Protective device for quick connect coupling

Claim 1

A protective device for a quick connect coupling of the type including a male body portion having a stem portion and a first sleeve at one end thereof, a female body portion having a receiving member dimensioned to closely receive the male stem portion and means for selectively locking the male stem portion therein, the protective device comprising: a movable releasing sleeve disposed at one end of said female body portion, said releasing sleeve being spring biased axially toward a first axial position, said first position retaining the male stem portion in the receiving member, said releasing sleeve being shiftable toward a second axial position releasing the male stem portion from the receiving member; and, a generally rigid flange defined on an axially outermost end of said releasing sleeve and movable therewith, said flange having a generally radially outward tapering conformation for adding rigidity and bulk thereto, said flange including an axially inward extending recess area adapted to closely receive the first sleeve of the male body portion therein, and said flange extending axially beyond and radially outward from an outermost end of said receiving member in both of said releasing sleeve first and second axial positions.