EP0459812A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
All plastics quick-connect coupling
Assignee: Swagelok Quick Connect Co
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Filing: 1991-05-30
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2011-05-30
Abstract
Abstract A coupling assembly entirely formed from plastics material is provided for selectively connecting and disconnecting first and second fluid lines. A male coupling member (B) includes an external groove (22) that receives a radially inward extending shoulder (58) of the sleeve (D). An external groove (46) on a female coupling member (c) is selectively engaged by latching tabs (76) extending radially inward from the sleeve (D). The latching tabs (76) are selectively pivotable radially outward by depression of release buttons (100). The pivoting action of the latching members (72) is defined along a central portion (74) in which circumferential strips (84, 86) undergo a twisting action.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregory Kreczko
- 👤 Richard J. Medvick
- 👤 Ross L. Wagner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 17:54
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L37/00; F16L37/08; F16L37/084; F16L37/098; F16L37/0985; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S285/00; Y10S285/921
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
A coupling assembly for selectively coupling first and second fluid lines together, the coupling assembly being characterised by: a male coupling member (B) adapted to be connected to a first fluid line at one end (10) and having a circumferential groove (22) defined on an external surface; a female coupling member (C) adapted to be selectively connected to a second fluid line at one end (30) and having a circumferential groove (46) defined on an external surface; and a cylindrical sleeve (D) member which is substantially circumferentially continuous at one end (54) thereof, and has a radially inwardly extending shoulder (58) defined at the other end adapted for receipt in one of the grooves (22, 46) defined on the male and female members, the sleeve (D) including a latching member (72) having a locking tab (76) adapted for selective receipt in the other one of the grooves (22, 46) of the male and female members, the latching member (72) being pivotable about an intermediate central portion (74) by depressing an actuating portion (100) defined at the one end of the latching member (72).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
32 words
A coupling assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising longitudinal slots extending on opposite axial ends of the central portion (74) to facilitate the pivoting action of the latching member (72).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A coupling assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, further comprising circumferential slots (88) extending on opposite lateral sides of the central portion (74) to facilitate the pivoting action of the latching member (72).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A coupling assembly as claimed in claim 3, when appendent to claim 2, wherein the longitudinal and circumferential slots intersect adjacent the central portion (74) of the latching member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A coupling assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuating portion (100) of the latching member extends axially beyond the sleeve (D).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A coupling assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the latching member (72) includes a reinforced ridge that extends radially outward from the remainder of the sleeve (D) to provide rigidity to the latching member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A coupling assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a seal member (26) received on an external portion of the male member (B) for sealing engagement with the female member when disposed in coupled relation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A coupling assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sleeve (D) is formed entirely of a plastics material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
226 words
A coupling assembly adapted to connect first and second associated fluid lines together, the coupling assembly being characterised by: male and female coupling members (B, C) adapted for connection with the associated fluid lines and selective coupled engagement with one another, the coupling members each including a respective external groove (22; 46); a substantially circumferentially continuous sleeve (D) fixedly secured to one of the male and female coupling members (B,C) and adapted to be selectively secured to the other of the coupling members (B,C) the sleeve (D) being formed entirely from a plastics material and having an integral latching means for locking the coupling members together, the latching means including a latching member (72) having a locking tab (76) that extends radially inward from the sleeve in a first position for locking engagement with the other of the coupling members and is movable to a second, radially outer position by pivoting the latching member (72) about a central portion (74) through depression of an actuating portion (100) defined at the opposite end of the latching member, the central portion (74) being adapted for pivoting action through use of longitudinally and circumferentially extending pairs of slots that intersect adjacent the central portion of the sleeve and placing circumferential strips interposed between the circumferential slots under twisting forces when the locking tab is urged toward the second position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
A coupling assembly as claimed in claim 9 further comprising a radially inward extending shoulder (58) disposed at an axially opposite end of the sleeve from the locking tab (76), the shoulder (58) having a reduced diameter opening therethrough for securing the sleeve to one of the male and female members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A coupling assembly as claimed in claim 9 or 10 wherein the latching member includes means for reinforcing same.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A coupling assembly as claimed in claim 9, 10 or 11 wherein the actuating portion (100) of the latching member has a substantially larger circumferential dimension than the locking tab (76).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
A coupling assembly as claimed in claim 9, 10, 11 or 12 wherein the latching member is attached to the sleeve along a circumferential strip (84, 86) that is perpendicular to the axial extent of the latching member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
A coupling assembly as claimed in any of claims 9 to 13 wherein the latching means includes a second latching member (72′) diametrically opposed on the sleeve from the first latching member (72).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
A coupling assembly as claimed in any of claims 9 to 14 further comprising means for keying the coupling sleeve and the male coupling member together during assembly.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
A coupling assembly as claimed in claim 15 further comprising means for locking the coupling sleeve against axial movement and permitting rotational movement relative to the male coupling member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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