US5044401A — Integral valve and seal for a quick connect coupl…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 165 words

In a quick connect coupling of the type having a nipple assembly connectable with a coupler assembly and at least one of the coupling assemblies having axially mateable male and female parts, the female part having an inward flange providing a shoulder axially spaced from an inner end of the male part when the male and female parts are made up, and the other coupling assembly having an axial probe that inserts into the one coupling assembly towards said female shoulder as the nipple and coupler assemblies are connected, the improvement comprising: an integral valve and body seal made of an elastomeric material and having a peripheral body seal portion captured between the female shoulder and male inner end when the male and female parts are mated, and a hinged valve portion that seats against the female shoulder when the nipple and coupler assemblies are unconnected and that is axially displaced from the shoulder by the probe when the nipple and coupler assemblies are connected.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 165 words

In a quick connect coupling of the type having a nipple assembly connectable with a coupler assembly and at least one of the coupling assemblies having axially mateable male and female parts, the female part having an inward flange providing a shoulder axially spaced from an inner end of the male part when the male and female parts are made up, and the other coupling assembly having an axial probe that inserts into the one coupling assembly towards said female shoulder as the nipple and coupler assemblies are connected, the improvement comprising: an integral valve and body seal made of an elastomeric material and having a peripheral body seal portion captured between the female shoulder and male inner end when the male and female parts are mated, and a hinged valve portion that seats against the female shoulder when the nipple and coupler assemblies are unconnected and that is axially displaced from the shoulder by the probe when the nipple and coupler assemblies are connected.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 54 words

An integral valve and body seal according to claim 1 wherein said peripheral body seal portion is an annular seal compressed at the interface of the mated male and female parts, and said valve portion is a disk concentrically positioned with respect to said annular peripheral body seal and connected thereto by a hinge.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 32 words

An integral valve and body seal according to claim 2 wherein said hinge is a small piece of said elastomeric material, which flexibly connects said disk with said annular body seal portion.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 65 words

An integral valve and body seal according to claim 3 wherein the female shoulder has an annular recess radially spaced from a radial inner end of the shoulder, said recess being axially opposite the male inner end when the male and female parts are mated up and being sized to receive said annular body seal, said disk being axially thinner than said annular body seal.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 19 words

An integral valve and body seal according to claim 4 wherein said hinge is axially thinner than said disk.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 35 words

An integral valve and body seal according to claim 2 wherein said disk includes an axially protruding rib generally opposite said hinge that initially contacts the probe as the nipple and coupler assemblies are connected.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 36 words

An integral valve and body seal according to claim 2 wherein said disk provides a fluidtight seal against the female shoulder when the one coupling assembly is unconnected from the other coupling assembly and is pressurized.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 27 words

An integral valve and body seal according to claim 7 wherein said disk, annular seal and hinge are integrally formed from a molded elastomer such as nitrile.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 250 words

In combination, a quick connect coupling having a nipple assembly axially connectable with a coupler assembly, and an integral elastomeric valve and body seal in the nipple assembly that sealingly closes the nipple assembly when the nipple assembly is disconnected from the coupler assembly and that opens the nipple assembly to fluid flow therethrough when the nipple and coupler assemblies are fully connected; wherein the nipple assembly includes axially interfitted fitting and body parts that provide a pair of axially opposed shoulders defining a groove when the fitting and body are mated, the nipple assembly further including an axially extending hollow cylindrical probe that inserts into the coupler assembly and engages interface seal means in the coupler assembly to provide a fluidtight seal between the nipple and coupler assemblies at a predetermined point as the nipple and coupler assemblies are connected; and wherein the coupler assembly has an axial coupler probe that is sized to slidably insert into said nipple assembly probe when the nipple and coupler assemblies are made up; said integral valve and body seal having a peripheral annular body seal portion received in said nipple assembly groove and a hinged valve portion that sealingly seats against one of said shoulders in the nipple assembly adjacent said groove when the nipple and coupler assemblies are unconnected; said coupler probe displaces said valve portion as the nipple and coupler assemblies are connected; said nipple assembly probe engaging said interface seal means before said coupler probe displaces said valve portion.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 250 words

In combination, a quick connect coupling having a nipple assembly axially connectable with a coupler assembly, and an integral elastomeric valve and body seal in the nipple assembly that sealingly closes the nipple assembly when the nipple assembly is disconnected from the coupler assembly and that opens the nipple assembly to fluid flow therethrough when the nipple and coupler assemblies are fully connected; wherein the nipple assembly includes axially interfitted fitting and body parts that provide a pair of axially opposed shoulders defining a groove when the fitting and body are mated, the nipple assembly further including an axially extending hollow cylindrical probe that inserts into the coupler assembly and engages interface seal means in the coupler assembly to provide a fluidtight seal between the nipple and coupler assemblies at a predetermined point as the nipple and coupler assemblies are connected; and wherein the coupler assembly has an axial coupler probe that is sized to slidably insert into said nipple assembly probe when the nipple and coupler assemblies are made up; said integral valve and body seal having a peripheral annular body seal portion received in said nipple assembly groove and a hinged valve portion that sealingly seats against one of said shoulders in the nipple assembly adjacent said groove when the nipple and coupler assemblies are unconnected; said coupler probe displaces said valve portion as the nipple and coupler assemblies are connected; said nipple assembly probe engaging said interface seal means before said coupler probe displaces said valve portion.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 95 words

A quick connect coupling according to claim 9 wherein said coupler assembly further includes an axially actuated valve connected to said coupler probe, said coupler valve being biased closed when the nipple and coupler assemblies are disconnected, said coupler probe engaging a stop in the nipple assembly during connection of the nipple and coupler assemblies such that further axial movement of the nipple assembly towards the coupler assembly pushes said coupler valve open after said nipple probe has sealingly engaged said interface seal means and after said coupler probe has displaced said hinged valve portion.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 82 words

A quick connect coupling according to claim 9 wherein the coupler assembly further includes an axially actuated valve connected to said coupler probe, said coupler valve being biased closed when the nipple and coupler assemblies are disconnected, and said coupler probe engages said hinged valve portion with back pressure from fluid in the nipple assembly preventing said hinged valve portion from opening until after said coupler valve is open and said nipple probe is sealingly engaged with said coupler interface seal means.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 52 words

A quick connect coupling according to claim 11 wherein said coupler assembly valve contacts a coupler stop in the coupler assembly at a predetermined point before the nipple and coupler assemblies are fully connected, said hinged valve portion being opened by said coupler probe after said coupler valve contacts said coupler stop.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 63 words

An integral valve and body seal in combination with a quick connect coupling according to claim 9 wherein said peripheral annular body seal portion is an annular seal compressed at the interface of the nipple fitting and body, and said valve portion is a solid disk concentrically positioned with respect to said annular peripheral body seal and connected thereto by an elastomeric hinge.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 49 words

An integral valve and body seal in combination with a quick connect coupling according to claim 13 wherein said hinge is a small piece of elastomeric material integrally formed with said annular seal and disk, which flexibly connects said disk with an inner portion of said annular body seal.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 75 words

An integral valve and body seal in combination with a quick connect coupling according to claim 14 wherein said nipple body shoulder has an annular recess radially spaced from a radial inner end of said shoulder, said recess being axially opposite said nipple fitting shoulder when the nipple fitting and body are mated up; said recess being sized to receive said annular body seal and said disk being axially thinner than said annular body seal.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 26 words

An integral valve and body seal in combination with a quick connect coupling according to claim 15 wherein said hinge is axially thinner than said disk.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 42 words

An integral valve and body seal in combination with a quick connect coupling according to claim 16 wherein said disk includes an axially protruding rib opposite said hinge that initially contacts said coupler probe as the nipple and coupler assemblies are connected.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 34 words

An integral valve and body seal in combination with a quick connect coupling according to claim 17 wherein said disk, annular seal and hinge are integrally formed from an injection or compression molded elastomer.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 155 words

In combination, a quick connect coupling of the type having a nipple assembly connectable with a coupler assembly, and an integral elastomeric valve and seal device; at least one of the coupling assemblies having a pair of axially interfitted parts, one of said interfitted parts having an inward flange providing a shoulder axially spaced from an inner end of said other interfitted part when said interfitted parts are made up, and the other coupling assembly having a probe that axially approaches said flange as the nipple and coupler assemblies are connected, said integral valve and seal device having a peripheral body seal portion captured between said shoulder and said inner end when said interfitted parts are mated, and a hinged valve portion that seats against said flange when the nipple and coupler assemblies are unconnected, said hinged valve portion being displaced from said flange by said probe when the nipple and coupler assemblies are connected.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 155 words

In combination, a quick connect coupling of the type having a nipple assembly connectable with a coupler assembly, and an integral elastomeric valve and seal device; at least one of the coupling assemblies having a pair of axially interfitted parts, one of said interfitted parts having an inward flange providing a shoulder axially spaced from an inner end of said other interfitted part when said interfitted parts are made up, and the other coupling assembly having a probe that axially approaches said flange as the nipple and coupler assemblies are connected, said integral valve and seal device having a peripheral body seal portion captured between said shoulder and said inner end when said interfitted parts are mated, and a hinged valve portion that seats against said flange when the nipple and coupler assemblies are unconnected, said hinged valve portion being displaced from said flange by said probe when the nipple and coupler assemblies are connected.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 51 words

An integral valve and body seal according to claim 19 wherein said peripheral body seal portion is an annular seal compressed at the interface of said interfitted parts, and said valve portion is a disk concentrically positioned with respect to said annular peripheral body seal and connected thereto by a hinge.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 50 words

An integral valve and body seal according to claim 20 wherein said hinge is a small piece of said elastomeric material, which flexibly connects said disk with said annular body seal portion, and urges said disk against said flange as a dustcover when the nipple and coupler assemblies are disconnected.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 61 words

An integral valve and body seal according to claim 21 wherein said shoulder is an annular recess radially spaced from a radial inner end of said flange, said recess being axially opposite said inner end when said interfitted parts are mated up and being sized to receive said annular body seal, said disk being axially thinner than said annular body seal.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 19 words

An integral valve and body seal according to claim 22 wherein said hinge is axially thinner than said disk.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 35 words

An integral valve and body seal according to claim 20 wherein said disk includes an axially protruding rib diametrically opposite said hinge that initially contacts said probe as the nipple and coupler assemblies are connected.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 35 words

An integral valve and body seal according to claim 20 wherein said disk provides a fluidtight seal against said flange when the one coupling assembly is unconnected from the other coupling assembly and is pressurized.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 22 words

An integral valve and body seal according to claim 25 wherein said disk, annular seal and hinge are integrally formed molded elastomer.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 35 words

The combination of claim 19 wherein the other coupling assembly includes a normally closed valve mechanism and means to open said normally closed valve mechanism after said hinged valve portion is displaced from said flange.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 35 words

The combination of claim 19 wherein the other coupling assembly includes a normally closed valve mechanism and means to open said normally closed valve mechanism before said hinged valve portion is displaced from said flange.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 19 words

The combination of claim 27 wherein said normally closed valve mechanism is a second integral valve and seal device.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 19 words

The combination of claim 28 wherein said normally closed valve mechanism is a second integral valve and seal device.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 18 words

The combination of claim 27 wherein said means to open said normally closed valve mechanism includes said probe.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 18 words

The combination of claim 28 wherein said means to open said normally closed valve mechanism includes said probe.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 48 words

The combination of claim 19 further including an interface seal in one of the coupler assemblies, said interface seal providing a fluidtight connection between the nipple and coupler assemblies as the quick connect coupling is made up and before said hinged valve portion is displaced from said flange.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1994-09-02	1995-03-04	1995-09-03	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1998-09-02	1999-03-04	1999-09-03	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2002-09-02	2003-03-04	2003-09-03	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Integral valve and seal for a quick connect coupling

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