Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
234 words
An improved male quick-coupling member for insertion into and removal from a recess in a unit such as a female quick-coupling member, the recess having an internal diameter, said improved member comprising: a body member having a front end surface and an exterior body surface extending rearwardly from said front end surface, said exterior body surface being sized to enter the recess in the female quick-coupling member; a protective sleeve disposed around said body member, said sleeve having an internal diameter in contact with the front portion of said exterior body surface, said sleeve having an external diameter greater than the internal diameter of the recess in the female quick-coupling member, said sleeve being displaceable rearwardly along said body member to expose said front portion of said exterior body surface when said sleeve contacts the portion of the female quick-coupling member surrounding the recess during insertion of said male quick-coupling member into the recess; and means for biasing said sleeve to an initial position adjacent said front end surface so that said sleeve prevents access of impurities to said front portions of said exterior body surface prior to insertion of said male quick-coupling member into the recess, whereby said sleeve prevents penetration of impurities via said front portion of said exterior body surface into a clearance between said body member and the recess, without interfering with the quick-coupling function of said male quick-coupling member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
234 words
An improved male quick-coupling member for insertion into and removal from a recess in a unit such as a female quick-coupling member, the recess having an internal diameter, said improved member comprising: a body member having a front end surface and an exterior body surface extending rearwardly from said front end surface, said exterior body surface being sized to enter the recess in the female quick-coupling member; a protective sleeve disposed around said body member, said sleeve having an internal diameter in contact with the front portion of said exterior body surface, said sleeve having an external diameter greater than the internal diameter of the recess in the female quick-coupling member, said sleeve being displaceable rearwardly along said body member to expose said front portion of said exterior body surface when said sleeve contacts the portion of the female quick-coupling member surrounding the recess during insertion of said male quick-coupling member into the recess; and means for biasing said sleeve to an initial position adjacent said front end surface so that said sleeve prevents access of impurities to said front portions of said exterior body surface prior to insertion of said male quick-coupling member into the recess, whereby said sleeve prevents penetration of impurities via said front portion of said exterior body surface into a clearance between said body member and the recess, without interfering with the quick-coupling function of said male quick-coupling member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
An improved male quick-coupling member according to claim 1, wherein said sleeve comprises means for sweeping rearwardly impurities present on the portion of said exterior body surface to the rear of said sleeve in said initial position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
An improved male quick-coupling member according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said body member comprises an outwardly projecting flange and said sleeve comprises an inwardly projecting flange, said flanges being positioned to engage to stop movement of said sleeve in said initial position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
an improved male quick-coupling member according to claim 3, wherein said sleeve further comprises an internal shoulder forward of said inwardly projecting flange and said means for biasing comprises a spring positioned between said outwardly projecting flange and said internal shoulder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
An improved male quick-coupling member according to claim 4, wherein said body member comprises a depression for engaging locking members in the recess and said internal shoulder is positioned rearwardly of said depression to prevent said spring from entering said depression in said initial position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
An improved male quick-coupling member according to claims 1 or 2, wherein said sleeve is formed from a resilient material such as plastic.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
An improved male quick-coupling member according to claim 3 wherein said sleeve is formed from a resilient material such as plastic.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
An improved male quick-coupling member according to claim 4 wherein said sleeve is formed from a resilient material such as plastic.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
An improved male quick-coupling member according to claim 5 wherein said sleeve is formed from a resilient material such as plastic.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
An improved male quick-coupling member according to claim 3, wherein said inwardly projecting flange is formed from a resilient material, whereby said sleeve can be slid over said exterior body surface and said inwardly projecting flange can be snapped over said outwardly projecting flange.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
An improved male quick-coupling member according to claim 4, wherein said inwardly projecting flange is formed from a resilient material, whereby said sleeve can be slid over said exterior body surface and said inwardly projecting flange can be snapped over said outwardly projecting flange.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
An improved male quick-coupling member according to claim 5, wherein said inwardly projecting flange is formed from a resilient material, whereby said sleeve can be slid over said exterior body surface and said inwardly projecting flange can be snapped over said outwardly projecting flange.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
An improved male quick-coupling member according to claim 10, wherein said outwardly projecting flange and said inwardly projecting flange comprise cooperating tapered surfaces for facilitating snapping said inwardly projecting flange over said outwardly projecting flange and also comprise radially extending stop surfaces which engage in said initial position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
48 words
An improved male quick-coupling member according to claim 11, wherein said outwardly projecting flange and said inwardly projecting flange comprise cooperating tapered surfaces for facilitating snapping said inwardly projecting flange over said outwardly projecting flange and also comprise radially extending stop surfaces which engage in said initial position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
An improved male quick-coupling member according to claim 12, wherein said outwardly projecting flange and said inwardly projecting flange comprise cooperating tapered surfaces for facilitating snapping said inwardly projecting flange over said outwardly projecting flange and also comprise radially extending stop surfaces which engage in said initial position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
An improved male quick-coupling member according to claim 3, wherein said sleeve comprises a further, more rearwardly positioned inwardly projecting flange for providing a reserve stop in the event of failure of the more forwardly positioned inwardly projecting flange.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
An improved male quick-coupling member according to claim 6, wherein said sleeve comprises a further, more rearwardly positioned inwardly projecting flange for providing a reserve stop in the event if failure of the more forwardly positioned inwardly projecting flange.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
An improved male quick-coupling member according to claim 10, wherein said sleeve comprises a further, more rearwardly positioned inwardly projecting flange for providing a reserve stop in the event of failure of the more forwardly positioned inwardly projecting flange.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
An improved male quick-coupling member according to claim 13, wherein said sleeve comprises a further, more rearwardly positioned inwardly projecting flange for providing a reserve stop in the event of failure of the more forwardly positioned inwardly projecting flange.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
124 words
An improved male quick-coupling member according to claim 4, wherein said sleeve comprises a thin-walled cylinder having a forward, interior portion with a diameter for engaging said front portion of said exterior body surface and a rearward, interior portion with a larger diameter, said internal shoulder forming the transition between said forward and rearward portions; said exterior body surface comprises a larger diameter portion positioned rearward of said outwardly projecting flange and a smaller diameter portion positioned forward of said outwardly projecting flange; said rearward interior portion of said sleeve and said smaller diameter portion of said exterior body surface forming therebetween a space for said spring; and said outwardly projecting flange serving as a guide for said larger diameter portion of said sleeve.