Adjustable valve core depressor

Claim 1

In a fluid coupling having a body defining an outer end portion, a through bore opening outwardly through said body outer end portion, a connector having a body defining an inner end portion, a bore opening inwardly through said connector inner end portion, a biased-closed valve in said bore at said connector inner end portion and having an operating element projecting inwardly for opening the valve as an incident of the outward depression of said operating element, and means for removably securing said connector to said coupling body, improved valve depressor means comprising: means defining a stepped recess in the outer end of said body bore, said recess having an outer portion defining an inner radial shoulder, and a threaded inner portion extending inwardly from said shoulder; a resilient tubular seal element coaxially in said recess abutting said shoulder; and a valve operator having an inner threaded end threaded to said body in said threaded inner portion of said body bore, a retainer portion outwardly of said threaded end having a locking portion frictionally radially outwardly engaging said seal element for selectively retaining said depressor in adjusted disposition in said recess, and a depressor portion extending outwardly from said retainer portion in adjusted, fixed disposition for depressing said valve as an incident of connection of said connector to said coupling body in sealing engagement with said seal.