Patent ID: 6206431
Filing Date: 2001-03-27
Classification: F16L

Abstract:
A female coupling unit comprising:a generally cylindrical body having an inside wall defining a bore which extends axially of said body between first and second end faces of said body, said bore adapted for receiving a male coupling unit at said first end face of said body and said body further having:(a) an opening extending through said body, and(b) at least one ear projecting from an outside wall of said body adjacent said opening in said body;a cam arm mounted to said body at said opening in said body for pivotal movement relative to said body between a first pivotal locked position and a second pivotal released position and having:(a) a cam surface,(1) projecting from within said opening in said body into said bore in said body and adapted to engage a male coupling unit received by said bore in said body when said cam arm is in said first pivotal locked position, and(2) retracted into said opening in said body from said bore in said body and adapted to be disengaged from a male coupling unit received by said bore in said body when said cam arm is in said second pivotal released position, and(b) an arm portion;a pull ring attached to a free end of said of said arm portion of said cam arm for pivotal movement of said pull ring relative to said cam arm between a first pivotal locked position and a second pivotal released position for moving said cam arm from said first pivotal locked position of said cam arm to said second pivotal released position of said cam arm, said pull ring:(a) abutting against said ear upon pivotal movement of said cam arm from said first pivotal locked position of said cam arm toward said second pivotal released position of said cam arm while said pull ring is in said first pivotal locked position of said pull ring to prevent pivotal movement of said cam arm to said second pivotal released position of said cam arm, and(b) free of said ear upon pivotal movement of said pull ring from said first pivotal locked position of said pull ring to said second pivotal released position of said pull ring to permit pivotal movement of said cam arm to said second pivotal released position of said cam arm.