Coupling with latch mechanism

• US 7,434,842 B2
• Filed: 07/15/2004
• Issued: 10/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Colder Products Company (Dover Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Colder Products Company (Dover Corporation)
• Inventors: Schmidt, Mark F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hewitt; James M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ripley; Jay R
• Application Number:
  US10/892,914
• Publication Number:
  US 20050012330A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,552 Days
• Field of Search: 285/81, 285/91, 285/308, 285/317, 285/318
• US Class Current: 285/91
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/0841 by means of a transversally slidable locking member surrounding the tube
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/42 the valve having an axial bore communicating with lateral apertures

Abstract

A coupling apparatus having coupling body with a mechanical latch assembly. The mechanical latch assembly includes a modified latch plate. The latch plate defines a main portion having a top end and a bottom end and includes an annular aperture disposed between the top and bottom ends. A lever portion is disposed proximate the top end. The lever portion enables the latch plate to move within a coupling body, so as to operate the mechanical latch assembly in a released position and a latched position. A raised edge is disposed about a portion of the annular aperture. The raised edge is disposed proximate the bottom end and extends radially inward of the inner edge defined by the annular aperture. A pin opening is disposed proximate the bottom end opposite of the lever portion. The pin opening is positioned radially outward from the annular aperture, and defines a separate enclosed edge.

Claims

1. A coupling apparatus for fluid dispensing, comprising:

a body including a first end and a second end, said first and second ends defining a first bore for enabling fluid passage longitudinally therethrough; and

a mechanical latch assembly disposed proximate one of said first or second ends;

said mechanical latch assembly including a latch plate, a first biasing member, a locking pin and a second biasing member,

said latch plate is slidably mounted within a groove formed through said body, said groove extending transversely of said first bore, said latch plate defining a main portion having a top end and a bottom end, said latch plate including

an annular aperture disposed between said top and bottom ends and being in fluid communication with said first bore of said body,

a lever portion disposed proximate said top end, said lever portion enabling said latch plate to reciprocate within said groove in a released position and a latched position,

a raised edge defining a raised portion of a perimeter edge defined by said annular aperture, said raised edge extending radially inward from respective portions of said perimeter edge into a space defined by said annular aperture, each end of said raised edge forming a notched portion extending to one of said respective portions of said perimeter edge, each notched portion including a first end connected to each end of the raised edge and a second end connected to each of the respective portions of said perimeter edge; and

a pin opening disposed proximate said bottom end opposite of said lever portion;

wherein said pin opening defines an enclosed edge defining a separate opening that is completely discontinuous from said perimeter edge of said annular aperture;

said first biasing member is positioned between a bottom surface of said lever portion and an outer surface of said body, said biasing member biases said latch plate in said latched position;

said locking pin is positioned in a second bore being disposed radially outward from said first bore and extending in an longitudinal direction, said locking pin extending through said pin opening, said locking pin being longitudinally moveable within said second bore and cooperating with said pin opening between a first position to retain said latch plate in said released position and a second position to move said latch plate in said latched position,

said second biasing member is positioned between an end of said locking pin and an end of said second bore, said second biasing member biases said locking pin in said first position.

2. The coupling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said main portion defines a substantially planar surface.

3. The coupling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said annular aperture being disposed transversely through said main portion between said top and bottom ends.

4. The coupling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said raised edge being a radiused edge contouring a portion of said perimeter edge.

5. The coupling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said enclosed edge defining a greater width on a portion proximate said annular aperture and a lesser width on a portion proximate said bottom end.

6. The coupling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said groove of said body defines a slot being formed from a single projection extending from said first or second end, said single projection forming a smooth and closed face at said first or second end, where said slot is disposed between said projection and a remaining portion of said body.

7. The coupling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said body includes a recess area on said outer surface, said recess area being substantially planar and supporting said first biasing member.

8. The coupling apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said recess area including a stabilizing member formed within said recess area, said stabilizing member including a protrusion extending outward from said recess area and being engageable with said first biasing member to retain said first biasing member within said recess area.

9. The coupling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said body including a partial shroud extending from an outer surface of said body, said shroud capable of protectively covering a portion of said mechanical latch assembly.

10. A coupling assembly for fluid dispensing, comprising:

a female coupling defining a body having a first end and a second end, and a first bore for enabling fluid passage longitudinally through said first and second ends;

said female coupling including a mechanical latch assembly disposed proximate one of said first or second ends;

said mechanical latch assembly including a latch plate, a first biasing member, a locking pin and a second biasing member,

said latch plate is slidably mounted within a groove formed through said body, where said groove extends transversely of said first bore, said latch plate defining a main portion having a top end and a bottom end, said latch plate including an annular aperture disposed between said top and bottom ends and being in fluid communication with said first bore, a lever portion disposed proximate said top end, said lever portion enabling said latch plate to reciprocate within said groove in a released position and a latched position, a raised edge defining a raised portion of a perimeter edge defined by said annular aperture, said raised edge extending radially inward from respective portions of said perimeter edge into a space defined by said annular aperture, each end of said raised edge forming a notched portion extending to one of said respective portions of said perimeter edge, each notched portion including a first end connected to each end of the raised edge and a second end connected to each of the respective portions of said perimeter edge, and a pin opening disposed proximate said bottom end opposite said lever portion, wherein said pin opening defines an enclosed edge defining a separate opening that is completely discontinuous from said perimeter edge of said annular aperture;

said first biasing member is positioned between a bottom surface of said lever portion and an outer surface of said body, said biasing member biases said latch plate in said latched position;

said locking pin is positioned in a second bore that is disposed radially outward from said first bore and extending in an longitudinal direction, said locking pin extending through said pin opening, said locking pin being longitudinally moveable within said second bore and cooperating with said pin opening between a first position to retain said latch plate in said released position and a second position to move said latch plate in said latched position;

said second biasing member is positioned within said second bore between an end of said locking pin and an end of said second bore, said second biasing member biases said locking pin in said first position; and

a male insert member having a first end and a second end, said first and second ends defining an opening for enabling fluid passage longitudinally therethrough, said male insert member including a tubular portion extending from said first end and being insertable in said female coupling, said tubular portion including an outer surface and having a circumferentially disposed groove, said groove communicating with said raised edge of said latch plate to connect and disconnect said male insert with said female coupling;

said tubular portion including a sealing member disposed proximate said first end, said sealing member sealingly engaging an inner surface of said first bore of said female coupling when said male insert is inserted in said female coupling.