Patent ID: 9334995
Filing Date: 2016-05-10
CPC Classification: F16L,Y10T

Claim Text:
1. A stem coupling for use with a mating coupling, comprising: a coupling head configured to attach with a head portion of the mating coupling; a stem mated to the coupling head, the stem comprising a threaded portion on an outer surface thereof; a retractable locking sleeve positioned on a portion of the coupling head, the retractable locking sleeve having a locked position preventing the coupling head from attaching to or detaching from the mating coupling, and an unlocked position permitting the coupling head to attach to or detach from the mating coupling; wherein the coupling head further comprises at least one axial channel and the retractable locking sleeve further comprises at least one axial projection, the at least one projection disposed within a respective one of the at least one axial channel to prevent rotation of the coupling head with respect to the mating coupling; and a stem locking ring having internal threads threadedly connected to the threaded portion of the stem, the stem locking ring comprising a first surface that abuts a surface of the retractable locking sleeve in a first position of the stem locking ring to prevent axial movement of the retractable locking sleeve from the locked position to the unlocked position, and in a second position of the stem locking ring, the first surface is spaced apart from the retractable locking sleeve to permit axial movement of the retractable locking sleeve from the locked position to the unlocked position, wherein the stem locking ring further comprises at least one of a color and indicia to alert a user to a type of gas or liquid for which the stem coupling is intended.