US3820828A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Compact multiple connector apparatus for multiple channels and tubes
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-01-26
•
Granted: 1974-06-28
•
Expires: 1993-01-26
Abstract
Abstract A compact apparatus for sealably interconnecting multiple aligned channels between the mating surfaces of two bodies wherein at least one body is relatively elastic and wherein multiple tubes lead to the channels of the elastic body with the I.D. size of the channels substantially the same as the I.D. size of the tubes thereby eliminating nipples which require tube I.D. size to be much larger than channel I.D. size. This allows the tubes and channels to be closely spaced and allows body size to be substantially reduced and in fact miniaturized. This also allows the use of small O.D. thin wall tubes without danger of rupture as when expanded over nipples. The tubes are bonded in the elastic body or sealed in counterbores of the elastic body by the radial movement of the elastic body against the tubes under the force exerted by a clamp plate to seal the tubes and channels in end-to-end communication. The mating surfaces of the bodies are sealed against one another under the force exerted by the clamp plate with the elastic body mating surface conforming to the surface of the other body to seal the tubes and/or their aligned channels in end-to-end communication. Tongue and groove interfitting, extending annular lips, mouths, heads and sockets, singly and in combination, at the mating surfaces of the bodies augment the seal at the mating surfaces of the bodies to seal the channels of the bodies in end-to-end communication.
Inventors
- 👤 T Fiddler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 11:27
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L39/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/5109; Y10T137/5283; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86493; Y10T137/86863; Y10T137/86879
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
A multiple channel and multiple tube connector apparatus having closely positioned tubes and channels to achieve small part size comprising, a relatively less elastic first body having a mating surface, a remote surface, and at least two close-spaced channels opening through said mating surface, a relative more elastic second body having a mating surface, a remote surface, and at least two bores opening through its said mating surface and aligned with said channels of said first body; tubes in said bores of said second body having holes constituting channels in said second body opening through its said mating surface; said mating surfaces of said first and second bodies abutting one another with sAid channels of said first body aligned in end-to-end communication with said tube channels of said second body; a clamp plate superposed on said remote surface of said second body; and means for exerting clamping force between said clamp and said first body to compress said second more elastic body between said plate and said first body with said mating surface of said second body sealed against said mating surface of said first body to seal said channels of said second body in end-to-end communication with said aligned channels of said first body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
205 words
A multiple channel and multiple tube connector apparatus having closely positioned tubes and channels to achieve small part size comprising, a relatively less elastic first body having a mating surface, a remote surface, and at least two close-spaced channels opening through said mating surface, a relative more elastic second body having a mating surface, a remote surface, and at least two bores opening through its said mating surface and aligned with said channels of said first body; tubes in said bores of said second body having holes constituting channels in said second body opening through its said mating surface; said mating surfaces of said first and second bodies abutting one another with sAid channels of said first body aligned in end-to-end communication with said tube channels of said second body; a clamp plate superposed on said remote surface of said second body; and means for exerting clamping force between said clamp and said first body to compress said second more elastic body between said plate and said first body with said mating surface of said second body sealed against said mating surface of said first body to seal said channels of said second body in end-to-end communication with said aligned channels of said first body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said clamp plate, said tubes, and second body being bonded together prior to assembly on said first body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
71 words
In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said mating surface of one said body having a tongue surrounding at least one of its said channels and said mating surface of said other body having a groove for receiving said tongue; said tongue and said groove compressing together under said clamping force to make an enclosing seal around the end-to-end juncture of said enclosed and aligned channels of said bodies.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
97 words
In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said bores of said second more elastic body being smaller than the outside diameter of said tubes; said second more elastic body having larger counterbores leading from said remote surface of said second more elastic body with said counterbores leading part-way through said second more elastic body; said counterbores being sized to receive said tubes; said tubes being fitted in said counterbores; said tubes thereby being in end-to-end communication with said bores and said bores being in end-to-end communication with said channels of said first less elastic body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said tubes being frictionally fitted in said bores of said second more elastic body and said clamp plate under the clamping force exerted by said means compressing said second more elastic body causing it to move into forced sealing engagement with said tubes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
97 words
In an apparatus as set forth in claim 5, said tubes extending from said second more elastic body at its said remote surface axially of said bores and said channels. said clamp plate having apertures receiving said tubes, and extending ridges on said clamp plate facing said remote surface of said second more elastic body; said ridges lying adjacent said tubes; said ridges under clamping force exerted on said clamp plate by said means augmenting movement of said second more elastic body against said tubes to augment sealing said tubes relative to said second more elastic body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
77 words
In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1, an annular lip on said mating surface of one said body surrounding at least one said channel opening of said one body; said lip extending outwardly from said mating surface of said one body; said means forceably clamping said mating surfaces of said bodies together sealably compressing said lip between said mating surfaces to seal communication between said end-to-end aligned channels of said bodies at said mating surfaces.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
81 words
In an apparatus as set forth in claim 7, an annular mouth on said mating surface of said other body surrounding said opening of its said aligned channel; said mouth extending outwardly from said mating surface of said other body; said annular mouth being of slightly different diametrical size than said annular lip on said one body to engage said annular lip in jamming sealing relationship to seal communication between said end-to-end aligned channels or said bodies at said mating surfaces.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
104 words
In an apparatus as set forth in claim 7, an extending annular head on one said body aligned concentrically within said lip; said head housing said channel and channel opening of said one body; and said other body having annular receiving socket aligned with said head; said socket including said aligned channel and channel opening of said other body; saId lip lying concentrically around one said head and said socket; said head being sealably jammed in said socket to seal communication between said openings of said end-to-end aligned channels of said bodies at said mating surfaces of said bodies in addition to said lip.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
81 words
In a device as set forth in claim 1, an extending annular head on one said body, said head housing one said aligned channel and channel opening of said one body; said other body having an annular receiving socket aligned with said head; said socket including one said aligned channel and said channel opening of said other body; said head being sealably jammed in said socket to seal communication between said end-to-end aligned channels of said bodies at said mating surfaces.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-27 | 1977-12-27 | 1978-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-27 | 1981-12-27 | 1982-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-27 | 1985-12-27 | 1986-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |