No spill coupling

• US 5,806,564 A
• Filed: 12/03/1997
• Issued: 09/15/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
• Original Assignee: Snap-Tite Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Wilcox, Wayne
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, KEVIN L
• Application Number:
  US08/984,470
• Time in Patent Office: 286 Days
• Field of Search: 137/614.05, 137/614, 137/614.03, 137/614.04, 137/614.01, 137/614.02, 137/512, 137/512.5, 137/513
• US Class Current: 137/614.05
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/23 by means of balls
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/35 at least one of the valves having an axial bore
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87925 Separable flow path section, valve or closure in each
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87957 Valves actuate each other
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87965 Valve- or closure-operated by coupling motion

Abstract

The invention is a coupling which includes male and female portions thereof. The male portion usually has pressure applied to it due to heat build up from the environment. The male portion can be and usually is attached to a farm implement. Left in a field in the sun, pressure builds in the male portion while it is disconnected from the female portion. The female portion of the coupling enables the connection of the male portion without spilling any fluid from either the male or the female portions. This is accomplished by the simultaneous engagement of the body of the male and the male valve with an intermediate member of the female portion and the female valve of the female portion such that the female valve and the intermediate member move together into a sealed relationship with the male components. When the supply side female portion is pressurized by a pump the female valve forces the female and male valves to their open positions and allows flow between the female and male portions of the coupling.

Claims

1. A coupling comprising a female portion and a male portion, said female portion comprising an adaptor, a body, said adaptor being affixed to said body, an intermediate member, said intermediate member having a first position and a second position, a female valve, said female valve having a first position and a second position, said male portion comprising a male valve and a body, said male valve and said male body engage said female valve and said intermediate member during coupling and simultaneously urge said female valve and said intermediate member from their first positions into their second positions, and, upon the application of pressure within said female coupling said female valve is forcibly urged to its said first position opening said female valve and said male valve permitting flow between said female and said male portions of said coupling.

2. A coupling as claimed in claim 1 wherein said female portion further comprises a locking collar and a detent member, said locking collar in combination with said detent member secure said female valve in said first position.

3. A coupling as claimed in claim 2 wherein said female portion further comprises a spring acting between said intermediate member and said locking collar urging said locking collar against said adaptor.