Latch assembly for joining two conduits

Abstract
A latch assembly for connection of conduit, the assembly comprising a female portion and a male portion, wherein each of the female portion and the male portion have a shell and a connection device. The connection device of the female portion includes a connection assembly with a molded-in slot, a release button, and a raised rib or alternatively is a connection opening. The connection device of the male portion includes a cantilevered region with a ramped engagement feature or alternatively is a raised cantilevered release button. When connected the cantilevered region or button deflects to accommodate the female portion until the ramped engagement feature or button engages the molded-in slot or connection opening, thus releasing the deflection. Depressing the release button disengages the latch allowing separation of the assembly.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a coupling device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a coupling device for conduits. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to a releasably latching coupling device for fluid conduits.


BACKGROUND

The use of conduits is well known for transporting fluids in the form of liquids or gases to and from various locations. Conduits can also be used for transporting solids of various forms. It is also well known that splices are often necessary within a given length of conduit for extending the length of the conduit, providing for redirection of a conduit, providing connections to supply reservoirs or distribution devices, or other known reasons.


In light of the many uses of conduits and the known need for splicing conduits, several devices exist for assisting the splicing of a conduit. For example, a garden hose splice involves a threaded male end and a threaded female end that may be used to splice more than one garden hose together. A similar connection may be used at the connection of the hose to a water spout at one end and to a water distribution device such as a sprinkler or nozzle at the other end. As an additional example, rubber tubing may often be spliced or connected to equipment through the use of a hose barb.


In the medical industry, conduits are often used to transport fluids in the form of liquids or gases from reservoirs to patients, from reservoirs to equipment, between equipment, or otherwise. Also, splices in these conduits are frequently connected, unconnected, and rearranged as patients are transported, equipment is moved, and procedures are conducted. Existing threaded connections often require attention to assure the threads are aligned and can also be time consuming to screw together. Practitioners need to be efficient and sometimes need to act quickly in an emergency. Thus, these connections need to be made in a simple motion and in a timely fashion. Patient safety requires that these connections remain secure in an environment where the conduit may be pulled on, tripped over, or otherwise treated so as to inadvertently undue a splice or a connection. Finally, patient safety also requires that the connection provides for uninterrupted flow of the transported material through the connection.


There is a need in the art for a conduit coupling device that can provide for splicing or otherwise connecting a conduit in an efficient, secure, and effective manner.


BRIEF SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a connector assembly is provided for coupling together first and second fluid conduits. The assembly includes a first connector with a proximal end for coupling with the first fluid conduit, a distal end opposite the proximal end, a fluid pathway between the proximal and distal ends, and a housing extending about at least a portion of the fluid pathway. The housing of the first connector includes a slot and a cantilevered release button extending distally to a free end of the button from a fixed end of the button. The assembly also includes a second connector including a proximal end for coupling with the second fluid conduit, a distal end opposite the proximal end, a fluid pathway between the proximal and distal ends, and a housing extending about at least a portion of the fluid pathway. The housing of the second connector includes a cantilevered region extending proximally to a free end of the cantilevered region from a fixed end of the cantilevered region with an engagement feature at its proximal end. When the distal ends of the described first and second connectors are moved towards each other in opposed fashion, the cantilevered region together with the engagement feature pass underneath the slot to engage the slot and connect the first connector to the second connector.


In another embodiment, a connector assembly for coupling together first and second fluid conduits is provided. The assembly includes a first connector including a proximal end for coupling with the first fluid conduit, a distal end opposite the proximal end, a fluid pathway between the proximal and distal ends, and a housing extending about at least a portion of the fluid pathway. The housing of the first connector includes a cantilevered button extending proximally to a free end of the button from a fixed end of the button. The assembly also includes a second connector including a proximal end for coupling with the second fluid conduit, a distal end opposite the proximal end, a fluid pathway between the proximal and distal ends, and a housing extending about at least a portion of the fluid pathway. The housing of the second connector includes a connection opening. When the distal ends of the first and second connectors are moved towards each other in opposed fashion, the cantilevered button passes underneath the connection opening to be received in the connection opening, engage the connection opening, and connect the first connector to the second connector.


In another embodiment, a latch assembly for connection of conduit is provided, including a female portion with a shell, a slot, and a release button. The latch assembly also includes a male portion with a shell and a cantilevered region with an engagement feature. The cantilevered region is adapted to deflect upon engagement with the female portion. The engagement feature is adapted to engage the slot thus releasing the deflection of the cantilevered region. The release button is adapted to disengage the engagement feature from the slot when depressed allowing separation of the female and male portions.


In a further embodiment, a latch assembly for connection of conduit is provided, including a female portion with a shell and a connection opening. The latch assembly also includes a male portion with a shell and a cantilevered release button. The cantilevered release button is adapted to deflect upon engagement with the female portion and further engage the connection opening releasing the deflection. The cantilevered release button is also adapted to disengage the connection opening when depressed allowing separation of the female and male portions.


In yet another embodiment, a connector assembly for coupling together first and second fluid conduits is provided. The assembly includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector includes a proximal end for coupling with the first fluid conduit, a distal end opposite the proximal end, a fluid pathway between the proximal and distal ends, and a housing extending about at least a portion of the fluid pathway. The housing includes a slot and a cantilevered release button extending distally to a free end of the button from a fixed end of the button. The second connector includes a proximal end for coupling with the second fluid conduit, a distal end opposite the proximal end, a fluid pathway between the proximal and distal ends, and a housing extending about at least a portion of the fluid pathway. The housing includes a cantilevered region extending distally to a free end of the cantilevered region from a fixed end of the cantilevered region with an engagement feature near the free end of the cantilevered region. When the distal ends of the connectors are moved towards each other in opposed fashion, the cantilevered region passes underneath the slot to allow the engagement feature to engage the slot and connect the first connector to the second connector.


Additional variations and alternatives will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art from review of the following detailed description. Such variations are included within the scope of the present invention.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS


FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a latch assembly according to certain embodiments.



FIG. 2 is a left view of a latch assembly according to certain embodiments.



FIG. 3 is a left section view of a latch assembly according to certain embodiments.



FIG. 4 is a top view of a latch assembly according to certain embodiments.



FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a female portion of a latch assembly according to certain embodiments.



FIG. 6 is a left view of a female portion of a latch assembly according to certain embodiments.



FIG. 7 is a left section view of a female portion of a latch assembly according to certain embodiments.



FIG. 8 is a top view of a female portion of a latch assembly according to certain embodiments.



FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a male portion of a latch assembly according to certain embodiments.



FIG. 10 is a left view of a male portion of a latch assembly according to certain embodiments.



FIG. 11 is a left section view of a male portion of a latch assembly according to certain embodiments.



FIG. 12 is a top view of a male portion of a latch assembly according to certain embodiments.



FIG. 13 is an isometric view of a latch assembly according to certain embodiments.



FIG. 14 is a left view of a latch assembly according to certain embodiments.



FIG. 15 is a left section view of a latch assembly according to certain embodiments.



FIG. 16 is a top view of a latch assembly according to certain embodiments.



FIG. 17 is an isometric view of a female portion of a latch assembly according to certain embodiments.



FIG. 18 is a left view of a female portion of a latch assembly according to certain embodiments.



FIG. 19 is a left section view of a female portion of a latch assembly according to certain embodiments.



FIG. 20 is a top view of a female portion of a latch assembly according to certain embodiments.



FIG. 21 is an isometric view of a male portion of a latch assembly according to certain embodiments.



FIG. 22 is a left view of a male portion of a latch assembly according to certain embodiments.



FIG. 23 is a left section view of a male portion of a latch assembly according to certain embodiments.



FIG. 24 is a top view of a male portion of a latch assembly according to certain embodiments.



FIG. 25 is an isometric view of a latch assembly according to certain embodiments.



FIG. 26 is a left view of a latch assembly according to certain embodiments.



FIG. 27 is a left section view of a latch assembly according to certain embodiments.



FIG. 28 is a top view of a latch assembly according to certain embodiments.



FIG. 29 is an isometric view of a female portion of a latch assembly according to certain embodiments.



FIG. 30 is a left view of a female portion of a latch assembly according to certain embodiments.



FIG. 31 is a left section view of a female portion of a latch assembly according to certain embodiments.



FIG. 32 is a top view of a female portion of a latch assembly according to certain embodiments.



FIG. 33 is an isometric view of a male portion of a latch assembly according to certain embodiments.



FIG. 34 is a left view of a male portion of a latch assembly according to certain embodiments.



FIG. 35 is a left section view of a male portion of a latch assembly according to certain embodiments.



FIG. 36 is a top view of a male portion of a latch assembly according to certain embodiments.



FIG. 37 is an isometric view of a female portion of a latch assembly according to certain embodiments.



FIG. 38 is a left view of a female portion of a latch assembly according to certain embodiments.



FIG. 39 is a left section view of a female portion of a latch assembly according to certain embodiments.



FIG. 40 is a top view of a female portion of a latch assembly according to certain embodiments.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The accompanying drawings, descriptive material and this description depict and describe embodiments of a latch assembly for joining two fluid conduits together. The conduits may be tubing for carrying gas or liquid to and from patients or equipment in the medical industry, but may also be any type of conduit in any industry. The assembly may include a male portion and a female portion which form a mating connection. The male or female portion may be attached to an end of a conduit and used to connect to a male or female portion attached to the end of another conduit or device. The male and female portions may provide a latching connection that engages as the two portions are advanced toward each other and may be released using a pressing motion. The connection between the male and female portions of the assembly may create an associated connection between the associated conduits or devices. The assembly may provide for efficient, secure, and effective coupling of conduits.


With regard to fastening, mounting, attaching or connecting components of the present invention, unless specifically described otherwise, such are intended to encompass conventional fasteners such as dowels, ties, bolts, screws, rivets, pins, and the like. Components may also be connected by welding, fusing, pressing, or melting, if appropriate, and appropriate liquid and/or water tight seals or sealing devices may be used. Unless specifically otherwise disclosed or taught, materials for making the present invention and/or components thereof may be selected from appropriate materials such as plastics, metals, composite materials and the like, and appropriate manufacturing or production methods including those known to ones skilled in the art may be used.


The present invention may be more completely understood with reference to the Figures, which are described below.



FIGS. 1-4 show a latch assembly 100 according to certain embodiments. In one embodiment, the latch assembly includes a female portion 120 and a male portion 140, which latch together forming a seam 170. Shown in phantom on FIG. 1 are two conduits 160 and 180 associated with the female portion 120 and male portion 140 respectively. The conduits shown include a proximal end 161, 181 with a hose barb 162, 182. While in one embodiment, hose barbs 162, 182 may be provided for joining the proximal ends 161, 181 to polymer tubing, in other embodiments, the proximal ends 161, 181 may be provided with other joining features, such as threads, flanges, couplings, clamps, etc.


Referring to FIG. 3, the conduits are again shown in phantom and each have a distal end 163, 183. The conduits are shown in mating relationship where the distal end 163 associated with the female portion 120 is a female distal end and the distal end 183 associated with the male portion 140 is a male distal end. Those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that the distal end 163 could instead be a male distal end and the distal end 183 could instead be a female distal end.


The remaining disclosure relates to several embodiments of the latch assembly and does not discuss the conduit specifically. It is intended that each of the embodiments may include a conduit associated with the male portion of the latch assembly and a conduit associated with a female portion of the latch assembly. The connection between the two conduits, apart from the latch assembly connection, may be a male/female connection as discussed above, a flanged connection or some other type of abutting connection, or any type of conduit connection known in the art. In addition, a gasket or other sealing means known in the art may be incorporated at the conduit connection to prevent leaking or other escape of matter from the conduits at the connection.


The present disclosure is intended to include any type of conduit including, but not limited to, tubing, piping, ducting, or other canal type devices for use in transporting matter.


It is further intended that the conduit may be connected to or otherwise restrained by the associated portion of the latch assembly in some form. The relationship between the conduit and the latch assembly may be a fixed connection, a sleeved connection, or any other connection known in the art. Additionally, the conduit may be a molded portion of the assembly. Finally, features of the latch assembly may include devices or structures associated with assisting the connection of the included conduits. For example, opposing annular rings may be included on each male/female portion of the latch assembly for passing through of a flanged conduit, such that, when assembled, the opposing annular rings on each portion of the assembly would compress the respective flanges of the conduit together providing a sealing force. Other devices or structures for assisting with the conduit connection and sealing known in the art are also included.



FIGS. 5-8 show the female portion 120 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4 in greater detail. In this embodiment, the female portion 120 of the latch assembly 100 is shown to have a proximal end 121 and a distal end 122. The female portion 120 is also shown to include a shell 125 and a connection assembly 135.


In the present embodiment, the shell 125 of the female portion 120 has a longitudinal axis 123. The shell 125 is generally hollow with a varying oblong shaped cross-section when viewed along the longitudinal axis 123. The cross-section varies from relatively narrow at its proximal end 121 to relatively broad at its distal end 122. The shell 125 includes an exit opening/connection for a conduit at the proximal end 121. The shell 125 further includes an abutment face 129 at the distal end 122, the abutment face 129 following the perimeter contour of the shell 125. Those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that virtually any shaped cross-section may be used including, but not limited to, circular, square, and rectangular shapes.


In the present embodiment, the connection assembly 135 of the female portion 120, as best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, comprises a release button 137, a molded-in slot 136, and a raised rib 138. It is noted that the female portion 120 includes two connection assemblies 135 located on opposing surfaces of the female portion 120. For purpose of description, only one of the connection assemblies 135 is described herein.


In this embodiment, the release button 137 comprises a section of the shell 125 and thus matches the contour of the shell 125, but is separated from the shell 125 by a molded-in slot 136 and a raise rib 138. The release button further has a proximal end 131 and a distal end 132, where the proximal end 131 is near the proximal end 121 of the female portion 120 and the distal end 132 is near the distal end 122 of the female portion 120.


In this embodiment, the release button 137 is surrounded by the molded-in slot 136 on three sides and part of a fourth side. Regarding the first three sides, two are generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 123 and the third side is along the release button's distal end 132. The fourth side, where the molded-in slot 136 only partially surrounds the release button 137, is along the release button's proximal end 131. The molded-in slot 136 creates a peninsula-like shaped release button 137 in a cantilevered condition where the release button 137 increases in width as it extends from the proximal end 131 to the distal end 132. The cantilevered condition allows the distal end 132 of the release button 137 to flex into the interior space of the female portion 120 when pressed on from the outer side.


In contrast to the molded-in slot 136, the raised rib 138 is shown to completely surround the release button 137. The raised rib 138 projects outwardly relative to the inner space of the female portion 120 and has a side face 139 defining the outer perimeter of the molded-in slot 136.



FIGS. 9-12 show the male portion 140 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4 in greater detail. The male portion 140 of the latch assembly 100 is shown to have a proximal end 141 and a distal end 142. The male portion 140 is also shown to include a shell 145 and a connection assembly 155.


In the present embodiment, the shell 145 has a longitudinal axis 143. The shell 145 is generally hollow with a varying oblong shaped cross-section when viewed along the longitudinal axis 143. The outer contour of the shell 145 at its distal end matches the outer contour of the shell 125 at its distal end 122. This provides for a smooth surface transition between the female 120 and male 140 portions of the latch assembly 100. The cross-section of the shell 145 varies from relatively narrow at its proximal end 141 to relatively broad at its distal end and includes an opening/connection for a conduit at its proximal end 141. Those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that virtually any shaped cross-section can be used including, but not limited to circular, square, and rectangular shapes. Those skilled in the art will also understand and appreciate that a smooth transition may not always be necessary or desired and thus the outer contour of the shell 125 and the shell 145 would not need to match.


In the present embodiment, the connection assembly 155 of the male portion 140 is situated at the distal end 142 of the male portion 140 and is separated from the shell 145 by an abutment face 149. The connection assembly 155 comprises a necked-down section of the shell 145. The outer contour of the connection assembly 155 substantially matches the inner contour of the shell 125 of the female portion 120 at its distal end 122. This provides for a mating relationship between the female portion 120 and the male portion 140 where the connection assembly 155 extends within the shell 125.


In this embodiment, the connection assembly 155 further comprises a cantilevered region 157, a molded-in slot 156, and a ramped engagement feature 158. It is noted that the connection assembly 155 includes two cantilevered regions 157 located on opposing surfaces of the connection assembly 155. For purposes of description, only one of the cantilevered regions 157 is described herein.


In the present embodiment, the cantilevered region 157 is a section of the connection assembly 155 and thus has the same contoured shape as the connection assembly 155, but is separated from the connection assembly 155 by a molded-in slot 156. The cantilevered region 157 has a proximal end 151 and a distal end 152, where the proximal end is nearer to the proximal end 141 of the male portion 140, but still remains within the connection assembly 155. The distal end 152 is near the distal end 142 of the male portion 140.


The molded-in slot 156 surrounds the cantilevered region 157 on three sides creating the cantilevered condition and causing the cantilevered region 157 to have a peninsula-like shape, which is wider at its distal end 152 than at its proximal end 151. The molded-in slot 156 surrounds the cantilevered region 157 along its proximal end 151 and along two sides generally oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis 143.


At the proximal end 151 of the cantilevered region 157, a ramped engagement feature 158 is shown. As best shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the ramped engagement feature 158 slopes outwardly, relative to the inner volume of the male portion 140 as it extends toward the proximal end 151 of the cantilevered region 157. Thus, when an object, resistant to deflection, slides along the surface of the cantilevered portion 157 from its distal end 152 to its proximal end 151, the object will encounter the ramped engagement feature 158. As the object continues to slide along the cantilevered region 157, the object will interact with the sloping surface of the ramped engagement feature 158 causing the proximal end 151 of the cantilevered region 157 to flex into the inner volume of the male portion 140.


As best shown in FIG. 11, a latching face 159 of the ramped engagement feature 158 is provided and is defined as the vertical face beyond the end of the ramped portion of the ramped engagement feature 158. The latching face 159 is shown opposing the abutment face 149 and separated from the abutment face 149 by a portion of the connection assembly 155 and the molded-in slot 156. The ramped portion of the ramped engagement feature 158 and the latching face 159 come together at a point or ridge 158A.


In the present embodiment, the width of the ridge 158A, measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 143, is shorter than the portion of the molded-in slot 136 along the distal end 132 of the release button 137 of the female portion 120. This is so the ridge 158A of the ramped engagement feature 138 can penetrate the molded-in slot 136 when the male portion 140 and female portion 120 are connected, as will be explained in more detail below.


Having described the female portion 120 and the male portion 140 in great detail, reference is again made to FIGS. 1-4 showing the latch assembly 100. The female portion 120 and the male portion 140 may be connected together in mating relationship. When the two portions are connected, the abutment face 129 of the female portion abuts against the abutment face 149 of the male portion creating a seam 170 and preventing the two portions 120 and 140 from advancing any further toward one another.


Reference is now made particularly to FIG. 3 for describing in greater detail the latching nature of the connection between the female portion 120 and the male portion 140. As the distal ends 122 and 142 of the two portions 120 and 140 are brought together in opposing fashion, the connection assembly 155 of the male portion 140 is inserted into the female portion 120. As this occurs, the inner surface of the shell 125 passes along the surface of the connection assembly 155 and thus passes along the surface of the cantilevered region 157 and eventually encounters the ramped engagement feature 158. As the two portions 120 and 140 continue to be advanced toward each other, the interaction of the inner surface of the shell 125 with the ramped engagement feature 158, causes the proximal end 151 of the cantilevered region 157 to deflect into the inner volume of the male portion 140. It is noted that the portion of the shell 125 between the molded-in slot 136 and the distal end 122 is minimal providing only a narrow strip of material to press against the ramped engagement feature. However this strip is reinforced by the raised rib 138 and also can rely to a certain extend on the tensile hoop stresses developed in the shell as the two portions are assembled. As the two portions continue to advance toward each other, the cantilevered region 157 deflects sufficiently for the ridge 158A of the ramped engagement feature 158 to clear the inner surface of the shell 125, thus allowing for complete advancement of the female portion 120 and male portion 140 toward one another and bringing abutment face 129 into contact with abutment face 149 preventing further advancement. At the same time, the ramped engagement feature 158 passes within the volume defined by the shell 125 and encounters the molded-in slot 136. The ridge 158A of the ramped engagement feature 158 enters the molded-in slot 136 allowing the cantilevered region 157 to spring back into its non-deflected position. As this occurs, the latching face 159 of the ramped engagement feature 158 is brought into abutting relationship with the side face 139 of the raised rib 138 creating a latched condition in which the two portions 120 and 140 are releasably connected.


To release the female and male portions 120, 140 the release button 137 may be pressed. In so doing, as can be seen in FIG. 3, the release button 137 engages the ramped engagement feature 158 and the distal ends of both the release button 137 of the female portion 120 and the cantilevered region 157 of the male portion 140 deflect into the inner volume of their associated shells. When the release button is pressed with sufficient force, the cantilevered region 157 deflects sufficiently that the ramped engagement feature 158 clears the inner surface of the shell 125 allowing for separation of the two portions 120 and 140. It is noted here that the sloping surface of the ramped engagement feature 158 together with the downward force from the release button 137 creates a separation force such that when the ramped engagement feature 158 clears the bottom surface of the shell 125, the two portions 120 and 140 are biased toward separation and thus a separate tensile force may not be required to separate the two portions 120 and 140.



FIGS. 13-16 show a latch assembly 200 according to certain embodiments. In one embodiment, the latch assembly includes a female portion 220 and a male portion 240, which latch together to form a seam 270. Conduits 260 and 280 similar to those shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 are included, but are not shown for clarity.



FIGS. 17-20 show the female portion 220 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 13-16 in greater detail. The female portion 220 of the latch assembly 200 is shown to have a proximal end 221 and a distal end 222. The female portion 220 is also shown to include a shell 225 and a connection opening 235 with an associated raised rib 238.


In the present embodiment, the shell 225 of the female portion 220 has a longitudinal axis 223. The shell 225 is generally hollow with a varying oblong shaped cross-section when viewed along the longitudinal axis 223. The cross-section varies from relatively narrow at its proximal end 221 to relatively broad at its distal end 222. The shell includes an opening/connection for a conduit at its proximal end. The shell further includes an abutment face 229 at the distal end 222, following the perimeter contour of the shell 225. Those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that virtually any shaped cross-section can be used including, but not limited to, circular, square, and rectangular shapes.


In the present embodiment, the connection opening 235 of the female portion 220 is best shown in FIGS. 17 and 20 and is shaped to receive a release button 257 of the male portion 240, described below. It is noted that the present embodiment includes two connection openings 235 located on opposing surfaces of the female portion 220. For purpose of description, only one of the connection openings 235 is described herein. The connection opening 235 has a proximal end 231 and a distal end 232, where the proximal end 231 is near the proximal end 221 of the female portion 220 and the distal end 232 is near the distal end 222 of the female portion 220. The connection opening 235 is surrounded by a raised rib 238 with a side face 239 defining the outer perimeter of the connection opening 235. The connection opening is narrower at its proximal end 231 than at its distal end 232 and is shaped with smooth corners.



FIGS. 21-24 show the male portion 240 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 13-16 in greater detail. The male portion 240 of the latch assembly 200 is shown to have a proximal end 241 and a distal end 242. The male portion 240 is also shown to include a shell 245 and a connection assembly 255.


In the present embodiment, the shell 245 has a longitudinal axis 243. The shell 245 is generally hollow with a varying oblong shaped cross-section when viewed along the longitudinal axis 243. The outer contour of the shell 245 at its distal end matches the outer contour of the shell 225 at its distal end 222. As with the latch assembly 100, this provides for a smooth surface transition between the female 220 and male 240 portions of the latch assembly 200. The cross-section of the shell 245 varies from relatively narrow at its proximal end 241 to relatively broad at its distal end. The shell 245 includes an exit opening/connection for a conduit at the proximal end 241. Those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that virtually any shaped cross-section can be used including, but not limited to circular, square, and rectangular shapes. Those skilled in the art will also understand and appreciate that a smooth transition may not always be necessary or desired and thus the outer contour of the shell 225 and the shell 245 would not need to match.


In the present embodiment, the connection assembly 255 of the male portion 240 is situated at the distal end of the male portion 240 and is separated from the shell 245 by an abutment face 249. The connection assembly 255 comprises a necked-down section of the shell 245 such that the outer contour of the connection assembly 255 substantially matches the inner contour of the shell 225 of the female portion 220. This provides for a mating relationship between the female portion 220 and the male portion 240 where the connection assembly 255 extends within the shell 225.


In contrast to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-12, the connection assembly 255 extends into the female portion 220 further than the connection assembly 155 extends into the female portion 120. In the present embodiment, the connection assembly 255 extends substantially as far as the proximal end 231 of the connection opening 235 of the female portion 220 when connected. The connection assembly 255 has a proximal end 251 and a distal end 252, where the proximal end 251 is adjacent the abutment face 249 and the distal end 252 extends to the distal end 242 of the male portion 240.


The connection assembly 255 further comprises a release button 257 supported near the distal end 252. It is noted that the connection assembly 255 includes two release buttons 257 located on opposing surfaces of the connection assembly 255. For purposes of description, only one of the release buttons 257 is described herein. The release button 257 has a shape substantially matching that of the connection opening 235 and a surface contour substantially matching that of the shell 225 of the female portion 220. Thus, the release button 257 is raised above the necked-down surface of the connection assembly 255 so as to match the contour of the shell 225. The release button 257 extends proximally from the distal end 252 of the connection assembly 255 and is separated from the connection assembly 255 by a molded-in slot 256. The release button 257 has a proximal end 253 and a distal end 254, where the proximal end 253 is near the proximal end 251 of the connection assembly 255 and the distal end 254 is near the distal end 252 of the connection assembly 255.


In the present embodiment, the molded-in slot 256 surrounds the release button 257 on three sides creating the cantilevered condition and causing the release button 257 to have a peninsula-like shape matching that of the connection opening 235. The molded-in slot 256 surrounds the release button 257 on the proximal end 253 and two sides generally oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis 243.


As best shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the release button 257 slopes gradually outward, relative to the internal space defined by the shell 245, as the button extends from its distal end 254 toward its proximal end 253. Thus, when an object resistant to deflection slides along the surface of the release button 257 from its distal end 254 to its proximal end 253, the object will cause the release button 257 to flex into the inner volume of the male portion 240 due to its cantilevered condition and slope.


As best shown in FIG. 23, a latching face 259 is provided and is defined as the generally vertical face along the proximal end 253 of the release button 257. The latching face 259 is shown opposing the abutment face 249 and separated from the abutment face 249 by a portion of the connection assembly 255 and the molded-in slot 256.


Having described the female portion 220 and the male portion 240 in great detail, reference is again made to FIGS. 13-16 showing the latch assembly 200. The female portion 220 and the male portion 240 may be connected together in mating relationship. When the two portions are connected, the abutment face 229 of the female portion 220 abuts against the abutment face 249 of the male portion 240 creating a seam 270 and preventing the two portions 220 and 240 from advancing any further towards one another.


Reference is now made to FIG. 15 for describing in greater detail the latching nature of the connection between the female portion 220 and the male portion 240. As the distal ends 222 and 242 of the two portions 220 and 240 are brought together in opposing fashion, the connection assembly 255 of the male portion 240 is inserted into the female portion 220. As this occurs, the inner surface of the shell 225 passes along the surface of the release button 257 causing it to deflect into the inner portion of the male portion 240 and allowing the two portions 220 and 240 to continue to advance towards each other until the abutment faces 229 and 249 are in contact. As with latch assembly 100, the portion of the shell 225 between the connection opening 235 and the distal end 222 is minimal providing only a narrow strip of material to press against the release button 257. However this strip is reinforced by the raised rib 238 and also can rely to a certain extend on the tensile hoop stresses developed in the shell as the two portions are assembled. As the abutment faces 229 and 249 are brought into contact, the release button 257 comes into alignment with the connection opening 235 allowing the release button 257 to spring back into its non-deflected shape. In so doing, the latching face 259 of release button 257 is brought into abutting relationship with the side face 239 of the raise rib 238 creating a latched condition in which the two portions 220 and 240 are releasably connected.


To release the female and male portions 220, 240 the release button 257 may be pressed. In so doing, as can be seen in FIG. 15, the release button 257 deflects sufficiently that the latching face 259 is no longer in abutting relationship with the side face 239 of the raise rib 238 thus allowing for separation of the two portions 220 and 240.



FIGS. 25-28 show yet another latch assembly 300 according to certain embodiments. The latch assembly 300 resembles latch assembly 100 in certain respects and also includes some distinct differences as discussed below.


The latch assembly 300 includes a female portion 320 and a male portion 340, which latch together to form a seam 370. Conduits 360 and 380 similar to those shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 are also included. Each conduit 360 and 380 includes a respective set of proximal ends 361 and 381 respectively having hose barbs 362 and 382. Each conduit 360 and 380 also includes a respective distal end 363 and 383, which are configured to mate in a male/female mating arrangement.


While in one embodiment, hose barbs 362, 382 may be provided for joining the proximal ends 361, 381 to polymer tubing, in other embodiments, the proximal ends 361, 381 may be provided with other joining features, such as threads, flanges, couplings, clamps, etc.



FIGS. 29-32 show the female portion 320 of the present embodiment. The female portion 320 has a proximal end 321, distal end 322, a shell 325, and a connection assembly 335. The shell 325 has a longitudinal axis 323 and a hollow, varying, oblong shaped cross-section. The shell 325 further includes an abutment face 329 at the distal end 322. The connection assemblies 335 of the female portion 320 comprise a release button 337, a molded-in slot 336, and a raised rib 338. The release button 337 comprises a section of the shell 325 following the contour of the shell 325 and is separated from the shell 325 by a molded-in slot 336 and a raise rib 338. The release button further has a proximal end 331 and a distal end 332. The release button 337 is surrounded by the molded-in slot 336 on three sides, two generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 323 and a third side along the release button's distal end 332. The molded-in slot 336 causes the release button 337 to have a peninsula-like shape and creates a cantilevered condition where the release button 337 is narrower at its proximal end 331 than at its distal end 332. This cantilevered condition allows the distal end 332 of the release button 337 to flex into the interior space of the female portion 320 when pressed on from the outer side. The raised rib 338, like raised rib 138 projects outwardly relative to the inner space of the female portion 320 and has a side face 339 defining the outer perimeter of the molded-in slot 336.


In contrast to latch assembly 100, the release button also includes a raised surface 337A and a raised pattern 337B. Also, the raised rib 338 is shown not to completely surround the release button 337 and only occurs on three sides of the release button. Moreover, the molded-in slot 336 does not extend as far around the release button so as to surround it on a fourth side, but is limited to three sides.


Additional elements shown in FIGS. 29-32 include alignment recesses 326, a molded-in slot divider 336A and molded-in slot receiving areas 336B. The alignment recesses 326 occur on the inner surface of the shell 325 and work to ensure alignment of the ramped engagement features 358 prior to full engagement of the male 340 and female 320 portions. The molded-in slot divider 336A is a projection proximally extending from the shell 325 partially across the molded-in slot 336. This projection breaks up the molded-in slot 336 creating molded-in slot receiving areas 336B for the ramped engagement features 358 to engage.



FIGS. 33-36 show the male portion 340 of the present embodiment. The male portion 340 has a proximal end 341, a distal end 342, a shell 345, and a connection assembly 355. The shell 345 has a longitudinal axis 343 and has a hollow, varying, oblong shaped cross-section. The outer contour of the shell 345 at its distal end matches the outer contour of the shell 325 at its distal end 322. The connection assembly 355 is situated at the distal end 342 and is separated from the shell 345 by an abutment face 349. The connection assembly 355 comprises a necked-down section of the shell 345. The outer contour of the connection assembly 355 substantially matches the inner contour of the shell 325 of the female portion 320 at its distal end 322 providing for a mating relationship. The connection assembly 355 further comprises a cantilevered region 357 and a ramped engagement feature 358. In the present embodiment, the connection assembly 355 includes four cantilevered regions 357. However, in other embodiments, there may a greater or lesser number of cantilevered regions 357. For purposes of description, only one of the cantilevered regions 357 is described herein.


The cantilevered region 357 is distinct from the cantilevered region 157 of latch assembly 100 in several respects. First, the cantilevered region is further necked down from the connection assembly. Second, the cantilevered region 357 is fixed to the connection assembly 355 at the cantilevered region's proximal end 351 rather than its distal end 352. Third, the ramped engagement feature 358 is located at the cantilevered region's distal end 352 rather than its proximal end 351. However, the orientation of the ramped engagement feature 358 has remained the same in that the surface of the ramped engagement feature 358 slopes outwardly relative to the inner volume of the male portion 340 as the surface extends from its distal end to its proximal end. An additional distinction of the latch assembly 300 from latch assembly 100 is that the surface of the ramped engagement feature 358 is convex.


The male portion 340 also includes raised surface features 347 on the shell 345. In addition, the connection assembly 355 includes cutaway recesses 356A on the inner surface which aid in minimizing the depth of the assembly while still accommodating the conduit. The connection assembly 355 also includes slits 356B along the sides of the connection assembly 355 separating two of the four cantilevered regions 357. These slits allow for easier deflection of the cantilevered region 357. Further to this idea of easier deflection of the cantilevered region 357, FIG. 29 shows a more substantial strip of material remaining between the molded-in slot 336 and the distal end 322 of the female portion 320. This causes this strip to be stiffer than that shown, for example, in FIG. 8 and adds to the ability of the device to cause deflection of the cantilevered region 357.


Also shown is a latching face 359 of the ramped engagement feature 358 defined as the generally vertical face beyond the end of the ramped portion of the ramped engagement feature 358. The latching face 359 is shown opposing the abutment face 349 and separated from the abutment face 349 by a length of the cantilevered region 357 and a portion of the connection assembly 355. The ramped portion of the ramped engagement feature 358 and the latching face 359 come together at a point or ridge 358A. The ridge 358A is adapted to fit into the molded-in slot receiving areas 336B.


As with latch assemblies 100 and 200, the female portion 320 and the male portion 340 may be connected together in mating relationship. As shown in FIGS. 25-28, when the two portions are connected, the abutment face 329 of the female portion abuts against the abutment face 349 of the male portion creating a seam 370 and preventing the two portions from advancing any further toward one another.


As the distal ends 322 and 342 of the two portions 320 and 340 are brought together in opposing fashion, the ramped engagement features 358 initially engage the alignment recesses 326. This initial contact aids the user in assuring that the two portions 320 and 340 are properly aligned. As the two portions continue to advance, the sloping surface of the ramped engagement feature 358 causes the cantilevered regions 357 to deflect until the entire ramped engagement feature 358 passes within the inner surface of the shell 325. This allows for complete advancement of the female portion 320 and male portion 340 toward one another and bringing abutment face 329 into contact with abutment face 349, preventing further advancement. At the same time, the ramped engagement feature 358 passes within the volume defined by the shell 325 and it encounters the molded-in slot receiving areas 336B. The ridge 358A of the ramped engagement feature 358 enters the molded-in slot receiving areas 336B allowing the cantilevered regions 357 to spring back into their non-deflected position. As this occurs, the latching face 359 of the ramped engagement feature 358 is brought into abutting relationship with the side face 339 of the raised rib 338 creating a latched condition in which the two portions 320 and 340 are releasably connected.


To release the female and male portions 320, 340 the release button 337 may be pressed. In so doing, the release button 337 engages the ramped engagement feature 358 and both the release button 337 and the cantilevered region 357 deflect into the inner volume of their associated shells. When the release button 337 is pressed with sufficient force, the cantilevered region 357 deflects sufficiently that the ramped engagement feature 358 clears the inner surface of the shell 325 allowing for separation of the two portions 320 and 340. As with latch assembly 100, the sloping surface of the ramped engagement feature 358 together with the downward force from the release button 337 creates a separation force such that when the ramped engagement feature 358 clears the bottom surface of the shell 325, the two portions 320 and 340 are biased toward separation and thus a separate tensile force may not be required to separate the two portions 320 and 340.



FIGS. 37-40 show yet another embodiment of a female portion 420 of a latch assembly. The female portion 420 of the latch assembly shown in FIGS. 37-40 resembles the female portion 320 of latch assembly 300 in most respects and a corresponding male portion 440 is not shown. As such, the female portion 420 will be described as interacting with male portion 340.


As best shown in FIGS. 37 and 39, the inside surface of the release button 437 includes two raised protuberances 437A. These raised protuberances may be positioned in a corresponding location to the ramped engagement features 358 of the male portion 340. When releasing the male and female portions 340 and 420, as with latch assembly 300 and 100, the sloping surface of the ramped engagement feature 358 together with the downward force from the release button 437 creates a separation force such that when the ramped engagement feature 358 clears the bottom surface of the shell 425, the two portions 420 and 340 are biased toward separation. Thus a separate tensile force may not be required to separate the two portions 420 and 340. In addition to that provided by latch assemblies 100 and 300, however, the raised protuberances 437A of the female portion 420 further act to pinch the cantilevered regions 357 together. This pinching force further acts on the ramped engagement feather 358 to further bias the male portion 340 and female portion 420 toward separation and further causing a spring-out motion between the male and female portions.


Those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that several modifications and variations exist within the scope of the present invention. For example, the hollow cross sections described could be partially solid while still accommodating a conduit and allowing for the deflection of the release buttons and other cantilevered actions. The cross section could, for example, actually form a conduit by providing a generally solid cross-section while providing a conduit passing through the cross section. As an additional example of a variation within the scope of the invention, the embodiments shown include two opposing release buttons while this could be limited to one release button or several release buttons could be provided. The molded-in slot could be cut out after molding or it could be a weakened area (e.g. thinner material). Alternatively, the whole surface of the shell could be flexibly deflectable and the slot could be omitted. Additionally, rather than elastically flexible cantilevered release buttons, the buttons could be hinged and spring loaded. Various shaped buttons could be provided to accommodate ergonomics or function of the device and would not have to match the contour of the shell. The release buttons have been described with four sides, but could be any shape and have various sides where one or two or even several are connected and the others are not to provide a cantilevered effect. As another example, the ramped engagement feature could be limited to a projection adapted to fit into a recess on the inside of a shell and various shapes of the projection could be included and matched to a recess formed in the shell.


The advantages of the latch assembly as described above include its ability to be quickly and easily engaged and released. The release buttons and engagement features of the described device may allow for efficient splicing of conduits by advancing the male and female portions toward one another and efficient release by pressing the release button. This is in contrast to threaded connections requiring alignment and time consuming twisting of the connections which often results in twisting of the conduits and tangling of the conduits.


Another advantage of the latch assembly described is the secure connection provided. In light of the efficiency discussed above relating to the ease with which the assembly can be spliced, the secure connection provided remains consistent with that necessary to avoid unwanted failure of a connection.


Another advantage of the latch assembly is the effectiveness of the connection provided. Also in light of the efficiency discussed above relating to the ease of use of the assembly, the latching nature of the device also provides for an effective connection in that the conduits are connected so as to minimize or eliminate unwanted leaks or escape of matter carried in the conduit.


In the foregoing description, embodiments of the present invention, including preferred embodiments, have been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. The embodiments were chosen and described to provide the best illustrations of the principals of the invention and its practical application, and to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.

Claims
  • 1. A connector assembly for coupling together first and second fluid conduits, the assembly comprising a first connector including a proximal end for coupling with the first fluid conduit, a distal end opposite the proximal end, a fluid pathway between the proximal and distal ends, and a housing extending about at least a portion of the fluid pathway, wherein the housing includes a slot open to an inner cavity within the housing that at least partially defines a cantilevered release button within a wall of the housing extending distally to a free end of the cantilevered release button from a fixed end of the cantilevered release button; anda second connector including a proximal end for coupling with the second fluid conduit, a distal end opposite the proximal end, a fluid pathway between the proximal and distal ends, and a housing extending about at least a portion of the fluid pathway, wherein a wall of the housing defines a cantilevered region therein extending proximally to a free end of the cantilevered region from a fixed end of the cantilevered region with an engagement feature near the free end of the cantilevered region, whereinwhen the distal ends of the connectors are moved towards each other in opposed fashion, the cantilevered region passes underneath the slot to allow the engagement feature to engage the slot and connect the first connector to the second connector.
  • 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein, when the first and second connectors are connected together, pressing inward on the cantilevered release button causes the cantilevered release button to displace the cantilevered region inward.
  • 3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the cantilevered region displacing inward causes the engagement feature to disengage from the slot.
  • 4. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the engagement feature comprises a ramped portion engaged by the cantilevered release button such that when the cantilevered release button is pressed inward, the contact between the cantilevered release button and the ramped portion results in an axial force that biases the distal ends axially away from each other.
  • 5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the slot is immediately adjacent to the cantilevered release button.
  • 6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the proximal ends is a barbed connector.
  • 7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein when the first and second connectors are connected, the fluid pathways of the first and second connectors are in fluid communication with each other in a male-female mating arrangement.
  • 8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the fluid pathway of the first connector has a male mating configuration and the fluid pathway of the second connector has a female mating configuration.
  • 9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the housings of the connectors form a male-female mating arrangement with the second connector housing being the male and the first connector housing being the female.
  • 10. A connector assembly for coupling together first and second fluid conduits, the assembly comprising a first connector including a proximal end for coupling with the first fluid conduit, a distal end opposite the proximal end, a fluid pathway between the proximal and distal ends, and a housing extending about at least a portion of the fluid pathway, wherein a wall of the housing defines a cantilevered button and a free end of the cantilevered button extends towards the proximal end of the first connector; anda second connector including a proximal end for coupling with the second fluid conduit, a distal end opposite the proximal end, a fluid pathway between the proximal and distal ends, and a housing extending about at least a portion of the fluid pathway, wherein a wall of the housing defines a connection opening therein that is open to an inner cavity within the housing, whereinwhen the distal ends of the connectors are moved towards each other in opposed fashion, the cantilevered button passes underneath the connection opening to be received in the connection opening, engage the connection opening, and connect the first connector to the second connector.
  • 11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein a fixed end of the cantilevered button at least partially forms a leading distal edge of the first connector.
  • 12. The assembly of claim 10, wherein a slot defines the cantilevered button in the wall of the housing of the first connector.
  • 13. The assembly of claim 10, wherein, when the first and second connectors are connected together, pressing inward on the cantilevered button causes the cantilevered button to disengage from the connection opening.
  • 14. The assembly of claim 10, wherein at least one of the proximal ends is a barbed connector.
  • 15. The assembly of claim 10, wherein, when the first and second connectors are connected, the fluid pathways of the first and second connectors are in fluid communication with each other in a male-female mating arrangement.
  • 16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the fluid pathway of the first connector has a male mating configuration and the fluid pathway of the second connector has a female mating configuration.
  • 17. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the housings of the connectors form a male-female mating arrangement with the first connector housing being the male and the second connector housing being the female.
  • 18. A latch assembly for the connection of conduits, the latch assembly comprising a female portion including a shell, a slot defined within a wall of the shell such that the slot is open to an inner cavity within the shell, and a release button forming a part of the wall of the shell and defined at least partially by the slot; anda male portion including a shell that defines a cantilevered region within a wall of the shell, the cantilevered region further having an engagement feature; whereinthe cantilevered region is adapted to deflect upon engagement with the female portion;the engagement feature is adapted to engage the slot; andthe release button is adapted to disengage the engagement feature from the slot when depressed, thereby allowing separation of the female and male portions.
  • 19. The latch assembly of claim 18, wherein the engagement feature engaging the slot at least partially releases the deflection of the cantilevered region.
  • 20. The latch assembly of claim 18, wherein disengaging the engagement feature from the slot by depressing the release button creates an axial force that urges the female and male portions axially away from each other.
  • 21. The latch assembly of claim 18, wherein the cantilevered region deflects inward upon engagement with the female portion.
  • 22. The latch assembly of claim 18, wherein the release button and cantilevered region have free ends that face in opposite directions when the male and female portions are engaged with each other in a male-female arrangement.
  • 23. A latch assembly for connection of conduits, the latch assembly comprising a female portion including a shell and a connection opening defined within a wall of the shell that is open to an inner cavity within the shell; anda male portion including a shell having a slot open to an inner cavity within the shell and a cantilevered button defined at least partially by the slot within a wall of the shell; whereinthe cantilevered button is adapted to deflect upon engagement with the female portion and further engage the connection opening;the cantilevered button is adapted to disengage the connection opening when depressed, thereby allowing separation of the female and male portions; and the cantilevered button has a free end that faces away from an end of the male portion that extends farthest into the female portion when the male and female ends are engaged.
  • 24. The latch assembly of claim 23, wherein the cantilevered button engaging the opening at least partially releases the deflection of the cantilevered button.
  • 25. The latch assembly of claim 23, wherein the cantilevered button deflects inward upon engagement with the opening.
  • 26. The latch assembly of claim 23, wherein the cantilevered button has a free end and a fixed end and the fixed end is near an end of the male portion that extends farthest into the female portion when the male and female ends are engaged.
  • 27. A connector assembly for coupling together first and second fluid conduits, the assembly comprising a first connector including a proximal end for coupling with the first fluid conduit, a distal end opposite the proximal end, a fluid pathway between the proximal and distal ends, and a housing extending about at least a portion of the fluid pathway, wherein the housing includes a slot open to an inner cavity within the housing that at least partially defines a cantilevered release button within a wall of the housing extending distally to a free end of the cantilevered release button from a fixed end of the cantilevered release button; anda second connector including a proximal end for coupling with the second fluid conduit, a distal end opposite the proximal end, a fluid pathway between the proximal and distal ends, and a housing extending about at least a portion of the fluid pathway, wherein a wall of the housing defines a cantilevered region therein extending distally to a free end of the cantilevered region from a fixed end of the cantilevered region with an engagement feature near the free end of the cantilevered region, whereinwhen the distal ends of the connectors are moved towards each other in opposed fashion, the cantilevered region passes underneath the slot to allow the engagement feature to engage the slot and connect the first connector to the second connector.
  • 28. The assembly of claim 27, wherein, when the first and second connectors are connected together, pressing inward on the cantilevered release button causes the cantilevered release button to displace the cantilevered region inward.
  • 29. The assembly of claim 28, wherein the cantilevered region displacing inward causes the engagement feature to disengage from the slot.
  • 30. The assembly of claim 28, wherein the engagement feature comprises a ramped portion engaged by the cantilevered release button such that when the cantilevered release button is pressed inward, the contact between the cantilevered release button and the ramped portion results in an axial force that biases the distal ends axially away from each other.
  • 31. The assembly of claim 27, wherein the slot is immediately adjacent to the cantilevered release button.
  • 32. The assembly of claim 27, wherein at least one of the proximal ends is a barbed connector.
  • 33. The assembly of claim 27, wherein, when the first and second connectors are connected, the fluid pathways of the first and second connectors are in fluid communication with each other in a male-female mating arrangement.
  • 34. The assembly of claim 33, wherein the fluid pathway of the first connector has a male mating configuration and the fluid pathway of the second connector has a female mating configuration.
  • 35. The assembly of claim 27, wherein the housings of the connectors form a male-female mating arrangement with the second connector housing being the male and the first connector housing being the female.
US Referenced Citations (607)
Number Name Date Kind
163261 Ruppenthal May 1875 A
185896 Curtis Jan 1877 A
187982 Pirsson et al. Mar 1877 A
200944 Smith Mar 1878 A
235580 Smith et al. Dec 1880 A
327509 Aldridge Oct 1885 A
584008 Munson Jun 1887 A
465868 List Dec 1891 A
725421 Dinkins Apr 1903 A
727982 Ludwig May 1903 A
874957 Godley Dec 1907 A
884461 Browne Apr 1908 A
909131 Antic Jan 1909 A
951889 Teuer Mar 1910 A
D42368 Mossberg Mar 1912 S
1029819 Nylander Jun 1912 A
1033187 Metzger Jul 1912 A
1039354 Bonadio Sep 1912 A
1077417 McCracken Nov 1913 A
1078112 Storm Nov 1913 A
1115945 Kunz Nov 1914 A
1193446 Wells Aug 1916 A
1239345 Brown Sep 1917 A
1255847 Arkin Feb 1918 A
1259684 Vinten Mar 1918 A
1489310 Critchlow Apr 1924 A
1526218 Johnson Feb 1925 A
1578504 Bronson et al. Mar 1926 A
1587079 Machino Jun 1926 A
1767073 Ingold Jun 1930 A
1863360 Weatherhead Jun 1932 A
1950947 Mulroyan Mar 1934 A
2023428 Liebhardt Dec 1935 A
2056524 Johnson Oct 1936 A
2066473 Jorgensen Jan 1937 A
2097628 Liebhardt Nov 1937 A
2099335 Hansen Nov 1937 A
2108714 Hirsch et al. Feb 1938 A
2116705 Marx et al. May 1938 A
2139745 Goodall Dec 1938 A
2147355 Scholtes Feb 1939 A
2159116 Zacharias May 1939 A
2211147 Miller Aug 1940 A
2257321 Arnold Sep 1941 A
2263293 Ewald Nov 1941 A
2264815 Thomsen Dec 1941 A
2340119 Graham Jan 1944 A
2346445 Merker et al. Apr 1944 A
2352728 Merker et al. Jul 1944 A
2429782 Versoy Oct 1947 A
2432946 Theunissen Dec 1947 A
2470800 Ashton May 1949 A
2479499 Le Clair Aug 1949 A
2500720 Van der Heem Mar 1950 A
2507536 Goodson May 1950 A
2516583 Moore Jul 1950 A
2535740 Knopp Dec 1950 A
2577009 Frantz Dec 1951 A
2626974 Howard et al. Jan 1953 A
2630131 Snyder Mar 1953 A
2661018 Snyder Dec 1953 A
2701147 Summerville Feb 1955 A
2722399 Oetiker Nov 1955 A
2753195 Palmer Jul 1956 A
2774616 Dodd et al. Dec 1956 A
2790571 Flaith et al. Apr 1957 A
2864628 Edleson Dec 1958 A
2915325 Foster Dec 1959 A
2926934 Gill Mar 1960 A
2931668 Baley Apr 1960 A
2937892 Prescott, Jr. May 1960 A
2948553 Gill et al. Aug 1960 A
2967067 Singer Jan 1961 A
2991090 De Cenzo Jul 1961 A
3017203 Macleod Jan 1962 A
3037497 Roberson Jun 1962 A
3046028 Nathan Jul 1962 A
3048415 Shook Aug 1962 A
3073342 Magorien Jan 1963 A
3078068 Romney Feb 1963 A
D196473 Hill Oct 1963 S
3124157 Krzewina Mar 1964 A
3129020 Bujnowski Apr 1964 A
3171196 Helitas Mar 1965 A
3191628 Kirkwood et al. Jun 1965 A
3217400 Illesy et al. Nov 1965 A
3217771 Beall et al. Nov 1965 A
3227380 Pinkston Jan 1966 A
3237974 Press Mar 1966 A
3245703 Manly Apr 1966 A
3276799 Moore et al. Oct 1966 A
3279497 Norton et al. Oct 1966 A
3314696 Ferguson et al. Apr 1967 A
3317214 Durgom May 1967 A
D209166 Hunt Nov 1967 S
D209168 Hunt Nov 1967 S
3352576 Thomas Nov 1967 A
3382892 Cerbin May 1968 A
3403930 Bernier Oct 1968 A
3432176 Valenziano Mar 1969 A
3448760 Cranage Jun 1969 A
3450424 Calisher Jun 1969 A
3512808 Graham May 1970 A
3523701 Graham Aug 1970 A
3538940 Graham Nov 1970 A
3542338 Scaramucci Nov 1970 A
3545490 Burrus Dec 1970 A
3550626 Daniels et al. Dec 1970 A
3560027 Graham Feb 1971 A
3563265 Graham Feb 1971 A
3574314 Quercia Apr 1971 A
3588149 Demler Jun 1971 A
3596933 Luckenbill Aug 1971 A
3599843 Johnston Aug 1971 A
3600917 Krock Aug 1971 A
3649050 Woodling Mar 1972 A
3666297 Marks May 1972 A
3690336 Drum Sep 1972 A
3712583 Martindale et al. Jan 1973 A
3747964 Nilsen Jul 1973 A
3750238 Tanner Aug 1973 A
3815887 Curtis et al. Jun 1974 A
3817561 Kay Jun 1974 A
3829135 Forni Aug 1974 A
3876234 Harms Apr 1975 A
3889710 Brost Jun 1975 A
3899200 Gamble Aug 1975 A
3921656 Meisenheimer, Jr. et al. Nov 1975 A
3979934 Isenmann Sep 1976 A
3990674 Schattenberg Nov 1976 A
4025049 Schmidt May 1977 A
4039213 Walters Aug 1977 A
4072330 Brysch Feb 1978 A
4099748 Kavick Jul 1978 A
4113627 Leason Sep 1978 A
4116476 Porter et al. Sep 1978 A
4129145 Wynn Dec 1978 A
4142546 Sandau Mar 1979 A
D252470 Pawlak Jul 1979 S
4181149 Cox Jan 1980 A
4182519 Wilson Jan 1980 A
D254505 Parsons et al. Mar 1980 S
4200605 Imamura Apr 1980 A
D255145 Nederman May 1980 S
4220360 Jacek et al. Sep 1980 A
D258526 Nederman Mar 1981 S
4253687 Maples Mar 1981 A
D259278 McCaw May 1981 S
4271865 Galloway et al. Jun 1981 A
4282175 Volgstadt et al. Aug 1981 A
4287644 Durand Sep 1981 A
4294285 Joslyn Oct 1981 A
4296949 Muetterties et al. Oct 1981 A
4319774 Kavick Mar 1982 A
4330010 Drescher et al. May 1982 A
4330142 Paini May 1982 A
4331175 Brake et al. May 1982 A
4331177 Makishima May 1982 A
4340200 Stegmeier Jul 1982 A
4345786 Egert Aug 1982 A
4346703 Dennehey Aug 1982 A
4351351 Flory et al. Sep 1982 A
4366816 Bayard et al. Jan 1983 A
4393548 Herb Jul 1983 A
4397442 Larkin Aug 1983 A
4407526 Cicenas Oct 1983 A
4431031 Ettlinger Feb 1984 A
4431218 Paul Feb 1984 A
4434121 Schaper Feb 1984 A
4436125 Blenkush Mar 1984 A
4437689 Goebel et al. Mar 1984 A
4439188 Dennehey Mar 1984 A
4458719 Strybel Jul 1984 A
4489914 Stevenson et al. Dec 1984 A
4489961 Laidig Dec 1984 A
4500118 Blenkush Feb 1985 A
4527745 Butterfield et al. Jul 1985 A
4541457 Blenkush Sep 1985 A
4541657 Smyth Sep 1985 A
4553587 Traylor Nov 1985 A
D282962 Gerber Mar 1986 S
4580816 Campbell et al. Apr 1986 A
4603888 Goodall et al. Aug 1986 A
4603890 Huppee Aug 1986 A
4613112 Phlipot et al. Sep 1986 A
4616859 Brunet Oct 1986 A
4626001 Lee Dec 1986 A
4630847 Blenkush Dec 1986 A
4632436 Kimura Dec 1986 A
4635972 Lyall Jan 1987 A
4645245 Cunningham Feb 1987 A
4658326 Clark et al. Apr 1987 A
4659116 Cameron Apr 1987 A
4694544 Chapman Sep 1987 A
4699298 Grant et al. Oct 1987 A
4700926 Hansen Oct 1987 A
4703957 Blenkush Nov 1987 A
4706847 Sankey et al. Nov 1987 A
4712280 Fildan Dec 1987 A
4733890 Vyse Mar 1988 A
4738401 Filicicchia Apr 1988 A
4753268 Palau Jun 1988 A
4768558 Weber Sep 1988 A
4776067 Sorensen Oct 1988 A
4790567 Kawano et al. Dec 1988 A
4790569 Chaffee Dec 1988 A
4792115 Jindra et al. Dec 1988 A
4793637 Laipply et al. Dec 1988 A
D300361 Tokarz Mar 1989 S
4824148 Grabowski Apr 1989 A
4827921 Rugheimer May 1989 A
4832237 Hurford, Jr. May 1989 A
4834423 DeLand May 1989 A
4844512 Gahwiler Jul 1989 A
4863201 Carstens Sep 1989 A
4863202 Oldford Sep 1989 A
4896402 Jansen et al. Jan 1990 A
4900065 Houck Feb 1990 A
4903995 Blenkush et al. Feb 1990 A
4923228 Laipply et al. May 1990 A
4928859 Krahn et al. May 1990 A
4928999 Landriault et al. May 1990 A
4934655 Blenkush et al. Jun 1990 A
4935992 Due Jun 1990 A
4946200 Blenkush et al. Aug 1990 A
4946204 Boticki Aug 1990 A
4949745 McKeon Aug 1990 A
4966398 Peterson Oct 1990 A
4969879 Lichte Nov 1990 A
D313067 Kotake et al. Dec 1990 S
D313277 Haining Dec 1990 S
D314050 Sone Jan 1991 S
D314233 Medvick Jan 1991 S
4982736 Schneider Jan 1991 A
4991880 Bernart Feb 1991 A
5009252 Faughn Apr 1991 A
5015014 Sweeney May 1991 A
5029908 Belisaire Jul 1991 A
5033777 Blenkush Jul 1991 A
D319312 Schneider Aug 1991 S
5052725 Meyer et al. Oct 1991 A
5074601 Spors et al. Dec 1991 A
5076615 Sampson Dec 1991 A
5078429 Braut et al. Jan 1992 A
5085472 Guest Feb 1992 A
5090448 Truchet Feb 1992 A
5090747 Kotake Feb 1992 A
5094482 Petty et al. Mar 1992 A
5104158 Meyer et al. Apr 1992 A
5106127 Briet Apr 1992 A
D326155 Boehringer et al. May 1992 S
5110163 Benson et al. May 1992 A
5112084 Washizu May 1992 A
5114250 Usui May 1992 A
5123677 Kreczko et al. Jun 1992 A
5143381 Temple Sep 1992 A
5160177 Washizu Nov 1992 A
5160474 Huff Nov 1992 A
5165733 Sampson Nov 1992 A
5169161 Jones Dec 1992 A
D332482 Petty et al. Jan 1993 S
5176406 Straghan Jan 1993 A
5178303 Blenkush et al. Jan 1993 A
5181752 Benson et al. Jan 1993 A
D333178 Novy Feb 1993 S
5190224 Hamilton Mar 1993 A
5222279 Frano et al. Jun 1993 A
5228724 Godeau Jul 1993 A
5232020 Mason et al. Aug 1993 A
D339417 Sampson et al. Sep 1993 S
5251025 Cooper et al. Oct 1993 A
5273053 Pohndorf Dec 1993 A
5297826 Percebois et al. Mar 1994 A
5316041 Ramacier, Jr. et al. May 1994 A
5318332 Hohmann et al. Jun 1994 A
5330235 Wagner et al. Jul 1994 A
5348051 Kallenbach Sep 1994 A
5348354 Badoureaux Sep 1994 A
5353836 deCler et al. Oct 1994 A
5356183 Cole Oct 1994 A
5374088 Moretti et al. Dec 1994 A
5385311 Morikawa et al. Jan 1995 A
5385331 Allread et al. Jan 1995 A
D357307 Ramacier, Jr. et al. Apr 1995 S
5405333 Richmond Apr 1995 A
5405339 Kohnen et al. Apr 1995 A
5405340 Fageol et al. Apr 1995 A
5411300 Mitsui May 1995 A
5417442 Jornhagen May 1995 A
5421622 Godeau Jun 1995 A
5437650 Larkin et al. Aug 1995 A
5494074 Ramacier, Jr. et al. Feb 1996 A
5507733 Larkin et al. Apr 1996 A
5511527 Lorraine et al. Apr 1996 A
D372093 Sampson et al. Jul 1996 S
5536258 Folden Jul 1996 A
5542712 Klinger et al. Aug 1996 A
5547166 Engdahl Aug 1996 A
5547230 Bank et al. Aug 1996 A
5553895 Karl et al. Sep 1996 A
D375160 Sampson et al. Oct 1996 S
5568946 Jackowski Oct 1996 A
5595217 Gillen et al. Jan 1997 A
5601317 Crouse et al. Feb 1997 A
5607190 Exandier et al. Mar 1997 A
5617609 Bently Apr 1997 A
5620025 Lewin Apr 1997 A
5628726 Cotter May 1997 A
D380262 Van Funderburk et al. Jun 1997 S
5639064 deCler et al. Jun 1997 A
D382639 Musgrave et al. Aug 1997 S
D384731 Ramacier, Jr. et al. Oct 1997 S
5681062 Fukao et al. Oct 1997 A
5682662 Coules et al. Nov 1997 A
5683117 Corbett et al. Nov 1997 A
D387147 Vandermast et al. Dec 1997 S
5695223 Boticki Dec 1997 A
D388876 Sampson Jan 1998 S
5709244 Patriquin et al. Jan 1998 A
5725258 Kujawski Mar 1998 A
5737810 Krauss Apr 1998 A
5745957 Khokhar et al. May 1998 A
5746414 Weldon et al. May 1998 A
5762646 Cotter Jun 1998 A
5784750 Sankovic et al. Jul 1998 A
5799987 Sampson Sep 1998 A
5820614 Erskine et al. Oct 1998 A
5837180 Linder et al. Nov 1998 A
5845943 Ramacier, Jr. et al. Dec 1998 A
5855568 Battiato et al. Jan 1999 A
5879033 Hansel et al. Mar 1999 A
5882047 Ostrander et al. Mar 1999 A
5884531 Koenig Mar 1999 A
D407803 Redman Apr 1999 S
5897142 Kulevsky Apr 1999 A
5911367 McInerney Jun 1999 A
5911403 deCler et al. Jun 1999 A
5911404 Cheng Jun 1999 A
5930424 Heimberger et al. Jul 1999 A
5937501 Imgram Aug 1999 A
5938244 Meyer Aug 1999 A
5941577 Musellec Aug 1999 A
5942730 Schwarz et al. Aug 1999 A
D413967 Yuen Sep 1999 S
5957898 Jepson et al. Sep 1999 A
5961157 Baron et al. Oct 1999 A
5964485 Hame et al. Oct 1999 A
5965077 Rowley et al. Oct 1999 A
5975489 deCler et al. Nov 1999 A
5984378 Ostrander et al. Nov 1999 A
5988704 Ryhman Nov 1999 A
6012743 Godeau et al. Jan 2000 A
6015171 Schorn Jan 2000 A
D419861 Khokhar Feb 2000 S
6019348 Powell Feb 2000 A
6024124 Braun et al. Feb 2000 A
6029701 Chaffardon et al. Feb 2000 A
6032691 Powell et al. Mar 2000 A
6041805 Gydesen et al. Mar 2000 A
D422487 Khokhar Apr 2000 S
6050297 Ostrowski et al. Apr 2000 A
6076234 Khokhar et al. Jun 2000 A
6077245 Heinrich et al. Jun 2000 A
6077259 Caizza et al. Jun 2000 A
6082401 Braun et al. Jul 2000 A
6086044 Guest Jul 2000 A
6089540 Heinrichs et al. Jul 2000 A
6099045 Pirona Aug 2000 A
6112855 Camacho et al. Sep 2000 A
6123690 Mejslov Sep 2000 A
6135150 Powell et al. Oct 2000 A
6135992 Wang Oct 2000 A
6142538 Volgstadt et al. Nov 2000 A
6145896 Vitel et al. Nov 2000 A
6152914 Van De Kerkhof et al. Nov 2000 A
6155610 Godeau et al. Dec 2000 A
6161578 Braun et al. Dec 2000 A
6176523 Winslett Jan 2001 B1
6182694 Sievers et al. Feb 2001 B1
6189560 Reynolds Feb 2001 B1
6199915 Becker Mar 2001 B1
6199919 Kawasaki et al. Mar 2001 B1
6199920 Neustadtl Mar 2001 B1
6221064 Nadal Apr 2001 B1
6231089 DeCler et al. May 2001 B1
D444054 Bernard et al. Jun 2001 S
6250688 Kirby Jun 2001 B1
6257626 Campau Jul 2001 B1
6260851 Baron Jul 2001 B1
6261282 Jepson et al. Jul 2001 B1
6293596 Kinder Sep 2001 B1
6296796 Gordon Oct 2001 B1
6302147 Rose et al. Oct 2001 B1
6318764 Trede et al. Nov 2001 B1
6344033 Jepson et al. Feb 2002 B1
6382593 deCler et al. May 2002 B1
D459206 Caveney et al. Jun 2002 S
6402207 Segal et al. Jun 2002 B1
6422574 Mooklar Jul 2002 B1
6423053 Lee Jul 2002 B1
6439620 Guest Aug 2002 B1
6454314 Grosspietsch et al. Sep 2002 B1
6481758 Andre et al. Nov 2002 B1
6481759 Kawasaki et al. Nov 2002 B1
6485064 Davidson Nov 2002 B1
6485483 Fujii Nov 2002 B1
6505866 Nakamura et al. Jan 2003 B1
6508807 Peters Jan 2003 B1
6520546 Szabo Feb 2003 B2
D471261 Kozu Mar 2003 S
6540263 Sausner Apr 2003 B1
6543745 Enerson Apr 2003 B1
6595964 Finley et al. Jul 2003 B2
6609696 Enerson Aug 2003 B2
6612634 Zoppas Sep 2003 B1
6626419 DeCler et al. Sep 2003 B2
6626465 Lacroix et al. Sep 2003 B2
D481125 Hayamizu Oct 2003 S
6641177 Pinciaro Nov 2003 B1
6649829 Garber et al. Nov 2003 B2
6652007 Hwang Nov 2003 B1
D484241 Peters et al. Dec 2003 S
6669681 Jepson et al. Dec 2003 B2
6676172 Alksnis Jan 2004 B2
D486909 Cise et al. Feb 2004 S
6688654 Romero Feb 2004 B2
6692038 Braun Feb 2004 B2
6695817 Fangrow Feb 2004 B1
6705591 deCler Mar 2004 B2
6722705 Korkor Apr 2004 B2
6722708 Morohoshi et al. Apr 2004 B2
6762365 Inoue et al. Jul 2004 B2
6767017 Crapart et al. Jul 2004 B2
D495050 Guala Aug 2004 S
6783520 Candray et al. Aug 2004 B1
D497428 Hayamizu Oct 2004 S
6799747 Lai Oct 2004 B1
D498533 Hayamizu Nov 2004 S
6814726 Lauer Nov 2004 B1
6840277 Nimberger Jan 2005 B1
6846021 Rohde et al. Jan 2005 B2
6848602 deCler et al. Feb 2005 B2
6848723 Lamich Feb 2005 B2
6871669 Meyer et al. Mar 2005 B2
6871878 Miros Mar 2005 B2
D503778 Wicks Apr 2005 S
6886803 Mikiya et al. May 2005 B2
6897374 Garber et al. May 2005 B2
6899315 Maiville et al. May 2005 B2
6902144 deCler Jun 2005 B2
D507647 Beck et al. Jul 2005 S
6916007 deCler et al. Jul 2005 B2
6916050 Milhas Jul 2005 B2
6929246 Arzenton et al. Aug 2005 B2
6945273 Reid Sep 2005 B2
6949084 Marggi et al. Sep 2005 B2
6962275 deCler et al. Nov 2005 B2
6978800 deCler et al. Dec 2005 B2
6997486 Milhas Feb 2006 B2
6997919 Olsen et al. Feb 2006 B2
7005581 Burnette Feb 2006 B2
7011342 Guivarc'h et al. Mar 2006 B2
7014214 Kaneko Mar 2006 B2
D522109 White et al. May 2006 S
7040670 Madden May 2006 B2
7044161 Tiberghien May 2006 B2
7044506 Dong May 2006 B2
D523553 Beck et al. Jun 2006 S
7080665 Whall Jul 2006 B2
7081223 Khoury Jul 2006 B2
7108297 Takayanagi et al. Sep 2006 B2
7118138 Rowley et al. Oct 2006 B1
7128348 Kawamura et al. Oct 2006 B2
7137654 Segal et al. Nov 2006 B2
7140592 Phillips Nov 2006 B2
7147252 Teuscher et al. Dec 2006 B2
7150478 Poirier et al. Dec 2006 B2
7153296 Mitchell Dec 2006 B2
7163022 Whall Jan 2007 B2
D540944 Guala Apr 2007 S
7210917 Lai et al. May 2007 B2
D550355 Racz et al. Sep 2007 S
D557409 Veliss et al. Dec 2007 S
D564660 Hayashi Mar 2008 S
7343931 Packham Mar 2008 B2
D567340 Tiberghien Apr 2008 S
7352771 Garber Apr 2008 B2
D569955 Chen May 2008 S
7377553 Takayanagi May 2008 B2
D570457 Brown Jun 2008 S
7390029 Matsubara Jun 2008 B2
7394375 Johnson Jul 2008 B2
7434846 Baumgartner Oct 2008 B2
7448653 Jensen et al. Nov 2008 B2
7464970 Yamada et al. Dec 2008 B2
7469472 DeCler et al. Dec 2008 B2
7478840 Youssefifar Jan 2009 B2
7488446 Meyer et al. Feb 2009 B2
7494156 Okada Feb 2009 B2
7503595 McKay Mar 2009 B2
7516990 Jamison et al. Apr 2009 B2
7546857 Chadbourne et al. Jun 2009 B2
D595845 Miros et al. Jul 2009 S
D595846 Racz et al. Jul 2009 S
D596739 Ng et al. Jul 2009 S
7566077 Tsurumi Jul 2009 B2
7581763 Salomon-Bahls Sep 2009 B2
D602128 Williams et al. Oct 2009 S
7614666 Eggert et al. Nov 2009 B2
7631660 deCler et al. Dec 2009 B2
7666178 McMichael Feb 2010 B2
D612019 Williams et al. Mar 2010 S
D612021 Schmidt Mar 2010 S
7677608 Takayanagi Mar 2010 B2
D613853 Ng et al. Apr 2010 S
7695020 Schmidt Apr 2010 B2
7708025 Johnson May 2010 B2
7731244 Miros et al. Jun 2010 B2
D619706 Schon et al. Jul 2010 S
7841357 Rankin Nov 2010 B2
D629894 Lombardi, III et al. Dec 2010 S
7849877 Tan et al. Dec 2010 B2
D630320 Lombardi, III et al. Jan 2011 S
D634840 Lombardi, III et al. Mar 2011 S
D639398 Wilhelm Jun 2011 S
7954374 Rankin Jun 2011 B2
7954515 Gerst Jun 2011 B2
D642244 Wilhelm Jul 2011 S
D645547 Lombardi, III et al. Sep 2011 S
20010017466 Braun Aug 2001 A1
20010054819 Guest Dec 2001 A1
20020022762 Beane et al. Feb 2002 A1
20020093192 Matkovich Jul 2002 A1
20020140172 Platusich Oct 2002 A1
20020156344 Pasricha et al. Oct 2002 A1
20020185861 Inoue Dec 2002 A1
20030004397 Kameya et al. Jan 2003 A1
20030067162 Welsh et al. Apr 2003 A1
20030193188 Miros Oct 2003 A1
20030230894 Cleveland et al. Dec 2003 A1
20040021318 Fritze et al. Feb 2004 A1
20040056484 Kwon et al. Mar 2004 A1
20040094903 Sutherland May 2004 A1
20040195830 Gilmour Oct 2004 A1
20040199143 Lauer Oct 2004 A1
20040227346 Jamison et al. Nov 2004 A1
20040232696 Andre Nov 2004 A1
20050001425 deCler et al. Jan 2005 A1
20050012330 Schmidt Jan 2005 A1
20050033237 Fentress et al. Feb 2005 A1
20050046184 Chang Mar 2005 A1
20050057042 Wicks Mar 2005 A1
20050082828 Wicks et al. Apr 2005 A1
20050087981 Yamada et al. Apr 2005 A1
20050209583 Powers et al. Sep 2005 A1
20050211934 Garber et al. Sep 2005 A1
20050217265 Popp et al. Oct 2005 A1
20050242579 Bright et al. Nov 2005 A1
20050258646 Gunderson Nov 2005 A1
20050275220 Shu Dec 2005 A1
20060066100 Nakashima et al. Mar 2006 A1
20060152003 Slunick et al. Jul 2006 A1
20060264814 Sage Nov 2006 A1
20060293629 Cote, Sr. et al. Dec 2006 A1
20070025811 Wilhelm Feb 2007 A1
20070029795 Moner et al. Feb 2007 A1
20070029796 Bibby Feb 2007 A1
20070106213 Spera et al. May 2007 A1
20070137718 Rushlander et al. Jun 2007 A1
20070169825 Packham et al. Jul 2007 A1
20070209716 Rankin Sep 2007 A1
20070284875 Salomon-Bahls et al. Dec 2007 A1
20080011703 Schmeisser et al. Jan 2008 A1
20080012314 Harger et al. Jan 2008 A1
20080018105 Le Bars Jan 2008 A1
20080048448 Jamison et al. Feb 2008 A1
20080061553 Schmidt Mar 2008 A1
20080078464 Loewe Apr 2008 A1
20080111371 Feger et al. May 2008 A1
20080111372 Trede et al. May 2008 A1
20080129047 Blivet et al. Jun 2008 A1
20080164694 Zdroik et al. Jul 2008 A1
20080191466 Knipple et al. Aug 2008 A1
20080200901 Rasmussen et al. Aug 2008 A1
20080277923 Brandt et al. Nov 2008 A1
20080277924 Jensen et al. Nov 2008 A1
20080284167 Lim et al. Nov 2008 A1
20080287920 Fangrow et al. Nov 2008 A1
20090079187 Malone Mar 2009 A1
20090127847 Hagen et al. May 2009 A1
20090129047 Park et al. May 2009 A1
20090140519 Pavnaskar et al. Jun 2009 A1
20090167018 Lien Jul 2009 A1
20090187166 Young Jul 2009 A1
20090188575 Williams et al. Jul 2009 A1
20090256355 Wicks et al. Oct 2009 A1
20100056975 Dale et al. Mar 2010 A1
20100185040 Uber et al. Jul 2010 A1
20100194100 Koch Aug 2010 A1
20100276922 Rehder et al. Nov 2010 A1
20100295295 Schmidt Nov 2010 A1
20100301599 Jensen et al. Dec 2010 A1
20100319796 Whitaker Dec 2010 A1
20110012340 Packham et al. Jan 2011 A1
20110127767 Wicks et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110204621 Whitaker et al. Aug 2011 A1
20110204622 Lewis et al. Aug 2011 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (53)
Number Date Country
479098 Jan 1948 BE
1868896 Mar 1963 DE
3439522 Aug 1985 DE
3533000 Mar 1987 DE
4122455 Jan 1993 DE
19800050 Jul 1998 DE
102005015343 Oct 2006 DE
0360634 Mar 1990 EP
0390746 Oct 1990 EP
0267067 Jul 1991 EP
0482277 Apr 1992 EP
0592823 Apr 1994 EP
0715111 Jun 1996 EP
0865779 Sep 1998 EP
0877891 Nov 1998 EP
0890054 Jan 1999 EP
0982525 Mar 2000 EP
1497582 Jan 2005 EP
1564469 Aug 2005 EP
1843074 Oct 2007 EP
2031965 Nov 1970 FR
2429370 Jan 1980 FR
280871 Oct 2001 FR
2853043 Oct 2004 FR
2870921 Dec 2005 FR
2903164 Jan 2008 FR
583459 Dec 1946 GB
890775 Mar 1962 GB
2177769 Jan 1987 GB
2218166 Nov 1989 GB
2271157 Apr 1994 GB
2379253 Mar 2003 GB
53-006918 Jan 1978 JP
5-223189 Aug 1993 JP
7-145889 Jun 1995 JP
10-169869 Jun 1998 JP
11-82849 Mar 1999 JP
2003-42363 Feb 2003 JP
2003-42368 Feb 2003 JP
WO 9317270 Sep 1993 WO
WO 9508732 Mar 1995 WO
WO 0079172 Dec 2000 WO
WO 2004104466 Dec 2004 WO
WO 2005064216 Jul 2005 WO
WO 2006031958 Mar 2006 WO
WO 2006073778 Jul 2006 WO
WO 2006084171 Aug 2006 WO
WO2006135666 Dec 2006 WO
WO 2007038222 Apr 2007 WO
WO 2007116387 Oct 2007 WO
WO 2007120620 Oct 2007 WO
WO 2008023021 Feb 2008 WO
WO 2009026441 Feb 2009 WO
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20100001516 A1 Jan 2010 US