US4069686A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coupling for use in servicing air conditioning systems
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-09-07
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Granted: 1978-01-24
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Expires: 1996-09-07
Abstract
Abstract A coupling for attachment to air conditioning systems to prevent leakage of refrigerant fluid during testing and servicing thereof. The coupling includes an elongated outer housing adapted to be attached at one end to an air conditioning system. The housing is provided with an axial bore in which is positioned an inner cylindrical body member having longitudinal ducts, which member is movable longitudinally with respect to the outer housing. One end of the inner body member is adapted to be selectively engaged with testing equipment or a refrigerant fluid supply. A portion of the inner housing is aligned with a valve of the air conditioning system which is actuated thereby upon longitudinal movement of the inner body member, thereby permitting refrigerant fluid to flow through the ducts in the inner body member from the refrigerant supply to the air conditioning system. Means carried by the inner body member facilitate longitudinal movement thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter A. Hoelman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 02:08
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L55/00; F16L55/10; F25; F25B; F25B41/00; F25B41/40; F25B2345/00; F25B2345/006; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/598; Y10T137/612; Y10T137/613; Y10T137/6137
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
240 words
A coupling for use in connecting service equipment to an air conditioning system equipped with a valve positioned in a nipple leading to the refrigerant line, and having a movable needle member which is depressed to open the valve, the coupling including a. an outer tubular housing having a longitudinal bore extending therethrough, b. means on one end of said tubular housing for connecting the housing to the nipple of the air conditioning system, c. an inner cylindrical body member positioned within said outer tubular housing with the outer periphery of said inner cylindrical body member proximate the inner periphery of said outer tubular housing, d. one end of said inner cylindrical body member having a central extension for engaging and actuating the needle member of the air conditioning system valve, e. the opposite end of said inner cylindrical body member being provided with a tubular extension having an axial bore, f. means on said tubular extension for connecting the latter to the service equipment, g. ducts extending longitudinally through said inner cylindrical body member and in communication with the axial bore of said tubular extension, and h. an arm extending diametrically through said inner cylindrical body member, i. said outer tubular housing being provided with opposed slots adapted to receive the ends of said arm, whereby said inner cylindrical body member may be slid longitudinally of said outer tubular housing to actuate the needle member and open the valve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
240 words
A coupling for use in connecting service equipment to an air conditioning system equipped with a valve positioned in a nipple leading to the refrigerant line, and having a movable needle member which is depressed to open the valve, the coupling including a. an outer tubular housing having a longitudinal bore extending therethrough, b. means on one end of said tubular housing for connecting the housing to the nipple of the air conditioning system, c. an inner cylindrical body member positioned within said outer tubular housing with the outer periphery of said inner cylindrical body member proximate the inner periphery of said outer tubular housing, d. one end of said inner cylindrical body member having a central extension for engaging and actuating the needle member of the air conditioning system valve, e. the opposite end of said inner cylindrical body member being provided with a tubular extension having an axial bore, f. means on said tubular extension for connecting the latter to the service equipment, g. ducts extending longitudinally through said inner cylindrical body member and in communication with the axial bore of said tubular extension, and h. an arm extending diametrically through said inner cylindrical body member, i. said outer tubular housing being provided with opposed slots adapted to receive the ends of said arm, whereby said inner cylindrical body member may be slid longitudinally of said outer tubular housing to actuate the needle member and open the valve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The coupling of claim 1, with the addition of a. means for locking said arm in the operative position for maintaining the valve in an open position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
81 words
the coupling of claim 1, wherein a. said outer tubular housing is provided with opposed bayonet slots for receiving the ends of said arm, b. each of the bayonet slots including a portion extending longitudinally of the tubular housing to permit the arm to be moved in a direction to actuate the valve needle member, and a slot portion extending transversely of the tubular housing into which the arm passes for locking the arm in position to actuate the needle member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The coupling of claim 1, with the addition of a. sealing means interposed between said outer tubular housing and said inner body member for preventing leakage of refrigerant fluid therebetween.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
The coupling of claim 4, with the addition of a. gasket means positioned in the axial bore of said outer tubular housing proximate the central extension of said inner cylindrical body, b. said gasket means being adapted to engage the nipple housing the valve to prevent leakage of refrigerant fluid between the nipple and said outer tubular housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
222 words
A coupling for use in connecting service equipment to an air conditioning system equipped with a valve positioned in a nipple leading to the refrigerant line, and having a movable needle member which is depressed to open the valve, the coupling including: a. an outer tubular member of elongated, rectilinear shape and having a longitudinal bore extending therethrough, b. means on one end of said outer member for connecting the same to the nipple of the air conditioning system, c. an inner member positioned within the longitudinal bore of said tubular member and longitudinally movable with respect to said outer member, d. means on one end of said inner member for connecting the same to the service equipment, e. a portion of said inner member being extended and aligned with the depressible needle member of the valve whereby, upon relative longitudinal movement of said inner member in said outer member, the needle member is depressed to open the valve, f. duct means extending longitudinally through said inner member and communicating with the longitudinal bore of said outer member, whereby the refrigerant fluid passes in a substantially straight line through the coupling, and g. actuating means for slidably moving said inner member longitudinally of said outer member to the valve needle member and establish communication between the air conditioning system and service equipment.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
222 words
A coupling for use in connecting service equipment to an air conditioning system equipped with a valve positioned in a nipple leading to the refrigerant line, and having a movable needle member which is depressed to open the valve, the coupling including: a. an outer tubular member of elongated, rectilinear shape and having a longitudinal bore extending therethrough, b. means on one end of said outer member for connecting the same to the nipple of the air conditioning system, c. an inner member positioned within the longitudinal bore of said tubular member and longitudinally movable with respect to said outer member, d. means on one end of said inner member for connecting the same to the service equipment, e. a portion of said inner member being extended and aligned with the depressible needle member of the valve whereby, upon relative longitudinal movement of said inner member in said outer member, the needle member is depressed to open the valve, f. duct means extending longitudinally through said inner member and communicating with the longitudinal bore of said outer member, whereby the refrigerant fluid passes in a substantially straight line through the coupling, and g. actuating means for slidably moving said inner member longitudinally of said outer member to the valve needle member and establish communication between the air conditioning system and service equipment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The coupling of claim 6, with the addition of: a. means for locking said inner member in position to actuate the needle member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The coupling of claim 6, wherein: a. said actuating means comprises an arm engaged with said inner member for manually effecting longitudinal movement of the latter with respect to said outer member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The coupling of claim 8, wherein: a. said outer member is provided with longitudinal slots in opposed sides thereof, b. said arm extending transversely through said inner member and through the slots of said outer member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
61 words
The coupling of claim 9, wherein: a. said slots are of the bayonet type including a portion thereof extending longitudinally of the outer member to permit the arm to be moved in a direction to actuate the valve needle member, and a slot portion extending transversely of the outer member for locking the arm in position to actuate the needle member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-01-23 | 1981-07-25 | 1982-01-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-01-23 | 1985-07-25 | 1986-01-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-01-23 | 1989-07-25 | 1990-01-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |