Coupling with latch mechanism

• US 7,562,906 B2
• Filed: 11/05/2007
• Issued: 07/21/2009
• 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:
  US11/935,264
• Publication Number:
  US 20080061553A1
• Time in Patent Office: 624 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, the coupling apparatus comprising:

a plastic body including;

a first end and a second end;

a first bore defined by the plastic body, the first bore extending longitudinally from the first end to the second end to allow fluid passage therethrough;

a second bore defined by the plastic body at the first end, the second bore being sized to receive a locking pin;

a slot defined by the plastic body at the first end, the slot extending in a direction that is transverse to the first bore, and the slot supports a metal latch plate;

a closed face defined by the plastic body, the closed face being positioned beyond the slot at the first end of the plastic body, and the closed face including a continuous surface that covers the metal latch plate; and

an opening defined in the continuous surface of the closed face, the opening including a first portion that is aligned with the first bore in the plastic body, and a second portion that is aligned with the second bore in the plastic body, the first and second portions of the opening being in communication with each other, the first portion being sized to allow a mating insert to extend therethrough, and the second portion being sized to allow the locking pin to extend therethrough; and

the metal latch plate positioned in the slot, the metal latch plate moving in the direction between a latched position and a released position within the slot to allow the plastic body to be coupled to the mating insert;

wherein the plastic body is formed as a single integrally molded piece.

2. The coupling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the metal latch plate is formed by machining metal.

3. The coupling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the metal latch plate is formed by stamping metal.

4. The coupling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the metal latch plate is made of stainless steel.

5. The coupling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the metal latch plate includes:

a main portion having a top end and a bottom end;

an annular aperture disposed between the top and bottom ends;

a lever portion disposed proximate the top end, the lever portion enabling the metal latch plate to be deactivated in the released position and activated in the 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.

6. The coupling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second end of the body further includes a connection member.

7. The coupling apparatus of claim 6, wherein the connection member includes a barb or threaded fitting.