US3664375A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coupling mechanism
Assignee: Hansen Manufacturing Co Inc
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Filing: 1970-08-10
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Granted: 1972-05-23
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Expires: 1990-08-10
Abstract
Abstract An improved coupling mechanism includes an actuator assembly which is manually operable to connect and disconnect a coupling having valves which are biased closed by fluid pressure. The actuator assembly includes a lever which is pivotally mounted on one coupling member. A linkage connected to the actuator lever is engageable with the other coupling member. Once the linkage has been engaged with the other coupling member, the lever is pivoted to actuate the linkage and move the coupling members toward each other to a connected condition. Simultaneously therewith, the valves are operated to the open condition against the influence of the fluid pressure bias to thereby connect the conduits in fluid communication. A second linkage is connected with the actuator lever to operate a coupling retainer or latch assembly to a release condition to facilitate disconnection of the coupling.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph Thomas Marette
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 10:16
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L37/00; F16L37/28; F16L37/30; F16L37/36; F16L37/08; F16L37/12; F16L37/20; F16L37/22; F16L37/23; F16L37/32; F16L55/00; F16L55/10; F16L55/1007; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/87917; Y10T137/87925; Y10T137/87941; Y10T137/87949; Y10T137/87957; Y10T137/87973
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
421 words
A releasable coupling mechanism for connecting a conduit containing fluid under pressure in fluid communication with another conduit, said releasable coupling mechanism comprising a pair of coupling members each of which is connected with one of the conduits, said coupling members being movable between a disconnected condition in which said coupling members are disengaged and a connected condition in which said coupling members are engaged to connect the conduits in fluid communication with each other, valve means operatively connected with the one of said coupling members which is connected with the conduit containing fluid under pressure when said coupling members are in the disconnected condition, said valve means including a valve member which is urged to a closed position under the influence of the fluid under pressure in the conduit when said coupling members are in the disconnected condition, actuator means for operating said coupling members from the disconnected condition to the connected condition and for simultaneously therewith effecting operation of said valve member from the closed position to an open position against the influence of the fluid under pressure to thereby connect the conduits in fluid communication with each other, and releasable retainer means operable between a locking condition in which said retainer means holds said coupling members against operation from the connected condition to the disconnected condition and a release condition in which said retainer means is ineffective to hold said coupling members against operation to the disconnected condition, said actuator means being selectively operable when said coupling members are in the connected condition to effect operation of said retainer means from the locking condition to the release condition to thereby enable said coupling members to be operated to the disconnected condition, said retainer means including a sleeve slidably mounteD on one of said coupling members and spring means for urging said sleeve toward a first position, said sleeve being axially movable relative to said one coupling member and against the influence of said spring means from a first position to a second position to thereby enable said retainer means to operate from the locking condition to the release condition, said actuator means including a manually operable actuator member operatively connected with said sleeve and said one coupling member, said actuator member being movable relative to said one coupling member to move said sleeve from said first position to said second position against the influence of said spring means, said actuator member being movable relative to said sleeve to effect operation of said coupling members to the connected condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
421 words
A releasable coupling mechanism for connecting a conduit containing fluid under pressure in fluid communication with another conduit, said releasable coupling mechanism comprising a pair of coupling members each of which is connected with one of the conduits, said coupling members being movable between a disconnected condition in which said coupling members are disengaged and a connected condition in which said coupling members are engaged to connect the conduits in fluid communication with each other, valve means operatively connected with the one of said coupling members which is connected with the conduit containing fluid under pressure when said coupling members are in the disconnected condition, said valve means including a valve member which is urged to a closed position under the influence of the fluid under pressure in the conduit when said coupling members are in the disconnected condition, actuator means for operating said coupling members from the disconnected condition to the connected condition and for simultaneously therewith effecting operation of said valve member from the closed position to an open position against the influence of the fluid under pressure to thereby connect the conduits in fluid communication with each other, and releasable retainer means operable between a locking condition in which said retainer means holds said coupling members against operation from the connected condition to the disconnected condition and a release condition in which said retainer means is ineffective to hold said coupling members against operation to the disconnected condition, said actuator means being selectively operable when said coupling members are in the connected condition to effect operation of said retainer means from the locking condition to the release condition to thereby enable said coupling members to be operated to the disconnected condition, said retainer means including a sleeve slidably mounteD on one of said coupling members and spring means for urging said sleeve toward a first position, said sleeve being axially movable relative to said one coupling member and against the influence of said spring means from a first position to a second position to thereby enable said retainer means to operate from the locking condition to the release condition, said actuator means including a manually operable actuator member operatively connected with said sleeve and said one coupling member, said actuator member being movable relative to said one coupling member to move said sleeve from said first position to said second position against the influence of said spring means, said actuator member being movable relative to said sleeve to effect operation of said coupling members to the connected condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
354 words
A releasable coupling mechanism for connecting a conduit containing fluid under pressure in fluid communication with another conduit, said releasable coupling mechanism comprising a pair of coupling members each of which is connected with one of the conduits, said coupling members being movable between a disconnected condition in which said coupling members are disengaged and a connected condition in which said coupling members are engaged to connect the conduits in fluid communication with each other, valve means operatively connected with the one of said coupling members which is connected with the conduit containing fluid under pressure when said coupling members are in the disconnected condition, said valve means including a valve member which is urged to a closed position under the influence of the fluid under pressure in the conduit when said coupling members are in the disconnected condition, actuator means for operating said coupling members from the disconnected condition to the connected condition and for simultaneously therewith effecting operation of said valve member from the closed position to an open position against the influence of the fluid under pressure to thereby connect the conduits in fluid communication with each other, and releasable retainer means operable between a locking condition in which said retainer means holds said coupling members against operation from the connected condition to the disconnected condition and a release condition in which said retainer means is ineffective to hold said coupling members against operation to the disconnected condition, said actuator means being selectively operable when said coupling members are in the connected condition to effect operation of said retainer means from the locking condition to the release condition to thereby enable said coupling members to be operated to the disconnected condition, said actuator means including an actuator lever which is operatively connected with at least one of said coupling members and with said retainer means, said actuator lever being pivotal in a first direction about an axis to effect operation of said retainer means to the release condition, said actuator lever being pivotal in a second direction about the axis to effect operation of said coupling members to the connected condition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
354 words
A releasable coupling mechanism for connecting a conduit containing fluid under pressure in fluid communication with another conduit, said releasable coupling mechanism comprising a pair of coupling members each of which is connected with one of the conduits, said coupling members being movable between a disconnected condition in which said coupling members are disengaged and a connected condition in which said coupling members are engaged to connect the conduits in fluid communication with each other, valve means operatively connected with the one of said coupling members which is connected with the conduit containing fluid under pressure when said coupling members are in the disconnected condition, said valve means including a valve member which is urged to a closed position under the influence of the fluid under pressure in the conduit when said coupling members are in the disconnected condition, actuator means for operating said coupling members from the disconnected condition to the connected condition and for simultaneously therewith effecting operation of said valve member from the closed position to an open position against the influence of the fluid under pressure to thereby connect the conduits in fluid communication with each other, and releasable retainer means operable between a locking condition in which said retainer means holds said coupling members against operation from the connected condition to the disconnected condition and a release condition in which said retainer means is ineffective to hold said coupling members against operation to the disconnected condition, said actuator means being selectively operable when said coupling members are in the connected condition to effect operation of said retainer means from the locking condition to the release condition to thereby enable said coupling members to be operated to the disconnected condition, said actuator means including an actuator lever which is operatively connected with at least one of said coupling members and with said retainer means, said actuator lever being pivotal in a first direction about an axis to effect operation of said retainer means to the release condition, said actuator lever being pivotal in a second direction about the axis to effect operation of said coupling members to the connected condition.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
103 words
A releasable coupling mechanism as set forth in claim 2 wherein said actuator means includes mounting means for connecting said actuator means to said one coupling member for movement therewith relative to the other coupling member when said coupling members are in the disconnected condition, said actuator means being operable between a disengaged condition in which said actuator means is spaced from said other coupling member and an engaged condition in which said actuator means engages said other coupling member and in which said actuator means is operable to effect operation of said coupling members from the disconnected condition to the connected condition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
222 words
A releasable coupling mechanism as set forth in claim 1 further including first valve means associated with a first one of said coupling members and operable between a closed condition blocking fluid flow from one Of the conduits and an open condition in which fluid can flow from said one conduit, said first valve means including a first valve seat and a first valve member which cooperates with said first valve seat to block fluid flow from said one conduit when said first valve means is in the closed condition, said first valve member having an inner surface against which fluid under pressure in said one conduit applies a biasing force urging said first valve member toward said first valve seat, said first valve member being movable in a direction away from said first valve seat against the influence of the biasing force to effect operation of said first valve means from the closed condition to the open condition, second valve means associated with a second one of said coupling members and operable between a closed condition blocking fluid flow from the other conduit of the pair of conduits and an open condition in which fluid can flow from the other conduit, and second valve means including a second valve seat and a second valve member which cooperates with said second valve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
159 words
A coupling mechanism as set forth in claim 4 wherein said first valve member is disposed within said first coupling member and has an outer surface disposed in a generally coaxial relationship with said inner surface of said first valve member, said second valve member being disposed within said second coupling member and having an outer surface disposed in a generally coaxial relationship with said inner surface of said surface of said second valve member, said actuator means being operable while moving said first and second coupling members toward the connected condition to move said outer surfaces of first and second valve members into abutting engagement and to thereafter continue the movement of said first and second coupling members toward the connected condition to thereby effect the aforesaid relative movement between said first and second valve members and said first and second valve seats against the influence of the biasing forces applied to said first and second valve members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
305 words
A releasable coupling mechanism for connecting a conduit containing fluid under pressure in fluid communication with another conduit, said releasable coupling mechanism comprising a pair of coupling members each of which is connected with one of the conduits, said coupling members being movable between a disconnected condition in which said coupling members are disengaged and a condition in which said coupling members are engaged to connect the conduits in fluid communication with each other, at least one of said coupling members including releasable locking means operable between a release condition in which said coupling members are movable between the connected and disconnected conditions and a locking condition in which said locking means retains said coupling members in the connected condition, valve means operatively connected with the one of said coupling members which is connected with the conduit containing fluid under pressure when said coupling members are in the disconnected condition, said valve means including a valve member which is urged to a closed position under the influence of the fluid under pressure in the conduit when said coupling members are in the disconnected condition, and actuator means engagable with said first and second coupling member when they are in the disconnected condition for effecting relative movement between said coupling members to move said coupling members from the disconnected condition to the connected condition under the influence of said actuator means and for simultaneously therewith effecting operation of said valve member from the closed position to an open position against the influence of the fluid under pressure to thereby connect the conduits in fluid communication with each other, said actuator means including means for operating said locking means from the locking condition to the release condition when said coupling members are in the connected condition to release said coupling members for movement to the disconnected condition.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
305 words
A releasable coupling mechanism for connecting a conduit containing fluid under pressure in fluid communication with another conduit, said releasable coupling mechanism comprising a pair of coupling members each of which is connected with one of the conduits, said coupling members being movable between a disconnected condition in which said coupling members are disengaged and a condition in which said coupling members are engaged to connect the conduits in fluid communication with each other, at least one of said coupling members including releasable locking means operable between a release condition in which said coupling members are movable between the connected and disconnected conditions and a locking condition in which said locking means retains said coupling members in the connected condition, valve means operatively connected with the one of said coupling members which is connected with the conduit containing fluid under pressure when said coupling members are in the disconnected condition, said valve means including a valve member which is urged to a closed position under the influence of the fluid under pressure in the conduit when said coupling members are in the disconnected condition, and actuator means engagable with said first and second coupling member when they are in the disconnected condition for effecting relative movement between said coupling members to move said coupling members from the disconnected condition to the connected condition under the influence of said actuator means and for simultaneously therewith effecting operation of said valve member from the closed position to an open position against the influence of the fluid under pressure to thereby connect the conduits in fluid communication with each other, said actuator means including means for operating said locking means from the locking condition to the release condition when said coupling members are in the connected condition to release said coupling members for movement to the disconnected condition.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
A releasable coupling mechanism as set forth in claim 6 wherein said actuator means includes means for limiting relative movement between said coupling members upon operation of said locking means to the release condition with said coupling members in the connected condition.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
A releasable coupling mechanism as set forth in claim 6 wherein said means for operating said locking means is operable to operate said locking means to the release condition when said coupling members are in the disconnected condition.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
276 words
A releasable coupling mechanism for connecting a conduit containing fluid under pressure in fluid communication with another conduit, said releasable coupling mechanism comprising a pair of coupling members each of which is connected with one of the conduits, said coupling members being movable between a disconnected condition in which said coupling members are disengaged and a connected condition in which said coupling members are engaged to connect the conduits in fluid communication with each other, valve means operatively connected with the one of said coupling members which is connected with the conduit containing fluid under pressure when said coupling members are in the disconnected condition, said valve means including a valve member which is urged to a closed position under the influence of fluid under pressure in the conduit when said coupling members are in the disconnected condition, actuator means for operating said coupling members from the disconnected condition to the connected connected condition and for simultaneously therewith effecting operation of said valve member from the closed position to an open position against the influence of the fluid under pressure to thereby connect the conduits in fluid communication with each other, said actuator means including operator means connected with a first one of said coupling members for engaging the other of said coupling members and for pulling said coupling members together toward the connected condition upon operation of said actuator means, and means for holding said operator means in a position extending forwardly of said first one of said coupling members during relative movement between said coupling members toward each other from spaced apart positions to facilitate engaging said other coupling member with said operator means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
276 words
A releasable coupling mechanism for connecting a conduit containing fluid under pressure in fluid communication with another conduit, said releasable coupling mechanism comprising a pair of coupling members each of which is connected with one of the conduits, said coupling members being movable between a disconnected condition in which said coupling members are disengaged and a connected condition in which said coupling members are engaged to connect the conduits in fluid communication with each other, valve means operatively connected with the one of said coupling members which is connected with the conduit containing fluid under pressure when said coupling members are in the disconnected condition, said valve means including a valve member which is urged to a closed position under the influence of fluid under pressure in the conduit when said coupling members are in the disconnected condition, actuator means for operating said coupling members from the disconnected condition to the connected connected condition and for simultaneously therewith effecting operation of said valve member from the closed position to an open position against the influence of the fluid under pressure to thereby connect the conduits in fluid communication with each other, said actuator means including operator means connected with a first one of said coupling members for engaging the other of said coupling members and for pulling said coupling members together toward the connected condition upon operation of said actuator means, and means for holding said operator means in a position extending forwardly of said first one of said coupling members during relative movement between said coupling members toward each other from spaced apart positions to facilitate engaging said other coupling member with said operator means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
97 words
A releasable coupling mechanism as set forth in claim 9 wherein said operator means includes arm means rotatably connected at an inner end portion with said first one of said coupling members and means for engaging said other coupling member connected with an outer end portion of said arm means for rotation therewith relative to said first one of said coupling members, said means for holding said operator means in a forwardly extending position including means for engaging said arm means and holding said arm means against rotation relative to said first one of said coupling members.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
265 words
An actuator assembly for moving a pair of coupling members from a disconnected condition to a connected condition against the influence of a biasing force, said actuator assembly including an actuator lever having a pair of spaced apart legs extending parallel to each other, first mounting means extending inwardly from one of said legs for pivotally connecting said one leg to one side of one of said coupling members, second mounting means extending inwardly from the other of said legs for pivotally connecting said other leg to a side of said one coupling which is opposite from said one side to a first link pivotally connected at one end portion, to said one leg of said actuator lever, a second link pivotally connected at one end portion to said other leg of said actuator lever, a first stop member mounted on an end portion of first link which is remote from said actuator lever, a second stop member mounted on an end portion of said second link which is remote from said actuator lever, positioninG means extending between said first and second links for locating said stop members in a predetermined relationship with the other coupling member, and handle means connected to said actuator lever for effecting movement of the coupling members to the connected condition, said handle means being manually movable to effect pivoting movement of said actuator lever about said first and second mounting means to effect linear movement of said first and second stop members and the other coupling member toward the one coupling member against the influence of the biasing force.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
265 words
An actuator assembly for moving a pair of coupling members from a disconnected condition to a connected condition against the influence of a biasing force, said actuator assembly including an actuator lever having a pair of spaced apart legs extending parallel to each other, first mounting means extending inwardly from one of said legs for pivotally connecting said one leg to one side of one of said coupling members, second mounting means extending inwardly from the other of said legs for pivotally connecting said other leg to a side of said one coupling which is opposite from said one side to a first link pivotally connected at one end portion, to said one leg of said actuator lever, a second link pivotally connected at one end portion to said other leg of said actuator lever, a first stop member mounted on an end portion of first link which is remote from said actuator lever, a second stop member mounted on an end portion of said second link which is remote from said actuator lever, positioninG means extending between said first and second links for locating said stop members in a predetermined relationship with the other coupling member, and handle means connected to said actuator lever for effecting movement of the coupling members to the connected condition, said handle means being manually movable to effect pivoting movement of said actuator lever about said first and second mounting means to effect linear movement of said first and second stop members and the other coupling member toward the one coupling member against the influence of the biasing force.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
63 words
An actuator assembly as set forth in claim 11 further including linkage means for operatively connecting said actuator lever with a retainer assembly on the one coupling member, said linkage means being operable in response to pivotal movement of said actuator lever about said first and second mounting means to effect operation of the retainer assembly from latching condition to a release condition.
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) | 1975-05-23 | 1975-11-22 | 1976-05-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-23 | 1979-11-22 | 1980-05-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-23 | 1983-11-22 | 1984-05-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |