Fluid transfer devices and connectors

Abstract

A fluid transfer device, or connector for a fluid transfer device, including a body member and a disconnecting member having a front portion and a rear portion. The disconnecting member is mounted to the body member so as to allow movement of its front portion relative to a fluid transfer tip, the fluid transfer tip may include a tapered friction fitting for a corresponding hub. There are provided engagement features operating between the disconnecting member and the body member which engage with one another to inhibit the front portion of the disconnecting member from moving relative to the fluid transfer tip. The device is arranged such that the disconnecting member deforms so that the engagement features are no longer in engagement with one another, thereby allowing the front portion of the disconnecting member to move relative to the fluid transfer tip and subsequently release the hub from the friction fitting.

We claim: 
     
         1 .- 44 . (canceled) 
     
     
         45 . A connector for a fluid transfer device comprising a fluid transfer tip comprising a tapered friction fitting for a corresponding hub, the connector providing:
 a body member;   a disconnecting member having a front portion and a rear portion; and   engagement features operating between the disconnecting member and the body member which engage with one another to inhibit the front portion of the disconnecting member moving relative to the body member;   the device being arranged such that upon application of a force to the rear portion of the disconnecting member, the disconnecting member deforms so that the engagement features are no longer in engagement with one another, thereby allowing the front portion of the disconnecting member to move relative to the fluid transfer tip and subsequently release the hub from the friction fitting.   
     
     
         46 . (canceled) 
     
     
         47 . A connector according to  claim 45 , wherein the body member comprises at least one of the engagement features and the disconnecting member comprises at least another one of the engagement features. 
     
     
         48 . A connector according to  claim 47 , wherein the engagement features comprise at least one protrusion and at least one complementary recess. 
     
     
         49 . A connector according to  claim 48 , wherein the protrusion is located on the body member and the recess is located on the disconnecting member. 
     
     
         50 . A connector according to  claim 45 , wherein the engagement features are arranged such that there is a smooth transition from engagement to non-engagement. 
     
     
         51 . A connector according to  claim 45 , wherein the body member comprises an integral mounting arrangement for the disconnecting member. 
     
     
         52 . A connector according to  claim 45 , wherein the disconnecting member comprises a lever member and the mounting arrangement comprises one or more axles for pivotally mounting the lever member to the body member. 
     
     
         53 . A connector according to  claim 45 , wherein the body member comprises means for gripping a barrel, hose or other suitable portion of a fluid transfer device. 
     
     
         54 . A connector according to  claim 45 , wherein the disconnecting member comprises a screw thread arranged for holding the hub on the fluid transfer tip. 
     
     
         55 . A connector according to  claim 54 , wherein the screw thread is an internal thread carried by a partial or hemi-cylindrical collar. 
     
     
         56 . A connector according to  claim 45 , wherein the disconnecting member comprises a catch means arranged for catching the hub after it has been released from the friction fitting. 
     
     
         57 . A connector according to  claim 45 , wherein the catch means is arranged opposite the screw thread. 
     
     
         58 . A connector according to  claim 56 , wherein the disconnecting member is mounted to the body member so as to be resiliently biased such that the front portion moves back and the catch means is automatically released when the force is removed from the rear portion of the disconnecting member. 
     
     
         59 . A connector according to  claim 58 , wherein the disconnecting member comprises a front surface that is substantially transverse to the axis of the body member and one or more side surfaces that extend in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the body member.