Unique hydraulic coupler

Claim 2

A hydraulic coupler assembly comprising a main body member, a bore in said main body member, means defining a first valve seat in said bore adjacent one end thereof, said first valve seat having a surface facing toward the inlet of said body, a cam member mounted in said body, an inlet valve device, said cam member being movable from a high cam position wherein said inlet valve device is open to a low cam position to close said inlet valve device, an intermediate valve member in said bore comprising a cam follower member and a first valve member slidably mounted in said bore relative to each other, said cam follower member being positioned in said bore for sliding movement against said cam, and said first valve member being positioned adjacent said first valve seat and movable from an intermediate valve closed position wherein said first valve member engages said first valve seat and closes off flow past said first valve seat, to an intermediate valve open position, bias means urging said first valve member toward the intermediate valve closed position, and means acting between said cam follower member and said first valve member to prevent said first valve member from moving away from said first valve seat more than a predetermined distance when said cam member is in its high cam position.

Claim 3

The combination as specified in claim 1 wherein said cam member is operated by an external handle, and stop means cooperating betWeen said external handle and said body member preventing movement of said cam member beyond a predetermined position in a first direction of movement.

Claim 4

The combination as specified in claim 1 and bleed passage means leading from said bore and positioned between the inlet valve seat and said first valve seat, means to open said bleed passage means when said cam member is moved to its low cam position and after said inlet valve member has seated against the inlet valve seat, and any flow past said first valve seat has been closed off.

Claim 5

The combination as specified in claim 3 wherein said bleed passage means includes a plunger slidably mounted in said first valve member, said plunger being movable from a sealing position to a pressure relief position, said plunger extending in direction to be engaged by an external member tending to move said first valve member to the intermediate valve open position and thereby moving said plunger to said pressure relief position prior to the time said first valve member is moved from its first valve seat.

Claim 6

The combination as specified in claim 3 wherein said bleed passage means includes a passage in said cam and open to a low cam portion of said cam, said passage in said cam including sealing means between the cam member and the body, said passageway in said cam being sealed when the cam is in the high cam position and open to atmosphere with said cam in low cam position.

Claim 7

The combination as specified in claim 3 wherein said intermediate valve member includes a cylindrical member, a passageway in said body open to said bore and to a low pressure area, and means on said cylindrical member sealing said passageway from communication with said bore when the first valve is open, and opening said bore to said passageway only when the cam moves to its low cam position.

Claim 8

A hydraulic coupler assembly comprising a main body member, a bore in said main body member, means defining a first valve seat in said bore adjacent one end thereof, said first valve seat having a surface facing toward the inlet of said body, a nipple member, releasable means to hold said nipple member on said body adjacent said first valve seat and on a side thereof opposite from the inlet, said nipple member having an interior nipple valve seat, a nipple valve member in said nipple, first spring means urging said nipple valve member toward said nipple valve seat, a cam member mounted in said body and extending across said bore, an inlet valve device positioned adjacent said cam member on the inlet side thereof comprising an inlet valve seat facing toward the inlet, and an inlet valve member of size to mate with said inlet valve seat, said cam member being movable from a high cam position wherein it moves said inlet valve member away from the inlet valve seat, to a low cam position wherein said inlet valve member contacts said inlet valve seat and seals off flow from the inlet toward said nipple, an intermediate valve member in said bore comprising a cam follower member and a first valve member slidably mounted relative to each other and facing in opposite directions, said cam follower member being positioned in said bore for sliding movement against said cam, and said first valve member being positioned adjacent said first valve seat and movable from an intermediate valve closed position wherein it engages said first valve seat and closes off flow from the inlet to an intermediate valve open position, second spring means between said cam follower member and said first valve member, said cam follower member and first valve member being in engagement when said cam is in its high cam position to cause said first valve member to act against the nipple valve member to move said nipple valve member away from said nipple valve seat thereby to provide a flow path from the inlet valve member and inlet valve member seat, past the first valve member and past said nipple valve.

Claim 9

A hydraulic coupler assembly comprising a main body member, a bore in said main body member, means defining a first valve seat in said bore adjacent one end thereof, said first valve seat having a surface facing toward the inlet of said body, a nipple member, releasable means to hold said nipple member on said body adjacent said first valve seat and on a side thereof opposite from the inlet, said nipple member having an interior nipple valve seat, a nipple valve member in said nipple, first spring means urging said nipple valve member toward said nipple valve seat, a cam member mounted in said body and extending across said bore, an inlet valve device positioned adjacent said cam member on the inlet side thereof comprising an inlet valve seat facing toward the inlet, and an inlet valve member of size to mate with said inlet valve seat, said cam member being movable from a high cam position wherein it moves said inlet valve member away from the inlet valve seat, to a low cam position wherein said inlet valve member contacts said inlet valve seat and seals off flow from the inlet toward said nipple, an intermediate valve member in said bore comprising a cam follower member and a first valve member slidably mounted relative to each other and facing in opposite directions, said cam follower member being positioned in said bore for sliding movement against said cam, and said first valve member being positioned adjacent said first valve seat and movable from an intermediate valve closed position wherein it engages said first valve seat and closes off flow from the inlet to an intermediate valve open position, second spring means between said cam follower member and said first valve member, said cam follower member and first valve member being in engagement when said cam is in its high cam position to cause said first valve member to act against the nipple valve member to move said nipple valve member away from said nipple valve seat thereby to provide a flow path from the inlet valve member and inlet valve member seat, past the first valve member and past said nipple valve.

Claim 10

The combination as specified in claim 7 wherein said intermediate valve member is of Size to permit said nipple valve member to move against the nipple valve seat when said cam is moved to its low cam position.

Claim 11

The combination as specified in claim 8 wherein said second spring means between said cam follower and said intermediate valve member is of lesser force than the first spring means acting on said nipple valve.

Claim 12

The combination as specified in claim 7 and stop means spaced from said inlet valve member and said nipple valve member to prevent the respective valve members from moving away from their respective seats beyond a certain distance.

Claim 13

A coupling for hydraulic fluid lines comprising a body, a through bore in said body and having a shoulder defining an inlet end valve seat, a valve member positioned to seal on said valve seat, a cam member having high and low positions mounted in said body member transversely to said bore and controlling movement of said valve member relative to said valve seat, a coupler nipple, releasable means releasably mounting said coupler nipple to the body with a portion of said nipple in said bore, said nipple including an interior nipple valve seat, and a nipple valve capable of closing off fluid flow out of said nipple when said nipple valve engages said nipple valve seat, said means releasably positioning said nipple positioning the nipple valve so as to be contacted by said cam member, and said valve member and nipple valve both being moved away from their respective seats when said cam is in its high cam position, thereby to permit flow from the inlet of said body through said nipple, said cam being movable to a low cam position wherein said valve member is against the valve seat defined in said body, and said nipple valve is against the seat in said nipple thereby to close off fluid flow out of said nipple and from the inlet of said body member to the nipple.

Claim 14

A coupling for hydraulic fluid lines comprising a body, a through bore in said body and having a shoulder defining an inlet end valve seat, a valve member positioned to seal on said valve seat, a cam member having high and low positions mounted in said body member transversely to said bore and controlling movement of said valve member relative to said valve seat, a coupler nipple, releasable means releasably mounting said coupler nipple to the body with a portion of said nipple in said bore, said nipple including an interior nipple valve seat, and a nipple valve capable of closing off fluid flow out of said nipple when said nipple valve engages said nipple valve seat, said means releasably positioning said nipple positioning the nipple valve so as to be contacted by said cam member, and said valve member and nipple valve both being moved away from their respective seats when said cam is in its high cam position, thereby to permit flow from the inlet of said body through said nipple, said cam being movable to a low cam position wherein said valve member is against the valve seat defined in said body, and said nipple valve is against the seat in said nipple thereby to close off fluid flow out of said nipple and from the inlet of said body member to the nipple.

Claim 15

The combination of claim 11 and lock means coordinated with movement of said cam between its high and low positions to prevent the releasable means from releasing the nipple when said cam is in its high position.

Claim 16

The combination as specified in claim 11 and a dust plug member adapted to be mounted on said body by said releasable means when said nipple is removed, said dust plug including means to lock said cam from movement when said cam is in its low position to prevent movement of said cam to its high position when said dust plug is in place.

Claim 17

A fluid line coupling means comprising a main body member having a bore therethrough, a cam member mounted in said body, a normally closed inlet valve device, said cam member being movable from a first position to open said inlet valve device to a second position to permit said inlet valve device to close, an intermediate valve assembly in said bore to receive fluid passing through said inlet valve device, means urging said intermediate valve assembly toward a closed position, and a removable coupler valve assembly mounted on said body member adjacent said intermediate valve assembly to receive fluid from an outlet side of said intermediate valve assembly, means biasing said coupler valve assembly to closed position, means acting between said cam and said intermediate valve assembly to cause portions of said intermediate valve assembly to engage and open said coupler valve assembly when said coupler valve assembly is mounted on said body member with the intermediate valve also held open when the cam is in its first position and permitting said coupler valve assembly to move to closed position when the cam is in its second position.

Claim 18

A fluid line coupling means comprising a main body member having a bore therethrough, a cam member mounted in said body, a normally closed inlet valve device, said cam member being movable from a first position to open said inlet valve device to a second position to permit said inlet valve device to close, an intermediate valve assembly in said bore to receive fluid passing through said inlet valve device, means urging said intermediate valve assembly toward a closed position, and a removable coupler valve assembly mounted on said body member adjacent said intermediate valve assembly to receive fluid from an outlet side of said intermediate valve assembly, means biasing said coupler valve assembly to closed position, means acting between said cam and said intermediate valve assembly to cause portions of said intermediate valve assembly to engage and open said coupler valve assembly when said coupler valve assembly is mounted on said body member with the intermediate valve also held open when the cam is in its first position and permitting said coupler valve assembly to move to closed position when the cam is in its second position.

Claim 19

The combination as specified in claim 14 wherein said intermediate valve assembly comprises a valve body and cam follower assembly slidably mounted in said bore, and a valve seat in said main body member, said valve body mating with said valve seat when said intermediate valve assembly is closed, and bleed means to permit relieving pressure in the bore between the inlet valve device and said valve seat when the inlet valve device and intermediate valve assEmbly are closed.

Claim 20

The combination as specified in claim 14 wherein said means acting between said intermediate valve assembly and said cam comprises a cam follower member and a valve body, said means urging said intermediate valve to closed position comprising a spring of less force than the means biasing said coupler valve assembly to closed position acting between said cam follower member and the valve body.

Claim 21

A line coupling device for use in a hydraulic circuit comprising a main body member, a bore through said main body member, a valve seat formed by a shoulder in said body and facing in one direction, a valve member mating with said valve seat, a releasable coupler means on the body on the opposite side of said valve seat from said one direction, said releasable coupler means being of size to hold a coupler nipple in position at one end of said main body in communication with the bore, a cam member mounted in said coupling device and movable between valve open and valve closed positions for controlling movement of said valve member with respect to said valve seat in said bore, whereby flow through said bore passed said valve seat to said coupler nipple may be closed off, said cam member comprising a stud extending transversely across said bore, and on a side of said valve seat opposite from the inlet side of said valve seat, and means to mount said stud in said main body member comprising a part spherical ball on said stud and a mating part spherical seat member on one side of said main body member only, the opposite end of said stud from said ball being positioned inside said bore and being free from said body, wherein said stud can pivotally move about its mounting ball relative to said valve seat in direction to permit said valve member to close regardless of cam position when said releasable coupler means is not retaining a coupler nipple.

Claim 22

A line coupling device for use in a hydraulic circuit comprising a main body member, a bore through said main body member, a valve seat formed by a shoulder in said body and facing in one direction, a valve member mating with said valve seat, a releasable coupler means on the body on the opposite side of said valve seat from said one direction, said releasable coupler means being of size to hold a coupler nipple in position at one end of said main body in communication with the bore, a cam member mounted in said coupling device and movable between valve open and valve closed positions for controlling movement of said valve member with respect to said valve seat in said bore, whereby flow through said bore passed said valve seat to said coupler nipple may be closed off, said cam member comprising a stud extending transversely across said bore, and on a side of said valve seat opposite from the inlet side of said valve seat, and means to mount said stud in said main body member comprising a part spherical ball on said stud and a mating part spherical seat member on one side of said main body member only, the opposite end of said stud from said ball being positioned inside said bore and being free from said body, wherein said stud can pivotally move about its mounting ball relative to said valve seat in direction to permit said valve member to close regardless of cam position when said releasable coupler means is not retaining a coupler nipple.

Claim 23

An automatic coupling device for use in a hydraulic circuit comprising a main body member, a bore through said main body member, a valve seat formed by a shoulder in said body and facing in one direction, a valve member mating with said valve seat a releasable coupler means on said main body member on the opposite side of said valve seat from said one direction, one coupler nipple, said releasable coupler means being of size to hold said coupler nipple on said main body member in position communicating with the bore, a cam member mounted in said coupling device and movable between valve open and valve closed positions for controlling movement of said valve member with respect to said valve seat in said bore, whereby flow through said bore in said one direction can be closed off, said through bore and said seat being of size so that said bore and seat may be machined from one end of said main body member, said releasable coupler means comprising a sleeve slidable with respect to said body from a nipple holding to a nipple release position, a handle for said cam member extending to the exterior of said body member, said handle including a shoulder positioned to interfere with movement of said sleeve to its nipple release position when said cam member is in its valve open position to prevent said nipple from being removed from said main body member until said cam member is moved to its valve closed position, means for holding said sleeve with respect to a stationary object, wherein force on a nipple held in said releasable coupler means in direction away from the stationary object will tend to move said body relative to said sleeve, actuating means on said cam operable upon movement of said main body member to turn said cam to its valve closed position to permit said sleeve to move relative to the body to its nipple release position, said valve seat being positioned in said bore adjacent said cam member, a valve spring, said spring urging said valve member toward said valve seat, said cam directly controlling position of said valve member relative said valve seat, said nipple member mounted by said releaseaBle coupler means including a nipple valve member normally urged to a closed position, and having an actuating portion protruding from said nipple, said releaseable coupler means retaining said nipple on said body adjacent said cam wherein said nipple valve is moved by said cam to an open position when said valve member is moved to a position away from said seat.

Claim 24

An automatic coupling device for use in a hydraulic circuit comprising a main body member, a bore through said main body member, a valve seat formed by a shoulder in said body and facing in one direction, a valve member mating with said valve seat a releasable coupler means on said main body member on the opposite side of said valve seat from said one direction, one coupler nipple, said releasable coupler means being of size to hold said coupler nipple on said main body member in position communicating with the bore, a cam member mounted in said coupling device and movable between valve open and valve closed positions for controlling movement of said valve member with respect to said valve seat in said bore, whereby flow through said bore in said one direction can be closed off, said through bore and said seat being of size so that said bore and seat may be machined from one end of said main body member, said releasable coupler means comprising a sleeve slidable with respect to said body from a nipple holding to a nipple release position, a handle for said cam member extending to the exterior of said body member, said handle including a shoulder positioned to interfere with movement of said sleeve to its nipple release position when said cam member is in its valve open position to prevent said nipple from being removed from said main body member until said cam member is moved to its valve closed position, means for holding said sleeve with respect to a stationary object, wherein force on a nipple held in said releasable coupler means in direction away from the stationary object will tend to move said body relative to said sleeve, actuating means on said cam operable upon movement of said main body member to turn said cam to its valve closed position to permit said sleeve to move relative to the body to its nipple release position, said valve seat being positioned in said bore adjacent said cam member, a valve spring, said spring urging said valve member toward said valve seat, said cam directly controlling position of said valve member relative said valve seat, said nipple member mounted by said releaseaBle coupler means including a nipple valve member normally urged to a closed position, and having an actuating portion protruding from said nipple, said releaseable coupler means retaining said nipple on said body adjacent said cam wherein said nipple valve is moved by said cam to an open position when said valve member is moved to a position away from said seat.

Claim 25

A fluid line coupling device for use in a hydraulic circuit comprising a main body member, a bore defined through said main body member and having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a fluid inlet valve member, a valve seat formed by a shoulder in said body member, an intermediate valve assembly between said inlet valve member and said valve seat, a cam member mounted on said main body and movable between a valve open position and a valve closed position to open or close said inlet valve member, said intermediate valve assembly including a cam follower and a check valve member slidably mounted with respect to each other, said check valve member mating with said valve seat and being movable toward and away from said valve seat, said cam follower engaging said check valve member to hold said check valve member from moving away from said valve seat more than a preselected amount with said cam in its valve open position, and releaseable means for releasably retaining a hydraulic line coupler nipple valve at the second end of said bore in position wherein a coupler nipple valve retained by said releasable means will be held open by said intermediate valve assembly, with the check valve member spaced from said valve seat and engaged by the cam follower when the cam is in its valve open position, said intermediate valve assembly being of size to permit a coupler nipple valve retained by said releasable means to close with the cam in the valve closed position.

Claim 26

A fluid line coupling device for use in a hydraulic circuit comprising a main body member, a bore defined through said main body member and having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a fluid inlet valve member, a valve seat formed by a shoulder in said body member, an intermediate valve assembly between said inlet valve member and said valve seat, a cam member mounted on said main body and movable between a valve open position and a valve closed position to open or close said inlet valve member, said intermediate valve assembly including a cam follower and a check valve member slidably mounted with respect to each other, said check valve member mating with said valve seat and being movable toward and away from said valve seat, said cam follower engaging said check valve member to hold said check valve member from moving away from said valve seat more than a preselected amount with said cam in its valve open position, and releaseable means for releasably retaining a hydraulic line coupler nipple valve at the second end of said bore in position wherein a coupler nipple valve retained by said releasable means will be held open by said intermediate valve assembly, with the check valve member spaced from said valve seat and engaged by the cam follower when the cam is in its valve open position, said intermediate valve assembly being of size to permit a coupler nipple valve retained by said releasable means to close with the cam in the valve closed position.

Claim 27

The device of claim 19 and spring means urging said check valve member toward said valve seat to close off fluid flow regardless of cam position, force from said spring means being overcome by force from a coupler nipple valve held by said releasable means.

Claim 28

The device of claim 19 and means opening a pressure bleed passageway to the bore between said inlet valve member and said valve seat when the cam is in said valve closed position and said check valve member seats on said valve seat.

Claim 29

A coupling device for use in joining separable hydraulic lines comprising a main body member, a bore formed through said main body member, a valve seat in said bore, said bore having a first end and a second end, a first hydraulic line connected to a first end of said bore, a first check valve device adjacent the first end of said bore including first valve means urged to close to normally prevent flow from the first line through said bore, a second hydraulic line having a coupler nipple including a nipple check valve on an end thereof, releasable coupler means for retaining said coupler nipple at a second end of said bore, a cam member operably mounted in said bore and including control means external of said main body member and being movable between high cam and low cam positions, an intermediate valve assembly in said bore between said first check valve and said coupler nipple, said intermediate valve assembly comprising first means acted upon by said cam member and second means slidably mounted with respect to said first means in said bore for movement toward and away from said valve seat and forming an intermediate check valve in cooperation with said valve seat, first bias means normally urging said second means toward said valve seat to prevent flow from the first end to the second end of said bore, second bias means of higher force than said bias means urging said nipple check valve to close, said nipple check valve including a portion engaging said second means when said coupler nipple is held on said body, said cam member opening said first check valve in high cam position, said first means and said second means mechanically engaging when the cam is in high cam position and forcing said nipple check valve open against the force of the second bias means with the second means spaced from said valve seat, said first check valve and said nipple check valve both being permitted to move to closed position with the cam member in low cam position.

Claim 30

A coupling device for use in joining separable hydraulic lines comprising a main body member, a bore formed through said main body member, a valve seat in said bore, said bore having a first end and a second end, a first hydraulic line connected to a first end of said bore, a first check valve device adjacent the first end of said bore including first valve means urged to close to normally prevent flow from the first line through said bore, a second hydraulic line having a coupler nipple including a nipple check valve on an end thereof, releasable coupler means for retaining said coupler nipple at a second end of said bore, a cam member operably mounted in said bore and including control means external of said main body member and being movable between high cam and low cam positions, an intermediate valve assembly in said bore between said first check valve and said coupler nipple, said intermediate valve assembly comprising first means acted upon by said cam member and second means slidably mounted with respect to said first means in said bore for movement toward and away from said valve seat and forming an intermediate check valve in cooperation with said valve seat, first bias means normally urging said second means toward said valve seat to prevent flow from the first end to the second end of said bore, second bias means of higher force than said bias means urging said nipple check valve to close, said nipple check valve including a portion engaging said second means when said coupler nipple is held on said body, said cam member opening said first check valve in high cam position, said first means and said second means mechanically engaging when the cam is in high cam position and forcing said nipple check valve open against the force of the second bias means with the second means spaced from said valve seat, said first check valve and said nipple check valve both being permitted to move to closed position with the cam member in low cam position.