Patent ID: 6302147
Filing Date: 2001-10-16
Classification: F16L,Y10T

Abstract:
A quick connect/disconnect coupling for a fluid conduit, said coupling comprising:assemblies for attaching to the ends of a conduit to be connected and for subsequently mating together, each assembly comprising a normally closed channel;means for expelling fluid from between said assemblies when said assemblies are to be connected to each other;means for preventing fluid from entering said assemblies from the ambient and means for preventing leakage from said conduit to the ambient when said assemblies are being connected and disconnected;means for opening said normally closed channels, said means causing said channels to open responsive to said mating together of said assemblies; andintegral latch means for securing said assemblies together responsive to said mating together of said assemblies, said latch means disconnectable, without significant damage to said coupling, by manually operable unlatching means or by the application of a predetermined tensile force, whereby said latch means may be selectively immediately reconnected.