Patent ID: 6173994
Filing Date: 2001-01-16
Classification: F16L,Y10S

Abstract:
A coupling assembly comprising:a female connector body defining a bore extending axially inward into said connector body from an entrance, a radial face being defined in said bore axially inward of said entrance;a male member received within said bore, said male member formed at the end of a tube and includes a projection extending radially from said tube;a retainer having at least two locking beams extending between and engaging said radially extending projection and said radial face to retain said male member in said bore, said locking beams defining a slot between said locking beams allowing said locking beams to move radially inward past said radial face;a dust barrier slidably mounted on said tube, said dust barrier having at least one extension insertable within said slot defined between said locking beam so as to prevent inadvertent radially inward movement of said locking beams past said radial face; andwherein upon sliding said dust barrier toward said female connector body, said dust barrier encloses said bore so as to prevent foreign material from entering said coupling assembly.