Patent ID: 7762593
Filing Date: 2010-07-27
Classification: F16L

Abstract:
1. A ball coupler having a longitudinal axis and comprising: a male tubular endpiece; a female tubular endpiece; a tubular sleeve extending the female endpiece and presenting slots for forming a cage for retaining balls for blocking the male endpiece in the female endpiece; and a grip coaxial about the sleeve and mounted to turn thereon about the longitudinal axis of the coupler between at least two angular positions relative to the sleeve, the grip possessing housing means for housing each ball, said housing means comprising for each ball: wherein said return means comprise, in the grip, a ring that is constrained to turn with the grip and that is movable axially relative thereto, said ring presenting two end surfaces, one of which faces towards a shoulder of the sleeve for slidably bearing thereagainst to co-operate in reversibly transforming turning movement of the grip into axial movement of the ring relative to said grip, and the other of which forms the bearing face for a compression spring tending to urge said ring against said shoulder.