Line Connector

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a line connector that can be switched from a locking to an unlocking position solely by means of application of a linear force to a conduit (K) along an engagement axis (E). This solves the problem of how to operate such a line connector using only one hand. The connector has a mechanism configured so as to allow a cam body connected to the conduit (K) to occupy, at different rotational positions of the cam body, an unlocking position in which an attachment mechanism for the conduit (K) can be unlocked, and a locking position in which the attachment mechanism cannot be unlocked.

Claims

1. A line connector having a housing with an inlet for a spigot (S) of a conduit (K) and an outlet, the line connector having an engagement mechanism for releasably holding the spigot (S) in an inserted position, the engagement mechanism surrounding an engagement axis (E) and wherein the engagement mechanism comprises: a conversion mechanism, and a cam body configured to be moveable relative to the conversion mechanism along and around the engagement axis (E) and comprising an attachment mechanism for the conduit (K), whereby the conversion mechanism and the cam body are configured such that through engagement of the cam body with the conversion mechanism, motion of the cam body along the engagement axis (E) is converted into rotational motion of the cam body around the engagement axis (E), whereby the conversion mechanism is further configured so as to allow the cam body to occupy, at different rotational positions of the cam body, an unlocking position in which the attachment mechanism can be unlocked for releasing the spigot (S) from the line connector, and a locking position in which the attachment mechanism is locked.

2. The line connector of claim 1, wherein the conversion mechanism comprises a first operational element and a second operational element which may be fixed relative to movement along and around the engagement axis (E), and whereby the cam body is arranged to be moveable along and around the engagement axis (E) between the first operational element and the second operational element.

3. The line connector of claim 2, wherein the second operational element and the cam body are configured such that through engagement of the cam body with the second operational element, linear motion of the cam body along the engagement axis (E) is converted into rotational motion of the cam body (E) around the engagement axis (E), whereby the first operational element is configured so as to allow the cam body to occupy, at different rotational positions of the cam body, an unlocking position in which the attachment mechanism can be unlocked, and a locking position in which the attachment mechanism is locked.

4. The line connector of claim 2, wherein the first operational element and the cam body are configured such that through engagement of the cam body with the first operational element, linear motion of the cam body along the engagement axis (E) is converted to rotational motion of the cam body around the engagement axis (E).

5. The line connector of claim 1, wherein the unlocking and locking positions respectively comprise a protracted position and a retracted position of the cam body along the engagement axis (E).

6. The line connector of claim 1, wherein the line connector is configured such that in the unlocking position, the attachment mechanism can be opened through application of a force to the cam body along the engagement axis (E).

7. The line connector of claim 6, wherein the force applied to the cam body along the engagement axis (E) is in a removal direction of an inserted spigot (S).

8. The line connector of claim 2, wherein the attachment mechanism can be opened by forcing the cam body and the first operational element together, whereby the first operational element is arranged further towards an insertion opening for the spigot (S) than the second operational element.

9. The line connector of claim 2, wherein in the locking position, the attachment mechanism is prevented from opening by a cooperation between the cam body and the first operational element, whereby the first operational element is arranged further towards an insertion opening for the spigot (S) than the second operational element.

10. The line connector of claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises at least one hook part.

11. The line connector of claim 10, wherein the line connector is configured such that the attachment mechanism can be opened through movement of the at least one hook part.

12. The line connector of claim 11, wherein movement of the at least one hook part is in the radially outward direction.

13. The line connector of claim 10, wherein the line connector is configured to hinder movement, in particular radially outward movement, of the at least one hook part in the locking position.

14. The line connector of claim 10, wherein the first operational element comprises a space into which the at least one hook part may be displaced in the unlocking position.

15. The line connector of claim 10, wherein the at least one hook part comprises at least one inclined region.

16. The line connector of claim 1, wherein the cam body comprises at least one inclined region configured and located so that a protrusion on an outer surface of an inserted spigot (S) may bear against the at least one inclined region when the spigot (S) is removed from the line connector.

17. The line connector of claim 1, wherein the cam body comprises at least one inclined region configured and located so that a protrusion on an outer surface of the spigot (S) to be inserted may bear against the at least one inclined region when the spigot (S) is inserted into the line connector.

18. The line connector of claim 1, wherein the cam body comprises an abutment for actuating the attachment mechanism and configured to bear against a first operational element when the cam body is forced against the first operational element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0166] Further features, details and advantages of the disclosure arise from the wording of the claims as well as from the following description of embodiments with the help of the figures. These show:

[0167] FIG. 1a an exploded view of the line connector and safety latch;

[0168] FIG. 1b an exploded view of a further embodiment of the line connector and safety latch;

[0169] FIG. 2 a front perspective view of the first operational element;

[0170] FIG. 3 a rear perspective view of the first operational element;

[0171] FIG. 4 a front view of the first operational element;

[0172] FIG. 5 a side view of the first operational element;

[0173] FIG. 6 a front perspective view of the second operational element;

[0174] FIG. 7 a front view of the second operational element;

[0175] FIG. 8 a front perspective view of the cam body;

[0176] FIG. 9 a side view of the cam body;

[0177] FIG. 10 a rear view of the cam body;

[0178] FIG. 11 a front perspective view of the housing;

[0179] FIG. 12 a side cross-sectional view of the housing;

[0180] FIG. 13a a side cross-sectional view of the line connector and conduit in the unlocking position;

[0181] FIG. 13b a further side cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the line connector and conduit in the unlocking position;

[0182] FIG. 14 a perspective view of the line connector with the cam body in an unlocking position with a protrusion bearing against a stop on the first operational element;

[0183] FIG. 15 a perspective view of the line connector with the cam body moved out of the unlocking position and beginning to engage with the second operational element;

[0184] FIG. 16 a perspective view of the line connector with the cam body engaged with the second operational element and bearing against a stop surface thereof;

[0185] FIG. 17 a side view of the cam body in a locking position, showing a protrusion in the slot of the first operational element;

[0186] FIG. 18 a side cross-sectional view of the line connector in the locking position;

[0187] FIG. 19 a perspective view of the safety latch;

[0188] FIG. 20 a perspective view showing the safety latch in a disengaged position;

[0189] FIG. 21 a perspective view showing the safety latch in a disengaged position with the protrusions of the legs of the safety latch in a first insertion position; and

[0190] FIG. 22 a side cross-sectional view showing the safety latch in a disengaged position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0191] FIGS. 1a and 1b show an exploded view of the line connector 1 and safety latch 160. This is described further in conjunction with other figures later.

First Operational Element

[0192] FIGS. 2 to 5 show various views of the first operational element 50, which is essentially formed as a ring. The first operational element 50 has two substantially semi-circular walls 51 joined at a ring-shaped base 53. There is an outer side 54, an inner side 55, a bottom side 56, and a top side 57, as well as a central opening 58 suitable to receive a conduit not shown. In use, the bottom side 56 faces out of a housing and the top side 57 faces into a housing.

[0193] Each wall 51 is provided with a first engagement profile 59 in a top of the wall at the top side 57, against which a cam body may be driven along the central axis C1, which in use is aligned with the engagement axis E, to effect rotational motion of the cam body about the engagement axis. Followed in the clockwise direction when viewed from the top side 57, the first engagement profile 59 consists of a repeating motif as follows:

[0194] A declining first sloping region 60, followed by a stop 61, followed by another first sloping region 60. The height of the stop 61 i.e. extension along the central axis C1 is equal to the drop of the sloping region along the central axis C1.

[0195] The end 52 of each wall 51 is separated from the neighbouring end 52 of the other wall 51 by a certain distance in the circumferential direction L, which results in the formation of two identical slots 62. The first operational element 50 thus has twofold rotational symmetry about its central axis C1.

[0196] One function of the slots 62 is to facilitate movement of a cam body into the locking position. In addition, the stops 61 facilitate movement and retention of a cam body in the unlocking position.

[0197] The sides 63 of each slot 62 which are also the ends 52 of the walls 51) are straight and parallel to each other.

[0198] Feet 64 are arranged at the outer side 54 of the base 53 directly opposite each other, i.e. 180 degrees apart. Each foot 64 is essentially a cuboid joined by one face to the outer side 54 of the base 53. Each foot 64 is positioned such that a bottom face 65 thereof is parallel with the bottom side 56 of the base 53. In other words, each foot 64 appears to extend radially outwardly from the base 53. However, the extension of the foot 64 parallel to the central axis C1 is less than the extension of the base 53 parallel to the central axis C1, in particular, the length of the foot 64 is approximately three quarters of the length of the base 53. Edges 66 of the foot 64 parallel to the central axis C1 are rounded. The feet 64 function to prevent rotational movement of the first operational element 50 when it is inserted into a housing.

[0199] The first operational element 50 also comprises four bars 67 positioned around the outer side 54 of the base 53, said bars 67 functioning as snap-in elements to hold the first operational element 50 in a housing and thereby prevent motion along the engagement axis E, i.e. along the central axis C1 of the first operational element 50. Each bar 67 is arranged at approximately 90 degrees in the circumferential direction L to its neighbouring bars 67. A front side 68 of the bar is inclined in order to assist in inserting the first operational element 50 into a housing. A rear side 69 of the bars 67 is not inclined and instead is parallel with the bottom side 56 of the base 53.

[0200] First operational element 50 has four inner recesses 70 formed in the walls 51 at the inner side 55. Two of the recesses 70 are each formed entirely within one of the walls 51, and two recesses 70 each span two of the walls 51, in particular in the region of the slot 62. The recesses are arranged at equal intervals from each other at 90 degrees.

[0201] The base 53 has a flange 71 to prevent a cam body from falling out of the first operational element 50 and to act to surround an attachment mechanism of a cam body to prevent it from opening when a cam body in within the first operational element 50 in a locking position. The flange 71 extends around the entire circumference of the first operational element 50.

Second Operational Element

[0202] FIGS. 6 and 7 show various views of the second operational element 80, which has the shape of a ring and has an inner side 81, an outer side 82, a top side 83 and a bottom side 84. The bottom side 84 is arranged to face into a housing when the second operational element 80 is arranged in therein, and the top side 83 is arranged to face out of a housing, with the outer side 82 contacting an inner region of the housing to hold the second operational element 80 in place. A central opening 85 is suitable to receive a conduit.

[0203] In its outer side 82, the second operational element 80 has two circumferential grooves 86.

[0204] Provided at the top side 83 of the second operational element 80 is a second engagement profile 87, against which a cam body may be driven along an engagement axis (i.e. along the central axis C2) to effect rotational motion of the cam body thereabout. Followed in the anti-clockwise direction when viewed from the top side 83, the second engagement profile 87 comprises of a repeating motif as follows:

[0205] A declining second sloping region 88, followed by a stop 89, followed by a step region 90, which joins onto the start of the next second sloping region 88. This motif repeats four times. The engagement profile 87 therefore has fourfold rotational symmetry about the central axis C2 of the second operational element 80.

[0206] The second sloping regions 88 are all arranged to slope in the same circumferential direction M and such that the slopes all decline in an anti-clockwise direction R. The surface of the second engagement profile 87 between the stop 89 and the step region 90 and the step region 90 and the top of each slope is flat and even, i.e. the surface extends parallel to the radial direction.

[0207] Each step region 90 extends parallel to the radial direction D2 at that particular location of the second engagement profile 87. It can be seen that each stop 89 does not extend parallel to the radial direction D2, but rather cuts the ring at an angle.

Cam Body

[0208] FIGS. 8 to 10 show various views of the cam body 100. The cam body 100 has a back side 101, a front side 102, an outer side 103 and an inner side 104. At the back side 101 is a foundation 105, formed in this case in the shape of a ring, to which are attached four legs 106a first leg 107, a second leg 108, a third leg 109 and a fourth leg 110extending in the same direction along the central axis C3. The four legs 106 are spaced equally from each other around the circumference of the foundation 105. An angle between each leg 106 is therefore 90 degrees, within typical tolerances. The legs 106 are attached to the foundation 105

[0209] Each leg 106 has a joining piece 111, which connects the leg 106 to the foundation 105, a radially extending part 112, which is joined to the joining piece 111 and extends in the direction perpendicular to the central axis C3, and a hook part 113, which is joined to the radially extending part 112 and extends in the direction parallel to the central axis C3. In this application, the term leg may be used to refer to the combination of the hook part 113, the radially extending part 112 and the joining piece 111.

[0210] Each leg 106 and its hook part 113 comprise part of the attachment mechanism 149. Each hook part 113 has a recess 116 on the inner side 104 of the cam body 100, which is what lends the hook parts 113 their hook-like form for attaching an inserted conduit. The profile of the recess 116 comprises a throat 117 connected to a bend 118, whereby the throat 117 extends at a slight incline relative to the central axis C3 and the bend 118 curves substantially so that it extends essentially perpendicular to the central axis C3 at the end of the bend 118. The region of the bend 118 may also be termed the inner inclined region in other parts of this application, which is the part which serves to aid in guiding a conduit out from the attachment mechanism 149. The profile of the recess 116 extends over the entire width that is, the extension of the recess 116 in the circumferential direction of the respective hook part 113.

[0211] At the front side 102 of each hook part 113 is a front inclined region 119, which aids in inserting a conduit into the attachment mechanism 149. This front inclined region 119 extends over the entire width that is, the extension of the leg in the circumferential direction) of the respective hook part 113.

[0212] The width as defined previously of each hook part 113 is substantially the same in the direction parallel to the central axis C3. In other words, internal sides 133 of each hook part 113 are parallel to each other.

[0213] Each hook part 113 has a top face 121 at an outer side 103 of the cam body 100. For first and third hook part (of the first leg 107 and the third leg 109 arranged at opposite positions on the foundation 105, that is, at around 180 degrees from each other, a protrusion 122 is formed as part of the top face 121, to give a first protrusion 123 and a second protrusion 124. When viewed along the straight line AB, which extends through both the first protrusion 123 and the second protrusion 124, the first protrusion 123 has a cross-section 125 that may be regarded as a right-angled triangle. The triangle of the cross-section 125 has a hypotenuse 126, a base 127 and a side 128, and is arranged so that the base 127 is parallel to a rear edge 129 of the top face 121 of the hook part 113, such that the right angle of the triangle is partially flush with the rear edge when looking along the line AB. The side 128 of the triangle (which forms the right angle with the base 127 extends perpendicular to the rear edge 129 of the top face 121. The second protrusion 124 has the same form as the first protrusion 123.

[0214] The curvature of the protrusion at the outer side 103, of the top face 121 of the hook part 113 and of the inclined regions of respective hook parts 113 mirrors the curvature of the foundation 105.

[0215] Each hook part 113 has a lip 131 which is situated at the interface 132 between a top inclined region 115 and the top face 121. The lip 131 extends perpendicular to the central axis C3 across the entire width of the hook part 113 at the outer side 103.

[0216] Each leg 106 has two internal sides 133. On each internal side 133 of the second leg 108 and the fourth leg 110 are arranged flanks 139, in particular on the internal sides 113 of the second and fourth hook parts.

[0217] Each first leg 107 and third leg 109 also comprises a prong 140 which is arranged on a rear wall 148 of the respective hook part 113. Each prong 140 extends substantially parallel to the central axis C3. Each prong 140 extends past the foundation 105 in the direction of the central axis C3.

[0218] Each prong 140 comprises a tail part 141, which extends partially radially inwardly, the tail part 141 being joined to a body part 142, which extends parallel to the central axis C3, the body part 142 being joined to a head part 143. The tail part 141 and the body part 142 have the same width (in the circumferential direction and the same height (in the radially outward direction.

[0219] The head part 143 comprises a first finger 144 and a second finger 145. Each finger 144, 145 is formed substantially by a cuboid joined to a pointed portion 146, 147 having the form of a triangular prism. The first finger 144 and second finger 145 are joined to each other, arranged side by side and are arranged such that their pointed portions 146, 147 point at right angles from each other. In particular, a first pointed portion 146 of the first finger 144 points parallel to the central axis C3 in the direction away from the hook part 113, and the second pointed portion 147 of the second finger 145 points perpendicular thereto in the radially outward direction.

[0220] The cam body 100 has twofold rotational symmetry about its central axis C3.

Housing

[0221] FIGS. 11 and 12 show views of the housing 4, which has an internal structure comprising a series of chambers of increasingly smaller diameter, namely a first chamber 10 of largest diameter, a second chamber 11 and a third chamber 12, and a fourth chamber 13 of smallest diameter. The housing 4 has an outer surface 5, an inner surface 6, an insertion opening 8 and an exit opening 9.

[0222] The first chamber 10 is arranged to accommodate the first operational element 50 and the cam body 100. The housing 4 comprises two notches 15 formed in its front surface 7 arranged opposite each other, that it at 180 degrees to each other. These notches 15 are arranged to mate with the feet 64 of the first operational element 50 to prevent rotational movement of the first operational element 50 within the housing 4. For this purpose, the housing 4 also features a groove 16 formed in the inner surface 6 of the first chamber 10 and which extends around the entire inner circumference. This groove 16 is arranged to engage bars 67 of the first operational element 50 in order to prevent movement of the first operational element 50 along the engagement axis E when the first operational element 50 is inserted into the housing 4.

[0223] The second chamber 11 is arranged to accommodate the second operational element 80. In the inner surface of the second chamber is formed a protrusion 9 which mates with a corresponding groove 86 in the side of the second operational element 80, in order to prevent rotational and axial movement of the second operational element 80. The second chamber 11 is not of constant diameter, but rather has a taper section 14 of decreasing diameter in the direction of the third chamber 12. It is against this taper section 14 that the prongs 140 of the cam body 100 bear to act as spring elements when the cam body 100 is pushed further into the housing 4.

[0224] A guide ring 27 is arranged in the second chamber 11, which is flanked either side by a first sealing ring 25 and a second sealing ring 26. These serve to provide an effective seal between the spigot S and the housing 4.

[0225] The third chamber 12 is arranged to receive an end of an inserted conduit K, preferably such that the conduit is sealing within the third chamber 12.

[0226] The fourth chamber 13 is arranged to receive a flow of media from the end of the inserted conduit K. The housing 4 features a fir-tree profile 17 on its outer surface 5 in the region of the fourth chamber 14 for the purpose of conduit a further conduit or for connecting the line connector 1 into a further opening.

[0227] A further protrusion 9 is formed on the outside of the housing arranged to match with catch elements 168 of the safety latch (not shown) to hinder the safety latch 160 from being pulled off from the line connector 1. The housing 4 also comprises a first opening 19 and a (blind) second opening 20, which mate with protrusions 162 of the safety latch 160 (not shown).

[0228] A safety opening 18 is formed in a wall of the first chamber 10 of the housing 4, into which a safety pin 161 of a safety latch 160 (not shown) is arranged to protrude in an engaged position of the safety latch 160.

[0229] The manner of functioning and use of a particular embodiment of the line connector will now be described.

Assembly of the Line Connector

[0230] FIGS. 1a and 1b, FIGS. 13a to 18 and FIGS. 20 to 22 show various views of the line connector in different positions and states of assembly and use. FIG. 19 shows a view of the safety latch.

[0231] First, the second operational element 80 will be fixed into the second chamber 11 of the housing 4, for instance by means of a snap-in connection (it being noted that in some cases the second operational element 80 may already be a part of the housing 4). Then, the cam body 100 may be either placed into the first chamber 10 of the housing 4 and the first operational element 50 thereafter fixed in the housing 4, or the cam body 100 and the first operational element 50 may be held together and then inserted into the first chamber 10 of the housing 4 in one motion. Either way, the first operational element 50 is inserted so that the feet 64 are aligned with the notches 15 in the front surface 7 of the housing 4 and so that the bars 67 snap into the groove 16 on the inner surface 6 of the first chamber 10, so that the first operational element 50 is secured against rotational and translational motion.

[0232] The line connector 1 is now ready to receive a conduit K. However, typically, the line connector 1 will be attached beforehand to an attachment point or another conduit at its outlet 3. For this, the relevant part will be slid over the fir-tree profile 17 on the outer surface 5 of the housing 4.

Conduit Insertion

[0233] A conduit 5 is provided having an appropriate part for cooperation with the attachment mechanism 149, in the present case a circumferential collar 201 positioned a certain distance from the conduit end.

[0234] The end of the conduit K is first inserted through the central opening 58 of the first operational element 50 and the central opening 130 of the cam body 100 and further into the housing 4 until the circumferential collar 201 abuts against the front side 102, i.e. the legs 106, of the cam body 100. The user will then experience a resistance to further insertion.

[0235] At this point, the user pushes the conduit K with a slightly increased force. This causes the collar 201 to bear against the front inclined regions 119 of the legs 106, causing the legs to be pushed radially outwards as the conduit K is inserted further. At a certain point, the legs 106, in particular the hook parts 113, will have been displaced far enough to allow the collar 201 to pass through into the attachment region 114 of the attachment mechanism 149. The conduit K is now attached to the cam body 100 via the attachment mechanism 149, so that the cam body 100 is substantially fixed to the conduit K relative to translational movement. However, the cam body 100 is still able to rotate about the conduit K.

Operation of the Unlocking and Locking Mechanism

[0236] Reference is made initially to FIGS. 17 and 18 where the line connector 1 is in a locking state, i.e. where the cam body 100 is in a locking position. As can be seen from FIG. 18, the hook parts 113 of the legs 106 are situated in close proximity to the collar 201 of the conduit K. In the locking position, if a user goes to pull the conduit K to remove it, he will find that he is unable to do so, because the legs 106 are prevented from being radially displaced by the flange 71 of the first operational element 50. Further, the cam body 100 is also unable to be removed from the housing due to the protrusions 122 extending past the foundation 105 in the radial direction.

[0237] As can be seen with reference to FIG. 17, in the locking position, the cam body 100 is positioned so that protrusions 122 are located in the slots 62 of the first operational element 50.

[0238] When a user desires to unlock the line connector 1 so that he is able to remove the conduit K, he undertakes the procedure described as follows.

[0239] Firstly, the conduit K is pushed inwards i.e. further into the housing. The movement of the conduit K, specifically, of the collar 201, carries the cam body 100 inwards. At a certain point, the cam body 100 will have been moved far enough that the prongs 140 bear against the second operational element 80, in particular against the second engagement profile 87 thereof. Since the second engagement profile 87 comprises second sloping regions 88, further linear motion of the cam body 100 will be accompanied by rotational motion thereof, since the cam body 100 is free to rotate around the conduit K.

[0240] After a certain degree of rotational motion, the head parts 143 of the prongs 140 will come to bear against the stops 89 formed in the second engagement profile 87, which means that further rotational motion of the cam body 100 is hindered.

[0241] Next, the user pulls on the conduit K. This carries the cam body 100 back along the engagement axis E in the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the conduit. In this way, the radially extending protrusions 122 of the cam body 100 will come to bear against the first engagement profile 59 of the first operational element 50, in particular against first sloping regions 60. This is due to the configuration of the first operational element 50 relative to the second operational element 80, whereby the first and second sloping regions 60, 88 are arranged such that it is always possible for either the prong 140 or the protrusion 122 to bear against a first or second sloping region 60, 88 to cause rotational motion of the cam body 100.

[0242] Thus, in pulling the conduit K in the outwards direction and causing the cam body 100 to engage with the first operational element 50, the cam body 100 is rotated further. Eventually, the cam body 100 is rotated far enough that the protrusion 122 comes to bear against a stop 61 in the first engagement profile 59, which prevents further rotational motion. This is the unlocking position.

[0243] The unlocking position is shown in more detail in FIGS. 13a, 13b and 14.

[0244] In order to remove the conduit K from the line connector 1 in the unlocking position, the user exerts a pulling force on the conduit K. This causes the collar 201 to bear against inner inclined regions 120 of the legs 106. As the user increases the pulling force, the legs 106 will be displaced outwards. In contrast to the locking position, here, there is sufficient space for the legs 106 to be displaced, in particular the hook parts 113. This space is achieved by the presence of inner recesses 70 in the walls 51 of the first operational element 50.

[0245] The detachment process is further encouraged but the abuttal of the protrusions 122 of the cam body 100 against the first engagement profile 59. Here, a reactionary force, resulting from the pulling of the conduit K and thereby the cam body 100, is exerted on the protrusions 122. This enables the protrusions 122 to act as a kind of lever to produce a leverage on the legs 106, causing them to flex outwards and open the attachment mechanism 149. This also prevents the cam body 100 from being pulled further out of the housing 4, thereby allowing the conduit K to freely exit the attachment region 114 and thereby the line connector 1.

[0246] It may therefore be seen how it is possible to lock and unlock the line connector 1 solely by means of application of a force along the engagement axis E, which can be done with only one hand.

Operation of the Safety Latch

[0247] FIGS. 19 to 22 illustrate the safety latch and its disengaged position. A further aspect of the disclosure is the safety latch 160, which can be used to prevent the cam body 100 from being moved out of a locking position. Broadly speaking, the function of the safety latch 160 is to protrude into the housing 4 in such a manner that the cam body 100 cannot be moved out of the locking position. This is achieved in the following manner.

[0248] The housing 4 comprises a safety opening 18 positioned such that when the cam body 100 is in the locking position, the safety opening 18 is radially above a leg 106 of the cam body 100 but displaced in the inward direction. In particular, the safety opening 18 is configured and located such that a safety pin 161 of a safety latch 160 can be inserted into the safety opening 18 so that the safety pin 161 is directly behind the cam body 100, preferably behind a leg 106 of the cam body 100, when the cam body 100 is in the locking position. In this way, the safety pin 161 can be inserted through the safety opening 18 after the cam body 100 reaches the locking position, whereafter it will no longer be possible to bring the cam body 100 out of the locking position without first removing the safety pin 161 from the safety opening 18. It is thereby not possible to remove the conduit K without first removing the safety latch 160.

[0249] The line connector 1 is further configured such that the safety latch 160 can only be moved out of a disengaged position when the cam body 100 is in the locking position.

[0250] The line connector 1 is configured such that in the locking position, the cam body 100 is situated further within the first operational element 50, e.g. along the engagement axis E, since the flange 71, which contributes to preventing the attachment mechanism 149 from opening, is arranged in the region of the base 53 of the first operational element 50. For this reason, the slots 62 extend alone the entire axial length of the walls 51 to the base 53 of the first operational element 50, which gives the protrusions 122 and thereby the cam body 100 sufficient space to move axially into the first operational element 50.

[0251] The housing 4 is configured for instance through the positioning of the housing notches 15 to have a radial first opening 19 aligned with each slot 62 of the first operational element 50, when the latter is inserted into the housing 4. A second opening 20 is provided beneath each first opening 19 in the direction of engagement of the safety latch 160. Each opening 19, 20 has the form of a square or rectangle, and thus has four walls: a bottom wall 21 furthest from the safety opening 18, a top wall 22 nearest to the safety opening, a left wall 23 closest to the insertion opening 8 of the housing 4, and a right wall 24 furthest from the insertion opening 8 of the housing 4. The openings 19, 20 are aligned such that their bottom walls 21 are perpendicular to the direction of engagement of the safety latch 160.

[0252] The safety latch 160 has protrusions 162 which are configured to extend into the openings 19, 20. In particular, the safety latch 160 has two legs 167, whereby each leg 167 has an inward protrusion 162 at its end. Each leg 167 further comprises a catch element 168 situated on the same side as the respective protrusion 162 that is, on the inner side).

[0253] In a disengaged position, the safety latch 160 is oriented such that the safety pin 161 does not protrude through the safety opening 18 but the leg protrusions 162 do extend into the first openings 19 of the housing 4.

[0254] In an engaged position, the safety latch 160 is displaced downward, i.e. closer to the housing 4, such that the safety pin 161 protrudes through the safety opening 18 and into the housing 18, and such that the leg protrusions 162 extend into the second openings 20 of the housing 4 and further so that the catch elements 168 of the safety latch 160 bear against a wall of the first openings 19 to secure the safety latch 160 against disengagement.

[0255] The protrusions 162 of the safety latch 160 have a particular form. They comprise a base 163 and a head 164, whereby the base 163 has the form of a cuboid and is joined to the leg 167, and the head 164 has a first inclined region 165 and a second inclined region 166, and is joined to the base 163. The first inclined region 165 is arranged to face the right walls 24 of the openings 19, 20 when the safety latch 160 is in the disengaged or engaged position, and the second inclined region 166 is arranged to face the bottom walls 21 of the openings 19, 20 when the safety latch 160 is in the disengaged or engaged position. The first and second inclined regions 165, 166 therefore face in perpendicular directions. The base 163 of the protrusions 162, in particular a bottom wall of the base 163, is arranged to contact a bottom wall 21 of the openings 19, 20 when the safety latch 160 is in the disengaged or engaged position.

[0256] Now will be explained in further detail how the safety latch 160 is brought from a disengaged position into an engaged position.

[0257] In the unlocking position where the safety latch 160 is disengaged, the protrusions 162 extend all the way into the first openings 19. In this case, it is only the base 163 of the protrusions 162 which bear against the bottom walls 21 of the first openings 19, since the heads 162 of the protrusions 162 extend all the way into the inside of the housing 4. Thus, when a user pushes down on the safety latch 160, he is unable to engage it because the flat walls of the cuboid-shaped base 163 of the protrusions 162 abut against the bottoms walls 21 of the first openings 19.

[0258] This situation changes when the line connector 1 enters a locking position, i.e. when the user actuates the conduit K to move the cam body 100. Through rotation of the cam body 100, the protrusions 122 of the cam body 100 move along the first engagement profile 59 to reach the slot 62. However, as the protrusions 122 enter the slot 62, they encounter the protrusions 162 of the safety latch 160, in particular the heads 164, which extend into the housing 4 and thereby into the slot 62 of the first operational element 50.

[0259] However, when the user pulls further on the conduit K, this causes the cam body 100 to move further into the first operational element 50, which causes the protrusions 122 of the cam body 100 to bear against the first inclined regions 165 the safety latch 160, which are inserted into the housing 4. Thereby, the protrusions 162 of the safety latch 160 are pushed back out of the first openings 19 a small amount, i.e. by an amount corresponding to the extent of the protrusions 122 of the cam body 100.

[0260] This is sufficient to cause the second inclined regions 166 of the head 164and no longer the wall of the base 163to bear against the bottom walls 21 of the first openings 19.

[0261] Now, when a user pushes down on the safety latch 160, the second inclined regions 166 will bear against the bottom walls 21, which causes the protrusions 162 of the safety latch 160 to be displaced entirely out of the first openings 19. As a user pushes further, the safety latch 160 will continue to move into the engagement position, since there is now nothing to hinder its movement.

[0262] In this way, the safety latch 160 enters the engagement position and the safety pin 161 enters the safety opening 18. In this case, a user is unable to push the conduit K into the line connector 1 to cause the cam body 100 to reach the unlocking position.

[0263] To disengage the safety latch 160, a user pulls it upwards. This causes protrusions 162 to bear against inclined regions of a blind second opening 20 in the housing 4. This displaces the protrusions 162 and thereby the legs 167 out of the second opening 20, enabling the user to pull the safety latch 160 out of the engaged position and back into the disengaged position. The safety latch 160 is prevented from being pulled completely away from the housing by catch elements 168, which are arranged to bear against a protrusion 9 arranged on the housing 4, as illustrated in FIG. 21.

[0264] The invention is not restricted to any one of the previously described embodiments, but rather may be varied in any manner of ways. All features and advantages arising from the claims, description and the figures, including constructional aspects, spatial arrangements and method steps, may play a part in the invention both alone and in combinations with other features.

[0265] All the features and advantages, including structural details, spatial arrangements and method steps, which follow from the claims, the description and the drawing can be fundamental to the invention both on their own and in different combinations. It is to be understood that the foregoing is a description of one or more preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention. The invention is not limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed herein, but rather is defined solely by the claims below. Furthermore, the statements contained in the foregoing description relate to particular embodiments and are not to be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention or on the definition of terms used in the claims, except where a term or phrase is expressly defined above. Various other embodiments and various changes and modifications to the disclosed embodiment(s) will become apparent to those skilled in the art. All such other embodiments, changes, and modifications are intended to come within the scope of the appended claims.

[0266] As used in this specification and claims, the terms for example, for instance, such as, and like, and the verbs comprising, having, including, and their other verb forms, when used in conjunction with a listing of one or more components or other items, are each to be construed as open-ended, meaning that the listing is not to be considered as excluding other, additional components or items. Other terms are to be construed using their broadest reasonable meaning unless they are used in a context that requires a different interpretation.

LIST OF REFERENCES

[0267]

TABLE-US-00001 Line connector 1 Inlet 2 Outlet 3 Housing 4 Outer surface 5 Inner surface 6 Front surface 7 Insertion opening 8 Protrusion 9 First chamber 10 Second chamber 11 Third chamber 12 Fourth chamber 13 Taper section 14 Notch 15 Groove 16 Fir tree profile 17 Safety opening 18 First opening 19 Second opening 20 Bottom wall 21 Top wall 22 Left wall 23 Right wall 24 First sealing ring 25 Second sealing ring 26 Guide ring 27 Engagement mechanism 30 Engagement axis E Conversion mechanism 40 First operational element 50 Wall 51 End 52 Base 53 Outer side 54 Inner side 55 Bottom side 56 Top side 57 Central opening 58 First engagement profile 59 First sloping region 60 Stop 61 Slot 62 Side 63 Foot 64 Bottom face 65 Edge 66 Bar 67 Front side 68 Rear side 69 Inner recess 70 Flange 71 Central axis C1 Circumferential direction L Second operational element 80 Inner side 81 Outer side 82 Top side 83 Bottom side 84 Central opening 85 Groove 86 Second engagement profile 87 Second sloping region 88 Stop 89 Step region 90 Central axis C2 Anticlockwise direction R Radial direction D2 Circumferential direction M Cam body 100 Back side 101 Front side 102 Outer side 103 Inner side 104 Foundation 105 Leg 106 First leg 107 Second leg 108 Third leg 109 Fourth leg 110 Joining piece 111 Radially extending part 112 Hook part 113 Attachment region 114 Top inclined region 115 Recess 116 Throat 117 Bend 118 Front inclined region 119 Inner inclined region 120 Top face 121 Protrusion 122 First protrusion 123 Second protrusion 124 Cross-section 125 Hypotenuse 126 Base 127 Side 128 Rear edge 129 Central opening 130 Lip 131 Interface 132 Internal side 133 Flank 139 Prong 140 Tail part 141 Body part 142 Head part 143 First finger 144 Second finger 145 First pointed portion 146 Second pointed portion 147 Rear wall 148 Attachment mechanism 149 Straight line AB Width W Central axis C3 Safety latch 160 Safety pin 161 Protrusion 162 Base 163 Head 164 First inclined region 165 Second inclined region 166 Leg 167 Catch element 168 Conduit K Spigot S Protrusion 200 Collar 201