Quick connect coupling

Claim 2

A quick connect coupling for releasably connecting a pair of conduits, comprising: a first fitting for connection to one of the conduits and including a generally tubular male member having an external circumferential groove therein; a second fitting for connection to the other conduit and including a generally sleeve-shaped female member for slidably receiving said male member, said female member defining a generally opposed pair of radially open arcuate slots and a pair of generally radially oriented cam surfaces formed generally at adjacent ends of said arcuate slots; and a generally C-shaped one-piece retainer formed from a spring material and carried about said female member and including a generally opposed pair of locking arms joined to a central base and having free ends defining cam means respectively engageable with said cam surfaces and biased toward a normal position projecting through said slots for locking reception into said groove in said male member, said locking arms each being defined by a pair of generally parallel opposed axial faces extending generally radially relative to said female member, said locking arms being movable generally tangentially relative to said female member to displace said cam means on said locking arms generally radially outwardly along said cam surfaces thereby radially spreading said locking arms sufficiently to retract said arms from said groove; said central base of said retainer being axially elongated relative to said locking arms, and said female member having a generally semi-annular cavity formed therein for reception of said central base.

Claim 3

The quick connect coupling of claim 1 wherein said retainer is formed from a relatively rigid molded plastic having sufficient resiliency to permit movement of said locking arms a short distance generally toward and away from each other.

Claim 4

The quick connect coupling of claim 1 wherein said free ends of said locking arms are generally radially oriented for generally mating engagement with said cam surfaces.

Claim 5

The quick connect coupling of claim 1 wherein said central base is spaced radially from said female member when said locking arms are in the normal position, said central base being movable generally radially inwardly relative to said female member to displace said locking arms generally radially outwardly along said cam surfaces.

Claim 6

The quick connect coupling of claim 1 wherein said locking arms have an axial width for relatively close sliding reception through said slots and into said groove, said opposed axial faces of said said locking arms being substantially unbeveled, said slots each being defined by an axially spaced pair of generally parallel and generally radially extending walls, and said groove being defined by a pair of substantially unbeveled opposed axial shoulders.

Claim 7

The quick connect coupling of claim 1 or 5 wherein said male member includes an externally beveled free end.

Claim 8

The quick connect coupling of claim 1 wherein said locking arms are generally arcuately shaped to include radially inwardly presented edges contoured to project through said slots for locking reception into said groove throughout substantially the entire arcuate widths of said slots.

Claim 9

The quick connect coupling of claim 7 wherein said arcuate slots each have an arcuate width on the order of from about 90° to about 110°.

Claim 10

A quick connect coupling for releasably connecting a pair of conduits, comprising: a first fitting for connection to one of the conduits and including a generally tubular male member having an external circumferential groove therein; a second fitting for connection to the other conduit and including a generally sleeve-shaped female member for slidably receiving said male member, said female member defining a generally opposed pair of radially open arcuate slots and a pair of generally radially oriented cam surfaces, said arcuate slots each having an arcuate width on the order of from about 90° to about 110°, a generally C-shaped one-piece retainer formed from a spring material and carried about said female member and including a generally opposed pair of locking arms said locking arms being generally arcuately shaped to include radially inwardly presented edges contoured to project through said slots for locking reception into said groove throughout substantially the entire arcuate width of said slots, and said locking arms being joined to a central base and having free ends defining cam means respectively engageable with said cam surfaces and biased toward a normal position projecting through said slots for locking reception into said groove in said male member, said locking arms each being defined by a pair of generally parallel opposed axial faces extending generally radially relative to said female member, said locking arms being movable generally tangentially relative to said female member to displace said cam means on said locking arms generally radially outwardly along said cam surfaces thereby radially spreading said locking arms sufficiently to retract said arms from said groove; said locking arms further including generally radially oriented shoulders adjacent said central base for engaging the adjacent ends of said arcuate slots opposite said cam surfaces to prevent removal of said retainer from said female member.

Claim 11

A quick connect coupling for releasably connecting a pair of conduits, comprising: a first fitting for connection to one of the conduits and including a generally tubular male member having an external circumferential groove therein; a second fitting for connection to the other conduit and including a generally sleeve-shaped female member for slidably receiving said male member, said female member defining a generally opposed pair of radially open arcuate slots and a pair of generally radially oriented cam surfaces, said arcuate slots each having an arcuate width on the order of from about 90° to about 110°, a generally C-shaped one-piece retainer formed from a spring material and carried about said female member and including a generally opposed pair of locking arms said locking arms being generally arcuately shaped to include radially inwardly presented edges contoured to project through said slots for locking reception into said groove throughout substantially the entire arcuate width of said slots, and said locking arms being joined to a central base and having free ends defining cam means respectively engageable with said cam surfaces and biased toward a normal position projecting through said slots for locking reception into said groove in said male member, said locking arms each being defined by a pair of generally parallel opposed axial faces extending generally radially relative to said female member, said locking arms being movable generally tangentially relative to said female member to displace said cam means on said locking arms generally radially outwardly along said cam surfaces thereby radially spreading said locking arms sufficiently to retract said arms from said groove; said locking arms further including generally radially oriented shoulders adjacent said central base for engaging the adjacent ends of said arcuate slots opposite said cam surfaces to prevent removal of said retainer from said female member.

Claim 12

The quick connect coupling of claim 1 including seal means for preventing fluid leakage between said first and second fittings.

Claim 13

The quick connect coupling of claim 10 wherein said seal means comprises at least one seal washer carried by said second fitting and engageable by the free end of said male member.

Claim 14

A quick connect coupling for releasably connecting a pair of conduits, comprising: a first fitting for connection to one of the conduits and including a generally tubular male member having an external groove formed therein; a second fitting for connection to the other conduit and including a generally sleeve-shaped female member for slidably receiving said male member, said female member defining a generally opposed pair of radially open arcuate slots and a pair of generally radially oriented cam surfaces formed generally at adjacent ends of said arcuate slots; and a generally C-shaped retainer carried about said female member and including a pair of locking arms having cam means respectively engageable with said cam surfaces and receivable through said slots for locking reception into said groove and said male member, said locking arms each being defined by a pair of generally parallel opposed axial faces extending generally radially relative to said female member; said retainer including a spring plate connected between adjacent ends of said locking arms for biasing said locking arms toward a normal position to project at least partially beyond the inner diameter of said female member for locking reception into said groove, said retainer being movable for displacing said cam means on said locking arms generally tangentially relative to said female member and along said cam surfaces to displace said locking arms generally radially outwardly along said cam surfaces thereby radially spreading said locking arms sufficiently to retract said arms from said groove; said locking arms further including generally radially oriented shoulders adjacent said spring plate for engaging the adjacent ends of said arcuate slots to prevent removal of said retainer from said female member.

Claim 15

A quick connect coupling for releasably connecting a pair of conduits, comprising: a first fitting for connection to one of the conduits and including a generally tubular male member having an external groove formed therein; a second fitting for connection to the other conduit and including a generally sleeve-shaped female member for slidably receiving said male member, said female member defining a generally opposed pair of radially open arcuate slots and a pair of generally radially oriented cam surfaces formed generally at adjacent ends of said arcuate slots; and a generally C-shaped retainer carried about said female member and including a pair of locking arms having cam means respectively engageable with said cam surfaces and receivable through said slots for locking reception into said groove and said male member, said locking arms each being defined by a pair of generally parallel opposed axial faces extending generally radially relative to said female member; said retainer including a spring plate connected between adjacent ends of said locking arms for biasing said locking arms toward a normal position to project at least partially beyond the inner diameter of said female member for locking reception into said groove, said retainer being movable for displacing said cam means on said locking arms generally tangentially relative to said female member and along said cam surfaces to displace said locking arms generally radially outwardly along said cam surfaces thereby radially spreading said locking arms sufficiently to retract said arms from said groove; said locking arms further including generally radially oriented shoulders adjacent said spring plate for engaging the adjacent ends of said arcuate slots to prevent removal of said retainer from said female member.

Claim 16

The quick connect coupling of claim 15 wherein said cam surfaces are formed on said female member, said locking arms having free ends comprising said cam means respectively engageable with said cam surfaces.

Claim 17

The quick connect coupling of claim 13 wherein said spring plate is spaced radially from said female member when said locking arms are in the normal position, said spring plate being movable generally radially inwardly relative to said female member to displace said locking arms generally radially outwardly along said cam surfaces.

Claim 18

The quick connect coupling of claim 12 wherein said locking arms have an axial width for relatively close sliding reception through said slots and into said groove, said opposed axial faces of said locking arms being substantially unbeveled, said slots each being defined by an axially spaced pair of generally parallel and generally radially extending walls and said groove being defined by a pair of substantially unbevelled opposed axial shoulders.

Claim 19

The quick connect coupling of claim 12 wherein said male member includes an externally beveled free end.

Claim 20

The quick connect coupling of claim 12 wherein said arcuate slots each have an arcuate width on the order of from about 90° to about 110° and wherein said locking arms are generally arcuately shaped to include radially inwardly presented edges contoured to project through said slots for locking reception into said groove throughout substantially the entire arcuate widths of said slots.

Claim 21

The quick connect coupling of claim 12 including seal means for preventing fluid leakage between said first and second fittings.

Claim 22

A quick connect coupling for releasably connecting a pair of conduits, comprising: a first fitting for connection to one of the conduits and including a generally tubular male member having an external circumferential groove therein between a pair of generally parallel and radially extending shoulders; a second fitting for connection to the other conduit and including a generally sleeve-shaped female member for slidably receiving said male member, said female member defining a generally opposed pair of radially open arcuate slots each formed between an axially spaced pair of generally parallel and radially extending walls and a pair of generally radially oriented cam surfaces positioned generally at adjacent ends of said arcuate slots; and a generally C-shaped retainer including a pair of generally opposed locking arms interconnected by a central base, said retainer being carried about said female member with said locking arms received into said slots and having their free ends defining cam means engageable with said cam surfaces, said retainer having a normal configuration with said locking arms projecting through said slots for locking reception into said groove in said male member and with said central base spaced radially from said female member, said locking arms each being defined by a pair of generally parallel opposed axial faces extending radially relative to said female member, said central base being movable generally radially inwardly relative to said female member to displace said cam means on said locking arms generally radially outwardly along said cam surfaces thereby radially spreading said locking arms sufficient to retract said arms from said groove; said locking arms further including generally radially oriented shoulders adjacent said central base for engaging the adjacent ends of said arcuate slots to prevent removal of said retainer from said female member.

Claim 23

A quick connect coupling for releasably connecting a pair of conduits, comprising: a first fitting for connection to one of the conduits and including a generally tubular male member having an external circumferential groove therein between a pair of generally parallel and radially extending shoulders; a second fitting for connection to the other conduit and including a generally sleeve-shaped female member for slidably receiving said male member, said female member defining a generally opposed pair of radially open arcuate slots each formed between an axially spaced pair of generally parallel and radially extending walls and a pair of generally radially oriented cam surfaces positioned generally at adjacent ends of said arcuate slots; and a generally C-shaped retainer including a pair of generally opposed locking arms interconnected by a central base, said retainer being carried about said female member with said locking arms received into said slots and having their free ends defining cam means engageable with said cam surfaces, said retainer having a normal configuration with said locking arms projecting through said slots for locking reception into said groove in said male member and with said central base spaced radially from said female member, said locking arms each being defined by a pair of generally parallel opposed axial faces extending radially relative to said female member, said central base being movable generally radially inwardly relative to said female member to displace said cam means on said locking arms generally radially outwardly along said cam surfaces thereby radially spreading said locking arms sufficient to retract said arms from said groove; said locking arms further including generally radially oriented shoulders adjacent said central base for engaging the adjacent ends of said arcuate slots to prevent removal of said retainer from said female member.

Claim 24

A quick connect coupling for releasably connecting a pair of conduits, comprising: a first fitting for connection to one of the conduits and including a generally tubular male member having an external groove formed generally intermediate its length wherein said groove is defined by axially opposed, substantially unbeveled shoulders; a second fitting for connection to the other conduit and including a generally sleeve-shaped female member for slidably receiving said male member, said female member defining a generally opposed pair of arcuate slots and a pair of generally radially oriented cam surfaces positioned generally at adjacent ends of said arcuate slots; and a generally C-shaped retainer including a pair of generally opposed locking arms interconnected by a central base, said locking arms having an axial width for relatively close reception through said slots and into said groove and further including substantially unbeveled opposed axial faces, said retainer being carried about said female member with said locking arms received into said slots and having their free ends defining cam means engageable with said cam surfaces, said retainer having a normal configuration with said locking arms projecting through said slots for locking reception into said groove in said male member and with said central base spaced radially from said female member, said central base being movable generally radially inwardly relative to said female member to displace said cam means on said locking arms generally radially outwardly along said cam surfaces thereby radially spreading said locking arms sufficiently to retract said arms from said groove; said locking arms further including generally radially oriented shoulders adjacent said central base for engaging the adjacent ends of said arcuate slots to prevent removal of said retainer from said female member.

Claim 25

A quick connect coupling for releasably connecting a pair of conduits, comprising: a first fitting for connection to one of the conduits and including a generally tubular male member having an external groove formed generally intermediate its length wherein said groove is defined by axially opposed, substantially unbeveled shoulders; a second fitting for connection to the other conduit and including a generally sleeve-shaped female member for slidably receiving said male member, said female member defining a generally opposed pair of arcuate slots and a pair of generally radially oriented cam surfaces positioned generally at adjacent ends of said arcuate slots; and a generally C-shaped retainer including a pair of generally opposed locking arms interconnected by a central base, said locking arms having an axial width for relatively close reception through said slots and into said groove and further including substantially unbeveled opposed axial faces, said retainer being carried about said female member with said locking arms received into said slots and having their free ends defining cam means engageable with said cam surfaces, said retainer having a normal configuration with said locking arms projecting through said slots for locking reception into said groove in said male member and with said central base spaced radially from said female member, said central base being movable generally radially inwardly relative to said female member to displace said cam means on said locking arms generally radially outwardly along said cam surfaces thereby radially spreading said locking arms sufficiently to retract said arms from said groove; said locking arms further including generally radially oriented shoulders adjacent said central base for engaging the adjacent ends of said arcuate slots to prevent removal of said retainer from said female member.

Claim 26

The quick connect coupling of claim 20 wherein said male member includes an externally beveled free end.

Claim 27

The quick connect coupling of claim 20 wherein said locking arms are generally arcuately shaped to include radially inwardly presented edges contoured to project through said slots for locking reception into said groove throughout substantially the entire arcuate widths of said slots.

Claim 28

The quick connect coupling of claim 20 wherein said arcuate slots each have an arcuate width on the order of from about 90° to 110°.

Claim 29

The quick connect coupling of claim 20 including seal means for preventing fluid leakage between said first and second fittings.