Method and system for visually indicating a secure connection

摘要

A connector arrangement for attaching a gas conduit to a gas supply device and visually indicating the proper connection between the two components. The connector arrangement includes a connector attached to a gas conduit and a receptacle formed on a gas supply device. A visual indicator is associated with the receptacle such that when the connector is properly received within the receptacle, the visual indicator provides a visual indication to the user that the connection has been made. The visual indicator can include two distinct colors that provide a visual indication of whether a proper connection has been made. The visual indicator could alternatively include a light that is illuminated when the proper connection is made.

主权项

1. A connector arrangement that connects a gas conduit to a gas supply device, comprising:
a connector attached to the gas conduit, the connector comprising a plurality of spaced retaining tabs; a receptacle formed on the gas supply device and sized to receive the connector and comprising a plurality of receiving slots spaced from each other by a plurality of retaining projections, the receiving slots configured to receive the retaining tabs, and the connector configured to rotate such that the retaining tabs rotate behind the retaining projections to retain the connector within the receptacle; and a visual indicator associated with the receptacle, the visual indicator comprising a visual indicator shroud within the receptacle, the visual indicator shroud configured to rotate with the connector, and the visual indicator shroud having an outer surface, wherein the visual indicator has a first state that provides a visual indication of when the retaining tabs are not rotated behind the retaining projections, and a second state that provides a visual indication of when the retaining tabs are fully rotated behind the retaining projections, wherein rotation of the connector transitions the visual indicator from the first state to the second state, wherein the second state indicates a fluid tight communication is achieved between the gas conduit and the gas supply device, and wherein a first portion of the outer surface of the visual indicator shroud is visible through at least one receiving slot of the receptacle in the first state and is not visible in the second state, and a second portion of the outer surface of the visual indicator shroud, different than the first portion, is visible through the at least one receiving slot of the receptacle in the second state and is not visible in the first state.