Fluid connector assembly

1 . A fluid connector assembly, comprising:

a first connector, comprising:

a first housing comprising a cavity,

a post disposed in the first housing, the post comprising an opening, and

a first compressible member surrounding at least a portion of the post;

a second connector configured to couple with the first connector, the second connector comprising:

a second housing,

a second compressible member disposed within the second housing;

at least one snap arm disposed on an exterior surface of the second housing for engaging against the first connector; and

a connecting mechanism coupled to the second connector for coupling the first connector and the second connector, the connecting mechanism comprising at least one projection extending from the second housing for actuating the connecting mechanism, the at least one projection comprising a first end positioned within a gap formed between the at least one snap arm and the second housing, and second end opposite the first end;

wherein actuation of the at least one projection from a stowed position to a deployed position such that the first connector is couplable to the second connector.

2 . The fluid connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein:

the second connector is held in the cavity by a threshold force, and responsive to an external force, greater than the threshold force, applied to at least one of the first connector and the second connector that removes the second housing from the cavity;

the first compressible member seals the first opening, and

the second compressible member seals the second opening.

3 . The fluid connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the connecting mechanism further comprises a biasing member for biasing the at least one projection.

4 . The fluid connector assembly of claim 3 , wherein the biasing member is positioned such that the at least one projection is biased toward the stowed position.

5 . The fluid connector assembly of claim 4 , wherein the biasing member comprises any of a torsion spring, a spiral spring, a compression spring, or a tension spring.

6 . The fluid connector assembly of claim 3 , wherein the connecting mechanism is biased to the stowed position via the biasing member.

7 . The fluid connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein, in the stowed position, the at least one projection comprises the at least one projection is positioned at an angle relative a longitudinal axis of the second connector, such that the first end is positioned closer to the second housing than the second end.

8 . The fluid connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein, when a force is applied to the second end of the at least one projection, the connecting mechanism is actuated such that the at least one projection moves from the stowed position toward the deployed position.

9 . The fluid connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein, the at least one projection is configured such that the first end of the at least one projection moves in a direction away from the second housing, and the second end of the at least one projection moves in a direction toward the second housing when the at least one projection is moved from the stowed position toward the deployed position.

10 . The fluid connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first housing comprises a receiving ring configured to be positioned in the gap between the at least one snap arm and the second housing when the second connector is coupled with the first connector.

11 . The fluid connector assembly of claim 10 , wherein the receiving ring comprises a notch and the at least one snap arm comprises a protrusion such that the protrusion is configured to engage against the notch when the second connector is coupled with the first connector.

12 . A method for coupling a fluid connector assembly, the method comprising:

providing a first connector, the first connector comprising:

a first housing comprising a cavity;

a post disposed in the first housing, the post comprising an opening; and

a first compressible member surrounding at least a portion of the post;

providing a second connector configured to couple to the first connector, the second connector comprising:

a second housing;

a second compressible member disposed within the second housing;

at least one snap arm disposed on an exterior surface of the second housing for engaging against the first connector; and

providing a connecting mechanism configured to couple the first connector to the second connector, the connecting mechanism comprising at least one projection extending from the second housing and having a first end positioned within a gap between the at least one snap arm and the second housing, and second end opposite the first end;

actuating the connecting mechanism from a stowed position to a deployed position;

coupling the first connector and the second connector; and

releasing the connecting mechanism thereby allowing the connecting mechanism to retain the first connector and the second connector in a coupled state.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein actuating the connecting mechanism comprises applying a force to the second end of the at least one projection thereby causing the at least one projection to pivot and displace the at least one snap arm a distance away from the second housing.

14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the connecting mechanism further comprises a handle on a first end of the projection and a cover portion disposed on a second end opposite the first end.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein actuating the connecting mechanism comprises applying a force to the handle thereby causing the cover portion to move relative to an end of the second housing.

16 . A fluid connector assembly, comprising:

a first connector, comprising:

a first housing comprising a cavity,

a post disposed in the first housing, the post comprising an opening, and

a first compressible member surrounding at least a portion of the post; and

a second connector configured to couple with the first connector, the second connector comprising:

a second housing,

a second compressible member disposed within the second housing configured to contact the first compressible member when the first connector and second connector are coupled,

at least one snap arm disposed on an exterior surface of the second housing for retaining the fluid connector assembly in a coupled state; and

a connecting mechanism coupled to the second connector for coupling the first connector and the second connector, the connecting mechanism comprising at least one projection extending from the at least one snap arm for actuating the connecting mechanism, the at least one projection having a stowed position and a deployed position, wherein the at least one projection is moved toward the deployed position in response to an external force thereby actuating the connecting mechanism,

wherein, when the first connector and the second connector are decoupled, actuation of the at least one projection is required to recouple the first connector and the second connector.

17 . The fluid connector assembly of claim 16 , wherein the connecting mechanism comprises a biasing member for biasing the at least one projection toward the stowed position.

18 . The fluid connector assembly of claim 17 , wherein the first housing comprises a receiving ring configured to be positioned in the gap between the at least one snap arm and the second housing when the second connector is coupled with the first connector.

19 . The fluid connector assembly of claim 18 , wherein the receiving ring comprises a notch and the at least one snap arm comprises a protrusion such that the protrusion is configured to engage against the notch when the second connector is coupled with the first connector.