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A quick connect multi-hose connector includes a first carrier assembly characterized by a male housing which carries a plurality of quick connects that are trapped thereon and which are preferably free to rotate with respect thereto, and further includes a second carrier assembly characterized by a

A quick connect multi-hose connector includes a first carrier assembly characterized by a male housing which carries a plurality of quick connects that are trapped thereon and which are preferably free to rotate with respect thereto, and further includes a second carrier assembly characterized by a female housing which integrally carries a plurality of male configured connectors. The male housing is couplably matable with respect to female housing, wherein the male and female housings have an asymmetrical feature which allows mating to occur only in one predetermined relative orientation therebetween. A coupling feature holds the male and female housings in the mated state until a user elects to release the coupling feature.

대표청구항 ▼

A quick connect multi-hose connector includes a first carrier assembly characterized by a male housing which carries a plurality of quick connects that are trapped thereon and which are preferably free to rotate with respect thereto, and further includes a second carrier assembly characterized by a

A quick connect multi-hose connector includes a first carrier assembly characterized by a male housing which carries a plurality of quick connects that are trapped thereon and which are preferably free to rotate with respect thereto, and further includes a second carrier assembly characterized by a female housing which integrally carries a plurality of male configured connectors. The male housing is couplably matable with respect to female housing, wherein the male and female housings have an asymmetrical feature which allows mating to occur only in one predetermined relative orientation therebetween. A coupling feature holds the male and female housings in the mated state until a user elects to release the coupling feature. contact with the electrical stimulating source, such that the fire ants fall away from the electrical stimulating source and away from the select area; wherein said electrical stimulating source has an amplitude that is low enough not to kill the ants or harm other beings; wherein the low impedance electrical stimulating source is an AC electrical source operating at a predetermined nominal frequency that varies as a function of load across the access path. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said low impedance electrical stimulating source is applied across an electrically conductive base and at least one conductive surface that is electrically insulated from the conductive base and in close proximity to the base. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said conductive base is located in ground-mounted equipment. 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said conductive base is located in pole-mounted equipment. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said low impedance electrical stimulating source is applied across at least two electrically conductive surfaces that are insulated from each other and in close proximity to each other. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said at least two electrically conductive surfaces are located in ground-mounted equipment. 7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said at least two electrically conductive surfaces are located in pole-mounted equipment. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said low impedance electrical stimulating source is activated on a substantially continuous basis. 9. An apparatus for preventing fire ants from gaining access to a select area having a defined path, comprising: means for providing a low impedance electrical stimulating source in the defined access path that, when activated, attracts fire ants to contact the stimulating source and become agitated to a point that ants from a common colony attack each other; and means for activating the low impedance electrical stimulating source to cause the fire ants to cluster around and contact the stimulating source such that current passes through the fire ants, the fire ants becoming agitated as a result of the contact with the electrical stimulating source, such that the fire ants fall away from the stimulating source and away from the select area; wherein said stimulating source is an AC voltage, whose amplitude is low enough not to kill the ants or harm other beings, but high enough to disrupt the nervous systems of the ants to the extent that they attack one another; wherein the low impedance electrical stimulating source operates at a predetermined nominal frequency that varies as a function of load across the access path. 10. A method for preventing fire ants from gaining access to a select area having a defined access path, comprising the steps of: disposing a low impedance electrical stimulating source in the defined access path that, when activated, will attract fire ants to contact the electrical stimulating source and become agitated to the point that ants from a common colony will attack each other; and activating the low impedance electrical stimulating source to cause the fire ants to cluster around and contact the electrical stimulating source such that current passes through the fire ants, the fire ants becoming agitated as a result of the contact with the electrical stimulating source, such that the fire ants fall away from the electrical stimulating source and away from the select area; wherein said electrical stimulating source has an amplitude that is low enough not to kill the ants or harm other beings; wherein the low impedance electrical stimulating source is an AC electrical source operating at a predetermined nominal frequency that varies as a function of load across the access path. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein said low impedance electrical stimulating source is activated on a substantially continuous basis. 12. A method for preventing fire ants from gaining access to a select a