Air distribution connector valve

• US 5,009,252 A
• Filed: 05/03/1990
• Issued: 04/23/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army
• Original Assignee: The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army
• Inventors: Faughn, Jim A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fox, John C.
• Application Number:
  US07/519,518
• Time in Patent Office: 355 Days
• Field of Search: 137/614, 137/614.04, 285/82, 285/91, 285/396
• US Class Current: 137/614.04
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1033 Swivel nut connectors, e.g. threaded connectors, bayonet-connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/10 Tube connectors; Tube couplings A61M39/02 takes precedence; connecting needles to syringes or hubs A61M5/34; connecting catheter tubes to hubs A61M25/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/26 Valves closing automatically on disconnecting the line and opening on reconnection thereof check valves A61M39/24
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/113 the male part having lugs on its periphery penetrating into the corresponding slots provided in the female part
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/32 at least one of two lift valves being opened automatically when the coupling is applied
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87957 Valves actuate each other

Abstract

An air distribution connector valve mechanism includes a pair of mating cectors, each having a self-closing, one way valve arranged and adapted to interfere with the self-closing, one way valve of the other connector when the two connectors are coupled together, such that the two valves will then open for unrestricted passage of air therethrough. Each connector has a coupling mechanism for releasably coupling the two connectors together to cause the interference between them. Each of the valves includes a valve body, and a compression spring associated and aligned therewith, in a valve housing having an axis of symmetry within the associated connector. Each valve body is retained and slidable axially within the housing against the force exerted by the associated compression spring, the latter normally urging the valve body against an end wall of the housing to block an opening therein. The valve body has projecting spacers with passageways therebetween on its cylindrical surface for separation from the inner surface of the associated valve housing. Thus, air is allowed to pass from one end to the other of the coupled connectors by virtue of the respective valve bodies having been unseated from their associated end walls.

Claims

1. An air distribution connector valve comprising:

first and second mating connectors;

each connector including a self-closing, one way valve arranged and adapted to interfere with the valve of the other connector when the two connectors are mated together, whereby to open the two valves for unrestricted passage of air therethrough;

each connector includes engagement means for separably coupling the two connectors together to produce the interference between said valves;

each valve includes a valve body, and a compression spring associated and aligned therewith;

each connector further includes a valve housing having an axis of symmetry;

the valve body of each connector being retained and slidable axially within the valve housing against the force exerted by the associated compression spring, and the valve body being normally urged by the associated compression spring against an end wall of the housing having a circular opening therein, so that the valve body is normally seated against the end wall to block said opening;

said valve body is cylindrical and includes spacing means on its cylindrical surface for separating the valve body from the inner surface of the associated valve housing,

said spacing means have holes therein to allow passage of air therethrough from the opening in said end wall to the other end of the associated valve housing when the valve body is unseated from said end wall;

each said valve body includes an end portion axially projecting through said opening when the valve body is normally seated against the end wall of the associated valve housing, said end portion having an end surface arranged and adapted to confront and abut against the end surface of the valve body of the other connector and to interfere with one another as the two connectors are being coupled together, so that both valve bodies are unseated from the end wall of their associated valve housings when the two connectors are fully coupled together and are reseated when the two connectors are fully uncoupled, whereby an air distribution passageway is formed through the entirety of the coupled connectors and is automatically closed at each half of the uncoupled connectors;

said engagement means of one of said connectors includes a captive, rotatable ring having a plurality of spaced teeth on the inner surface of said ring;

said engagement means of the other connector includes a plurality of helical grooves equal in number to the number of said teeth, and arranged and adapted to receive and accept the teeth, and, when accepted and the ring is rotated, the teeth ride within the helical grooves to fully couple or uncouple the connectors depending on the direction of rotation of the ring;

said engagement means of the other connector further includes pin means for locking the teeth in position at the end of each of the associated helical grooves, said teeth and said pin means being releasable by exertion of pressure on the ring in the direction opposite that in which the teeth were fully engaged in the helical grooves.