WO1998022743A1

WO1998022743A1 - Quick connector with visual indicator

Info

Publication number: WO1998022743A1
Application number: PCT/US1996/018587
Authority: WO
Inventors: Donald D. Bartholomew
Original assignee: Proprietary Technology, Inc.
Priority date: 1996-11-20
Filing date: 1996-11-20
Publication date: 1998-05-28
Also published as: EP0939873A1; JP2001505288A; AU1020197A; CA2272867A1

Abstract

A quick connector conduit assembly for use in a conduit coupling incorporates a hand insertable (male) conduit (200) for insertion into a female receptacle (210) in which the female receptacle (210) is fitted with a seating indicator (20). The seating indicator (20) includes an inner indicator ring (24), an outer indicator ring (23), and one or more arms (22) connecting the inner indicator ring (24) to the outer indicator ring (23). Upon insertion of the male conduit (200) into the female receptacle (210), the bead (28) of the conduit (200) presses against the inner indicator ring (24), drawing it inwardly into the female receptacle (210) and causing the outer indicator ring (23) to press against the outer end of the female receptacle (210) until such time as it breaks away from the arms (22) of the seating indicator (20). The franged outer ring (23) indicates that proper seating of the conduit (200) into the female receptacle (210) has been effected.

Description

QUICK CONNECTOR WITH VISUAL INDICATOR

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of pending application no. PCT/US95/12282, filed September 26, 1995, fully incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a conduit coupling through which fluid flows. More particularly, the present invention relates to a quick connector which retains a male conduit within a female receptacle, and a connection of this type which includes an indicator for confirming proper connection.

In the automotive industry (as well as for many other industries) the need always exists for low cost, reliable, and easy-to-assemble components. This need is especially apparent with respect to providing a connection between fluid conveying conduits, such as fuel, brake, or refrigerant lines. Traditionally, such a connection is comprised of a male conduit being retained within a female receptacle through use of threaded fittings, flare fittings, or through bolted-on flanges.

More recently, a variety of snap together quick connect retainers have been used in place of the conventional methods. These quick connectors typically have a plurality of flexible legs which engage an annular bead attached to a male conduit and also engage an undercut groove formed within a female member. Two such examples are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,601 ,497 entitled "Swivelable Quick Connector Assembly" which issued on July 22, 1986, and U.S. Patent

No. 4,778,203 entitled "Swivelable Quick Connector for High Temperature Connection" which issued on October 18, 1988, both of which were invented by the inventor of the present invention and are incorporated by reference herewithin. Another quick connector has a retainer which is flat with pairs of annular arms extending therearound which are radially flexible. Other quick connectors which were invented by the inventor of the present invention are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,524,995 and 4,423,892, both of which are entitled "Swivelable Quick Connector Assembly" and which issued on June 25, 1985, and January 23, 1984, respectively, and are incorporated by reference herewithin. A more recent development in quick connectors has been advanced by the inventor of the present invention in the discovery of a system for indicating that the quick connector-male conduit assembly is properly seated with the female receptacle. This system is set forth in co-pending application no. PCT/US95/12282, the application being titled "Quick Connector with Confirmation Feature". According to that invention, a connector having a frangible ring is positioned in relation to the male conduit such that upon movement of the installer toward the female housing, a ring portion of the indicator franges as the installer applies pressure to achieve engagement of the male conduit to the female housing. As the installer continues to apply pressure against the ring portion, it breaks away from the connector body, thus confirming that the male conduit is fully engaged to the female housing by its new position along the male tube.

The quick connector of the present invention has its retainer part (to hold the male and female portions together) situated in the female part (as opposed to the male part in Applicant's co-pending application PCT/US95/12282 "Quick Connector with Confirmation Feature" incorporated herein by reference) and the confirmation feature has two rings. One of these rings, the outer ring, has been described above and the other is positioned on the inside of the retainer and is driven by the bead on the male conduit. As the male conduit is installed inside the female receptacle, engaging jaws in the female receptacle on the retainer are pushed open by the bead on the male conduit. As these jaws are passed by the bead on the male conduit, the bead pushes on this inner ring. Installing the male conduit (and its bead) deeper within the female receptacle eventually causes the outer ring to frange from the one or more arms connecting the two rings. While the above-described assembly provides an improvement in quick connector assemblies, other improvements and variations are possible and desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a preferred embodiment of the coupler includes a retainer having included therewith an indicator.

The indicator confirms to the installer that proper engagement of the male conduit within the female housing has been made.

The present invention includes an indicator assembly which is comprised of a pair of spaced apart, parallel rings connected by one or more arms perpendicularly positioned between the rings. One of the rings is disposed within the retainer and is the inner ring. The other of the rings is disposed outside the retainer and is the outer ring. An end of each of the one or more arms is frangible from the outer ring.

The inner ring is disposed within a retainer. The retainer is positioned within a female receptacle. The indicator includes an inner ring having one or more spring arms extending therefrom. At the end of each arm is a franging area, separating each arm (if more than one is used) from the inner ring, which has an outside diameter large enough to be stopped by the female housing open end.

The male conduit includes a lead end, a radial bead, and a reduced area formed between the lead end and the radial bead to provide good sealing. Upon insertion of the lead end of the male conduit into the female housing, the reduced area passes easily between the jaws of the retainer. However, as the radial bead is passed between the jaws, they are forced open, allowing the radial bead to be moved to the inner side of the jaws. As this happens, the jaws snap back to their original positions, forced by the springing action of the spring arms to which the jaws are connected. Simultaneously, the radial bead engages the outer surface of the inner ring of the indicator assembly and forces it inwardly toward the inside. Where the indicator assembly is of the double ring type, the outer ring is drawn against the end surface of the female housing as the male conduit is inserted into the housing and forces the inner ring to move inwardly toward the inside. At a certain point the outer ring is forced to break from the arms, thus indicating that a proper connection has been made by the outer ring now being positioned along the male tube. Extra length between the end of the retainer locking jaws (that retain the male tube by means of the jaws springing back behind the radial bead on the male) and a front retainer ring (from which the spring arms that mount the retainer jaws depend), is preferred. This can be simply accomplished by changing the jaws. With the extra length, the installer now has an extra length to push the male into the female which will assist in franging the outside ring off of the arms and onto the tubing and to allow room for the length along the connector axis (in front of the radial bead) for the inner ring. The present invention overcomes some of the difficulties associated with assembly of quick connectors. Specifically, the retainer made be made from either metal or a plastic, thus providing the possibility to use the best material for the job. The indicator (which is preferably composed of a plastic) assembly is easily manufactured for low cost. In addition, the indicator assembly is easily operated and does not interfere with the installation of the male conduit into the female housing.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a hand-insertable quick connector that incorporates an indicator that quickly and clearly confirms proper connection of a male conduit within a female housing.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a quick connector that is made from a minimum number of parts. It is a further object of the present invention to provide such an indicator that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a quick connector which can be a part of the conduit between connections.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a quick connector which has a pop-off ring to show when a connection is properly made.

Additional objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-noted advantages as well as other advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art by reading the following specification and subjoined claims in conjunction with reference to the following drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a sectional view of a plastic retainer of the present invention having a plastic retainer indicator assembly situated therein; Figure 2 shows a sectional view of a second embodiment of a metal retainer of the present invention having a variation of a plastic indicator assembly situated therein;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of an indicator assembly according to the present invention; Figure 4 is a sectional view of a quick connector and male conduit according to the present invention having a female receptacle and the plastic retainer fitted therein with an indicator assembly positioned within the retainer;

Figure 5 is a sectional view similar to that of Figure 4 but showing the male conduit seated within the female receptacle;

Figure 6 is a sectional view of a quick connector and male conduit according to the present invention having a female receptacle and the metal retainer fitted therein within an indicator assembly positioned within the retainer; and Figure 7 is a sectional view similar to that of Figure 6 but showing the male conduit seated within the female receptacle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In general, the present invention is directed to a quick connector- conduit assembly incorporating a retainer having a seating indicator assembled therewith. The seating indicator includes an inner ring spaced apart from an outer ring, the rings being connected by at least one arm. The outer ring is frangible from the arm(s). Upon seating of the male conduit within the female receptacle, the arm(s) become further recessed within the female housing and the outer ring is broken from the arm(s), thereby confirming proper connection. In a first embodiment, the retainer is composed of a plastic. In another embodiment the retainer is composed of a metal.

The female receptacle may be of a variety of types, including those formed from deep-drawn, thin-walled construction as well as those formed from injection molding.

The present invention finds utility in, for example, coupling the tubing disposed between the elements of fuel, water, or oil systems. It may be used with plastic or metal conduits, as shown in the inventor's co-pending United States patent application Serial No. 08/503,454, titled MEANS OF COUPLING NON-THREADED CONNECTIONS.

More particularly, the connector of the present invention also finds application in external oil lines and hoses as well as in automotive fuel and cooling systems. The present connector may also be used in vehicle fuel systems between, for example, the fuel tank and the fuel pump and the carburetor or fuel injection system. While having particular usefulness in motor vehicles, the connector of the present invention may also find application in virtually any situation in which male and female fluid-carrying lines must be connected.

Referring to Figure 1 , a sectional view of a plastic retainer assembly, generally illustrated as 10, is shown. The retainer assembly 10 according to the embodiment of Figure 1 is formed from a polymerized material such as a plastic. The retainer assembly 10 includes a front ring 12 which has a centrally positioned male conduit- passing bore 13 formed therethrough. Suspended substantially perpendicularly from the front ring 12 are a plurality of spring arms 14. There is at least one such arm 14, although there may be more. The arms 14 are fixed at one end to the front ring 12 and include at the other end a joining area (between the two arms) from which depends a jaw for engagement with the male conduit. The arms 14 are constructed so that they may be slightly bent from the illustrated perpendicular position upon insertion of a male conduit, as will be explained below.

Formed on the pair of the arms 14 is a jaw 16. Each of the jaws 16 includes an inner end 17 and an outer end 18. The outer end 18 is for abutment against an inner surface of a female housing, as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. It should be understood that the arrangement of arms and jaws as disclosed herein is intended to be illustrative and not limiting. For example, although a pair of arms is shown to support the jaw, only a single arm may be used in lieu of the illustrated pair.

Positioned substantially within the retainer assembly 10 is an indicator assembly 20. The assembly 20 is also preferably formed from a polymerized material such as a plastic. The assembly 20 includes an indicator arm 22, an outer indicator ring 23, and an inner indicator ring 24 that stays connected to the arms 22. The outer indicator ring 23 is attached to the arms 22 by a frangible area 27. As illustrated, the arm 22 is formed substantially perpendicularly with respect to the inner indicator ring 24. While only one arm 22, a half ring 23, and a half ring 24 are illustrated, there may be two or more such arms. A centrally positioned male conduit-passing bore 26 is formed through the inner indicator ring 24 and a centrally positioned male conduit-passing bore 29 is formed through the outer indicator ring 23. The outer ring 23 must have an inside diameter large enough to pass at least the raised bead on the male conduit, as shown and discussed below with respect to Figures 4 and 5. Reference numeral 28 is directed to an area provided on the indicator 20 (behind the ring 24 in the figure) which has as its purpose the stabilization of the indicator 20 in the retainer 10. Figure 2 illustrates a sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the retainer assembly of the present invention, generally illustrated as 30. The retainer assembly 30 according to this embodiment is composed of a metal. The retainer assembly 30 includes a front ring 32 having centrally formed therein a male conduit-passing bore 33. Extending from the front ring 32 is at least one arm 34, although three such arms 34 are illustrated. The arms 34 have holes in them, as shown, to increase the springiness of the arms 34 while leaving enough stability for the locking jaws 36. Each of the arms 34 includes an outer, female housing-contacting end (or bent area) 36. The outer end 36 is for abutment against an inner surface of a female housing, as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7.

Inwardly suspended from the end 36 is a jaw 37. As with the embodiment of the retainer assembly illustrated in Figure 1 , the arms 34 may be flexed in one direction toward or away from the illustrated position. Each jaw 37 terminates at an inner end 38.

Positioned substantially within the retainer assembly 30 is an indicator assembly 40. The indicator assembly 40 is preferably formed from a polymerized material such as a plastic. The assembly 40 includes an indicator arm 42, an outer indicator ring 43, and an inner indicator ring 44. The outer indicator ring 43 is detachably connected to the indicator arm 42 by a frangible area 47. The outer indicator ring 43 includes an inner diameter 49 which is larger than the outer diameter of the bead formed on the male conduit thereby allowing it to pass. As illustrated, the arm 42 is formed substantially perpendicularly with respect to the inner indicator ring 44. While only one arm 42 is illustrated, there may be two or more such arms. A centrally positioned male conduit-passing bore 46 is formed through the inner indicator ring 44.

Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary generic embodiment of an indicator assembly according to the present invention, generally illustrated as 100. The "tell-tale" indicator assembly 100, which is also preferably formed from a polymerized material such as a plastic, may be used in lieu of the indicator assemblies 20 and 40 illustrated and discussed above with respect to Figures 1 and 2. The assembly 100 substantially embodies the various features of the assemblies 20 and 40. The alignment and centering tabs that are used in Figures 1 and 2 that align and center indicators 20 and 40 (hidden by front indicator ring 24 in Figure 1 , and shown as 45 in Figure 2) are the major differences between the embodiments of Figures 1 and 2 and Figure 3. An element, indicated by 105, is representative of such an alignment tab.

The indicator assembly 100 includes an inner indicator ring 102 having suspended therefrom in a substantially perpendicular manner a plurality of arms 104. At their ends opposite the inner indicator ring 102, each of the arms 104 includes an area 106 which is defined by an easy- to-fracture gate which is frangible. The area 106 connects each of the arms 104 to an outer indicator ring 108. (While not illustrated, it should be understood that an outer indicator ring could also be attached to the outer end of each of the arms 22 of the indicator assembly 20 of Figure 1 or to the outer end of each of the arms 42 of the indicator assembly 40 of Figure 2.) The inner indicator ring 102 has a bore 110 centrally formed therein to provide for the passage of a male conduit. The outer indicator ring 108 also has a bore 112 centrally formed therein also to provide for the passage of a male conduit bead. The area 105 in Figure 3 indicates means to keep the indicator assembly 100 located in the retainer.

Figure 4 illustrates a male conduit, generally illustrated as 200, in spaced apart relation from an exemplary female receptacle, generally illustrated as 210, according to the present invention. The female contains the plastic retainer assembly 10 shown in and discussed with respect to Figure 1. The male conduit 200 is an elongated cylindrically- shaped part which includes a tube 212 which has formed thereon a chamfered lead end 214, a reduced area 216 (for improved sealing with the seal of the female receptacle as set forth below), and a tube bead 218 formed at a predetermined distance from the lead end 214. The male conduit 200 may be formed from either a plastic or a metal. The male conduit 200 acts as a fluid conduit for a fuel, braking, or refrigeration system within an automotive vehicle or the like. Therefore, the male conduit 200 must be securely affixed within the female receptacle 210. The female receptacle 210 includes a housing 220 having an end

222, a radially reducing shoulder 224, and a tube stabilizing end 226. The housing 220 may be formed from either a metal or a polymerized material such as a plastic. Preferably, the female housing 220 is of the deep drawn type and is made of a drawn metal or other material. Also provided within the female receptacle 210 is a bushing 228 and an O-ring 230. (It is to be understood that the O-ring 230 is provided for sealing and could consist of, for example, a pair of O-rings separated by a washer [not shown].) (The bushing 228 [of which there might also be more than one] is annular shaped and is preferably defined by walls forming a pentilateral cross-sectional shape.) The bushing 228 is useful in "piloting" the male conduit 200 into the female receptacle 210. The bushing 228 is made from a plastic material or from a metallic material. The O-ring 230 is preferably formed from an elastomeric material such as rubber. The bushing 228 and the O-ring 230 are sealing and supporting members, and their configuration and even their numbers could be altered as necessary to provide for proper fluid-tight assembly of the male and female components. The retainer assembly 10 and the indicator assembly 20 are fitted within the female housing 220. (However, it is to be understood, alternatively, the indicator assembly 40 could also be used in conjunction with the retainer assembly 10.)

Figure 5 illustrates the male conduit 200 seated within the female receptacle 210. The outer indicator ring 23 has been broken from the indicator assembly 20, thus indicating that proper seating of the male conduit 200 within the female receptacle 210 has occurred. The steps which preceded the successful connection of the male conduit 200 and the female receptacle 210 are as follows. The installer (not shown) grasps the male conduit 200 and directs the lead end 214 (Figure 4) through the bore 112 of the outer conduit ring 23 and into the female receptacle 210. The lead end 214 and its adjacent reduced area 216 are of such diameter that the end of the male conduit 200 readily passes between the opposed inner ends 17 of the jaws 16 as well as through the bore 26 of the inner indicator ring 24 and the bore 13 of the front ring 23 of the retainer assembly 10. However, the outer diameter of the bead 218 is larger than the inner diameter of all of these passages. Accordingly, as the bead 218 is forced against the interior surfaces of the ends 17 of the jaws 16, the arms 14 are caused to be flexed outwardly, allowing the inner diameter formed by the ends 17 to be enlarged enough so as to allow passage of the bead 218 therethrough. Once the bead 218 passes the ends 17, the jaws 16 snap back to their unflexed positions, locking the bead 218 (and hence the male conduit 200) into the female receptacle 210. During this operation and after the bead 218 passes through the jaws 16, it encounters the inner indicator ring 24. Because the inner diameter of the bore 26 is smaller than the outer diameter of the bead 218 and because the bore 26 is not expandable, the bead 218 presses against the outer surface 28 of the inner indicator ring 24 and carries the ring 24 forward with it toward the seated position of the conduit tube 212. The outer indicator ring 23, being connected to the inner indicator ring 24 through the arms 22, also moves axially inwardly until its inner surface contacts the end 222 of the female housing 220. When the outer indicator ring 23 reaches this point it cannot be moved any further because of the impact of ring 23 on the end 222, and the areas 27 - designed to fracture - break, thus releasing the outer indicator ring 23 from the remainder of the indicator assembly 20. The outer indicator ring 23, now free from its constraints, is allowed to move freely in an axial and longitudinal manner along the conduit tube 212, thus indicating to the installer that the male conduit 200 is properly seated in the female receptacle 210.

Also illustrated in Figure 5 is an optional notched area, generally identified as 213, which allows for the ring 23 to be split and removed from the conduit tube 212, thus preventing the ring 23 from vibrating or rattling or otherwise interfering with operations. Figures 6 and 7 disclose sectional views of a quick connector and male conduit according to the present invention having a female receptacle and the metal retainer assembly 30 of Figure 2 fitted therein within the indicator assembly 40 substantially positioned within the retainer assembly 30. Figure 6 illustrates the components prior to insertion of the male conduit and Figure 7 illustrates the components following insertion.

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate a male conduit, generally illustrated as 200', in spaced apart relation from an exemplary female receptacle, generally illustrated as 210', according to the present invention. Both the male conduit 200' and the female receptacle 210' are preferably but not exclusively identical to their counterparts shown in Figures 4 and 5. However, and as illustrated, the female receptacle 210' contains the metal retainer assembly 30 shown in and discussed with respect to Figure 2. The male conduit 200' includes a tube 212' which has formed thereon a chamfered lead end 214', a reduced area 216' (for improved sealing with the seal of the female receptacle as set forth below), and a tube bead 218' formed at a predetermined distance from the lead end 214'. As with its counterpart of Figures 4 and 5, the male conduit 200' may be formed from either a plastic or a metal. The male conduit 200' acts as a fluid conduit for a fuel, braking, or refrigeration system within an automotive vehicle or the like. Therefore, the male conduit 200' must be securely affixed within the female receptacle 210'.

Again as with its counterpart of Figures 4 and 5, the female receptacle 210' includes a housing 220' having an end 222', a radially reducing shoulder 224', and a tube stabilizing end 226'. The housing 220' may be formed from either a metal or a polymerized material such as a plastic. Preferably, the female housing 220' is of the deep drawn type and is made of a drawn metal or other material.

Again as with the embodiment of Figures 4 and 5, an O-ring 230' is provided within the female receptacle 210' as is a bushing 228'. The bushing 228' is useful in "piloting" the male conduit 200' into the female receptacle 210'. The bushing 228' is made from a plastic material or from a metallic material (having sufficient hoop strength to withstand the radially outward-directed forces acting thereupon, or it may be slip-fitted along the tube 212' from plastic or metal). The O-ring 230' is preferably formed from an elastomeric material such as rubber. The bushing 228' and the O-ring 230" are both sealing and supporting members, and their configuration and even their numbers could be altered as necessary to provide for proper fluid-tight assembly of the male and female components. As in Figures 4 and 5, limitation of the movement of the male conduit 200' in O-ring 230' is also in the inner bushing area performed by housing 220' in the area of Figure 6 of the inside diameter of the step 226', just right of the lead end 214' of the tube 212' as shown in Figure 7.

The installer (not shown) grasps the male conduit 200' and directs the lead end 214' (Figure 6) through the bore 49 of the outer indicator ring 43 and into the female receptacle 210'. The lead end 214' and its adjacent reduced area 216' are of such diameter that the end of the male conduit 200' readily passes between the opposed inner ends 38 of the jaws 37 as well as through the bore 46 of the inner indicator ring 44 and the bore 33 of the front ring 32 of the retainer assembly 30.

However, the outer diameter of the bead 218' is larger than the inner diameter of all of these passages. Accordingly, as the bead 218' is forced against the interior surfaces of the ends 38 of the jaws 37, the arms 34 are caused to be flexed, allowing the inner diameter formed by the ends 38 to be enlarged enough so as to allow passage of the bead 218' therethrough. Once the bead 218' passes the ends 38, the jaws 37 snap back to their unflexed positions, locking the bead 218' (and hence the male conduit 200') into the female receptacle 210'.

During this operation and after the bead 218' passes through the jaws 37, it encounters the inner indicator ring 44. Because the inner diameter of the bore 46 is smaller than the outer diameter of the bead 218' and because the bore 46 is not expandable, the bead 218' presses against the outer surface of the inner indicator ring 44 and carries the ring 44 forward with it toward the seated position of the conduit 200'. The outer indicator ring 43, being connected to the inner indicator ring 44 through the arms 42, also moves axially inwardly until its inner surface contacts the end 222' of the female housing 220'. When the outer indicator ring 43 reaches this point it cannot be moved any further, and the areas 47 - designed to fracture - break, thus releasing the outer indicator ring 43 from the remainder of the indicator assembly 40. The outer indicator ring 43, now free from its constraints, is allowed to move freely in an axial manner along the conduit tube 212', thus indicating to the installer that the male conduit 200' is properly seated in the female receptacle 210'.

As an example of the present invention, the area between the ends 38 of the jaws 37 and the inner side of the ring 32 of the retainer assembly 30 is preferably at least 0.015 inches larger than the total thickness of the inner indicator ring 44 and the width of the bead 218'.

This dimension is more than sufficient to effect the fracture of the area 47 upon insertion of the male conduit 200' into the female receptacle 210' and provides a large space for tolerances. The dimensions are established such that the outer indicator ring 43 impacts upon the end 222' of the housing 220' after the jaws 37 snap closed behind the bead 218' upon insertion. Pushing the male conduit 200' only slightly (before the tube 212' is pushed in by the suggested 0.015 inches) fractures the outer indicator ring 43 from the arms 42. The outer indicator ring 43 is stopped from falling completely away by the tube 212'.

Regardless of the particular embodiment, the connectors of the present invention disclose several advantages over the prior art including a simple method of installing an indicator (and not having any separate sleeve or intermediate part) into a female receptacle and for readily verifying that the assembly is properly and fixedly attached at lower overall cost. Furthermore, the connectors of the present invention require no special guide means unlike connectors of the prior art.

Those skilled in the art can now appreciate from the foregoing description that the broad teachings of the present invention can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this invention has been described in connection with particular examples thereof, the true scope of the invention should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of the drawings, specification, and following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is: 1. A seating indicator assembly for retaining a male conduit to a female receptacle, the male conduit being seatable within the female receptacle, the seating indicator assembly comprising: a retainer; and an indicator assembly, said retainer being substantially confined by the female receptacle, said retainer having a side wall and at least one opening formed in said side wall, said indicator assembly being at least partially positionable within said retainer, said indicator assembly including: an outer indicator ring; an inner ring, said inner ring including at least one alignment tab extending therefrom for selective positioning within said at least one opening formed in said side wall of said retainer; at least one arm connecting said outer indicator ring and said inner ring; and at least one frangible region connecting said outer indicator ring to said at least one arm, said outer indicator ring being franged from said at least one arm upon seating of the male conduit within the female receptacle.

2. The seating indicator assembly of Claim 1 , wherein said retainer assembly includes a central axis and said indicator assembly is movable along said central axis substantially within said retainer assembly, said movement being limited by movement of said inner ring within said retainer assembly.

3. The seating indicator assembly of Claim 1 , wherein said retainer assembly includes a central axis and said indicator assembly is movable along said central axis, said movement being initially limited by movement of said outer ring against said retainer assembly, said limit being overcome upon franging of said at least one frangible region.

4. The seating indicator assembly of Claim 1 , wherein said inner indicator ring includes a male conduit-passing bore formed therein and said outer indicator ring includes a male conduit-passing bore formed therein, said male conduit-passing bore of said outer indicator ring having a greater diameter than said male conduit-passing bore of said inner indicator ring.

5. A retainer seating indicator assembly for retaining a male conduit to a female receptacle, the male conduit being seatable within the female receptacle, the retainer of the male being substantially carried by the female, the seating indicator assembly including: a retainer; and an indicator assembly, said retainer including a front ring and at least one spring arm having a first end and a second end, said first end being connected to said front ring, said indicator assembly comprising: an inner indicator ring and an outer indicator ring; and at least one seating indicator arm formed on said outer indicator ring, said ring and said arm being movable from an unseated-indicating position to a seated-indicating and franged position upon insertion of the male conduit into the female receptacle, said inner indicator ring being positionable substantially within said retainer when said ring and said arm are in an unseated-indicating position.

6. The seating indicator assembly of Claim 5, wherein said indicator assembly further includes an inner indicator ring and wherein the retainer assembly includes a central axis and said inner indicator ring is movable along said central axis substantially within said retainer assembly.

7. The seating indicator assembly of Claim 5, wherein said retainer is composed of a polymerized material.

8. The seating indicator assembly of Claim 6, wherein said at least one indicator arm is connected to said outer indicator ring.

9. The seating indicator assembly of Claim 8, wherein said at least one indicator arm is connected to said inner indicator ring.

10. The seating indicator assembly of Claim 5, wherein said retainer is composed of a metal.

11. The seating indicator assembly of Claim 8, wherein said indicator arm and said outer indicator ring further includes a frangible area formed therebetween.

12. The seating indicator assembly of Claim 8, wherein said inner indicator ring includes a male conduit-passing bore formed therein and said outer indicator ring includes a male conduit-passing bore formed therein, said male conduit-passing bore of said outer indicator ring having a greater diameter than said male conduit-passing bore of said inner indicator ring.

13. A retainer assembly for a fluid-confining connector for retaining a male conduit to a female receptacle, said assembly comprising: a retainer, said retainer having an inside, said retainer being substantially confined within the female receptacle, said retainer including a support body and an arm extending from said support body, said arm having a bent area defined by a bend toward said inside of said retainer, said bent area including a jaw; a seating indicator assembly, said seating indicator assembly including an indicator body and an external indicating device connected thereto, said indicator body defining a ring, said seating indicator assembly being movable from an unseated-indicating position to a seated-indicating position upon insertion of the male conduit into the female receptacle, said external indicating device being removable from said indicator body.

14. The retainer assembly of Claim 13, wherein said indicator body of said seating indicator assembly is positioned between said support body of said retainer and said arm of said retainer.

15. The retainer assembly of Claim 14, wherein said ring is an indicator ring, said indicator ring being frangible from said indicator body.

16. The retainer assembly of Claim 15, wherein the female receptacle includes a housing and the housing includes an inner wall, said jaws being positioned between said indicator ring and the inner wall of the receptacle housing.

17. The retainer assembly of Claim 14, wherein the female receptacle includes a housing and the housing includes an inner wall, said jaws being positioned between said indicator ring and the inner wall of the receptacle housing.

18. The retainer assembly of Claim 13, wherein said indicator ring is movable with said retainer between an unseated-indicating position to a seated-indicating position upon insertion of the male conduit into the female receptacle.

19. The retainer assembly of Claim 13, wherein the male conduit includes a bead formed thereon and wherein said arm comprises at least two flexible arms which flex outwardly to allow passage of the bead thereby upon insertion of the male conduit into the female receptacle.

20. The retainer assembly of Claim 19, wherein the bead on the male conduit has an outer diameter and wherein the male conduit includes a lead end and a reduced region formed between the lead and the bead, said indicator ring includes a bore having an inner diameter which is smaller than the outer diameter of the bead.

21. The retainer assembly of Claim 15, wherein said indicator ring is an inner indicator ring and wherein seating indicating assembly further includes an outer indicator ring connected to said arm.

22. The retainer assembly of Claim 13, wherein said retainer is of one-piece metal construction.

23. The retainer assembly of Claim 13, wherein said retainer is of one-pieced, polymerized-material construction.

24. The retainer assembly of Claim 21 , wherein said outer indicator ring has a split formed therein to allow removal of said outer indicator ring from the male conduit.

25. A method for indicating that a male conduit having a bead is seated within a female receptacle, the method comprising the steps of: forming a female receptacle having inner walls; forming a retainer assembly having at least one flexible arm; forming an indicator assembly in operative association with said retainer assembly, the indicator assembly having a visual indicator means that is movable with respect to said female receptacle housing, said visual indicator means being attached to an indicator body; positioning said retainer assembly and said indicator assembly within said female receptacle such that said retainer assembly and at least a portion of said indicator assembly is positioned within said inner walls of said female receptacle; inserting the male conduit into the female receptacle until the male conduit is seated within the female receptacle whereupon the bead of the male conduit is positioned between said at least one flexible arm and said indicator body of said indicator assembly whereupon said visual indicator means franges from said indicator body; and observing the position of said franged visual indicator means to verify that the male conduit is seated within the female receptacle.

26. The method of Claim 25, including the step of forming an indicator assembly such that said visual indicator means comprises an indicator arm attached to said indicator body.

27. The method of Claim 26, including the step of forming an outer indicator ring at one end of said indicator arm.

28. The method of Claim 27, including the step of forming a frangible area between said indicator arm and said outer indicator ring.

29. The method of Claim 28, including the step of inserting the male conduit into the female receptacle at least until said outer indicator ring is franged from said indicator arm.

30. The method of Claim 25, including the step of forming a retainer assembly having at least two flexible arms.

31. The method of Claim 27, including the step of forming a retainer assembly having a split in said outer indicator ring to allow removal from the male conduit.