Composite electrical and fluid or air connector

[57] ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates to a detachable connector which is -defined by a plug member having male electrical contacts and a male tube coupling, and a receptacle member having female electrical contacts and a female tube coupling. The male contacts and coupling are keyed relative to the female contacts and coupling. The tube coupling is sealed against leakage when a connection is effected.

Claims, 5 Drawing Figures

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PATENTED JUM271972

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SHEET 1 OF 2

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F-ATENTEt)JUH27 Π??

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SHEET 2 OF 2

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COMPOSITE ELECTRICAL AND FLUID OR AIR CONNECTOR

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 732,424, filed May 5,1968, and now abandoned.

This invention relates to a connector for detachably connecting electrical circuits and fluid conduits.

In advanced blood pressure monitoring equipment for continually monitoring and recording the blood pressure of a patient over a long period of time, it is desirable to have a connecting means for detachably connecting electrical circuits and fluid pressure conduit in the monitoring equipment. The electrical circuits may transmit pulse rates and the like from a patient to a read-out device, and the fluid pressure conduit may transmit blood pressure information. It is also desirable, in these cases, that unitary connectors be provided so that technicians may quickly and easily connect or disconnect the monitoring equipment.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a detachable connector arrangement for joining several electrical circuits and at least one fluid conduit.

Another object is to provide detachable plug and receptacle type connector blocks having male and female electrical contacts and a male and female tube coupling.

A further object is to provide a connector wherein the electrical contacts and tube coupling in the plug member are keyed for proper engagement to the electrical contacts and tube coupling of the receptacle member.

An additional object is to provide sealing means in the tube coupling whereby a sealed connection is effected when the connector blocks are mated.

Other objects and attainments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which there is shown and described an illustrative embodiment of the invention; it is to be understood, however, that this embodiment is not intended to be exhaustive nor limiting of the invention but is given for purposes of illustration in order that others skilled in the art may fully understand the invention and the principles thereof and the manner of applying it in practical use so that they may modify it in various forms, each as may be best suited to the conditions of a particular use.

These and other desirable objects are achieved in a preferred embodiment of the invention in which the connector comprises a pair of insulating blocks, each having a series of suitable cavities therethrough to receive contacts and couplings. Contacts utilized in the present invention are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,235,834 which is assigned to the present assignee. These contacts are of the shielded braid pin and socket type, however, it should be noted that other pin and socket type contacts may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective and exploded view of a connector according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the connector of FIG. 1 and partially in section along the lines 2—2 of FIG. 4 showing the tube couplings in place in their respective cavities;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the connector of FIGS. 1 and 2 showing the connector housings engaged;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the plug member as seen from lines 4—4 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the receptacle as seen from the lines 5—5 of FIG. 2.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, the present connector comprises a plug connector housing P and a receptacle connector housing R. Both housings are formed of suitable dielectric material such as plastic, nylon or similar material. Plug housing P has hole means 2 in the ends thereof which mate with hole means 4 in the ends of the receptacle housing R. Suitable nut and bolt means or spring means may be used in conjunction with holes 2 and 4 to hold the housings into engaged relationship. Alternatively, the housings P and R may be mounted onto suitable panels by hole means 2 and 4.

Plug housing P has at least three male contacts C which are mechanically and electrically secured to the ends of wires W according to the above-mentioned patent. Contacts C are latchingly disposed in suitably spaced cavities in housing P such that their forward contact ends, project from the mating face of housing P.

Receptacle housing R has at least three female contacts F, FIG. 5, which are mechanically and electrically secured to the ends of wires W' in the same manner as wires W are secured onto contacts C. Contacts F are latchingly disposed in suitably spaced cavities in housing R such that they are positioned directly in line with and longitudinally opposite from contacts C in housing P and they do not project outwardly from the front surface of housing R. Contacts C and F insertably engage each other when housings P and R are brought into engagement.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, flexible plastic tubes T and Τ', which are disposed in parallel relationship with wires W and W’, are connected to the rearward ends of tube couplings TC and TC'. Tubes T and T' constitute the fluid conduit which is disclosed herein.

Referring particularly to FIG. 2, tube coupling TC, which is utilized in conjunction with plug housing P, comprises a cylindrical plastic member having a passageway 6 therethrough. The rearward end of coupling TC has a peripheral barb 8 therearound which is larger in outside diameter than the inside diameter of tube T. Barb 8 has a rearwardly directed slope 10 which constitutes lead-in means for insertably attaching tube T to the coupling. A forward ledge 12 on barb 8 holds tube T and prevents it from being accidentally pulled from tube coupling TC. It should be noted that tube T may be permanently secured to coupling TC by a suitable compression ferrule, or it may be adhered to coupling TC by an adhering agent such as epoxy or in any other suitable manner.

Tube coupling TC has an enlarged portion 14 along its midsection, which terminates in a reduced diameter portion 16. A metal latching member 18 locks coupling TC in its cavity 15 in housing P and it is disposed around portion 16. Member 18, which is made in one piece, has an axial slot therethrough (not shown). This slot allows member 18 to flex radially so that it may be easily assembled to the coupling TC. The forward end of member 18 includes spring fingers 23 which abut a ridge 26 on coupling TC. These spring fingers 23 are formed back over member 18 so as to engage a forward ledge 20 in cavity 15. The rearward edge of member 18 terminates in an upstanding flange 22 which abuts a rearward ledge 24 in cavity 15 and enlarged portion 14 of coupling TC. This spring latch and locking arrangement is also disclosed in the above-mentioned patent.

The forward projecting end of coupling TC terminates in a chamfered nose section 28. Directly behind section 28 is a peripheral groove 30 with a flexible rubber sealing ring 32 disposed therein. Chamfered nose section 28 serves to align coupling TC relative to its counterpart coupling TC'. Sealing ring 32, which has a greater outside diameter than the inside diameter of its counterpart receptacle portion 7, serves to seal coupling TC in its counterpart coupling TC'.

Referring still to FIG. 2, tube coupling TC’, which is utilized in conjunction with receptacle housing R, comprises a cylindrical plastic member having a passageway 34 therethrough. The rearward end of coupling TC' has a peripheral barb 9 which is identical to the barb 8 of coupling TC. Barb 9 serves to grip and hold tube T' in the same manner as described above for tube T. A latching member 19, which is identical in shape and use to member 18, serves to hold coupling TC’ in its cavity 17 in housing R. Member 19 resides in a reduced diameter portion 21 of coupling TC'.

The forward open end of coupling TC', which terminates at the front surface of housing R, has a counterbored section 7α which constitutes a receptacle section for insertably receiving the projecting end of its counterpart tube coupling TC.

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OPERATION

Referring particularly to FIGS. 3,4 and 5, contacts C and F, and tube couplings TC and TC' are secured in their respective housings, as described above, after which the housings P and R are brought together for engagement. Contacts C align with counterpart contacts F, and tube coupling TC aligns with tube coupling TC'. During engagement, the electrical contacts engage each other according to the above-mentioned patent. The projecting end 28 of tube coupling TC enters section 7α of coupling TC*. During engagement of the tube couplings, sealing ring 32 becomes compressed in its slot 30, by virtue of the substantially smaller inside diameter of counterbored section 7α. The sealing ring 32 seals the tube coupling connection and prevents fluid leaks.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 4 and 5, it can be seen that contacts C and contacts F are triangularly arranged in their respective housings. Notice also that tube couplings TC and TC' are disposed toward one end of their respective housings. This arrangement assures that proper keyed engagement between electrical contacts and tube couplings is effected automatically thereby insuring that the housings cannot be improperly engaged.

It should be noted that any number of electrical contacts and tube couplings may be utilized in connectors of this nature, so long as they are keyed for proper alignment and engagement.

It should also be noted that the tubes and their respective couplings disclosed herein may be used to convey liquids as well as gases.

It will, therefore, be appreciated that the afore-mentioned and other desirable objectives have been achieved by the provision of a detachable connector, as disclosed herein; however, it should be emphasized that the particular embodiment of the invention which is shown and described is intended as merely illustrative and not as restrictive of the invention.