Fluid line coupling with self-adjusting valve depressor for refrigeration refrigerant testing and charging hoses

Claim 1

In a coupling for joining the end of a first fluid line member to the end of a second fluid line member, said second fluid line member including at its end portion a valve nipple, a valve positioned in said valve nipple, said valve including inwardly movable means for opening it to the flow of fluid therethrough and through said second fluid line member and also including means for yieldably resisting the inward movement of said opening means into said nipple, tubular coupling means at the end portion of said first fluid line member for connecting said first fluid line member and said valve nipple of said second fluid line member, an axially self-adjusting valve opening element including a body portion having a passageway therethrough and axially extending spline members on its outer surface and means for engaging and depressing said valve opening means inwardly into said nipple against said valve means for yieldably resisting the inward movement of said valve opening means when said first fluid line member and said valve nipple are connected, resilient material tubular sleeve means mounted concentrically within said tubular coupling means both for forming an annular seal against the end portion of said valve nipple and for retaining said axially self-adjusting valve opening element in position, said axially extending spline members on the outer surface of said valve opening element body portion extending into and in engagement with the resilient material tubular sleeve means, while allowing axial adjustment of said self-adjusting valve opening element and its engaging and depressing means in engagement with said valve opening means when said first fluid line member and said valve nipple are connected.