US5069489A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bleed-down connector assembly
Assignee: Proprietary Technology Inc
•
Filing: 1990-03-21
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Granted: 1991-12-03
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Expires: 2010-03-21
Abstract
Abstract A bleed-down connector assembly is described which employs a rotatable cap for controlling the axial movement of the conduit in the connector housing between the sealed and bleed-down positions. The cap is mounted concentrically over the housing for both rotational and axial movement with respect to the connector housing. The cap includes a wall portion which is formed to engage a retainer associated with the connector assembly for retaining or maintaining the conduit in the housing. The housing is formed to provide a ramp of varying axial length and the cap is formed with a plurality of depending spring-like tabs which engage the ramp and limit the axial movement of the cap with respect to the housing.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald D. Bartholomew
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 12:26
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L37/00; F16L37/08; F16L37/084; F16L37/098; F16L37/0985; F16L37/0987; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S285/00; Y10S285/921; Y10S285/924
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
A connector assembly for providing a bleed-down connector positioned with a tubular conduit which is adapted to convey a pressurized fluid, comprising: housing means for receiving said conduit; sealing means for providing a fluid tight connection between confronting portions of said housing means and said conduit when said conduit is in a fully inserted position in said housing means; retainer means for maintaining said conduit in said housing means, said retainer means including a detent having a U-shape in cross section; and cap means rotatably mounted on said housing means for controlling the axial position of said retainer means in cooperation with housing means such that said conduit is permitted to be partially withdrawn from said housing means with the rotation of cap means to said bleed-down connector position in which said sealing means fluid tight connection is interrupted and a flange extending radially angularly from said cap means into said housing means for interacting with said detent to prevent unwanted withdrawal of said retainer means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
A connector assembly for providing a bleed-down connector positioned with a tubular conduit which is adapted to convey a pressurized fluid, comprising: housing means for receiving said conduit; sealing means for providing a fluid tight connection between confronting portions of said housing means and said conduit when said conduit is in a fully inserted position in said housing means; retainer means for maintaining said conduit in said housing means, said retainer means including a detent having a U-shape in cross section; and cap means rotatably mounted on said housing means for controlling the axial position of said retainer means in cooperation with housing means such that said conduit is permitted to be partially withdrawn from said housing means with the rotation of cap means to said bleed-down connector position in which said sealing means fluid tight connection is interrupted and a flange extending radially angularly from said cap means into said housing means for interacting with said detent to prevent unwanted withdrawal of said retainer means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein one and the other said cap means and housing means includes, respectively, a radial ridge interengaging with a helical engagement surface, such that said cap means is capable of incremental axial movement with respect to said housing means upon rotation thereof relative to said housing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein said cap means and housing means include generally cylindrical wall portions which telescope together and helically extending thread operates between said wall portions for allowing incremental axial movement of said cap relative to said housing means upon relative rotation between said cap means and housing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The connector assembly according to claim 3, wherein said retainer means includes first release means for releasing the retainer means from said housing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The connector assembly according to claim 4, wherein said retainer means include second release means for releasing said tubular conduit from said housing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The connector assembly according to claim 1 wherein said detent faces axially outwardly of said housing means and extends 360° and said flange extends axially inwardly of said housing means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The connector assembly according to claim 6, wherein said flange extends 360° and nests within said detent.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The connector assembly according to claim 1, including flange means, associated with said housing means, for limiting inward axial advance of said cap means relative to said housing means and limiting outward axial advance of said retainer means.
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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) | 1994-12-02 | 1995-06-03 | 1995-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-12-02 | 1999-06-03 | 1999-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-12-02 | 2003-06-03 | 2003-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |