Patent ID: 8132781
Filing Date: 2012-03-13
Classification: F16L,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A fluid coupling comprising: a body defining a passageway; a valve member being selectively movable between a closed position in which the valve member obstructs the passageway and an open position in which the valve member does not obstruct the passageway; an interface at which the body is connectable to a complementary coupling; and an interlock system that permits movement of the valve member from the closed position to the open position when the complementary coupling is connected to the body at the interface, and that prevents movement of the valve member from the closed position to the open position when the complementary coupling is not connected to the body at the interface; wherein the valve member is a ball valve defining a bore therethrough; wherein the bore is aligned with the passageway when the valve member is in the open position; wherein the interface includes a sealing surface; wherein the body defines a first hole open at the sealing surface; wherein the fluid coupling further comprises a pin being selectively movable within the first hole between a retracted position and an extended position; wherein the pin extends farther outward from the first hole in the extended position than in the retracted position; wherein the pin is operatively connected to the valve member such that the pin is in the extended position when the valve member is in the open position, and the pin is in the retracted position when the valve member is in the closed position; wherein the body defines a second hole; wherein the interlock system includes an interlock member that is selectively movable within the second hole between a first position and a second position; wherein the interlock member is biased in the first position; and wherein the interlock member is positioned with respect to the interface such that the complementary coupling maintains the interlock member in the second position when the complementary coupling is engaged with the interface.