Appeal No. 2005-0642
Application No. 09/568,278
causing said latch to spring to an unlatched position if said latch is released before
having been fully moved to said latched position.
9. A quick connector coupling as claimed in claim 4 wherein said latch further
comprises a main body portion extending between a front edge and a semi-circular
rear edge, said legs depending from sides of said main body portion adjacent said
rear edge to mount said posts, said catch beams extending from sides of said main
body portion adjacent said front edge, and said latching means extending from a
central portion of said front edge.
10. A quick connector coupling comprising:
a hollow female connector body having hinge means formed on an exterior
surface;
a male member received in said connector body and having an enlarged
annular upset; and
a latch attached to said hinge means and being movable to a latched position
wherein a latching beam [first portion of said latch] extends through a
first slot formed in said connector body and is positioned between a
radial ledge defined by said first slot and said upset [engages said
upset] to secure said male member in said connector body, and first
and second catch beams extend through second and third slots in said
connector body and engage catch edges defined by said second and
third slots [a second portion of said latch extends through a second
slot formed in said connector body and engages said connector body]
to secure said latch in said latched position.
11. A quick connector coupling as claimed in claim 10 wherein said coupling
further comprises means to repel said latch to a clearly unlatched position if it has
not been fully moved to a latched position.
12. A quick connector coupling as claimed in claim 11 wherein said means to
repel said latch comprise exterior cam surfaces formed on said connector body
which cooperate with catch beams depending from said latch.
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