Patent ID: 6129390
Filing Date: 2000-10-10
Classification: F16L,Y10T

Abstract:
A quick connect/disconnect coupling between a female connector having an envelope surface and a male connector which is insertable into said female connector, wherein the male connector comprises a cylindrical part which is insertable into the female connector and which male connector is provided with a circumferential groove with a certain depth and width, a ring mounted in said circumferential groove and movable axially along the male connector between two defining walls of the groove said ring having a thickness which is substantially equal to the depth of the groove, and which female connector comprises a cylindrical space for receiving the cylindrical part of the male connector, the envelope surface of said space being provided with at least one groove, block elements received in said groove in the female connector and rotatable out of and into blocking positions in the cylindrical space, said blocking elements cooperating in their blocking position with an outer end edge of the male connector groove nearest the outer end of the male connector, and being rotatable out of their blocking position to a releasing position by movement of the ring toward said outer end edge, which movement is possible by pressing the male connector into the female connector until the blocking means are brought into a friction engagement with the peripheral surface of the ring, whereina substantially annular flange is coaxially provided at the outward side of the groove of the female connector, substantially in line with the envelope surface of said space,the blocking elements comprise at least three substantially rigid metal arc segments resting freely in said groove of the female connector, each arc segment being rotatable into an inclined position relative to the symmetrical longitudinal axis of the female connector, said inclined position being the blocking position, in which the segments together form a truncated cone, the wide base of which is formed by first portions of the segments supported by the outward side of the groove in the female connector on the radial outside of the flange and portions of the segments spaced inwardly from said first portions combine end-to-end to support each other in a 360.degree. ring when in a blocking position, andan elastic element engaging and biasing the metal arc segments toward said inclined position.