Fluid coupling and method
First Claim
1. A fluid coupling, comprising:
- a nipple; and
a coupler adapted to be connected to and disconnected from said nipple;
said nipple defining a flow path therethrough and having a valve located therein that prevents flow through said nipple when in a normally-closed position, said nipple having an outer peripheral surface with a plurality of separate, spaced-apart cam paths formed therein;
said coupler defining a flow path therethrough and having a valve located therein that prevents flow through said coupler when in a normally-closed position, said coupler including a set of latching balls for engagement with said nipple within said cam paths to secure said coupler to said nipple;
said coupler including a sleeve mounted on and extending about said coupler, said sleeve being movable relative to said coupler between a normally-forward position and a retracted position such that in said normally-forward position, said set of latching balls are forced into an inward position that prevents release of the latching balls from said cam paths, and in said retracted position, said set of latching balls are permitted to extend to an outward position enabling disengagement with said cam paths; and
each of said cam paths being in a form of a helical groove that has a closed proximal end that terminates and does not extend through an end face of said nipple and a closed distal end, whereby said latching balls of said coupler are required to be located in said outward position to enable said coupler to be initially advanced onto said nipple to an extent permitting engagement of said latching balls with said cam paths.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A coupling and method are provided that include a coupler and nipple. The nipple has a valve in a normally-closed position and an outer peripheral surface with a plurality of spaced-apart, close-ended cam paths. The coupler has a valve in a normally-closed position and includes a set of latching balls for engagement with the cam paths to secure the coupler to the nipple. The coupler further includes a sleeve mounted thereon and movable between forward and retracted positions. In the forward position, the latching balls are forced into an inward position that prevents release of the latching balls from the cam paths, and in the retracted position, the latching balls are permitted to extend to an outward position enabling initial engagement with or disengagement from the cam paths. The coupler also includes a set of locking balls that prevents movement of the sleeve to the retracted position.
34 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A fluid coupling, comprising:
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a nipple; and a coupler adapted to be connected to and disconnected from said nipple; said nipple defining a flow path therethrough and having a valve located therein that prevents flow through said nipple when in a normally-closed position, said nipple having an outer peripheral surface with a plurality of separate, spaced-apart cam paths formed therein; said coupler defining a flow path therethrough and having a valve located therein that prevents flow through said coupler when in a normally-closed position, said coupler including a set of latching balls for engagement with said nipple within said cam paths to secure said coupler to said nipple; said coupler including a sleeve mounted on and extending about said coupler, said sleeve being movable relative to said coupler between a normally-forward position and a retracted position such that in said normally-forward position, said set of latching balls are forced into an inward position that prevents release of the latching balls from said cam paths, and in said retracted position, said set of latching balls are permitted to extend to an outward position enabling disengagement with said cam paths; and each of said cam paths being in a form of a helical groove that has a closed proximal end that terminates and does not extend through an end face of said nipple and a closed distal end, whereby said latching balls of said coupler are required to be located in said outward position to enable said coupler to be initially advanced onto said nipple to an extent permitting engagement of said latching balls with said cam paths. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A fluid coupling, comprising:
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a coupler defining a flow path therethrough and having a valve located therein in a normally-closed position; and a separate nipple defining a flow path therethrough and having a valve located therein preventing flow through said nipple when in a normally-closed position; said coupler including a sleeve mounted on and extending about said coupler, said sleeve being movable relative to said coupler between a normally-forward position and a retracted position and having a least one recess formed on an inner peripheral surface thereof; said coupler including a set of latching balls such that said latching balls are locked in an inward position when said sleeve is in said normally-forward position and are permitted to extend to an outward position when said sleeve is placed in said retracted position; said coupler including a set of locking balls such that said set of locking balls are locked in an inward position when said sleeve is in said retracted position and are permitted to extend to an outward position within said at least one recess of said sleeve when said sleeve is placed in said normally-forward position; and said nipple having a plurality of separate cam paths formed in an outer peripheral surface thereof, whereby, when said coupler is advanced on and fully connected to said nipple, said latching balls of said coupler engage said cam paths of said nipple and are locked therein by said sleeve and said sleeve is locked in said normally-forward position by said locking balls. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of assembling a fluid coupling, comprising the steps of:
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positioning a coupler against a nipple such that a set of latching balls carried within the coupler are locked in an inward position preventing advancement of the coupler onto the nipple; locating a sleeve on the coupler to a retracted position to permit the latching balls to extend outwardly thereby permitting the coupler to be advanced onto the nipple until a set of locking balls carried within the coupler and locked in an inward position by the sleeve in the retracted position prevents further advancement of the coupler onto the nipple; moving the coupler on the nipple until the latching balls engage within closed helical cam paths formed in an outer peripheral surface of the nipple causing said sleeve to resiliently return to a normal position that locks said latching balls in the inward position and that permits said locking balls to extend outwardly; and after said latching balls engage said cam paths, rotating said coupler relative to the nipple to advance the coupler onto the nipple as the latching balls follow the cam paths to a fully coupled position. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification