APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING QUICK-CONNECTIONS WITH RETAINING FEATURES

摘要

Fittings and coupling assemblies for relatively easy and quick connections to conduits are disclosed herein. A fitting assembly configured in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure includes a male connector and a female connector that can be coupled together to form a fitting assembly for attachment to a conduit or tube. The male connector can include a retaining feature, such as an undulated barb, to correspond with a corresponding engagement feature, such as a tooth carried by a shroud of the female connector, to allow the male and female connectors to be rapidly coupled together and also prevent the connectors from unintentional loosening. To couple and also separate the male and female connectors, a user can apply a compressive force to at least one of the male and female connectors, followed by a partial rotation of one of the connectors.

主权项

1. An apparatus for providing a connection to a conduit, the apparatus comprising:
a first part comprising a body having:
a retaining feature extending partially around the body, wherein the retaining feature includes a generally undulating surface having a crest section positioned between first and second trough sections; anda channel in the body extending at least approximately parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body, wherein the channel intersects the retaining feature; and a second part comprising a generally cylindrical housing having an engagement feature configured to move through the channel, wherein the first and second parts are configured to be coupled together by aligning the engagement feature with the channel, at least partially inserting the first part into the second part, and rotating the second part to generally align the engagement feature with the crest section of the retaining feature.