Rapid-connect coupler
First Claim
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1. A rapid-connect coupling apparatus for coupling with a connector, comprising:
- a housing defining a probe cavity, the housing having a first housing end and a second housing end;
a probe having a first probe end and a second probe end, the probe configured to slidably reside within the probe cavity, wherein the first probe end extends out from the first housing end;
a fluid passageway defined by the probe and the housing, the fluid passageway configured to communicate fluid between the first probe end and the second housing end;
at least one latch segment pivotally coupled to the first housing end and having a first latch end disposed in contact with the first probe end when the rapid-connect coupling apparatus and the connector are in a non-coupled state;
a sleeve configured to slidably reside about the housing, wherein the sleeve is further configured to cause the first latch end of the at least one latch segment to lift up off and away from the probe when the sleeve is slid about the housing; and
wherein the at least one latch segment is configured to grip an outer portion of the connector when the first latch end is lifted off the probe while the rapid-connect coupling apparatus and the connector are in a coupled state.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A rapid-connect gas coupler is shown and described herein. In an embodiment, the rapid-connect gas coupler includes a spring-loaded probe within a probe cavity, which is defined by a housing and one or more latch segment. The probe can engage with a gas connector, which causes the latch segment to engage and couple with the gas connector.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A rapid-connect coupling apparatus for coupling with a connector, comprising:
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a housing defining a probe cavity, the housing having a first housing end and a second housing end; a probe having a first probe end and a second probe end, the probe configured to slidably reside within the probe cavity, wherein the first probe end extends out from the first housing end; a fluid passageway defined by the probe and the housing, the fluid passageway configured to communicate fluid between the first probe end and the second housing end; at least one latch segment pivotally coupled to the first housing end and having a first latch end disposed in contact with the first probe end when the rapid-connect coupling apparatus and the connector are in a non-coupled state; a sleeve configured to slidably reside about the housing, wherein the sleeve is further configured to cause the first latch end of the at least one latch segment to lift up off and away from the probe when the sleeve is slid about the housing; and wherein the at least one latch segment is configured to grip an outer portion of the connector when the first latch end is lifted off the probe while the rapid-connect coupling apparatus and the connector are in a coupled state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A rapid-connect coupling apparatus for coupling with a connector, comprising:
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a housing defining a probe cavity, the housing having a first housing end and a second housing end; a probe having a first probe end and a second probe end, the probe configured to slidably reside within the probe cavity, wherein the first probe end extends out from the first housing end; a fluid passageway defined by the probe and the housing, the fluid passageway configured to communicate fluid between the first probe end and the second housing end; a check valve actuating apparatus disposed within a portion of the fluid passageway and extending beyond the probe at the first probe end, wherein engagement of the check valve actuating apparatus with a rear cavity portion of the connector causes the probe to be pushed further into the probe cavity; a ball cam surrounding a portion of the probe within the probe cavity; and a sleeve configured to reside about the housing, and configured to actuate the ball cam toward the probe when moved about the housing in order to seal, at least in part, a gap between the probe and the connector when the rapid-connect coupling apparatus and the connector are in a coupled state. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A rapid-connect coupling apparatus comprising:
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a housing defining a probe cavity having a substantially cylindrical first housing end and a substantially cylindrical second housing end; a probe having a first probe end and a second probe end, the probe configured to slidably reside within the probe cavity, wherein the first probe end extends out from the first housing end; and at least one latch segment pivotally coupled about a circumference of the first housing end, and fixed in position such that the at least one latch segment is inoperable to translate about the circumference of the first housing end, the at least one latch segment having a first latch end disposed in contact with the first probe end when the rapid-connect coupling apparatus is in a non-engagement state; a sleeve configured to slidably reside about the housing, wherein the sleeve is further configured to cause the first latch end to lift up off and away from the probe when the sleeve is slid about the housing; and wherein the at least one latch segment is configured to grip an outer portion of a connector when the first latch end is lifted off the probe when the rapid-connect coupling apparatus is in an engagement state. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. A rapid-connect coupling apparatus for coupling with a connector, comprising:
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a housing defining a probe cavity, the housing having a first housing end and a second housing end; a probe having a first probe end and a second probe end, the probe configured to slidably reside within the probe cavity, wherein the first probe end extends out from the first housing end; a ball cam surrounding a portion of the probe within the probe cavity; and a sleeve configured to reside about the housing and configured to actuate the ball cam toward the probe when moved about the housing in order to seal, at least in part, a gap between the probe and the connector when the rapid-connect coupling apparatus and the connector are in a coupled state. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification