Rapid-connect coupler with vent-stop

• US 9,857,010 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2015
• Issued: 01/02/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Engineered Controls International LLC (Engineered Controls International Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: Engineered Controls International LLC (Engineered Controls International Holdings LLC)
• Inventors: Konishi, Howard M.
• Primary Examiner(s): McManmon, Mary
• Assistant Examiner(s): COLON MORALES, DAVID
• Application Number:
  US14/928,456
• Publication Number:
  US 20160047505A1
• Time in Patent Office: 795 Days
• Field of Search: 251142, 251149, 2511491, 2511496, 2511498, 2511499, 251284-285, 251 95, 251 98- 99, 251111-116
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/12 using hooks, pawls or other movable or insertable locking members F16L37/084 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/23 by means of balls
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/35 at least one of the valves having an axial bore
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/36 with two lift valves being actuated to initiate the flow through the coupling after the two coupling parts are locked against withdrawal
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/42 the valve having an axial bore communicating with lateral apertures
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/07 Arrangement or mounting of devices, e.g. valves, for venting or aerating or draining apparatus for draining F16T
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/037 Quick connecting means, e.g. couplings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0402 Cleaning, repairing, or assembling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/598 With repair, tapping, assembly, or disassembly means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87957 Valves actuate each other

Abstract

An embodiment includes a rapid-connect coupler including a coupler body configured to convey a fluid; a coupling head at a first end of and communicating with the coupler body, the coupling head configured to transition between a coupled configuration and a de-coupled configuration. The coupler may further include a stop apparatus configured to allow the coupling head to transition from the de-coupled configuration to the coupled configuration without obstruction, and the stop apparatus may be configured to provide a hard-stop as the coupling head transitions from the coupled configuration to the de-coupled configuration.

Claims

1. A rapid-connect coupler for use in connection with a receptacle, the rapid-connect coupler comprising:

a coupler body configured to convey a fluid, the coupler body comprising a first portion of a probe assembly;

a coupling head comprising a second portion of the probe assembly, the coupling head being disposed towards a first end of the coupler body;

the probe assembly, which comprises a conduit for at least partially conveying fluid through the coupler, the conduit having a first major longitudinal axis and being configured to move in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein the conduit is movable between an extended coupled position or configuration in which the conduit is configured to couple with the receptacle and communicate the fluid with the receptacle, a retracted de-coupled position or configuration, and an intermediate position or configuration between the retracted de-coupled position or configuration and the extended coupled position or configuration; and

a stop apparatus comprising a spring having a second major longitudinal axis, the stop apparatus configured to occupy a release position and a stop position, wherein;

(a) when the stop apparatus occupies the release position, the conduit is moveable without stopping from the extended coupled position or configuration to the retracted de-coupled position or configuration;

(b) when the stop apparatus occupies the stop position, the stop apparatus prevents the conduit from moving from the extended coupled position or configuration to the retracted de-coupled position or configuration;

(c) when the stop apparatus occupies the stop position, the conduit is moveable without stopping between the extended coupled position or configuration and the intermediate position or configuration;

(d) the spring biases the stop apparatus toward the stop position; and

(e) the first major longitudinal axis is non-parallel to the second major longitudinal axis.

2. A rapid-connect coupler for conveying fluid, the rapid-connect coupler comprising:

a probe assembly for at least partially conveying fluid through the coupler, the probe assembly configured to move between a retracted position, an extended position, and an intermediate position between the retracted position and the extended position; and

a stop apparatus configured to occupy a release position and a stop position, wherein;

(a) when the stop apparatus occupies the release position, the probe assembly is moveable without stopping from the extended position to the retracted position;

(b) when the stop apparatus occupies the stop position, the stop apparatus prevents the probe assembly from moving from the extended position to the retracted position; and

(c) when the stop apparatus occupies the stop position, the probe assembly is moveable without stopping between the extended position and the intermediate position.

3. The coupler of claim 2, wherein the stop apparatus comprises a stop spring;

wherein when the stop apparatus is in the release position, the stop spring biases the stop apparatus toward the stop position;

wherein the retracted position of the probe assembly corresponds to a fully retracted position of the probe assembly; and

wherein the extended position of the probe assembly corresponds to a fully extended position of the probe assembly.

4. The coupler of claim 3, wherein the stop apparatus comprises a lever configured such that movement of the lever in a first direction opposes the biasing force of the stop spring and enables the stop apparatus to move from the stop position toward the release position.

5. The coupler of claim 2, further comprising a housing, the housing comprising a cage and a housing barrel, wherein the housing barrel at least partially encloses the probe assembly and the cage defines a coupling void sized to receive receptacle.

6. The coupler of claim 5, wherein the probe assembly has a first end and an opposing second end, wherein the probe assembly comprises a poppet assembly located at the first end, and wherein the first end is closer to the cage than the second end.

7. The coupler of claim 2, further comprising:

a housing that at least partially encloses the probe assembly; and

a sleeve fixed to the probe assembly such that the sleeve follows the probe assembly.

8. The coupler of claim 7, wherein the housing defines:

a coupling void sized to receive a receptacle; and

a plurality of vent holes connecting the coupling void to ambient atmosphere.

9. The coupler of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of balls disposed in slots defined in the housing, wherein the sleeve is fixed to the probe assembly such that when the probe assembly is in the retracted position, the sleeve leaves at least a portion of the slots uncovered, and when the probe assembly is the extended position, the sleeve covers the slots.

10. The coupler of claim 9, wherein the sleeve is fixed to the probe assembly such that when the probe assembly is in the intermediate position, the sleeve covers the slots.

11. The coupler of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of balls disposed in radially extending slots, the slots being sized to enable radial movement of the balls within the slots, wherein the sleeve is fixed to the probe assembly such that:

(a) when the probe assembly is in the retracted position, the balls are capable of outwardly radially protruding from the slots;

(b) when the probe assembly is in the extended position, the sleeve prevents the balls from outwardly radially protruding from the slots; and

(c) when the probe assembly is in the intermediate position, the sleeve prevents the balls from outwardly radially protruding from the slots.

12. The coupler of claim 7, wherein the probe assembly is moveable with respect to the housing.

13. A rapid-connect coupler for conveying fluid, the rapid-connect coupler comprising:

a conduit for at least partially conveying fluid through the coupler, the conduit configured to move between a retracted position, an extended position, and an intermediate position between the retracted position and the extended position; and

a stop apparatus configured to occupy a first position and a second position, wherein;

(a) when the stop apparatus occupies the first position, the conduit is moveable without stopping from the extended position to the retracted position;

(b) when the stop apparatus occupies the second position, the stop apparatus prevents the conduit from moving from the extended position to the retracted position; and

(c) when the stop apparatus occupies the second position, the conduit is moveable without stopping between the extended position and the intermediate position.

14. The coupler of claim 13, further comprising a probe assembly that comprises the conduit.

15. The coupler of claim 13, wherein the stop apparatus comprises a stop spring that biases the stop apparatus toward the second position.

16. The coupler of claim 15, further comprising a poppet assembly joined to a first end of the conduit, wherein the conduit has a second end opposite the first end, and wherein the second end of the conduit comprises threads for engaging with corresponding threads of a fluid supply line.

17. The coupler of claim 13, further comprising a sleeve fixed to the conduit and a plurality of balls disposed in slots, the slots being sized to enable movement of the balls within the slots, wherein the sleeve is fixed to the conduit such that (a) when the conduit is in the retracted position, the balls are capable of outwardly protruding from the slots, (b) when the conduit is in the extended position, the sleeve prevents the balls from outwardly protruding from the slots, and (c) when the conduit is in the intermediate position, the sleeve prevents the balls from outwardly protruding from the slots.

18. A rapid-connect coupler for conveying fluid, the rapid-connect coupler comprising:

a probe assembly for at least partially conveying fluid through the coupler, the probe assembly configured to move between a retracted position, an extended position, and an intermediate position between the retracted position and the extended position;

a housing that at least partially encloses the probe assembly;

a sleeve fixed to the probe assembly such that the sleeve follows the probe assembly;

a plurality of balls disposed in slots defined in the housing, wherein the sleeve is fixed to the probe assembly such that when the probe assembly is in the retracted position the sleeve leaves at least a portion of the slots uncovered and when the probe assembly is the extended position the sleeve covers the slots; and

a stop apparatus configured to occupy a release position and a stop position, wherein;

(a) when the stop apparatus occupies the release position, the probe assembly is moveable from the extended position to the retracted position;

(b) when the stop apparatus occupies the stop position, the stop apparatus prevents the probe assembly from moving from the extended position to the retracted position; and

(c) when the stop apparatus occupies the stop position, the probe assembly is moveable between the extended position and the intermediate position.