Retainer Assembly for Conduit Connection

Abstract

A retainer assembly that reduces misalignment of a conduit connection to a component. In addition, the assembly keeps the conduit in place on the component enabling the assembler to complete the assembly without having to hold the conduit. The assembly includes a connection block having a U-shaped retainer attached to the connection block. A retainer clip having an opening therein and a locking finger extending into the opening. The locking finger operative to engage a retention member located on the component to hold the connection block and conduit combination with respect to the component after which a fastener is used to secure the connection block and conduit combination to the component.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
   
   
       17 . A method of aligning at least one conduit to a component, said aligning method comprising the steps of:
 providing a connection block having an engagement surface and a retaining surface opposite said engagement surface, said connection block further having at least one conduit secured in at least one conduit passageway extending between said engagement surface and said retaining surface, said connection block further having a retention passage extending from said engagement surface to said retaining surface;   attaching a retainer to said connection block, said retainer having an opening therein and at least one finger extending into said opening, said retainer further having opposed locating tabs extending into said retention passage of said connection block;   providing said component with an outwardly extending member; and   placing said connection block adjacent said component such that said outwardly extending member of said component extends through said opening into said retention passage whereby said at least one finger engages said outwardly extending member to align the central axis of said outwardly extending component with the central axis of said retention passage of said member of said connection block.   
   
   
       18 . The method of aligning at least one conduit to a component as set forth in  claim 17 , further comprising the steps of:
 locating said opening in the retainer adjacent said retention passage such that said outwardly extending member extends through said opening of said retainer and said retention passage; and   attaching a fastener to said outwardly extending member, said fastener engaging said retaining surface to secure said connection block to said component.   
   
   
       19 . The method of aligning at least one conduit to a component as set forth in  claim 17  wherein the step of providing said component with an outwardly extending member includes providing a threaded stud on said component. 
   
   
       20 . The method of aligning at least one conduit to a component as set forth in  claim 19  further comprising the steps of:
 locating said retainer on said connection block such that said opening therein is adjacent said retention passage;   placing said connection block on said threaded stud such that said threaded stud is inserted into said opening whereby said at least one finger engages said threaded stud;   pushing said connection block toward said component to deflect said at least one finger causing it to slide along said threaded stud until said at least one conduit is seated in said component and said at least one finger engages said threaded stud to hold said connection block in position; and   placing a fastener on said threaded stud, said fastener engaging said retaining surface of said connection block to secure said connection block to said component.   
   
   
       21 . An alignment device for aligning at least one conduit within at least one conduit port of a housing component having a partially threaded stud thereon, said alignment device comprising:
 a connection block having at least one conduit passage therein and a retention passageway offset from said at least one conduit passage, said at least one conduit being mounted in said at least one conduit passage, said retention passageway having a central axis; and   means for aligning said at least one conduit in said at least one conduit port of said housing component, said means for aligning comprising a retainer clip attached to said connection block, said retainer clip having an opening with a central axis, said opening further having a means for maintaining said central axis of said opening and said central axis of said retention passageway substantially coincidentally aligned, whereby as said at least one conduit is inserted into said at least one conduit port of said housing, said threaded stud of said housing component is inserted into said opening of said retainer clip such that the central axis of said threaded stud, said central axis of said opening and said central axis of said retention passageway substantially maintains coincidental alignment until said at least one conduit becomes fully inserted into said at least one port.   
   
   
       22 . The alignment device as claimed in  claim 21  wherein said at least one conduit passage of said connection block is slotted such that said at least one conduit passage is open longitudinally and laterally to enable easier assembly of said at least one conduit to said connection block. 
   
   
       23 . The alignment device as claimed in  claim 21  wherein said retainer clip further comprises a substantially U-shaped member having a base and two leg portions, each leg portion extending in a direction away from said base, said opening being located in said base, each of said legs having a locking tab located on a distal end thereof, whereby each of said locking tabs engages said connection block to attach said retainer clip to said connection block. 
   
   
       24 . The alignment device as claimed in  claim 21  wherein said means for maintaining said central axis of said opening and said central axis of said retention passageway substantially coincidentally aligned further comprises:
 at least one finger integrally formed with said retainer, said at least one finger extending into said opening of said retainer clip; and   at least one locating tab integrally formed with said retainer, said at least one locating tab extending into said retention passageway when said retainer clip is attached to said connection block such that said at least one locating tab contacts a sidewall of said retention passageway to orient said opening of said retainer with respect to said retention passageway whereby said central axis of said opening and said central axis of said retention passageway are substantially co-linear.   
   
   
       25 . The alignment device as claimed in  claim 24  wherein said at least one finger comprises a plurality of fingers extending into said opening, each of said plurality of fingers further having an inclined portion at an angle with respect to a base portion and having an arcuate outer edge. 
   
   
       26 . The alignment device as claimed in  claim 24  wherein said partially threaded stud member is attached to said housing, and further wherein said at least one finger of said retainer clip engages said partially threaded stud member to hold said connection block to said housing component. 
   
   
       27 . The alignment device as claimed in  claim 21  further comprising a fastener threadably received on said partially threaded stud member, said fastener operative to secure said connection block to said housing component. 
   
   
       28 . The alignment device as claimed in  claim 26  further comprising a fastener threadably received on said partially threaded stud member, said fastener operative to secure said connection block to said housing component. 
   
   
       29 . The alignment device as claimed in  claim 28  wherein said at least one finger comprises a plurality of fingers extending into said opening, each of said plurality of fingers inclined at an angle with respect to said base and further having an arcuate outer edge such that each of said plurality of fingers engage said partially threaded stud member to hold said connection block to said housing component. 
   
   
       30 . The alignment device as claimed in  claim 28  wherein said retainer clip further comprises a U-shaped member having a base and two leg portions, said opening located in said base, each of said legs having a locking tab located on a distal end thereof, said locking tabs engaging said connection block to attach said retainer clip to said connection block. 
   
   
       31 . The alignment device as claimed in  claim 21  wherein said retainer clip is attached to said connection block such that said opening of said retainer clip is adjacent said retention passage. 
   
   
       32 . An alignment device for aligning a conduit within a conduit port of a housing component having a partially threaded stud thereon, said alignment device comprising:
 a connection block having at least one conduit passage therein and a retention passageway offset from said at least one conduit passage, said conduit being mounted in said at least one conduit passage, said retention passageway having a central axis;   means for aligning said at least one conduit in said conduit port of said housing component, said means for aligning comprising a retainer clip mounted to said connection block, said retainer clip having an opening having a central axis, said opening further having means for maintaining said central axis of said opening of said retainer clip and said central axis of said retention passageway substantially coincidentally aligned.   
   
   
       33 . The alignment device as claimed in  claim 32  wherein said at least one conduit passage of said connection block is slotted such that said at least one conduit passage is open longitudinally and laterally to enable easier assembly of said at least one conduit to said connection block. 
   
   
       34 . The alignment device as claimed in  claim 32  wherein said retainer clip further comprises a substantially U-shaped member having a base and two leg portions, each leg portion extending in a direction away from said base, said opening being located in said base, each of said legs having a locking tab located on a distal end thereof, whereby each of said locking tabs engages said connection block to attach said retainer clip to said connection block. 
   
   
       35 . The alignment device as claimed in  claim 32  wherein said means for maintaining said central axis of said opening and said central axis of said retention passageway substantially coincidentally aligned further comprises:
 at least one finger integrally formed with said retainer, said at least one finger extending into said opening of said retainer clip; and   at least one locating tab integrally formed with said retainer, said at least one locating tab extending into said retention passageway when said retainer clip is attached to said connection block such that said at least one locating tab contacts a sidewall of said retention passageway to orient said opening of said retainer with respect to said retention passageway whereby said central axis of said opening and said central axis of said retention passageway are substantially co-linear.