Threaded coupling with flow shutoff

• US 7,575,024 B2
• Filed: 11/05/2005
• Issued: 08/18/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
• Original Assignee: Snap-Tite Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Wilkins, Steve, Zeiber, Dennis
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Kevin L
• Application Number:
  US11/267,482
• Publication Number:
  US 20070102051A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,382 Days
• Field of Search: 137/614.03, 137/614.04, 137/614.05, 251/149.1, 251/149.6
• US Class Current: 137/614.05
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 29/04 with a cut-off device in each of the two pipe ends, the cut-off devices being automatically opened when the coupling is applied
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87949 Linear motion of flow path sections operates both
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87965 Valve- or closure-operated by coupling motion

Abstract

A thread to connect coupling comprising a female coupling half and a male coupling half is disclosed and claimed wherein the male coupling half includes a recess in the exterior of the male body which extends circumferentially therearound. The female coupling half includes a valve, a female body, and a female body extension affixed to the female body. The female body further includes a sliding sleeve movable with respect to the valve between a first position abutting and closing the valve and a second position opening the valve. The male body interengages the sliding sleeve and moves therewith during coupling and uncoupling. During uncoupling, the sliding sleeve is reliably positioned sealingly against the valve because the sliding sleeve is interlocked with the male body such that as the male body is withdrawn from the female body the sliding sleeve comes with the male body. Separation of the coupling halves requires that an outer sleeve release a second set of detents which acts as a permissive to uncoupling. The coupling halves may not be separated by vibrating the threaded surfaces of the respective coupling halves apart.

Claims

1. A coupling, comprising:

a female coupling half and a male coupling half, said female coupling half and said male coupling half being alternately coupled and uncoupled;

said male coupling half comprises;

a male body;

said male body of said male coupling half includes an exterior;

said exterior of said male body of said male half includes a recess therein which extends circumferentially around said exterior; and

, a male valve, said male valve includes a cap affixed to said male valve, said cap includes a flush faced end surface;

said female coupling half comprises;

a female valve, said female valve includes a flush faced end surface;

a female body;

a female body extension affixed to said female body of said female coupling half;

a sliding sleeve movable with respect to said female body, said female body extension and said female valve;

said sliding sleeve movable between;

a first position abutting said female valve and closing said female valve, and, a second position not abutting said female valve thus opening said female valve;

said male body of said male coupling half interengaging said sliding sleeve of said female coupling half during coupling moving said sliding sleeve from said first closed position to said second open position;

simultaneously with said interengagement of said body of said male coupling half and said sliding sleeve of said female coupling half, said flush faced end surface of said female valve of said female coupling half interengages said flush faced end surface of said cap of said male coupling half during coupling;

said sliding sleeve of said female coupling half includes a first set of detents carried therewith;

said first set of detents of said sliding sleeve of said female coupling half interengaging said circumferentially extending recess in said exterior of said male body during coupling of said coupling halves; and

, said first set of detents being released from interengagement with said circumferentially extending recess in said exterior of said male body of said male coupling half during uncoupling said halves each from the other and after said sliding sleeve is moved to said first position abutting said valve of said female coupling half.

2. A coupling as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said female body extension of said female coupling half includes a second set of detents therein;

said sliding sleeve of said female coupling half includes an exterior having a circumferentially extending recess therein; and

, wherein said second set of detents interengages said recess in said exterior of said sliding sleeve during coupling of said coupling halves.

3. A coupling as claimed in claim 2 wherein:

said female body extension includes an inner surface and an outer surface and said inner surface interengages and locks said first set of detents interengaging said recess in said male body of said male coupling half during coupling; and

, said female coupling half includes a locking ring having an inner surface and an outer surface, said locking ring resides radially outwardly of said female body extension of said female coupling half, and said inner surface of said locking ring being in sliding engagement with said female body extension of said female coupling half during coupling locking and interengaging said second set of detents interengaging said recess in said exterior surface of said sliding sleeve valve of said female coupling half.

4. A coupling as claimed in claim 3 wherein:

said female coupling half includes an outer sleeve having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface having a shoulder thereon; and

, during uncoupling, said shoulder on said inner surface of said outer sleeve engaging said locking ring moving said locking ring releasing said second set of detents from said recess in said exterior surface of said sliding sleeve which in turn releases said sliding sleeve enabling movement of said sliding sleeve to said first closed position abutting said valve and releasing said first set of detents of said female coupling half.

5. A coupling as claimed in claim 4 wherein said female body extension includes a recess in said inner surface thereof and said first set of detents is released when said first set of detents carried with said sliding sleeve is positioned adjacent said recess in said inner surface of said female body.

6. A coupling as claimed in claim 5 wherein:

said male coupling half includes a locking sleeve having an interior and an exterior, said interior of said locking sleeve having threads thereon; and

, said female body extension includes threads on said exterior thereof which interengage said threads of said interior of said locking sleeve of said male coupling half during coupling of said halves each to the other.

7. A coupling comprising a female coupling half and a male coupling half as claimed in claim 1 wherein a first spring is operable between said female body and said sliding sleeve urging said sliding sleeve longitudinally outwardly.

8. A coupling comprising a female coupling half and a male coupling half as claimed in claim 3 wherein:

a first spring is operable between said female body and said sliding sleeve urging said sliding sleeve longitudinally outwardly; and

, a second spring is operable between said female body and said locking ring urging said locking ring longitudinally outwardly locking said second set of detents in said exterior recess of said sliding sleeve.

9. A coupling comprising a female coupling half and a male coupling half as claimed in claim 4 wherein:

a first spring is operable between said female body and said sliding sleeve urging said sliding sleeve longitudinally outwardly; and

, a second spring is operable between said female body and said locking ring urging said locking ring longitudinally outwardly locking said second set of detents in said exterior recess of said sliding sleeve.

10. A coupling as claimed in claim 1 wherein said valve of said female coupling half includes a passageway for breaking vacuum between said sliding sleeve and said body of said female coupling half.

11. A coupling as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said male and female coupling halves each include a surface having threads thereon for interconnecting said coupling halves; and

, said threaded surfaces do not traverse said first set of detents during coupling and uncoupling.

12. A coupling as claimed in claim 2 wherein:

said male and female coupling halves each include a surface having threads thereon for interconnecting said coupling halves; and

, said threaded surfaces do not traverse said first and second set of detents during coupling and uncoupling.

13. A coupling as claimed in claim 3 wherein:

said male and female coupling halves each include a surface having threads thereon for interconnecting said coupling halves; and

, said threaded surfaces do not traverse said first and second set of detents during coupling and uncoupling.

14. A coupling as claimed in claim 4 wherein:

said male and female coupling halves each include a surface having threads thereon for interconnecting said coupling halves; and

, said threaded surfaces do not traverse said first and second set of detents during coupling and uncoupling.

15. A coupling as claimed in claim 5 wherein:

said male and female coupling halves each include a surface having threads thereon for interconnecting said coupling halves; and

, said threaded surfaces do not traverse said first and second set of detents during coupling and uncoupling.

16. A coupling as claimed in claim 6 wherein:

said male and female coupling halves each include a surface having threads thereon for interconnecting said coupling halves; and

, said threaded surfaces do not traverse said first set and second set of detents during coupling and uncoupling.

17. A coupling as claimed in claim 7 wherein:

said male and female coupling halves each include a surface having threads thereon for interconnecting said coupling halves; and

, said threaded surfaces do not traverse said first and second set of detents during coupling and uncoupling.

18. A coupling as claimed in claim 8 wherein:

said male and female coupling halves each include a surface having threads thereon for interconnecting said coupling halves; and

, said threaded surfaces do not traverse said first and second set of detents during coupling and uncoupling.

19. A coupling as claimed in claim 9 wherein:

said male and female coupling halves each include a surface having threads thereon for interconnecting said coupling halves; and

, said threaded surfaces do not traverse said first and second set of detents during coupling and uncoupling.

20. A coupling half for coupling and uncoupling with another coupling half, comprising:

a valve, said valve includes a flush faced end portion;

a body and a body extension affixed to said body;

said valve affixed to said body;

a sliding sleeve movable with respect to said body, said body extension and said valve thus opening and closing said valve;

said body and said body extension are substantially concentric and said sliding sleeve resides substantially radially intermediate said body and said body extension;

a closing mechanism, said closing mechanism includes a first set of locking detents, said sliding sleeve carries said first set of locking detents, and said closing mechanism insuring that said sliding sleeve is returned to said closed position when said coupling half is uncoupled.

21. A coupling half for coupling and uncoupling with another coupling half as claimed in claim 20 wherein said closing mechanism includes a second set of locking detents.

22. A coupling half for coupling and uncoupling with another coupling half as claimed in claim 21 wherein said second set of locking detents is carried by said body extension.

23. A coupling half for coupling and uncoupling with another coupling half as claimed in claim 22 wherein said first set of locking detents is carried by said sliding sleeve.

24. A coupling half for coupling and uncoupling with another coupling half as claimed in claim 20 wherein said closing mechanism includes a spring operable between said body and said sliding sleeve.

25. A coupling half for coupling and uncoupling with another coupling half as claimed in claim 21 wherein said closing mechanism includes a spring operable between said body and said sliding sleeve.

26. A coupling half for coupling and uncoupling with another coupling half as claimed in claim 22 wherein said closing mechanism includes a spring operable between said body and said sliding sleeve.

27. A coupling half for coupling and uncoupling with another coupling half as claimed in claim 23 wherein said closing mechanism includes a spring operable between said body and said sliding sleeve.

28. A coupling, comprising:

a female coupling half and a male coupling half;

said male coupling half comprises;

a male body;

said male body of said male half of said coupling includes an exterior;

said exterior of said male body of said male half includes a recess therein which extends circumferentially around said exterior; and

, a male valve, said male valve includes a cap affixed to said male valve, said cap includes a flush faced end surface;

said female coupling half comprises;

a female valve, said female valve includes a flush faced end surface;

a female body;

a female body extension affixed to said female body;

a sliding sleeve movable with respect to said female body, said female body extension and said female valve;

said sliding sleeve movable between;

a first position abutting said female valve and closing said female valve, and, a second position not abutting said female valve thus opening said female valve; and

, a sliding sleeve and female valve closing mechanism;

said closing mechanism includes a first set of locking detents;

said male body of said male coupling half interengaging said sliding sleeve of said female coupling half during coupling moving said sliding sleeve from said first closed position to said second open position;

simultaneously with said interengagement of said body of said male coupling half and said sliding sleeve of said female coupling half, said flush faced end surface of said female valve of said female coupling half interengages said flush faced end surface of said cap of said male coupling half during coupling; and

, said sliding sleeve and valve closing mechanism uniting said sliding sleeve of said female coupling half and said male body of said male coupling half insuring that said sliding sleeve is returned to said first position when said male and female coupling halves are uncoupled from each other.

29. A coupling, as claimed in claim 28 wherein said female body and said female body extension are substantially concentric and said sliding sleeve resides substantially radially intermediate said female body and said female body extension.

30. A coupling as claimed in claim 28 wherein said closing mechanism includes a second set of locking detents.

31. A coupling as claimed in claim 28 wherein said first set of locking detents is carried by said sliding sleeve.

32. A coupling as claimed in claim 30 wherein said second set of locking detents is carried by said female body extension.

33. A coupling as claimed in claim 28 wherein said closing mechanism of said female coupling half includes a spring operable between said female body and said sliding sleeve.

34. A coupling as claimed in claim 29 wherein said closing mechanism of said female coupling half includes a spring operable between said female body and said sliding sleeve.

35. A coupling as claimed in claim 30 wherein said closing mechanism of said female coupling half includes a spring operable between said female body and said sliding sleeve.

36. A coupling as claimed in claim 31 wherein said closing mechanism of said female coupling half includes a spring operable between said female body and said sliding sleeve.

37. A coupling as claimed in claim 32 wherein said closing mechanism of said female coupling half includes a spring operable between said female body and said sliding sleeve.

38. A coupling, comprising:

a female coupling half and a male coupling half, said female coupling half and said male coupling half being alternately coupled and uncoupled;

said male coupling half comprises;

a male body;

said male body of said male coupling half includes an exterior;

said exterior of said male body of said male half includes a recess therein which extends circumferentially around said exterior;

a male valve, said male valve includes a cap affixed to said male valve, said cap includes a flush faced end surface;

a locking sleeve having an interior and an exterior, and said interior of said locking sleeve having threads thereon;

said female coupling half comprises;

a female valve, said female valve includes a flush faced end surface;

a female body;

a female body extension affixed to said female body of said female coupling half, said female body extension includes an interior and an exterior, said exterior of said female body extension includes threads thereon;

said female body extension includes a recess in said inner surface thereof a sliding sleeve movable with respect to said female body, said female body extension and said female valve;

an outer sleeve having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface having a shoulder thereon, said outer sleeve movable between an extended position and a retracted position;

a generally cylindrically shaped cover, said generally cylindrically shaped cover includes a circumferential lip, said circumferential lip of said cover engages said female body, said cover engages said outer sleeve of said female body half;

a locking ring, said locking ring having an inner surface and an outer surface, said locking ring residing radially intermediate said female body extension and said outer sleeve;

said sliding sleeve movable between;

a first position abutting said female valve and closing said female valve, and, a second position not abutting said female valve thus opening said female valve;

said interior threads of said male locking sleeve interengage said exterior threads of said female body extension during coupling;

said male body of said male coupling half interengages said sliding sleeve of said female coupling half moving said sliding sleeve from said first closed position to said second open position during coupling;

simultaneously, during coupling, said interior threads of said male locking sleeve interengage said exterior threads of said female body extension, said body of said male coupling half interengages said sliding sleeve of said female coupling half, and, said flush faced end surface of said female valve of said female coupling half interengages said flush faced end surface of said cap of said male coupling half until coupling is completed;

said outer sleeve of said female member in said extended position interengages said locking sleeve of said male member preventing unwanted disconnection of said coupling through vibration of the coupling or unwanted rotation of the male locking sleeve;

said sliding sleeve of said female coupling half includes a first set of detents carried therewith;

said first set of detents of said sliding sleeve of said female coupling half interengaging said circumferentially extending recess in said exterior of said male body during coupling of said coupling halves;

said female body extension of said female coupling half includes a second set of detents therein;

said sliding sleeve of said female coupling half includes an exterior having a circumferentially extending recess therein;

said second set of detents interengages said recess in said exterior of said sliding sleeve during coupling of said coupling halves;

said inner surface of said female body extension interengages and locks said first set of detents interengaging said recess in said male body of said male coupling half during coupling;

said inner surface of said locking ring being in sliding engagement with said female body extension of said female coupling half during coupling locking and interengaging said second set of detents interengaging said recess in said exterior surface of said sliding sleeve valve of said female coupling half;

said outer sleeve of said female coupling half during uncoupling is moved longitudinally to said retracted position and said shoulder on said inner surface of said outer sleeve moves longitudinally away from said locking sleeve of said male coupling half enabling said male coupling half to move longitudinally away from said female coupling half as said threads on said interior of male locking sleeve are unthreaded from said threads on said exterior of said female body extension, said shoulder on said inner surface of said outer sleeve engaging said locking ring moving said locking ring releasing said second set of detents from said recess in said exterior surface of said sliding sleeve, and, said unthreading of said threads on said interior of said male locking sleeve from said exterior threads of said female body extension continues which in turn releases said sliding sleeve enabling movement of said sliding sleeve to said first closed position abutting said valve and releasing said first set of detents of said female coupling half into said interior recess of said female body extension permitting separation of said coupling halves.

39. A coupling as claimed in claim 38 wherein a first spring is operable between said female body and said sliding sleeve urging said sliding sleeve longitudinally outwardly;

a second spring is operable between said female body and said locking ring urging said locking ring longitudinally outwardly locking said second set of detents in said exterior recess of said sliding sleeve; and

, a third spring is operable between said circumferential lip of said cover and said outer sleeve urging said outer sleeve longitudinally outwardly.

40. A coupling as claimed in claim 39 wherein said third spring, during coupling, urges said outer sleeve into engagement with said male locking sleeve prohibiting rotation of said male locking sleeve and prohibiting disconnection of said locking sleeve.

41. A coupling, comprising:

a female coupling half and a male coupling half, said female coupling half and said male coupling half being alternately coupled and uncoupled;

said male coupling half comprises;

a male body;

a male valve, a locking sleeve having an interior and an exterior, said interior of said locking sleeve having threads thereon;

said female coupling half comprises;

a female valve, a female body, a female body extension affixed to said female body of said female coupling half, said female body extension includes an interior and an exterior, said exterior of said female body extension includes threads thereon;

a sliding sleeve movable with respect to said female body, said female body extension and said female valve;

an outer sleeve having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface having a shoulder thereon, and, said outer sleeve movable between an extended position and a retracted position;

a locking ring, said locking ring having an inner surface and an outer surface, said locking ring residing radially intermediate said female body extension and said outer sleeve;

said sliding sleeve movable between;

a first position abutting said female valve and closing said female valve, and, a second position not abutting said female valve thus opening said female valve;

said outer sleeve of said female member in said extended position interengages said locking sleeve of said male member preventing unwanted disconnection of said coupling through vibration of the coupling or unwanted rotation of the male locking sleeve;

said interior threads of said male locking sleeve interengage said exterior threads of said female body extension during coupling;

said male body of said male coupling half interengages said sliding sleeve of said female coupling half moving said sliding sleeve from said first closed position to said second open position during coupling;

said outer sleeve of said female coupling half during uncoupling is moved longitudinally to said retracted position and said shoulder on said inner surface of said outer sleeve moves longitudinally away from said locking sleeve of said male coupling half enabling said male coupling half to move longitudinally away from said female coupling half as said threads on said interior of male locking sleeve are unthreaded from said threads on said exterior of said female body extension, said unthreading of said threads on said interior of said male locking sleeve from said exterior threads of said female body extension continues enabling movement of said sliding sleeve to said first closed position abutting said valve and releasing said first set of detents of said female coupling half into said interior recess of said female body extension.

42. A coupling as claimed in claim 41, comprising:

a generally cylindrically shaped cover, said generally cylindrically shaped cover includes a circumferential lip, said circumferential lip of said cover engages said female body, and said cover engages said outer sleeve of said female body half.

43. A coupling, comprising:

a female coupling half and a male coupling half, said female coupling half and said male coupling half being alternately coupled and uncoupled;

said male coupling half comprises;

a locking sleeve having an interior and an exterior, said interior of said locking sleeve having threads thereon;

said female coupling half comprises;

an outer sleeve having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface having a shoulder thereon, and, said outer sleeve movable between an extended position and a retracted position;

said outer sleeve of said female member in said extended position interengages said locking sleeve of said male member preventing unwanted disconnection of said coupling through vibration of the coupling or unwanted rotation of the male locking sleeve;

and, said outer sleeve of said female coupling half during uncoupling is moved longitudinally to said retracted position and said shoulder on said inner surface of said outer sleeve moves longitudinally away from said locking sleeve of said male coupling half enabling said male coupling half to move longitudinally away from said female coupling half as said threads on said interior of male locking sleeve are unthreaded from said threads on said exterior of said female body extension, said unthreading of said threads on said interior of said male locking sleeve from said exterior threads of said female body extension continues enabling movement of said sliding sleeve to said first closed position abutting said valve and releasing said first set of detents of said female coupling half into said interior recess of said female body extension.

44. A coupling as claimed in claim 43 wherein a first spring is operable between said female body and said sliding sleeve urging said sliding sleeve longitudinally outwardly;

a second spring is operable between said female body and said locking ring urging said locking ring longitudinally outwardly locking said second set of detents in said exterior recess of said sliding sleeve; and

, a third spring is operable between said circumferential lip of said cover and said outer sleeve urging said outer sleeve longitudinally outwardly.

45. A coupling as claimed in claim 44 wherein said third spring, during coupling, urges said outer sleeve into engagement with said male locking sleeve prohibiting rotation of said male locking sleeve and prohibiting disconnection of said locking sleeve.