Quick coupler retention clip and method

Abstract

A quick coupler retention clip is disclosed for preventing an inadvertent disconnection of a quick coupler. The clip device includes a unitary clip having a first and a second end. The first end of the clip is of annular configuration so that the body of the coupler extends through the annular first end for anchoring the first end of the clip relative to the body. The second end of the clip is a C-shaped configuration to removably engage a groove defined between a collar and the body of the coupler. A strap extends between the first and second ends of the clip for securing the first and second ends of the clip together. The disconnection of the body from the port of the quick coupler is permitted only when the C-shaped second end is removed from engagement with the groove so that inadvertent disconnection of the body from the port is prevented.

1 . A quick coupler retention clip device for use on a quick connect coupler having a body, a collar and a port, the clip device comprising: 
 a unitary clip having a first and a second end;    the first end of the clip being of annular configuration such that a portion of the coupler extends through the annular first end to anchor the first end of the unitary clip relative to the body;    the second end of the unitary clip having a C-shaped configuration to removably engage a groove disposed between the body and the collar of the coupler when the collar is in a locked disposition with the port; and    a strap extending between the first and second ends of the clip to form a unitary clip device by securing the first and second ends one to another wherein disconnection of the body from the port is permitted only when the C-shaped second end is removed from engagement with the groove to prevent inadvertent disconnection of the body from the port.    
     
     
         2 . The quick coupler retention clip device of  claim 1  wherein the clip is fabricated from a plastics material.  
     
     
         3 . The quick coupler retention clip device of  claim 1  wherein the unitary clip is fabricated from a resilient material which permits repeated engagement and disengagement of the C-shaped second end of the clip from the body of the coupler.  
     
     
         4 . The quick coupler retention clip device of  claim 1  wherein the unitary clip includes indicia thereon for identifying complementary portions of the quick coupler.  
     
     
         5 . The quick coupler retention clip device of  claim 1  wherein the unitary clip is color-coded.  
     
     
         6 . The quick coupler retention clip device of  claim 1  wherein the first end includes an annulus which defines a bore for the reception therein of the body of the coupler, the annulus having a first and a second face, such that when the body is inserted through the annulus, the first and second faces resiliently engage the body for permanently securing the unitary clip to the body.  
     
     
         7 . The quick coupler retention clip device of  claim 6  wherein the first end further includes a wall extending axially from one of the faces, the wall extending around a portion of an outer circumference of the annulus.  
     
     
         8 . The quick coupler retention clip device of  claim 7  wherein the wall includes indicia for indicating the complementary portions to be coupled together.  
     
     
         9 . The quick coupler retention clip device of  claim 1  wherein the second end of the clip defines a slot for the reception therein of the body-of the coupler, the second end further defining a first and a second arm which resiliently cooperate with the body so that engagement and disengagement of the second end of the clip from the groove is permitted.  
     
     
         10 . The quick coupler retention clip device of  claim 1  wherein the strap has a first and a second extremity, the first extremity being secured to the first end of the clip, the second extremity being secured to the second end of the clip.  
     
     
         11 . The quick coupler retention clip device of  claim 5  further comprising a cap engageable with the port and having color-coding consistent with a respective retention clip.  
     
     
         12 . The quick coupler retention clip device of  claim 11  wherein the strap defines a substantially U-shaped configuration when the first and second ends of the clip are disposed in operable engagement with the body of the coupler, the body and the port of the coupler being operably connected together.  
     
     
         13 . The quick coupler retention clip device of  claim 1  wherein the body of the coupler has a female end and the port has a male end.  
     
     
         14 . The quick coupler retention clip device of  claim 1  wherein the device further includes: 
 a cap of generally cylindrical configuration, the cap having a first and a second side;  
 the first side of the cap defining an orifice for the removable reception therein of the body of the coupler;  
 the second side of the cap defining an opening which engages the port of the coupler, the port releasably cooperating with the body so that when in use, the cap is secured to the port by engagement of the port within the opening, and wherein the orifice permits the removable insertion therein of the body such that the body and port are coupled together, the cap being color-coded with respect to the unitary clip so that coupling of the correct body and port is encouraged.  
 
     
     
         15 . The quick coupler retention clip device of  claim 1  wherein the device further includes a ring-shaped portion secured to and extending around a male connector and a hose, the ring-shaped portion having a color matching that of at least one of the first and second ends and the strap.  
     
     
         16 . The quick coupler retention clip device of  claim 14  wherein the device further includes: 
 a ring-shaped portion secured to and extending around a connector; and  
 wherein the ring-shaped portion, the unitary clip and the cap being color-coded so that the respective portions of the coupler are readily identifiable to avoid inadvertent coupling of incorrect portions so that disconnection of the body from the port of the coupler is prevented until the C-shaped second end of the clip is disengaged from the groove.  
 
     
     
         17 . A quick coupler retention clip device for use on a quick connect coupler having a body and a collar couplable to a port at one end and a hose at another end, and a connector couplable to another end of the hose, the clip device comprising: 
 a unitary clip having a first and a second end;    the first end of the clip being of annular configuration such that a portion of the coupler extends through the annular first end to anchor the first end of the clip relative to the body;    the second end of the clip having a C-shaped configuration such that the C-shaped second end removably engages the body of the coupler;    a strap extending between the first and second ends of the clip to secure the first and second ends together, the arrangement being such that disconnection of the body from the port is permitted only when the C-shaped second end is removed from engagement with a groove defined by the collar and the body so that inadvertent disconnection of the portions of the pipe coupler is prevented;    a cap of generally cylindrical configuration, the cap having a first and a second side, the first side of the cap defining an orifice for the removable reception therein of the body of the coupler, the second side of the cap defining an opening which engages the port of the coupler, the port releasably cooperating with the body so that when in use, the orifice permits the removable engagement of the body to the port such that the body and port are couplable together, and wherein the cap is color-coded with respect to the unitary clip so that coupling together of a correct body and a correct port is encouraged;    a ring-shaped portion secured to and extending around another connector couplable to an end of the hose; and    wherein the ring-shaped portion, the unitary clip and the cap are color-coded so that each is readily identifiable.    
     
     
         18 . A method for preventing an inadvertent disconnection of a body from a port of a quick coupler, the method comprising the steps of: 
 anchoring a first end of a unitary clip relative to the body, the first end of the clip being of annular configuration such that the body of the coupler extends through the annular first end;    removably engaging the body of the coupler with a second end of the clip, the second end being of C-shaped configuration such that the C-shaped second end cooperates with a groove defined by an axially movable collar and the body of the coupler; and    permitting disconnection of the body from the port only when the C-shaped second end is removed from engagement with the groove of the coupler and when the collar has been moved axially relative to the body so that inadvertent disconnection of the body from the port of the quick coupler is prevented.