Patent ID: 6752433
Filing Date: 2004-06-22
Classification: F16L

Abstract:
A swivel coupling comprising:a male member having an outer surface and a bore extending axially therethrough, with an annular groove formed on the outer surface; a female member having a bore extending axially therethrough configured to connect concentrically and rotatably with the male member, with the female member overlapping the male member to form a common central flow passageway, said female member having an annular groove defined at an end thereof; with the annular groove being positioned adjacent the annular groove of the male member; a locking member movably mounted around the male and female members, with a first portion of the locking member coupled to the female member and a second portion of the locking member associated with the male member, the second portion comprising an annular groove that is positioned adjacent the annular grooves of the female and male members, the grooves together defining an annular ball race; and a plurality of ball bearings trapped in the ball race and abutted by the annular grooves of the female, male, and looking members, wherein the ball beatings are rotatable in the ball race and the female member is axially rotatable relative to the male member around the ball beatings.