Front end loading-self locking female coupling

Claim 2

In a structure for locking and unlocking elements in a fluid flow stream, the combination comprising body means having a fluid passage therethrough including first and second internal shoulders, means restrained for axial movement within said body means, locking means mounted on said restrained means for movement transverse to said axial movement from a first position clear of said first shoulder to a second position in abutment with said first shoulder, and, cam means for forcing movement of said locking means to said second position.

Claim 3

The combination of claim 1, further comprising means abutting said second shoulder for urging said cam means toward said first shoulder.

Claim 4

The combination of claim 1, wherein said restrained means includes holes having axes transverse to said axial movement for mounting said locking means.

Claim 5

The combination of claim 1, wherein said restrained means includes holes having axes transverse to said axial movement for mounting said locking means, and, further comprising means abutting said second shoulder for urging said cam means toward said first shoulder.

Claim 6

The structure of claim 4, wherein said restrained means comprises a first hollow cylindrical member having an outside diameter slightly less than the internal diameter of said body means at said first shoulder, and, said cam means comprises a second hollow cylindrical member sized for axial movement within said first hollow member.

Claim 7

The combination of claim 5, wherein said urging means comprises a spring.

Claim 8

The combination of claim 6, further comprising means for limiting the movement of said locking means from said second position to said first position.

Claim 9

The combination of claim 7, wherein said locking means comprises balls sized to pass through the holes in the sides of said first hollow cylindrical member.

Claim 10

In a structure for locking and unlocking elements in a fluiD flow stream, the combination comprising, a tubular member having a passage therein for fluid flow therethrough and having first and second internal annular shoulders, a first hollow cylindrical member having an outside diameter slightly less than the internal diameter of said first annular shoulder, a second hollow cylindrical member sized for axial movement within said first hollow member, said second member having a tapered end, locking means mounted on said first hollow member for movement transverse to said axial movement from a first position clear of said first annular shoulder to a second position in abutment with said first annular shoulder, and, spring means mounted in abutment with said second annular shoulder for urging said second hollow member toward said first annular shoulder so that said tapered end forces movement of said locking means from said first position to said second position.

Claim 11

In a structure for locking and unlocking elements in a fluiD flow stream, the combination comprising, a tubular member having a passage therein for fluid flow therethrough and having first and second internal annular shoulders, a first hollow cylindrical member having an outside diameter slightly less than the internal diameter of said first annular shoulder, a second hollow cylindrical member sized for axial movement within said first hollow member, said second member having a tapered end, locking means mounted on said first hollow member for movement transverse to said axial movement from a first position clear of said first annular shoulder to a second position in abutment with said first annular shoulder, and, spring means mounted in abutment with said second annular shoulder for urging said second hollow member toward said first annular shoulder so that said tapered end forces movement of said locking means from said first position to said second position.

Claim 12

The combination of claim 9, wherein said first hollow member includes radial holes in its sides, and, said locking means comprises balls mounted for radial movement in said holes.

Claim 13

The combination of claim 10, further comprising means for limiting the movement of said locking balls from said second position to said first position.

Claim 14

In a structure for locking valve elements within a tubular element for use in a fluid flow stream, the combination comprising a tubular member having a passage therein for fluid flow therethrough and having first and second internal annular shoulders, a hollow cylindrical member mounted for axial movement within said tubular member past said first annular shoulder, locking means mounted on said hollow cylindrical member for movement transverse to said axial movement from a first position clear of said first annular shoulder to a second position in abutment with said first annular shoulder, and, cam means for forcing movement of said locking means to said second position.

Claim 15

In a structure for locking valve elements within a tubular element for use in a fluid flow stream, the combination comprising a tubular member having a passage therein for fluid flow therethrough and having first and second internal annular shoulders, a hollow cylindrical member mounted for axial movement within said tubular member past said first annular shoulder, locking means mounted on said hollow cylindrical member for movement transverse to said axial movement from a first position clear of said first annular shoulder to a second position in abutment with said first annular shoulder, and, cam means for forcing movement of said locking means to said second position.

Claim 16

The combination of claim 12, further comprising means abutting said second annular shoulder for urging said cam means toward said first annular shoulder.

Claim 17

The combination of claim 12, wherein, said hollow cylindrical member includes radial holes in its sides, and, said locking means comprising balls mounted for radial movement in said holes.

Claim 18

The combination of claim 14, further comprising spring means abutting said second annular shoulder for urging said cam means toward said first annular shoulder.

Claim 19

In a structure for locking valve elements within a connector for use in a fluid flow stream, the combination comprising a cylindrical connector body member having a passage therein for fluid flow therethrough and having a first internal annular shoulder at one end and a second internal annular shoulder separated from said first shoulder, first and second axially movable concentric cylinders sized to pass within said first annular shoulder, said first cylinder having holes spaced about its periphery, locking balls in said holes sized for movement from a first position clear of said first shoulder to a second position in abutment with said first shoulder, and, a spring means in abutment with said second annular shoulder and said second cylinder so as to urge said second cylinder toward said first annular shoulder to force said balls to said second position.

Claim 20

In a structure for locking valve elements within a connector for use in a fluid flow stream, the combination comprising a cylindrical connector body member having a passage therein for fluid flow therethrough and having a first internal annular shoulder at one end and a second internal annular shoulder separated from said first shoulder, first and second axially movable concentric cylinders sized to pass within said first annular shoulder, said first cylinder having holes spaced about its periphery, locking balls in said holes sized for movement from a first position clear of said first shoulder to a second position in abutment with said first shoulder, and, a spring means in abutment with said second annular shoulder and said second cylinder so as to urge said second cylinder toward said first annular shoulder to force said balls to said second position.