IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,222,057
Granted Patent B2
US 12,222,057 · App. 18/250,257 · Granted Feb 11, 2025

Fluid connection assembly

Inventor: Robert J. Kern (Williamsville, NY)
Assignee: Oetiker NY, Inc.
F16L37/091F16L37/0847
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,222,057
App. No.
18/250,257
Granted
Feb 11, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A connector for fluid, including a connector body, including a first end, a second end, and a first through-bore, a retainer removably connected to the connector body, the retainer including a ring portion forming a third end, the third end operatively arranged to be secured in the first through-bore, at least one first finger extending from the ring portion, the at least one first finger including a first radially outward extending protrusion and terminating at a fourth end, and at least one second finger extending from the ring portion, the at least one second finger including a second radially outward extending protrusion, and at least one radially inward extending protrusion arranged on at least one of the at least one first finger and the at least one second finger, and a locking band arranged circumferentially around the at least one first finger and the at least one second finger.

Claims (31)

1. A fluid connection assembly, comprising:

a connector body, including:

a first end;

a second end; and

a first through-bore;

a retainer operatively arranged to be removably connected to the connector body, the retainer including:

a ring portion forming a third end, the ring portion operatively arranged to be secured in the first through-bore;

a plurality of fingers extending from the ring portion and terminating at a fourth end, wherein the plurality of fingers comprise:

at least one first finger including a first radially outward extending protrusion; and

at least one second finger including a second radially outward extending protrusion; and

at least one radially inward extending protrusion arranged on at least one of the plurality of fingers; and

a locking band displaceably arranged around the plurality of fingers;

wherein:

the locking band is operatively arranged to engage the first radially outward extending protrusion and the second radially outward extending protrusion;

the first radially outward extending protrusion is operatively arranged to prevent displacement of the locking band in a first axial direction;

the second radially outward extending protrusion is operatively arranged to prevent displacement of the locking band in a second axial direction, opposite the first axial direction;

in an unlocked state, the locking band is arranged proximate the ring portion; and

in a locked state, the locking band is arranged proximate the fourth end and engaged with the first radially outward extending protrusion and the second radially outward extending protrusion.

2. The fluid connection assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the at least one first finger and the at least one second finger are circumferentially spaced along the ring portion.

3. The fluid connection assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the retainer comprises a polymer.

4. The fluid connection assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein when the retainer is connected to the connector body the plurality of fingers extend out of the connector body from the second end.

5. The fluid connection assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first radially outward extending protrusion is arranged between and spaced apart from the ring portion and the fourth end.

6. The fluid connection assembly as recited in claim 5 , wherein the second radially outward extending protrusion is arranged at the fourth end.

7. The fluid connection assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the at least one radially inward extending protrusion comprises a radially inward facing surface, the radially inward facing surface being frusto-conical.

8. The fluid connection assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the at least one radially inward extending protrusion extends from the fourth end to a position between and spaced apart from the fourth end and the ring portion.

9. The fluid connection assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the at least one radially inward extending protrusion comprises:

a surface arranged axially spaced apart from and parallel to the fourth end, the surface facing in a first axial direction; and

a frusto-conical radially inward facing surface extending in the first axial direction from the fourth end to the surface.

10. The fluid connection assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein:

a channel is formed axially between the first radially outward extending protrusion and the second radially outward extending protrusion; and

the locking band is arranged to engage the channel in a locked state.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 24, 2023
From: KERN, ROBERT J.
To: OETIKER NY, INC.
Reel/Frame 063416/0603 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230392732A1 · Dec 7, 2023
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Cited By (1)
US 12,501,880