“Fluid Connector With Full Insertion Assurance Cap With Secondary Latches” in Patent Application Approval Process (USPTO 20190353286)

2019 DEC 10 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Transportation Daily News -- A patent application by the inventors Kujawski, Jr., James Anthony (Attica, NY); Nowicki, Eric (Cheektowaga, NY), filed on August 1, 2019, was made available online on November 21, 2019, according to news reporting originating from Washington, D.C., by NewsRx correspondents.

This patent application is assigned to Oetiker NY Inc. (Lancaster, New York, United States).

The following quote was obtained by the news editors from the background information supplied by the inventors: “The present apparatus relates to fluid connectors including a fluid carrying tubular member which is coupled to a fitting body connected to a device which uses the fluid. In an automotive application, the fluid carrying components are connected at one end to an automatic transmission and at another end to a cooler disposed within a vehicle radiator. Other automotive applications using fluid connectors include turbo connections.

“Such quick connectors typically include a resilient clip carried on the fitting body which is adapted to snap behind a raised shoulder of an end form on the tubular member when the tubular member is fully inserted into the fitting body to lock the tubular member in place.

“Assurance caps can be used to insure full insertion of the tubular member in the body. As assurance cap is carried by the tubular member and slides over the tubular member insertion end of the body and snaps over the outer edges of the resilient clip. If the tubular member is not fully inserted in the body such that the resilient clip is not seated behind the raised shoulder on the tubular member, raised portions of the resilient clip extend further radially outward from the body and interfere with the complete movement of the assurance cap to its fully installed position thereby providing an indication to the installer that the tubular member is not fully latched in the body.”

In addition to the background information obtained for this patent application, NewsRx journalists also obtained the inventors’ summary information for this patent application: “According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided an assurance cap, comprising a first body section including a first connector, a second body section hingedly connected to the first body section and including a second connector, and a plurality of latch fingers extending from at least one of the first body section and the second body section, wherein in a closed position, the second connector is engaged with the first connector to lock the first body section to the second body section.

“According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided an assurance cap operatively arranged to indicate a status of a fluid connector assembly, wherein the fluid connector assembly comprises a tubular member including an endform, a connector body, and a retainer clip carried on the connector body and extending partially into a bore in the connector body to engage the endform to lock the tubular member in the connector body when the tubular member is fully inserted into the bore, the assurance cap comprising a first body section including a first connector and a first inner ring, a second body section hingedly connected to the first body section via a hinge, the second body including a second connector and a second inner ring, and a plurality of latch fingers extending from at least one of the first body section and the second body section, the plurality of latch fingers operatively arranged to connect the assurance cap to the connector body when the tubular member is fully inserted into the connector body, wherein in a closed position the second connector is engaged with the first connector to lock the first body section to the second body section, and the first inner ring and the second inner ring form one continuous inner ring.

“According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided an assurance cap for use with a fluid connector assembly for coupling a tubular member including an endform spaced from a first insertion end of the tubular member to a connector body, the endform including a first end defining a radially disposed shoulder, a retainer clip carried on the connector body and extending at least partially into a first bore in the connector body to engage the shoulder to lock the tubular member in the connector body when the first insertion end is fully inserted into the first bore, the assurance cap comprising a body including a first end and a second bore for disposing the body over the tubular member, and a plurality of primary latch fingers arranged on the body, each of the plurality of primary latch fingers including an end projection and configured for latching in an exterior groove of the connector body to latch the body on the connector body when the tubular member is fully inserted into the connector body.

“According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided an assurance cap operatively arranged to engage a fluid connector assembly including a tubular member, a connector body, and a retainer clip arranged to lock the tubular member in the connector body, the assurance cap comprising an assurance cap body including a first end and a first bore, the first bore operatively arranged to engage the tubular member, and a plurality of latch fingers operatively arranged to connect the assurance cap body to the connector body when the tubular member is fully inserted into the connector body.

“A fluid connection with an assurance cap for assuring full insertion and latching of a tubular member in a connector body comprising an endform spaced from a first insertion end defining a radially disposed shoulder, a connector body comprising a bore with one open end receiving the tubular member. A retainer clip is carried on the connector body and extends partially into the bore to engage the shoulder of the tubular member to lock the tubular member in the connector body when an insertion end of the tubular member is fully inserted into the bore in the fitting body. An assurance cap is slidably mounted relative to the tubular member. The assurance cap defining an annular body with a plurality of primary latch fingers with end projections configured for latching in a recessed groove in the connector body spaced from one end of the connector body to latch the assurance cap on the connector body only when the tubular member is fully inserted into the connector body. A secondary latch is carried on the assurance cap body for engaging one of the retainer clip and the tubular member to secondarily latch the assurance cap to the tubular member only when the tubular is fully inserted into the bore in the connector body.

“The primary latch fingers may comprise a plurality of circumferentially spaced primary latch fingers extending from a first end of the assurance cap body.

“In one aspect, the primary latch fingers include a radially inward projection formed on a flexible end of the primary latch finger; and a radially outward opening groove formed in the connector body, spaced from the one open end of the connector body, the groove and the projections on the primary latch fingers engageable to primarily latch the assurance cap to the connector body only when the tubular member is fully inserted into the bore in the connector body.

“The secondary latch may include an inner support ring fixed in the assurance cap body radially inward of the primary latch fingers, the inner support ring comprising a through bore through which the tubular member extend, the inner support ring comprising an inner end positioned to engage a surface on the tubular member to provide a secondary latch between the assurance cap body and the tubular member when the tubular member is fully inserted into the bore in the connector body.

“The surface on the tubular member is axially spaced from the endform and defines a raised surface on the tubular member.

“The secondary latch may include a plurality of stepped fingers circumferentially spaced between the primary latch finger, each of the stepped fingers comprising an inner stepped surface configured to overlay a radially outward portion of the retainer clip when the assurance cap is latched to the quick connector body and the tubular member to resist radially outward expansion of the retainer clip.

“The primary latch fingers may include a plurality of circumferentially spaced primary latch fingers extending from a first end of the assurance cap body, and one stepped finger disposed intermediate at least one primary latch finger.

“The plurality of primary latch fingers may be arranged in circumferentially spaced pairs of adjacent side-by-side arranged primary latch fingers, and one stepped finger is interposed between each pair of primary latch fingers.

“The raised portion of the connector body may include an outward extending tapered portion extending from the outer diameter of the connector body to the outer surface of the raised portion on the connector body.

“The raised portion formed on a receiving end of the fitting body comprising an outer diameter substantially equal to an outer diameter of the receiving end of the fitting body extending from the receiving end of the fitting body, an annular recess positioned adjacent to the raised portion for receiving the latch fingers of the assurance cap in a latch position of the assurance cap on the fitting body.

“The connector assembly including the assurance cap body comprising pivotally connected first and second sections lockable in a continuous annular body about the tubular member, and the first and second section of the assurance cap body being pivotally movable relative to a pivotally connected end to allow mounting of the assurance cap body around the tubular member.

“The connector assembly including secondary latch includes an inner support ring fixed in the assurance cap body radially inward of the primary latch fingers, the inner support ring comprising a through bore through which the tubular member extends, the inner support ring comprising an inner end positioned to engage a surface on the tubular member to provide a secondary latch between the assurance cap body and the tubular member when the tubular member is fully inserted into the bore in the connector body, the surface on the tubular member is axially spaced from the endform and defines a raised surface on the tubular member; a plurality of stepped fingers circumferentially spaced between the primary latch fingers, and each of the stepped fingers comprising an inner stepped surface configured to overlay a radially outward portion of the retainer clip when the assurance cap is latched to the quick connector body and the tubular member to resist radially outward expansion of the retainer clip.

“The connector assembly includes the primary latch fingers further including a plurality of circumferentially spaced primary latch fingers extending from a first end of the assurance cap body, and one step finger disposed intermediate at least one primary latched finger.

“The connector assembly including the plurality of primary latch fingers arranged in circumferentially spaced pairs of adjacent side-by-side arranged primary latch fingers, and one stepped finger interposed between each pair of primary latch fingers.

“These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become readily apparent upon a review of the following detailed description of the disclosure, in view of the drawings and appended claims.”

The claims supplied by the inventors are:

“1. An assurance cap, comprising: a first body section including a first connector; a second body section hingedly connected to the first body section and including a second connector; and, a plurality of latch fingers extending from at least one of the first body section and the second body section; wherein in a closed position, the second connector is engaged with the first connector to lock the first body section to the second body section.

“2. The assurance cap as recited in claim 1, wherein each latch finger in the plurality of latch fingers comprises a radially inward extending edge.

“3. The assurance cap as recited in claim 1, wherein: the first body section further comprises a first inner ring; the second body section further comprises a second inner ring; and, in the closed position, the first and second inner rings form one continuous inner ring.

“4. The assurance cap as recited in claim 3, further comprising one or more protrusions arranged on at least one of the first inner ring and the second inner ring.

“5. The assurance cap as recited in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of stepped fingers extending from at least one of the first body section and the second body section.

“6. The assurance cap as recited in claim 5, wherein each stepped finger of the plurality of stepped fingers comprises at least one radially inward facing surface.

“7. The assurance cap as recited in claim 6, wherein each stepped finger of the plurality of stepped fingers comprises a first radially inward facing surface and a second radially inward facing surface arranged radially outward of the first radially inward facing surface.

“8. The assurance cap as recited in claim 5, wherein the plurality of stepped fingers are circumferentially spaced.

“9. The assurance cap as recited in claim 8, wherein the plurality of latch fingers are circumferentially spaced between the plurality of stepped fingers.

“10. The assurance cap as recited in claim 1, wherein: the first connector comprises a finger and an aperture; and, the second connector comprises a catch operatively arranged to engage the aperture.

“11. The assurance cap as recited in claim 10, wherein the finger is arranged to displace radially outward as it engages the catch.

“12. An assurance cap operatively arranged to indicate a status of a fluid connector assembly, wherein the fluid connector assembly comprises a tubular member including an endform, a connector body, and a retainer clip carried on the connector body and extending partially into a bore in the connector body to engage the endform to lock the tubular member in the connector body when the tubular member is fully inserted into the bore, the assurance cap comprising: a first body section including a first connector and a first inner ring; a second body section hingedly connected to the first body section via a hinge, the second body including a second connector and a second inner ring; and, a plurality of latch fingers extending from at least one of the first body section and the second body section, the plurality of latch fingers operatively arranged to connect the assurance cap to the connector body when the tubular member is fully inserted into the connector body; wherein in a closed position: the second connector is engaged with the first connector to lock the first body section to the second body section; and, the first inner ring and the second inner ring form one continuous inner ring.

“13. The assurance cap as recited in claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of latch fingers comprises a radially inward extending edge operatively arranged to engage an exterior groove of the connector body.

“14. The assurance cap as recited in claim 12, further comprising a plurality of stepped fingers extending from at least one of the first body section and the second body section.

“15. The assurance cap as recited in claim 14, wherein each stepped finger of the plurality of stepped fingers comprises at least one radially inward facing surface operatively arranged to overlay a radially outward portion of the retainer clip when the assurance cap is connected to the fluid connector assembly to resist radially outward expansion of the retainer clip.

“16. The assurance cap as recited in claim 15, wherein each stepped finger of the plurality of stepped fingers comprises a first radially inward facing surface and a second radially inward facing surface arranged radially outward of the first radially inward facing surface.

“17. The assurance cap as recited in claim 14, wherein: the plurality of stepped fingers are circumferentially spaced; and, the plurality of latch fingers are circumferentially spaced between the plurality of stepped fingers.

“18. The assurance cap as recited in claim 12, wherein, when the assurance cap is connected to the fluid connector assembly, the first and second inner rings are operatively arranged to engage a surface on the tubular member to prevent displacement of the tubular member in an axial direction relative to the connector body.

“19. The assurance cap as recited in claim 12, wherein: the first connector comprises a finger and an aperture; and, the second connector comprises a catch operatively arranged to engage the aperture.

“20. The assurance cap as recited in claim 19, wherein the finger is arranged to displace radially outward as it engages the catch.”

URL and more information on this patent application, see: Kujawski, Jr., James Anthony; Nowicki, Eric. Fluid Connector With Full Insertion Assurance Cap With Secondary Latches. Filed August 1, 2019 and posted November 21, 2019. Patent URL: http://appft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PG01&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=%2220190353286%22.PGNR.&OS=DN/20190353286&RS=DN/20190353286

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