Larry E Knipple

US Patent:

20080191466, Aug 14, 2008

Filed:

Feb 11, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/673591

Inventors:

Larry Eugene Knipple - Wellington CO, US
Mark Allen Stone - Loveland CO, US
David Warren Splett - Fort Collins CO, US

International Classification:

F16L 17/06

US Classification:

285 31

Abstract:

A fluid connector and method of use is disclosed that includes a male housing with a male proximal end portion adapted to be in fluid communication with a first line and a male distal end portion having a resilient ring. Also included is a female housing with a female proximal end portion adapted to be in fluid communication with a second line and a female distal end portion with a resilient annulus that removably engages the ring. Operationally, the male and the female housings are configured at the annulus and ring engagement to have a high separating resistance axially and a low separating resistance transverse to the axial axis by manually applying a bending moment between the male and female engaged housings by a force transverse to the axial axis. Further included is structure for fluid sealing between the male and female housings when the annulus and ring are engaged.