Female coupling component for a quick coupling

Claim 1

A female coupling component included in a quick coupling unit comprising: a cylindrical outer portion including an inner cylindrical support member connected to said cylindrical outer portion and insertable over a male component of the quick coupling unit, said inner cylindrical support member having an inner wall and including a recess in said inner wall thereof, said outer portion forming a longitudinal bore extending therethrough; a sleeve-shaped bearing component supported in said recess formed in said inner wall of said inner support member and extending substantially within said inner support member, said bearing component including an inner wall having a recess therein; a valve device centrally disposed within said longitudinal bore and having a lower end, a top portion and an exterior surface, said top portion being connected to a wing-like member including wing-like elements radially extending across said bore between said bearing component and said valve device, said disc-like member being supported along an outer periphery thereof in said recess formed in said inner wall of said bearing component; and a sealing sleeve extending in said longitudinal bore below said wing-like element, between said inner wall of said bearing component and said exterior surface of said valve device, means sealingly engaging said inner wall of said bearing component and said sealing sleeve, said sealing sleeve being longitudinally displaceable with respect to said valve device between a connected and disconnected state of said female and said male components; at least one fluid passageway formed along said wing-like elements and inside said sealing sleeve and extending into said male component; means for moving said sealing sleeve to close said fluid passageway; wherein said valve device at said lower end is provided with a bearing element supporting a seal and cooperating with a lower end of said sealing sleeve to sealingly close said fluid passageway in a disconnected state of said female and male components; and wherein during connection of the male and female components, said male component sealingly engages said sealing sleeve and said sealing sleeve is moved away from said seal to open said fluid passageway; wherein said bearing component and said sealing sleeve include load relieving means cooperating with each other for absorbing fluid forces acting on said sealing sleeve during said disconnected state of said female and male components.