초록 ▼

The present invention relates to a multiple tube connector (60). The multiple tube connector (60) includes two substantially identical first and second connector housings (62, 64). The first and second connector housings (62, 64) include an aperture (65) coaxially positioned therein. The aperture (6

The present invention relates to a multiple tube connector (60). The multiple tube connector (60) includes two substantially identical first and second connector housings (62, 64). The first and second connector housings (62, 64) include an aperture (65) coaxially positioned therein. The aperture (65) includes a plurality of inwardly projecting, evenly spaced apart and substantially identical splines (88) defining key ways (90) therebetween. A locking spindle (66) is rotatably mounted in one of the first and second connector housings (62, 64). The locking spindle (66) includes evenly spaced apart, outwardly projecting and substantially identical splines (92) defining key ways (96) therebetween. The locking spindle (66) being rotatable between a released position wherein the splines (92) of the locking spindle (66) are aligned with the key ways (90) of the first and second connector housings (62, 64) such that the first and second connector housings (62, 64) can be placed in an abutting relationship and a locked position wherein the splines ( 92) of the locking spindle (66) are aligned with the splines (88) of the first and second connector housings (62, 64) such that the connector housings (62, 64) are locked in an abutting relationship.

대표청구항 ▼

A multiple tube connector, comprising: (a) a first cylindrical connector housing having an axially extending, outer rim portion interconnected to a transversely extending wall portion, the wall portion having an aperture substantially coaxial with respect to the rim portion, a plurality of apertures

A multiple tube connector, comprising: (a) a first cylindrical connector housing having an axially extending, outer rim portion interconnected to a transversely extending wall portion, the wall portion having an aperture substantially coaxial with respect to the rim portion, a plurality of apertures of lesser diameter than the coaxial aperture being disposed in the wall portion circumferentially about a major portion of the coaxial aperture, the coaxial aperture including a plurality of inwardly projecting, evenly spaced apart and substantially identical spline members, the spline members defining a plurality of axially extending keyways therebetween; (b) a second cylindrical connector housing substantially identical to the first cylindrical connector housing; (c) a plurality of axially extending hollow male and female inserts removably positioned in at least some of the apertures of lesser diameter, a first end of the female inserts being adapted to receive a first end of the corresponding male inserts when the first and second connector housings are placed in an abutting relationship, a second end of the male and female inserts being configured for insertion into a tube; and (d) a cylindrical locking spindle being rotatably retained proximate a first end in the first connector housing, the locking spindle defining proximate a second end a plurality of evenly spaced apart, outwardly projecting and substantially identical spline members, axially extending keyways being defined between the spline members, the locking spindle being interconnected by an elongated radially extending shaft to manually activated switch means for rotating the locking spindle between a first released position and a second locked position, the splines of the locking spindle cooperating with the key ways of the second connector housing to enable partial insertion of the locking spindle through the coaxial aperture of the second connector housing so as to place the first and second connector housings in an abutting relationship when in the first released position, the splines of the locking spindle cooperating with the splines of the second connector housing to lock the first and second connector housings together in an abutting relationship when in the second locked position, the rim portions of the first and second connector housings being cut away along a predetermined circumferential extent and the wall portions of the first and second connector housings being void of the apertures of lesser diameter along a corresponding extent to enable a predetermined amount of pivotal motion of the elongated shaft, the elongated shaft and the splines of the locking spindle cooperating with the first and second connector housings to provide a keying feature whereby proper matching of the respective male and female inserts is assured upon positioning of the first and second connector housings in an abutting relationship.