Patent ID: 7448653

Claim:
A connector system for releasably coupling together first and second fluid conduits, the connector system comprising: a male connector including: a first end configured to operably couple with the first fluid conduit; a second end including a coupling feature; and a fluid conduit extending between the first and second ends of the male connector; and a female connector including: a first end configured to operably couple with the second fluid conduit; a second end including an opening configured to receive therein the second end of the male connector when the male and female connectors are releasably coupled, wherein the opening guides the second end of the male connector along a first line of action as the second end of the male connector is received into the opening; a fluid conduit extending between the first and second ends of the female connector; an engagement member including an engagement feature, wherein the engagement feature displaces along a second line of action generally normal to the first line of action when the second end of the male connector is received in the opening, the engagement feature engaging the coupling feature to releasably couple the male connector to the female connector; and an actuation element that displaces along a third line of action generally normal to the first and second lines of action in order to disengage the engagement feature from the coupling feature.