Rapid-action coupling for hoses or rigid lines in motor vehicles

• US 6,540,263 B1
• Filed: 09/27/2000
• Issued: 04/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. (ITT, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. (ITT, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sausner, Andreas
• Primary Examiner(s): Browne, Lynne H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BOCHNA, DAVID
• Application Number:
  US09/671,494
• Time in Patent Office: 916 Days
• Field of Search: 285/305, 285/308, 285/319
• US Class Current: 285/305
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/144 the securing element being U-shaped

Abstract

A rapid-action coupling for hoses or rigid lines with a coupling box, a plug-in nipple and a locking element. The coupling housing has a recess and an opening that extends essentially vertically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the recess. The plug-in nipple and the coupling housing are connected by introducing the nipple into the recess. The nipple is locked by introducing a locking element into a first end of an opening into engagement with the housing. The locking element includes an arm for releasing the engagement.

Claims

1. A rapid-action coupling for hoses and rigid lines with a coupling housing, a plug-in nipple and a locking element, when the coupling housing has a recess and an opening that extends essentially vertically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the recess, with a first end and a second end, wherein the plug-in nipple and the coupling housing can be connected by introducing the plug-in nipple into the recess, and this connection can be locked by introducing the locking element into the first end of the opening and engaging it, and wherein the locking element has means for releasing an engagement, characterized in that the means for releasing the engagement in the engaged state of the locking element is arranged in the locking element having an insertion end insertable into the opening, the releasing means operable from an end of the locking element opposite from the insertion end, the releasing means including a one-arm lever connected to a fulcrum located proximate the insertion end of the locking element, the locking element including a projection in functional connection with the releasing means for locking the locking element to the coupling housing, the projection positioned between the fulcrum and the releasing means on the locking element.

2. The rapid-action coupling, in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the opening has at least one recess and that a projection of the locking element can engage the recess.

3. The rapid-action coupling, in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the lever is spring-loaded.

4. The rapid-action coupling, in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the plug-in nipple has a flange, in that the locking element has at least one cut-out which, in the engaged state of the locking element, grips around the plug-in nipple in the area between the flange and of the recess that is opposite the base of the recess and whose width is at least in part smaller than diameter of the flange.

6. The rapid-action coupling, in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the coupling housing and the plug-in nipple can be connected with each other in a torsion-resistant manner.

7. The rapid-action coupling, in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the locking element has an end stop interacting with the coupling housing.

8. The rapid-action coupling, in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the coupling housing, the plug-in nipple and the locking element are made of a synthetic material.

9. The rapid-action coupling, in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the insertion end is formed on each of two sides of the locking element, each side forming the one-armed lever.

10. The rapid-action coupling, in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the locking element includes two sides, each side carrying the one-armed lever.

5. A rapid-action coupling for hoses and rigid lines with a coupling housing, a plug-in nipple and a locking element, when the coupling housing has a recess and an opening that extends essentially vertically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the recess, with a first end and a second end, wherein the plug-in nipple and the coupling housing can be connected by introducing the plug-in nipple into the recess, and this connection can be locked by introducing the locking element into the first end of the opening and engaging it, and wherein the locking element has means for releasing an engagement, characterized in that the means for releasing the engagement in the engaged state of the locking element is arranged in the locking element having an insertion end insertable into the opening, the releasing means operable from an end of the locking element opposite from the insertion end, the second end of the opening in the coupling housing being closed.