Coupling with automatic seal
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A conduit coupling for a fluid comprising:
- a first portion having a first biasing member positioned to bias a moveable channel member positioned within a first fluid chamber, the moveable channel member including a first plug portion and a seal connected to the first plug portion, the moveable channel member also including a ring-like retainer with the first plug portion being connected to the ring-like retainer by at least a one elongated member that is disposed away from an axis of the ring-like retainer;
a second portion having a second biasing member positioned to bias a moveable wall member, the moveable wall member having a seal connected to the moveable wall member, the moveable wall member being cylindrical with a stationary hollow shaft disposed adjacent the moveable wall member, and a second plug portion connected to the stationary hollow shaft by at least another elongated member, the at least another elongated member being disposed away from an axis of the stationary hollow shaft and the second plug portion having a seal connected to the second plug portion; and
the first portion being releasably connectable to the second portion wherein when the first portion and the second portion are disconnected, the first biasing member biases the moveable channel member to a position such that the seal connected to the first plug portion is aligned with a first interior wall and the second biasing member biases the moveable wall member to a position such that the seal on the second plug portion is aligned with a contact wall.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A conduit coupling can have a male portion and a female portion, with each portion having an internal biasing member. When the male portion is disconnected from the female portion, the internal biasing member in the male portion can cause a seal on a moveable plug to be biased against a lip of a stationary wall member to seal liquid from leaking out of the male portion. Also, the internal biasing member in the female portion can cause a lip of a moveable wall member to be biased against a seal that is connected to a stationary plug. Both the stationary plug and moveable plug can be connected to retaining portions by strips that are disposed away from an axis of the conduit coupling.
23 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A conduit coupling for a fluid comprising:
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a first portion having a first biasing member positioned to bias a moveable channel member positioned within a first fluid chamber, the moveable channel member including a first plug portion and a seal connected to the first plug portion, the moveable channel member also including a ring-like retainer with the first plug portion being connected to the ring-like retainer by at least a one elongated member that is disposed away from an axis of the ring-like retainer; a second portion having a second biasing member positioned to bias a moveable wall member, the moveable wall member having a seal connected to the moveable wall member, the moveable wall member being cylindrical with a stationary hollow shaft disposed adjacent the moveable wall member, and a second plug portion connected to the stationary hollow shaft by at least another elongated member, the at least another elongated member being disposed away from an axis of the stationary hollow shaft and the second plug portion having a seal connected to the second plug portion; and the first portion being releasably connectable to the second portion wherein when the first portion and the second portion are disconnected, the first biasing member biases the moveable channel member to a position such that the seal connected to the first plug portion is aligned with a first interior wall and the second biasing member biases the moveable wall member to a position such that the seal on the second plug portion is aligned with a contact wall. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A conduit coupling for a fluid comprising:
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a male portion having a first fluid chamber; a first biasing member disposed adjacent a wall of the first fluid chamber; a moveable channel member disposed adjacent an end portion of the first biasing member; a moveable plug portion connected to the moveable channel member; a seal connected to the moveable plug portion, a longitudinal length of the moveable plug portion being less than three times a cross sectional diameter of the seal connected to the movable plug portion, with the moveable plug portion being the only axial flow restriction in the male portion; a female portion releasably connectable to the male portion and including a second fluid chamber; a stationary hollow shaft forming part of the second fluid chamber, the hollow shaft being disposed adjacent a second biasing member; a stationary plug portion connected to the hollow shaft; and a seal connected to the stationary plug portion, a longitudinal length of the stationary plug portion being less than three times a cross sectional diameter of the seal connected to the stationary plug portion, with the stationary plug portion being the only axial flow restriction in the female portion. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of containing fluid flow within a disconnectable conduit coupling, the method comprising:
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providing a first coupling portion having a first biasing member; compressing the first biasing member in the first coupling portion to connect the first coupling portion to a second coupling portion by pressing a stationary plug of the second coupling portion flush against a moveable plug of the first coupling portion that is moveable in relation to the first coupling portion; compressing a second biasing member in the second coupling portion to connect the second coupling portion to the first coupling portion by pressing a surface of the first coupling portion against a moveable wall of the second coupling portion, the moveable wall being slidable in relation to the second coupling portion; allowing fluid to flow through the disconnectable conduit coupling past at least one elongated extension member in each of the first coupling portion and second coupling portion, the at least one elongated extension member in the first coupling portion being disposed outside of a longitudinal axis of the first coupling portion, and the at least one elongated extension member in the second coupling portion disposed outside of a longitudinal axis of the second coupling portion, the elongated extension member connecting the moveable plug to a moveable retainer, and the second elongated extension member connecting the stationary plug to a stationary shaft; and disconnecting the second coupling portion from the first coupling portion, and maintaining flush contact between the moveable plug and stationary plug until a seal member connected to the moveable plug portion is compressed against an inside wall of the first coupling portion and a seal connected to the stationary plug portion is compressed against a contact wall of the moveable wall of the second coupling portion. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification