Patent ID: 6053540
Filing Date: 2000-04-25
Classification: F16L

Abstract:
Fluid conducting coupling, comprising:a coupler having a first end, a second end for receiving a free end of a connector having a catch disposed on the free end, a flow passageway extending through the first and second ends of the coupler, and a side opening extending transversely through the second end of the coupler;an arm having a first end pivotably connected to the coupler at the opening and a second end extending therefrom, the arm having a protuberance disposed for engaging the catch at the first end of the arm, the arm being pivotable between a coupled position in which the second end of the arm is closer to the coupler and in which the protuberance extends through the side opening in order to engage the catch and obstruct movement of the connector toward and away from the second end of the coupler, and an uncoupled position in which the second end of the arm is further from the coupler and the protuberance does not obstruct movement of the connector; andlatch means, connected to the arm and pivotable between a latching position and an unlatching position about a single latch axis, for releasably engaging the exterior of the coupler and thereby releasably latching the arm in the coupled position, the latch axis being about transverse to the longitudinal axis of the arm, the latch means pivoting in the opposite direction of the arm as the arm is moved from the coupled position in order to release the arm from the coupled position, the latch means comprising:a latch body have a latching end extending toward the first end of the arm and a lever end extending toward the second end of the arm, the latching end terminating in an apex extending toward the first end of the arm which releasably engages the exterior of the coupler in the coupled position of the arm, the engagement of the apex with the exterior of the coupler holding the arm in the coupled position.