Patent ID: 6517121
Filing Date: 2003-02-11
Classification: F16L

Abstract:
A coupling assembly comprising:a female coupling member, having a receiving end and a distal end, and including a cavity opening onto the receiving end, the cavity having an annular groove, the annular groove leaving a receiving-side edge and a distal-side edge, a male coupling member, having a leading end and a trailing end, and including an annular rib, the rib having a tapered leading edge, a trailing edge and a maximum diameter between the leading and trailing edges, the male coupling member being sized for insertion into the cavity of the female coupling member so that the trailing edge of the annular rib is able to pass the receiving-side edge of the annular groove in the female coupling member; a diametrically expandable locking ring carried in the annular groove of the female coupling member, the locking ring having an un-expanded inner diameter that is less than the maximum diameter of the annular rib on the male coupling member, and the locking ring being diametrically expandable to have an inner diameter that is at least slightly larger than the maximum diameter of the annular rib on the male coupling member; at least one mechanical actuator, including an axially-elongated lever, carried on the male coupling members, on a trailing end side of the annular rib, adjacent to the trailing edge of the annular rib, and operable to project radially outwardly to a radial height at least equal to a radial height of the annular rib at the maximum diameter of the annular rib; whereby upon insertion of the male coupling member into the cavity of the female coupling member, the tapered leading edge of the annular rib on the male coupling member contacts an inner surface of the locking ring, causing the locking ring to diametrically expand as the locking ring advances towards the trailing edge of the annular rib, and upon passing the trailing edge of the annular rib, the locking ring contracts again and is maintained in a locking position between the trailing edge of the annular rib and the receiving side edge of the annular groove; and whereby the male coupling member may be removed again from the female coupling member by activating the mechanical actuator to project the lever radially outwardly and contact the inner surface of the locking ring causing the locking ring to diametrically expand again so that the annular rib of the male coupling member may pass again by the locking ring.