Patent US3589673A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3589673A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluid line coupling
Assignee: FOSTER Manufacturing CO Inc
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Filing: 1968-06-20
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Granted: 1971-06-29
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Expires: 1988-06-20
Abstract
Abstract A quick-connect coupling for fluid line hose couplings includes a body portion adapted to receive a conventional male hose coupler element. The coupling has two axially aligned sleeves mounted on the exterior. The latching sleeve actuates the mechanism which engages the male coupler element while the valve sleeve is part of the valve means for blocking the flow of fluid through the female coupling. The valve sleeve has a bayonet slot which receives a radially projecting pin on the body, optionally locking the valve sleeve in an open position. It then abuts against the latching sleeve and prevents the latter from moving to the unlocked or disengaged position with respect to the male coupler. Between the latching and valve sleeves is a spring biasing the latching sleeve toward the engaged position and urging the valve sleeve to and maintaining it in the closed position when it is not positively locked in the open position.
Inventors
- 👤 Lee H Cruse
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 12:51
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L37/00; F16L37/28; F16L37/38; F16L37/46; F16L37/22; F16L37/23
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
268 words
A quick-connect fluid line coupling for receptive engagement with a mating coupler element; said coupling comprising a body provided with a forward bore adapted to receive said mating coupler element; said body including a plurality of radial bores opening into said forward bore; retainer balls shiftably mounted within said radial bores and having a diameter greater than the axial length of said radial bores; latching means carried by said body for retentively engaging said mating coupler element; said latching means being adapted to move from a cocked position wherein said latching means awaits reception of said coupler element to a latched position wherein it holds said retainer balls at least partially within said forward bore for retentively engaging said coupler element; a retainer spring within said forward bore, said retainer spring being compressible in response to insertion of said coupler element into said forward bore from an extended position wherein it engages said retainer balls and urges them radially outwardly to a compressed position wherein it is disengaged from said retainer balls; said retainer balls being adapted to engage said latching means and hold it in its cocked position when said retainer spring is in its extended position; valve means on said body for interrupting the flow of fluid to said forward bore, said valve means including a valve element adapted to move from a closed position wherein fluid is prevented from entering said forward bore to an open position wherein fluid flows into said forward bore; and spring means between said latching means and said valve element for urging them toward their latched and closed positions respectively.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
268 words
A quick-connect fluid line coupling for receptive engagement with a mating coupler element; said coupling comprising a body provided with a forward bore adapted to receive said mating coupler element; said body including a plurality of radial bores opening into said forward bore; retainer balls shiftably mounted within said radial bores and having a diameter greater than the axial length of said radial bores; latching means carried by said body for retentively engaging said mating coupler element; said latching means being adapted to move from a cocked position wherein said latching means awaits reception of said coupler element to a latched position wherein it holds said retainer balls at least partially within said forward bore for retentively engaging said coupler element; a retainer spring within said forward bore, said retainer spring being compressible in response to insertion of said coupler element into said forward bore from an extended position wherein it engages said retainer balls and urges them radially outwardly to a compressed position wherein it is disengaged from said retainer balls; said retainer balls being adapted to engage said latching means and hold it in its cocked position when said retainer spring is in its extended position; valve means on said body for interrupting the flow of fluid to said forward bore, said valve means including a valve element adapted to move from a closed position wherein fluid is prevented from entering said forward bore to an open position wherein fluid flows into said forward bore; and spring means between said latching means and said valve element for urging them toward their latched and closed positions respectively.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A coupling according to claim 1 wherein said retainer spring is a helical spring; at least one convolution of said retainer spring engaging said retainer elements prior to the insertion of said mating coupler element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
74 words
A coupling according to claim 1 wherein said latching means includes a latching sleeve slidably mounted for axial movement on the outer surface of said body; said latching sleeve having an annular clearance groove adapted to overlie the outer ends of said radial bores when said latching means in in its cocked position; said clearance groove being adapted to accommodate portions of said retainer balls for holding said latching means in its cocked position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-28 | 1974-12-28 | 1975-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-28 | 1978-12-28 | 1979-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-28 | 1982-12-28 | 1983-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |