NUM>. Portions of each O-ring <NUM> extend through the opening in each channel <NUM> and into receiver opening <NUM>. The body <NUM> further includes a pair of windows <NUM> located in opposition to each other extending through the body <NUM> to receiver opening <NUM>. An L-shaped sealing member latch <NUM> extends from each window <NUM>. The sealing member latches <NUM> include a first leg <NUM> extending from the body member surface <NUM> from each window <NUM> and a second leg <NUM> extending perpendicularly from the first leg <NUM>, the second leg <NUM> extending outward from each window <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the sealing member <NUM> is installed into socket portion <NUM> and press-fit into the sealing section <NUM> by aligning sealing member latches <NUM> with sealing section openings <NUM> extending through the sealing section <NUM> and pushing the sealing member axially into cavity <NUM> until shoulder <NUM> rests on abutment surface <NUM> and the second end <NUM> contacts stop surface <NUM>. As the sealing member <NUM> is pushed into the sealing section <NUM> each second leg <NUM> of each latch <NUM> is deflected and urged inward by the abutment surface <NUM>. As can be best seen in <FIG>, the second leg of latches <NUM> travel across surface <NUM> of the sealing section until they reach a respective sealing section opening <NUM>, wherein each second leg <NUM> is allowed to return to its normal shape and spring outward of opening <NUM> locking the sealing member <NUM> in position in the sealing section <NUM>. Each O-ring is elastically deformed between their individual groove <NUM> and the cavity <NUM> wall <NUM> forming a fluid tight seal between the sealing member <NUM> and the sealing section <NUM>. The sealing member <NUM> and its elements, except for the O-rings are formed of a rigid material, such as for example, a thermoplastic. The sealing member <NUM> can be removed from the sealing section <NUM> by pushing-in sealing member latches <NUM> away from opening24 and extracting the sealing member <NUM> through cavity <NUM>. This can be easily done in the field, allowing for a technician to install other specific sealing members <NUM> sized to be used with other types and diameters of tube endforms.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate an example bracket <NUM> of the present disclosure. The bracket <NUM> is arranged to capture endform <NUM> when the endform <NUM> is installed in the socket portion <NUM> of the receptacle body <NUM>. The bracket <NUM> is comprised of a rear bulkhead <NUM> extending into a pair of curved walls <NUM>. Each wall <NUM> is located on an opposite side of the bulkhead <NUM>. A pair of legs <NUM> project outward from a portion of each curved wall <NUM>. In particular, the pair of legs <NUM> includes one leg <NUM> projecting from a portion of a first curved wall <NUM> and another leg <NUM> projecting from a second curved wall <NUM> on an opposite end of bulkhead <NUM> such that the pair of legs <NUM> are laterally spaced apart. Each leg <NUM> terminates at a hook-shaped finger <NUM>. Each finger <NUM> includes an inwardly facing flange member <NUM>. Each leg <NUM> further includes a spring latch <NUM> extending from each leg. Each spring latch <NUM> has a first member <NUM> extending perpendicularly from a respective leg <NUM> and second member <NUM> folded over and oriented at an acute angle from the first member <NUM>. The second member <NUM> of each spring latch <NUM> is arranged to allow deflection of the second member <NUM> toward the first member <NUM> when a force is applied to a top surface <NUM> and to resist bending of the second member <NUM> when a force is applied to a bottom surface <NUM>.

The bracket <NUM> further includes a lower wall section <NUM> extending along the back of the bracket <NUM> in alignment with the bulkhead <NUM> between the pair of curved walls <NUM>. An opening <NUM> extends into a pair of recesses <NUM>. The opening <NUM> is formed between the bulkhead <NUM> and the wall section <NUM>. Each recess <NUM> is adapted to receive therethrough a respective arm <NUM> of the verifier <NUM> when the verifier ins installed to the bracket <NUM>. A clasping hook <NUM> extends inward from bulkhead <NUM> and is arranged to engage a locking notch <NUM> on the verifier <NUM>. The bracket <NUM> is preferably formed as a unitary structure from a metal material, such as for example, a spring steel. However, it could also be formed from other resilient materials, such as for example, molded from a thermoplastic that would allow the proper deflection of the second member <NUM> of spring latches <NUM>.

The bracket <NUM> is arranged to be installed to an upper section <NUM> of socket portion <NUM> after installation of sealing member <NUM> within the sealing section <NUM>. With renewed reference the upper section <NUM> of socket portion <NUM> of the disclosure will be explained. The upper section <NUM> is generally "D" shaped and includes a peripheral wall <NUM> extending about the socket opening <NUM>. Wall <NUM> includes a pair of curved wall sections <NUM> extending from a bulkhead wall section <NUM>. Curved wall sections <NUM> and bulkhead wall section <NUM> have external faces that conform to the internal faces of curved walls <NUM> and bulkhead <NUM> respectively, of the bracket <NUM>. Wall <NUM> includes a pair of wall sections <NUM> located opposite of the other on either side of the socket opening <NUM>. A pair of latch openings <NUM> are formed through wall <NUM> adjacent wall sections <NUM>. A pair of flange member openings <NUM> extend through wall <NUM> each located on an opposite end of the wall <NUM>. Each flange member opening <NUM> is arranged to accept therein a respective flange member <NUM> of each leg <NUM> of bracket <NUM>. A pair of verifier recesses <NUM> extend from each side of a central opening <NUM> which extend through wall <NUM> below bulkhead section <NUM>. The pair of verifier recesses <NUM> and central opening <NUM> have a general shape and dimension as to conform to recesses <NUM> and opening <NUM> respectively of the bracket <NUM>. In combination, recesses <NUM> and <NUM> and openings <NUM> and <NUM> provide a passthrough to accept the installation of verifier <NUM> through the bracket <NUM> and the upper section <NUM> wall <NUM> of the socket portion <NUM>. <FIG>, illustrates the bracket <NUM> installed in the upper section <NUM> of the socket portion <NUM> in an endform accepting position. In the endform accepting position a respective second member <NUM> extends through a respective opening <NUM> into the socket opening <NUM>. The bracket <NUM> is held in the installation ready condition by the grasping a flange members <NUM> in flange member openings <NUM>.

An example verifier <NUM> of the present disclosure is illustrated in <FIG>. The verifier <NUM> includes a crossmember <NUM> having a pair of arms <NUM> which project from opposite ends of the crossmember <NUM>. In particular, the pair of arms includes one arm <NUM> projecting from one end of the crossmember <NUM> and another arm <NUM> projecting from the opposite end of the crossmember <NUM> such that the arms <NUM> are laterally spaced apart and are identical to the other. Each arm <NUM> includes a stop member <NUM> extending perpendicularly from a top surface of each arm and a billboard member <NUM> located adjacent to each stop member <NUM>. Each billboard member <NUM> includes a generally planar surface <NUM> arranged to have verifying indicia, for example a QR code or other distinguishing marks printed or applied on surface <NUM> to provide a visual or machine readable verification of the proper installation of the endform <NUM>. The verifier <NUM> crossmember <NUM> further includes a push surface <NUM> extending perpendicularly from the crossmember <NUM> and a set of fixing fingers <NUM> extending perpendicularly from a top surface of the crossmember <NUM>. The fixing fingers <NUM> extend from crossmember <NUM> generally parallel to arms <NUM>. A locking notch <NUM> is formed on a center finger of the locking fingers <NUM> adjacent the push surface <NUM>.

Each arm <NUM> includes a chamfered surface <NUM> formed on the inner face of each arm <NUM> that slope radially upward from the inner face of each arm <NUM>. The inner edges of the arms <NUM> are spaced apart a distance smaller than the outer diameter of the upset <NUM> formed about endform <NUM>. The outer edges of each arm <NUM> are generally linear or straight in orientation and arranged to fit within the recesses <NUM> of the bracket <NUM> and the recesses <NUM> of the socket portion <NUM> upper portion <NUM>. The verifier <NUM> is formed of a resilient material, preferably molded from a thermoplastic, such that each arm <NUM> may flex and deflect radially outwardly as the verifier <NUM> is installed. That is, the chamfered surfaces <NUM> of each arm <NUM> travel against an installed upset <NUM> and arranged to urge each arms <NUM> laterally outward as arms <NUM> travel across the upset <NUM> which will be explained in more detail below.

<FIG> illustrates an example embodiment of the present disclosure wherein the quick connector assembly <NUM> is in an installation ready condition, such as for example, when the quick connector assembly <NUM> is manufactured and ready to accept within the socket opening <NUM> an endform <NUM>. In the installation ready condition, the sealing member <NUM> is installed in sealing section <NUM>, and the bracket <NUM> and the verifier <NUM> are installed to the socket portion <NUM>. Particularly, the bracket <NUM> is installed on the wall <NUM> of socket portion <NUM> upper section <NUM> with a respective second member <NUM> of the spring latches <NUM> extending through a respective opening <NUM>. Each second member <NUM> of each spring latch <NUM> extends into the socket cavity <NUM>. The bracket <NUM> is retained in the installation ready condition by the action of a respective flange member <NUM> grasping a respective flange member opening <NUM>. The verifier <NUM> has each arm <NUM> inserted into the socket cavity <NUM> through a respective recess <NUM> of the bracket <NUM>. Fixing fingers <NUM> are partially inserted through opening <NUM>. Opening <NUM> and recesses <NUM> are located above wall <NUM> on the bracket <NUM> and thereby positions the verifier arms <NUM> and fixing fingers <NUM> above the surface <NUM> of the sealing member <NUM>. The verifier <NUM> is prevented from being fully inserted into the socket cavity <NUM> by a front surface of each stop member <NUM> engaging an edge of bulkhead <NUM>. Additional movement of the verifier <NUM> into socket cavity <NUM> would require the each stop member <NUM> be disengaged from the edge of bulkhead <NUM> to allow the stop members <NUM> to enter the socket cavity <NUM> through their respective recesses <NUM>. This can only be accomplished when the endform <NUM> is installed in the socket cavity <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG> the installation of the endform <NUM> into socket portion <NUM> will be described. The insertion portion <NUM> of the endform <NUM> is aligned with and inserted into receiver opening <NUM> of the sealing member <NUM>. As the insertion portion <NUM> is inserted into the receiver opening <NUM> the upset <NUM> enters the socket cavity <NUM> and contacts the top surface <NUM> of each second member <NUM> of the spring latches <NUM>. A continued applied force in axial direction A will cause deflection of each second member <NUM> inwardly toward the first member <NUM> by the upset <NUM> pushing each second member <NUM> away from the upset <NUM>. Once the upset <NUM> moves beyond each of the second members <NUM> and rests on the surface <NUM>, each of the second members <NUM> returns to its relaxed position capturing the upset <NUM> between the sealing member surface <NUM> and a bottom surface <NUM> of each spring latch second member <NUM>, as is best seen in <FIG>. The endform <NUM> is now in an installed condition and retained within socket portion <NUM>. In the installed condition, the insertion portion <NUM> of endform <NUM> is installed within receiver opening <NUM> of the sealing member <NUM> making a fluid tight seal between the endform <NUM> and the sealing member <NUM> by elastically deforming the O-rings <NUM> against the insertion portion <NUM> that extend into receiver opening <NUM> from the channel <NUM> openings.

As can be seen in <FIG>, in the installed condition, chamfered surface <NUM> of each arm <NUM> aligns with an outer edge of upset <NUM>. Applying a force to push surface <NUM> in direction B will cause each arm of the verifier <NUM> to travel along the exterior surface of the upset <NUM>. Each arm <NUM>, will be deflected outwardly toward the wall <NUM> as it travels along the upset <NUM> exterior surface. The outward deflection will disengage each stop member <NUM> from the edge of the bulkhead <NUM> allowing each stop member <NUM> to enter the socket cavity <NUM> via a respective recess <NUM> and <NUM>. With continued forward pressure on push surface <NUM>, the clasping hook <NUM> on the bracket <NUM> falls into and is captured by the notch <NUM>, which stops any further forward movement of the verifier <NUM> into the socket cavity <NUM>. When the verifier <NUM> is fully inserted into the socket cavity <NUM> push surface <NUM> aligns with bulkhead <NUM> and the forward portion of each arm <NUM> locates behind a respective second member <NUM>, over the upset <NUM>, as is shown in <FIG>. The placement of the forward portion of each arm <NUM> behind a respective second member <NUM> does not allow the second member <NUM> to flex outwardly towards wall <NUM>, guarding against any inadvertent unlatching of the second members <NUM> from the upset <NUM>. Additionally, the placement of the fixing fingers <NUM> over the upset <NUM> enhances the hold of the upset <NUM>, assuring that the endform <NUM> is held firmly in the socket portion <NUM>. With the capture of the clasping hook <NUM> by the notch <NUM>, the verifier <NUM> now becomes locked to bracket <NUM>. Any subsequent movement of the bracket <NUM>, such as for example, movement of the bracket <NUM> to unlatch the endform <NUM> from the receptacle body <NUM> will now also move the verifier <NUM>.

Once the verifier <NUM> is fully installed within socket portion <NUM> the verifier is now in a verification condition. In the verification condition, each billboard member <NUM> surface <NUM> becomes visible through a respective opening <NUM> of the socket portion <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, a QR code applied on each surface <NUM> becomes visible through a respective opening <NUM>. The QR code can be read by a hand held visual scanner allowing for machine scanning and recording of the positive engagement of the endform <NUM> to the receptacle body <NUM>. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other forms of code or indicia may be printed on surface <NUM> to provide a visible indication of a positive engagement of the endform <NUM> to the receptacle body <NUM>.

The endform <NUM> can be removed from the receptacle body <NUM> for servicing or replacement. To remove the endform <NUM> from the socket portion <NUM> of the receptacle body <NUM>, each flange member <NUM> on each bracket arm <NUM> is manually removed from a respective flange member opening <NUM> and the bracket <NUM> moved backward in direction C as shown in <FIG>, thereby placing the quick connector assembly <NUM> into a serviceable condition. In the serviceable condition, the bulkhead <NUM> and the curved walls <NUM> of bracket <NUM> are pulled back from the socket portion <NUM> curved wall sections <NUM> until each flange member <NUM> enters into a respective retainer notch <NUM> and arresting any further backward movement of the bracket <NUM>. With flange members <NUM> in retainer notches <NUM>, each second member <NUM> of each spring latch <NUM> is moved to a position where each member <NUM> is not located over upset <NUM>. Since the verifier <NUM> now moves along with the bracket <NUM>, the backward movement of the bracket <NUM> also moves fixing fingers <NUM> into a position where the fixing fingers <NUM> are not located over upset <NUM>. The endform <NUM> can now be removed from the receptacle body <NUM> by pulling the endform <NUM> from socket portion <NUM> in direction D.

After servicing, the endform <NUM> can be reinstalled into socket portion <NUM> and the bracket <NUM> repositioned to capture the endform <NUM>. Reapplying a force to push surface <NUM> in direction B, disengages flange members <NUM> from retainer notches <NUM> moving the bracket <NUM> back into the installed condition and engage flange members <NUM> to respective flange member openings <NUM> of the installed condition as shown in <FIG>. Since verifier <NUM> also now moves in concert with the bracket <NUM> movement of the bracket <NUM> into the installed condition will also move the verifier <NUM> into the verification condition as shown in <FIG>.

It will be seen that the quick connector assembly described herein provides the benefits of only requiring access from one side, for example, top, bottom, left or right in order to operate the components of the connector (e.g., retainer and verifier) and to connect the fluid tubes together. Further, since the quick connector assembly of the present disclosure can be coupled to male and female components in any radial direction, the quick connector assembly can be oriented to provide the most convenient access for an installer or user. In this way, packaging of the quick connector assembly is improved, and routing of fluid lines is made more robust and variable in a variety of different environments. The quick connector assembly has numerous applications where a fluid-tight, but serviceable connection is desired. Within the industry a serviceable connection is a connection were the fluid carrying components of a quick connector can be disconnected from each other for the purposes of maintenance or the servicing of components of the quick connector assembly.

Claim 1:
A quick connector assembly (<NUM>) comprising:
a receptacle body (<NUM>) having a cavity (<NUM>) extending through the receptacle body (<NUM>) to a stem portion (<NUM>) connected to a second fluid tube;
a sealing section (<NUM>) located within the cavity (<NUM>);
a socket portion (<NUM>) having a wall (<NUM>) extending from the sealing section bordering a socket opening (<NUM>) in alignment with the cavity (<NUM>) and having a pair of recesses (<NUM>) extending through the socket portion wall and a pair of latch openings (<NUM>) extending through a portion of the wall (<NUM>) into the socket opening;
a verifier (<NUM>) having a pair of arms (<NUM>) extending from either side of a push surface (<NUM>), each verifier arm (<NUM>) installed through a respective recess (<NUM>) into the socket opening;
a sealing member (<NUM>) having a receiver opening (<NUM>) installed in the sealing section (<NUM>), the receiver opening in alignment with the socket opening and the stem portion;
a bracket (<NUM>) installed on the wall (<NUM>) including a pair of spring latches (<NUM>) each spring latch extending through a respective one of the pair of the latch openings (<NUM>) into the socket opening;
a first fluid tube (<NUM>) having an insertion portion (<NUM>) and a raised upset (<NUM>), the insertion portion placed through the socket opening into the receiver opening (<NUM>) making a fluid connection to the second fluid tube and causing the upset (<NUM>) to be captured by each spring latch (<NUM>) retaining the first fluid tube to the receptacle body, characterized in that the verifier (<NUM>) includes fixing fingers (<NUM>) extending from the verifier push surface (<NUM>) between the pair of verifier arms (<NUM>), the fixing fingers (<NUM>) capturing the first fluid tube upset (<NUM>) when each verifier arm (<NUM>) extends fully into the socket cavity on either side of the upset (<NUM>); and
each verifier arm (<NUM>) further includes a billboard member (<NUM>) having verifier symbols located on a billboard surface (<NUM>), wherein each billboard surface (<NUM>) is visible through a respective latch opening (<NUM>) when each verifier arm (<NUM>) extends fully into the socket cavity, verifying the coupling of the first fluid tube to the receptacle body.