All plastic quick-connect coupling

• US 5,330,235 A
• Filed: 06/16/1992
• Issued: 07/19/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Swagelok Company
• Original Assignee: Swagelok Quick-Connect Company
• Inventors: Wagner, Ross L., Kreczko, Gregory
• Primary Examiner(s): Arola, Dave W.
• Application Number:
  US07/899,424
• Time in Patent Office: 763 Days
• Field of Search: 285/24, 285/320, 285/331, 285/423, 285/921, 285/81, 285/82, 285/84, 285/85, 285/86, 285/87, 285/88
• US Class Current: 285/81
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/0985 the flexible hook extending radially inwardly from an outer part and engaging a bead, recess or the like on an inner part F16L37/0982 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 285/921 Snap-fit

Abstract

A coupling assembly entirely formed from plastics material is provided for selectively connecting and disconnecting first and second fluid lines. A male coupling member includes an external groove that receives a radially inward extending shoulder of the sleeve. An external groove on a female coupling member is selectively engaged by latching tabs extending radially inward from the sleeve. The latching tabs are selectively pivoted radially outward through depression of release buttons. The pivoting action of the latching members is defined along a central portion in which circumferential strips undergo a twisting action. A ring may also be provided as an accessory to the coupling assembly for selectively maintaining the male and female members in coupled relation. The ring is adapted for movement between first and second positions. In the first position, movement of the latching tabs is prohibited by the ring. In the second position, the ring does not interfere with the movement of the latching tabs.

Claims

1. A coupling assembly for selectively joining first and second fluid lines together from an uncoupled relation to a coupled relation, the coupling assembly comprising:

a first coupling member having an opening therethrough, a first end adapted for connection to a first fluid line and a groove defined on an external surface thereof;

a second coupling member having an opening therethrough a first end adapted for connection to a second fluid line and a groove defined on an external surface thereof;

a sleeve member having a radially inward extending should received in one of the grooves of the first and second coupling members, the sleeve including a latching member pivotally secured thereto with a tab extending therefrom and dimensioned for selective receipt in the other of the grooves of the first and second coupling members when the first coupling members are in coupled relation; and

,

a ring secured to one of the first and second coupling members by securing means for movement between first and second positions, the ring having a surface that inhibits pivotal movement of the latching member in the first position to maintain the first and second coupling members in coupled relation and the ring permitting pivotal movement of the latching member in the second position to allow the first and second coupling members to uncouple.

2. The coupling assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the ring is circumferentially continuous.

3. The coupling assembly as defined in claim 1 further comprising first and second stop members on the ring positively defining the first and second positions, the stop members each having a surface for engaging the latching member and preventing rotational movement in one direction of the ring relative to the one of the first and second coupling members.

4. The coupling assembly as defined in claim 1 further comprising an additional groove on one of the first and second coupling members, the ring being at least partially received in the additional groove for selective rotational movement relative thereto between the first and second positions.

5. The coupling assembly as defined in claim 1 further comprising a first and second radially spaced surfaces on the ring, the first surface being disposed adjacent the latching member in the first position for allowing pivotal movement of the latching member to connect and disconnect the first and second coupling members and the second surface being disposed adjacent the latching member in the second position for inhibiting movement of the latching member and maintain the first and second coupling members in couled relation.

6. The coupling assembly as defined in claim 5 wherein the first and second surfaces are circumferentially contiguous.

7. The coupling assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the ring includes at least one enlarged finger engaging region that facilitates movement of the ring between the first and second positions.

19. The coupling assembly as defined in claim 1 further comprising sealing means on one of the first and second coupling members for sealing engagement with the other of the first and second coupling members when positioned in coupled relation.

8. The coupling assembly for selectively coupling first and second fluid lines together, the coupling assembly comprising:

a first coupling member having an opening extending therethrough, the first coupling member adapted to be connected to a first fluid line at one end and having a circumferential groove defined no an external surface;

a second coupling member having an opening extending therethrough, the second coupling member adapted to be selectively connected to a second fluid line at one end and having a circumferential groove defined on an external surface, the second coupling member being selectively coupled to the first coupling member;

a cylindrical sleeve member being substantially circumferentially continuous at one end thereof, a radially inward extending shoulder being defined at the other end for receipt in one of the grooves defined on the first and second members, the sleeve including a latching member having a first end, an intermediate central position, and a second end, the latching member including a tab being dimensioned for selective receipt in the other one of the grooves of the first and second members when the shoulder is received in the one groove, the latching member having means for securing the latching member to the sleeve and pivoting the first and second ends thereof about an intermediate central portion by depressing an actuating portion defined at the first end of the latching member; and

,

means for selectively retaining the first and second coupling members in coupled relation, the retaining means being operatively connected with one of the first and second coupling members, the retaining means including means for precluding pivotal movement of the latching member about the intermediate central portion.

9. The coupling assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein the retaining means includes means for precluding pivotal movement of the latching member about the intermediate central portion.

10. The coupling assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein the precluding means includes a ring received in another groove defined on one of the first and second coupling members, and a shoulder defined on the ring adapted for interfering relation with one end of the latching member.

11. The coupling assembly as defined in claim 10 wherein the ring selectively rotates in the another groove for positioning the shoulder beneath one end of the latching member.

12. The coupling assembly as defined in claim 11 wherein the tab is located at the second end of the latching member and the shoulder is selectively positioned beneath the first end of the latching member.

13. The coupling assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein the tab and the second coupling member include cooperating surfaces that permit make-up of the first and second coupling members from an uncoupled relation to a coupled relation when the shoulder is selectively positioned beneath the first end of the latching member.

20. The coupling assembly as defined in claim 8 further comprising seal means secured to one of the first and second coupling members and adapted for sealing engagement with the other of the first and second coupling members when coupled together.

14. A coupling assembly adapted to connect first and second associated fluid lines together, the coupling assembly comprising:

first and second coupling members having openings therethrough for passage of fluid when connected with the associated fluid lines and selective coupled engagement with one another, the second coupling member including an external groove and the first coupling member including first and second spaced external grooves;

a substantially circumferentially continuous sleeve having an opening therethrough and including means for fixedly securing the sleeve to the first coupling member first groove and for selectively securing to the second coupling member, the sleeve being formed entirely from a plastics material and having an integral latching means for coupling the first and second coupling members together, the latching means including a latching member having opposite ends and a central portion, said one end including a tab that extends radially inward in a first position for engagement with the groove in said second coupling member and is movable to a second, radially outer position by pivoting the latching member about a central portion through radial movement of an actuating portion defined at the end opposite said one end of the latching member, the central portion being adapted for pivoting action through use of longitudinally and circumferentially extending pairs of slots in said sleeve adjacent the latching member that place circumferential strips interposed between the circumferential slots under twisting forces when the tab is urged toward the second position; and

,

means for retaining the first and second coupling members in coupled relation, the retaining means being secured to the first coupling member via the second groove thereof.

15. The coupling assembly as defined in claim 14 wherein the retaining means includes a surface selectively positioned for precluding pivotal movement of the latching member.

16. The coupling assembly as defined in claim 15 wherein the precluding means prevents pivotal movement of the actuating portion of the latching member.

17. The coupling assembly as defined in claim 15 wherein the retaining means includes enlarged finger engaging projections that facilitate selective rotational movement of the retaining means to position the surface adjacent to and preclude pivotal movement of the latching member in a first position and permit pivot movement of the latching member when the surface is disposed in a second position spaced from the latching member.

18. The coupling assembly as defined in claim 17 wherein the retaining means includes detent means to provide positive indication of the movement of the retaining means between said first and second positions.