Patent ID: 8608207
Filing Date: 2013-12-17
Classification: F16L

Abstract:
1. An apparatus, comprising: a first quick disconnect coupling having a first male insert receivable within a first female socket with a first release collar movable along a portion of the first female socket between a release position and a docked position; a second quick disconnect coupling having a second male insert receivable within a second female socket with a second release collar movable along a portion of the second female socket between a release position and a docked position; a carriage secured to the first and second male inserts and engaging a chassis which houses the female socket, wherein the carriage is slidably movable relative to the chassis; a plurality of resilient members intermediate a first end of the chassis and the first and second release collars, wherein the resilient members are in abutment with an inner surface of the first end of the chassis, and wherein each of the resilient members are axially aligned with their respective female socket; and a collar stop secured to and in abutment with inner surfaces of the chassis at a selected distance from the first end of the chassis and generally aligned with the release collars of the first and second quick disconnect couplings; wherein each of the first and second female sockets have a nose that extends through the collar stop toward the male inserts, wherein the resilient members apply longitudinal forces, with respect to the chassis, to each of their respective female socket causing the noses of the female sockets to protrude through the collar stop, wherein movement of the carriage in a first direction toward the first end of the chassis from a retracted position to an engaged position inserts the first and second male inserts into the first and second female sockets and compresses the resilient member, and wherein the compressed resilient member causes subsequent movement of the first and second release collars from the release position to the docked position to make up the first and second quick disconnect couplings by securing the first and second male inserts within the first and second female sockets, and wherein movement of the carriage in a second direction opposite the first direction engages the release collars with the collar stop allowing the first and second quick disconnect couplings to move from the docked position to the release position.