Patent US7274175B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3727952A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3727952A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tube connector
Assignee: Tuthill Pump Co
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Filing: 1972-03-02
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Granted: 1973-04-17
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Expires: 1992-03-02
Abstract
Abstract An easily, manipulatable tube connector for connecting apparatus to test equipment and the like, wherein, in an exemplary embodiment, the connector utilizes a pair of jaw-like, gripper members for attachment to the equipment to be tested and the connector is easily positioned to the secured and sealing position by a simple axial movement and is easily and quickly removed thereafter.
Inventors
- 👤 W Richardson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 20:43
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L17/00; F16L37/00; F16L37/22; F16L37/23
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
241 words
A tube connector comprising a first head member carrying a pair of collet members to grip an end of a tube, a second member secured to said head member and carrying a tube sealing means to seal the end of a tube inserted thereinto, said collet members being readily expansible and contractable and being adapted to be positioned into a gripping position and a nongripping position with respect to a tube inserted thereinto, said first and second members being in internal communication with one another and being provided with means adapted to be connected to a fluid under pressure, means normally biasing sAid collet members into a contracted gripping position, an outer sleeve member positioned around said head member and carrying oppositely disposed guide pins, said guide pins extending radially inwardly from said sleeve member into elongated slots in said head member, said guide pins extending into spaces between said collet members to keep said collet members in a separated relationship, a portion of the internal surface of said outer sleeve member being of lesser thickness than the remainder thereof providing a raceway, said collet members having a track configuration to retain ball members therebetween and said head member, said head member having apertures to retain said ball members and allow coaction of said ball members and collet members when said sleeve is moved axially relative to said head member to thereby produce movement of said collet members to said positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
241 words
A tube connector comprising a first head member carrying a pair of collet members to grip an end of a tube, a second member secured to said head member and carrying a tube sealing means to seal the end of a tube inserted thereinto, said collet members being readily expansible and contractable and being adapted to be positioned into a gripping position and a nongripping position with respect to a tube inserted thereinto, said first and second members being in internal communication with one another and being provided with means adapted to be connected to a fluid under pressure, means normally biasing sAid collet members into a contracted gripping position, an outer sleeve member positioned around said head member and carrying oppositely disposed guide pins, said guide pins extending radially inwardly from said sleeve member into elongated slots in said head member, said guide pins extending into spaces between said collet members to keep said collet members in a separated relationship, a portion of the internal surface of said outer sleeve member being of lesser thickness than the remainder thereof providing a raceway, said collet members having a track configuration to retain ball members therebetween and said head member, said head member having apertures to retain said ball members and allow coaction of said ball members and collet members when said sleeve is moved axially relative to said head member to thereby produce movement of said collet members to said positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A tube connector in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least one of said guide pins extend outward from the exterior surface of said sleeve for easy manipulation thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A tube connector in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second member is threadably secured to said head member and said head member and said second member cooperate to keep said pair of collet members in retained relationship.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
The tube connector in accordance with claim 3 wherein a stop member is positioned adjacent the said collet members and said second member and the interior surface of said sleeve and the exterior surface of said second members cooperate to form a spring recess therebetween and spring means retained therein normally biases said sleeve member to an outward position to thereby move said collet members into the gripping position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The tube connector in accordance with claim 4 wherein said second member includes a first bore carrying said tube sealing means comprising a plunger member retained within said bore in shiftable relationship and communicating to said means adapted to be connected to a fluid under pressure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The tube connector in accordance with claim 5 wherein an elastomeric seal member is carried at the extremity of said plunger and is adapted to contact said open end of said tube to be sealed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The tube connector in accordance with claim 6 wherein said plunger member is spring biased toward the inlet of said bore adjacent said collet members.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The tube connector in accordance with claim 7 wherein said plunger member carries a valve opening pin in spring biased relationship therewith.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The tube connector in accordance with claim 6 wherein the interior surface of said pair of collet members are threaded to grasp the end of a threaded tube which is to be tested.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The tube connector in accordance with claim 7 wherein the interior surface of said collet members are provided with an elastomer sealing surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
196 words
A tube connector comprising a sleeve and a head member positioned within said sleeve, said sleeve and head member being axially movable relative to one another, said head member having an opening in one end thereof to receive a tube, said head member having tube sealing means therein and means providing communication through said sealing means to a tube inserted within said head member, said head member having a plurality of arcuately formed collet members carried therein and positioned between said sealing means and said one end of said member to receive said tube, said sleeve having guide pins fixed thereto and extending radially through longitudinally extending slots in the exterior wall of said head member, said pins and slots providing a relative movement limit for said head member and sleeve, said pins extending into spaces between said collet members so as to maintain said collet members in a separated relation while allowing radial contraction and expansion and gripping and ungripping action of said collet members, and ball means coacting with said sleeve, head member and collet member to cause contraction and expansion of said collet members upon rElative movement of said sleeve and head member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
196 words
A tube connector comprising a sleeve and a head member positioned within said sleeve, said sleeve and head member being axially movable relative to one another, said head member having an opening in one end thereof to receive a tube, said head member having tube sealing means therein and means providing communication through said sealing means to a tube inserted within said head member, said head member having a plurality of arcuately formed collet members carried therein and positioned between said sealing means and said one end of said member to receive said tube, said sleeve having guide pins fixed thereto and extending radially through longitudinally extending slots in the exterior wall of said head member, said pins and slots providing a relative movement limit for said head member and sleeve, said pins extending into spaces between said collet members so as to maintain said collet members in a separated relation while allowing radial contraction and expansion and gripping and ungripping action of said collet members, and ball means coacting with said sleeve, head member and collet member to cause contraction and expansion of said collet members upon rElative movement of said sleeve and head member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
109 words
The structure of claim 11 wherein said ball means includes balls positioned within apertures formed in the exterior surface of said head member, said balls being exposed to said sleeve and said collet members for contact therewith, said collet members including tracks on the outer surfaces thereof to receive said balls, said sleeve being formed with spaced depressions positioned to receive portions of said balls when said sleeve is moved axially relative to said head member in one direction, said balls being forced by said sleeve against said collet members to cause a gripping, contracting action of said collet members when said sleeve is moved in the opposite direction.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The structure of claim 12 characterized by and including resilient means biasing said sleeve and head member in said last named direction.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
46 words
A tube connector in accordance with claim 13 wherein said head member includes a first bore carrying said tube sealing means and a plunger member retained within said bore in shiftable relationship and communicating to said means adapted to be connected to a fluid under pressure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
57 words
The structure of claim 11 wherein said head member has a spring biased plunger therein, said plunger has a reduced portion with a counterbore therein, said sealing means is within said counterbore, said reduced portion having one limit position within said collet members, said plunger and reduced portion being biased toward said position and being retractable therefrom.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The structure of claim 15 wherein said sealing means is positioned outwardly of an actuating pin in a bore in said plunger in said one position.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
43 words
The structure of claim 11 wherein said head member has a spring biased plunger axially movable therein and said plunger has an outwardly extending reduced portion, said sealing means being defined by a seal ring on the outer wall of said reduced portion.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-16 | 1976-10-16 | 1977-04-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-16 | 1980-10-16 | 1981-04-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-16 | 1984-10-16 | 1985-04-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |