Patent ID: 7044161
Filing Date: 2006-05-16
Classification: F16L,Y10T

Abstract:
1. Quick connect coupling for removably joining two pipes through which a fluid under pressure may flow, said coupling including a male element adapted to fit axially within a female element, each of said male and said female elements including a body inside which a valve is movably mounted between a closed position and an open position, each of said male and female elements including a pusher element having an engaging surface for engaging a face of an opposing valve such that said pusher elements are adapted to displace said opposing valve of the other of said male and female elements when said elements are being fitted one within the other, said female element including a lock member in which may be introduced an end portion of said male element and which lock member is reciprocally movable in a radial direction with respect to an axis of fit of said male and female elements, between a first position in which said lock member allows said male and female elements to be separated when said male element is mounted within said female element, and a second position where said lock member opposes a withdrawal of said male element from said female element, and said engaging surface and said valve face of each of said male element and said female element define abutment surface areas of substantially equal diameter that engage each other in such a manner that no open volume is defined there between when said male element is locked within said female element to thereby deter fluid leakage between said male and female elements as they are disconnected from one another.