Spring locked fluid fitting coupling system

• US 6,305,724 B1
• Filed: 05/04/1999
• Issued: 10/23/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kent Systems, LLC
• Original Assignee: Kent Systems, LLC
• Inventors: Sampson, Richard K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nicholson, Eric K.
• Application Number:
  US09/305,229
• Time in Patent Office: 903 Days
• Field of Search: 285/361, 285/376, 285/401
• US Class Current: 285/376
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/252 the male part having lugs on its periphery penetrating in the corresponding slots provided in the female part
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/36 with two lift valves being actuated to initiate the flow through the coupling after the two coupling parts are locked against withdrawal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87925 Separable flow path section, valve or closure in each
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87941 Each valve and/or closure operated by coupling motion

Abstract

A fluid fitting coupling system which retains two assemblies axially through the use of a flange and lip arrangement and simultaneously retains those assemblies rotationally through either a radial detent or a snap spring are shown in variations. The designs are especially configured for molding so that each might utilize the material properties available and yet be economically manufactured. Further, user features including both visual and potentially audible indications of full assembly are incorporated into the designs and automatically achieved. Shut-off valve designs are shown which are automatically delayed in opening until some axial retention occurs to minimize any blow-off or other undesirable operational events. Swivel features may be incorporated when the application requires.

Claims

1. A fluid fitting coupling system comprising:

a. a first fluid fitting assembly having a first fluid fitting body, a central axis, and a first fluid passageway;

b. a first axial retainer to which said first fluid fitting assembly is responsive, the first axial retainer comprising;

b1. a slip support having an axially fixed position with respect to said first fluid fitting body,

b2. a lip support inner surface of the lip support; and

b3. at least one retaining lip attached to said lip support and which extends radially inward beyond said lip support;

c. a second fluid fitting assembly having a second fluid fitting body, a central axis, and a second fluid passageway and capable of engaging said first fluid fitting assembly;

d. a second axial retainer to which both said first axial retainer and said second fluid fitting assembly are responsive, the second axial retainer comprising;

d1. a flange support of the second axial retainer having an axially fixed position with respect to said second fluid fitting body; and

d2. at least one flange of the second axial retainer attached to said flange support, which extends radially outward beyond said flange support and which engages said retaining lip;

e. a coupling seal established between said first and second fluid fitting assemblies;

f. a spring member to which at least one of said fluid fitting assemblies is responsive; and

g. an integral rotational lock which is responsive to said spring member and to which said first and second fluid fitting assembly bodies are responsive.

2. A fluid fitting coupling system as described in claim 1 wherein said spring member is cylindrical and surrounds a portion of said second fluid fitting assembly.

3. A fluid fitting coupling system as described in claim 2 wherein said rotational lock is disposed between said first and second fluid fitting assemblies.

4. A fluid fitting coupling system as described in claim 3 wherein said spring member has an annular end portion and wherein said rotational lock comprises a pair of diametrically opposed restraining tabs projecting off said annular end portion of said spring member.

5. A fluid fitting coupling system as described in claim 4 wherein said first axial retainer comprises a pair of diametrically opposed retaining lips attached to said lip support, which extend radially inward beyond said lip support, and which define a pair of flange recesses between each other, and wherein said diametrically opposed restraining tabs on said spring member fit within said flange recesses.

6. A fluid fitting coupling system as described in claim 1 and further comprising at least one stem rotatably positioned within and axially retained with respect to the body of at least one of said fluid fitting assemblies and within which the fluid passageway for that particular fluid fitting assembly exists.

7. A fluid fitting coupling system as described in claim 6 wherein the fluid fitting body within which said stem is positioned has a central cavity and wherein said fluid fitting body comprises a plurality of flexible projections within said central cavity.

8. A fluid fitting coupling system as described in claim 6 wherein the fluid fitting body within which said stem is positioned comprises:

a. a pair of generally semi-circular body halves; and

b. at least one retainer element positioned to hold said body halves together when positioned around said stem.

9. A fluid fitting coupling system as described in claim 8 wherein said flange is positioned on an inserted end, wherein said retainer element comprises two diametrically opposed elements, and wherein said two diametrically opposed elements are positioned on an end opposite said inserted end.

10. A fluid fitting coupling system as described in claim 9 wherein said fluid body has a plurality of external teeth, wherein said two diametrically opposed elements each have an end, and wherein each of said ends are positioned in between said teeth.

11. A fluid fitting coupling system comprising:

a. a first fluid fitting assembly having a first fluid fitting body, a central axis, and a first fluid passageway;

b. a first axial retainer to which said first fluid fitting assembly is responsive, the first axial retainer comprising;

b1. a lip support having an axially fixed position with respect to said first fluid fitting body;

b2. a lip support inner surface of the lip support; and

b3. at least one retaining lip attached to said lip support and which extends radially inward beyond said lip support;

c. a second fluid fitting assembly having a second fluid fitting body, a central axis, and a second fluid passageway and capable of engaging said first fluid fitting assembly;

d. a second axial retainer to which both said first axial retainer and said second fluid fitting assembly are responsive, the second axial retainer comprising;

d1. a flange support of the second axial retainer having an axially fixed position with respect to said second fluid fitting body; and

d2. at least one flange of the second axial retainer attached to said flange support, which extends radially outward beyond said flange support and which engages said retaining lip;

e. a coupling seal established between said first and second fluid fitting assemblies;

f. an abutment between said first and second fluid fitting assembly bodies formed by the lip support and said flange when assembled;

g. a radially resilient rotational lock formed at the abutment between said lip support and said flange;

h. an axial lock, comprising;

h1. the flange; and

h2. the retaining lip;

wherein the axial lock restricts separation of the first fluid fitting assembly and the second fluid fitting assembly along the central axis when the axial lock is engaged; and

i. at least one stem rotatably positioned within and axially retained with respect to the body of at least one of said fluid fitting assemblies and within which the fluid passageway for that particular fluid fitting assembly exists.

12. A fluid fitting coupling system as described in claim 11 wherein the fluid fitting body within which said stem is positioned has a central cavity and wherein said fluid fitting body comprises a plurality of flexible projections within said central cavity.

13. A fluid fitting coupling system as described in claim 11 wherein the fluid fitting body within which said stem is positioned comprises:

a. a pair of generally semi-circular body halves;

b. at least one retainer element positioned to hold said body halves together when positioned around said stem.

14. A fluid fitting assembly comprising:

a. a fluid fitting body, defining a fluid passageway, and having a central axis;

b. a lip support having an axially fixed position with respect to said fluid fitting body and having a non-circular lip support inner surface, and

c. at least one retaining lip attached to said lip support and which extends radially inward beyond said lip support.

d. at least one stem rotatably positioned within and axially retained with respect to said fluid fitting body and within which said fluid passageway exists, wherein said fluid fitting body within which said stem is positioned has central cavity; and

e. a plurality of flexible projections within said central cavity.

22. A fluid fitting coupling system as described in claim 14 or 15 wherein the fluid fitting body within which said stem is positioned comprises:

a. a pair of generally semi-circular body halves; and

b. at least one retainer element positioned to hold said body halves together when positioned around said stem.

15. A fluid fitting assembly comprising:

a. a fluid fitting body, defining a fluid passageway, and having a central axis;

b. a flange support having an axially fixed position with respect to said fluid fitting body;

c. at least one flange attached to said flange support, which extends radially outward beyond said flange support, and having an outer surface which is non-circular.

d. at least one stem rotatably positioned within an axially retained with respect to said fluid fitting body and within which said fluid passageway exists, wherein said fluid fitting body within which said stem is positioned has a central cavity; and

e. a plurality of flexible projections within said central cavity.

16. A fluid fitting coupling system, comprising:

a. a fluid fitting body, defining a fluid passageway, and having a central axis;

b. a flange support having an axially fixed position with respect to said fluid fitting body;

c. at least one flange attached to said flange support, which extends radially outward beyond said flange support, and having an outer surface which is non-circular;

d. at least one stem rotatably positioned within and axially retained with respect to said fluid fitting body and within which said fluid passageway exists;

e. a pair of generally semi-circular body halves; and

f. at least one catch element positioned to hold said body halves together when positioned around said stem.

17. A fluid fitting coupling system as described in claim 16 wherein said flange is positioned on an inserted end, wherein said retainer element comprises two diametrically opposed elements, and wherein said two diametrically opposed elements are positioned on an end opposite said inserted end.

18. A fluid fitting coupling system as described in claim 17 wherein said fluid fitting body has a plurality of external teeth, wherein said two diametrically opposed elements each have an end, and wherein each of said ends are positioned in between said teeth.

19. A method of coupling fluid fitting assemblies together comprising the steps of:

a. axially engaging a first fluid fitting assembly having a first fluid fitting body, a central axis, and a first fluid passageway and a second fluid fitting assembly having a second fluid fitting body, a central axis, a flange and a second fluid passageway;

b. rotating said first fluid fitting body with respect to said second fluid fitting body;

c. radially compressing said first fluid fitting body against said second fluid fitting body;

d. rotationally retaining said first fluid fitting body with respect to said second fluid fitting body with said flange of said second fluid fitting body;

e. axially retaining said first fluid fitting body with respect to said second fluid fitting body with said flange of said second fluid fitting body;

f. freely allowing rotation of a stem with respect to at least one of said fluid fitting assemblies when accomplishing said step of rotating said first fluid fitting body with respect to said second fluid fitting body; and

g. axially retaining said stem with respect to the fluid fitting body surrounding it; and

h. sealing said stem to said other fluid fitting assembly.

20. A method of coupling fluid fitting assemblies together as described in claim 19 wherein said step of establishing a stem within the body of at least one of said fluid fitting assemblies comprises rotatably engaging a plurality of flexible projections in the body of at least one of said fluid fitting assemblies with a stem retaining element.

21. A method of coupling fluid fitting assemblies together as described in claim 20 wherein said axially retaining said stem with respect to the fluid fitting body surrounding it further comprises rotatably engaging said plurality of flexible projections with said stem retaining element.