Abstract:
A rapid-connect coupler includes: an end fitting for conveying a fluid stream; a probe for conveying the fluid stream; a valve configured to occupy a closed position blocking fluid communication between the probe and the end fitting and an open position enabling fluid communication between the probe and the end fitting; a handle configured to actuate the valve between the closed and open positions; a sleeve moveable between a first sleeve position and a second sleeve position. The sleeve, in the first sleeve position, is configured to prevent the handle from actuating the valve from the closed position to the open position.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/153,402, filed on Apr. 27, 2015, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates to rapid connect couplers configured to provide a fast coupling capability with a receptacle such as a compressed gas cylinder. During the receptacle refilling process, it is preferable to ensure the rapid connect coupler is securely attached to the receptacle before enabling flow of fluid or product from a fluid source, through the coupler, and into the receptacle. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    This application is defined by the appended claims. The description summarizes aspects of the embodiments and should not be used to limit the claims. Other implementations are contemplated in accordance with the techniques described herein, as will be apparent upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description, and such implementations are intended to be within the scope of this application. 
         [0004]    The present disclosure relates to a rapid-connect coupler including: an end fitting for conveying a fluid stream; a probe for conveying the fluid stream; a valve configured to occupy a closed position blocking fluid communication between the probe and the end fitting and an open position enabling fluid communication between the probe and the end fitting; a handle configured to actuate the valve between the closed and open positions; a sleeve moveable between a first sleeve position and a second sleeve position. The sleeve, in the first sleeve position, is configured to prevent the handle from actuating the valve from the closed position to the open position. 
         [0005]    The present disclosure also relates to a rapid-connect coupler including: a probe for conveying a fluid stream; a sleeve moveable between a first sleeve position and a second sleeve position. The sleeve, in the first sleeve position, is configured to prevent the probe from conveying the stream of fluid. 
         [0006]    The present disclosure further relates to A coupler including: a hollow probe for conveying a fluid stream; a first rod configured to longitudinally translate within the hollow probe; a second rod joined to the first rod, the second rod protruding out of the probe; a rod spring configured to bias the first rod to an extended position; a pin joined to the first rod and configured to slide in a groove defined in a housing, wherein the groove has an end configured to catch the pin and arrest the longitudinal translation of the first rod. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a rapid connect coupler. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a cross sectional side view of a first embodiment of the rapid connect coupler. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the rapid connect coupler of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a cross sectional side view of a second embodiment of the rapid connect coupler. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the rapid connect coupler of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional side view of the second embodiment of the rapid connect coupler. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the rapid connect coupler of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the rapid connect coupler of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a cross sectional top view of the second embodiment of the rapid connect coupler. 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a cross sectional side view of the first embodiment of the rapid coupler and an exemplary receptacle. 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is a side view of a rapid connect coupler coupled with an exemplary receptacle. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    While the features, methods, devices, and systems described herein may be embodied in various forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will hereinafter be described, some exemplary and non-limiting embodiments. Not all of the depicted components described in this disclosure may be required, however, and some implementations may include additional, different, or fewer components from those expressly described in this disclosure. Variations in the arrangement and type of the components may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims as set forth herein. 
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is a cross section of a first embodiment of the rapid connect coupler  100  disclosed herein.  FIG. 4  is a cross section of a second embodiment of the rapid connect coupler  100  disclosed herein. It should be appreciated that the first embodiment and the second embodiment are similar except for the differences discussed below. It should be appreciated that the general operation of the first embodiment is the same as the general operation of the second embodiment, except as discussed below. It should therefore be appreciated that all disclosure related to the first embodiment applies to the second embodiment, except where such disclosure is inconsistent with the elements of the second embodiment, as discussed below. It should thus be appreciated that Figures related to the first embodiment are relevant to the second embodiment and that Figures related to the second embodiment are relevant to the first embodiment. 
         [0020]    The general operation of rapid connector coupler  100  will now be described. Rapid connect coupler  100  of the present disclosure includes a sleeve  118  longitudinally slideable along a housing  124 , a probe  108  longitudinally slideable within housing  124 , one or more latch segments  110 , one or more spherical balls or retaining members  126 , and a ball seat  114 . Ball seat  114  fits against an outer circumference of probe  108 , but is not fixed or permanently joined to probe  108 . Rapid connect coupler  100  also includes a rotatable flow restriction chamber or valve  185  joined to flow restrictor handle  180  via one or more pins  183 . Flow restrictor handle  180  includes abutment members  181  and  182 . 
         [0021]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , a user inserts probe  108  into a refillable receptacle  400 . Eventually, probe  108  contacts (i.e., presses against) internal features of the receptacle  400 . For example, a front guide  104  of probe  108  may contact an internal feature of receptacle  400  and/or a sealing ring  106  of the probe may contact an internal feature of receptacle  400 . 
         [0022]    Upon contact, receptacle  400  transmits a counter-force through probe  108  that enables probe  108  to retract with respect to sleeve  118 , latch segments  110 , and housing  124 . More specifically, the counter-force of the receptacle  400  opposes counter-biasing compressive forces of seat spring  116  and terminal probe spring  138 . During this process, probe  108  remains in contact with receptacle  400 . 
         [0023]    When the counter-force of the receptacle  400  is absent (i.e., coupler  100  is not in contact with receptacle  400 ), seat spring  116  and probe spring  138  bias probe  108  to longitudinally extend with respect to sleeve  118 , latch segments  110 , and housing  124 . With respect to FIGS.  2  and  10 , probe  108  “retracts” by longitudinally sliding toward the right side of the page. Probe  108  “extends” by longitudinally sliding toward the left side of the page. 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , ball seat  114  is fitted against and wraps around an outer circumference of probe  108 . Probe  108  includes a shoulder  190  configured to contact a front surface of ball seat  114 . As the probe  108  retreats into the housing  124 , shoulder  190  applies force to ball seat  114  via the front surface of ball seat  114 . This force enables ball seat  114  to oppose the compressive force of seat spring  116  and follow the retraction of probe  108 . 
         [0025]    Sleeve  118  is biased toward the longitudinally extended position by sleeve spring  120 . In the context of  FIG. 2 , this means that sleeve  118  is biased toward the left side of the page. One or more spherical balls or retaining members  126  oppose the biasing force of sleeve spring  120  and keep sleeve  118  at rest. When spherical balls or retaining members  126  perform this function, they occupy a blocking position. 
         [0026]    Ball seat  114  defines one or more ball cavities  170 . Each ball cavity  170  is sized to accommodate a portion of each spherical ball  126 . When ball seat  114  retracts a predetermined length, spherical balls or retaining members  126  move inwards (i.e., toward the X axis of  FIG. 2 ) and occupy their respective ball cavities  170 . More specifically, a slanted inner surface  191  of sleeve  118  contacts spherical balls or retaining members  126 . Slanted inner surface  191  of sleeve  118  pushes each spherical ball  126  in the radially inward direction due to compressive force from sleeve spring  120 . 
         [0027]    When ball seat  114  is out of position (i.e., ball cavities  170  defined in ball seat  114  are misaligned with spherical balls or retaining members  126 ), spherical balls or retaining members  126  lack space to move and occupy the blocking position. In the blocking position, spherical balls or retaining members  126  oppose the force from slanted inner surface  191  of the sleeve  118 , keeping the sleeve  118  at rest. 
         [0028]    When the ball seat  114  is in position (i.e., the ball cavities  170  line up with spherical balls or retaining members  126 ), slanted inner surface  191  pushes spherical balls or retaining members  126  inwards until the spherical balls or retaining members  126  no longer contact the slanted inner surface  191 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . Spherical balls or retaining members  126  now occupy a clearance position and enable longitudinal translation of sleeve  118 . 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , latch segments  110  each includes a latch lip  174  biased outward by ball seat  114 . Because latch segments  110  pivot about latch pins  112 , when latch lips  174  are biased outwards, latch noses  172  are biased inwards, toward the probe  108 . This is called a retracted latch position. When the ball seat  114  retracts, latch lips  174  are no longer biased outwards and are free to rotate to an extended latch position shown in  FIG. 4 . Eventually, as discussed below, sleeve  118  forces the latch lips  174  into the extended latch position. 
         [0030]    When spherical balls or retaining members  126  occupy ball cavities  170  defined in ball seat  114  (i.e., spherical balls or retaining members  126  are in the clearance position), sleeve  118  longitudinally extends or translates toward the receptacle  400  due to force exerted by sleeve spring  120 . Sleeve  118  includes inner surfaces  192   a  and  192   b  (see  FIG. 4 ) configured to contact or press against outer surfaces  193  of the latch segments  110 . Inner surfaces  192   a  and  192   b  slide over outer surfaces  193  of latch segments  110 , forcing latch segments  110  into the extended latch positions of  FIG. 6 . As stated above, in the extended latch positions, the latch lips  174  of each latch segment  110  are pressed radially inwardly toward probe  108  and the latch noses  172  of each latch segment  110  are forced radially outward. 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , latch noses  172  define an outer helical threaded profile. The outer helical threaded profile matches an inner threaded portion  420  of receptacle  400 . When the sleeve  118  forces latch noses  172  into the position of  FIG. 6 , latch noses  172  engage inner threaded portion  420  of the receptacle  400 , binding the coupler  100  to the receptacle  400 . No twisting or screwing of latch noses  172  into inner threaded portion  420  is required. The latch noses  172  remain fully engaged with inner threaded portion  420  of the receptacle  400  until sleeve  118  retracts and inner surfaces  192   a  and  192   b  of the sleeve  118  no longer firmly contact outer surfaces  193  of the latch segments  110 . 
         [0032]    Handle  180  rotates or actuates flow restriction chamber or valve  185  via pins  183  and  184 . When handle  180  is in a vertical position (shown in  FIG. 5 ), flow restriction chamber or valve  185  is closed (shown in  FIG. 2 ). When handle  180  is in a slanted position (shown in  FIG. 3 ), flow restriction chamber or valve  185  is closed (shown in  FIG. 4 ). When the handle  180  is in a horizontal position (shown in  FIG. 7 ), flow restriction chamber or valve  185  is open (shown in  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0033]    As discussed below, sleeve  118  serves as a safety feature that prevents the handle  180  from reaching the horizontal position (and thus opening the flow restriction chamber or valve  185 ) before threaded latch noses  172  have engaged threaded portion  420  of receptacle  400 . 
         [0034]    More specifically, sleeve  118  includes a rear surface  194 . When sleeve  118  is retracted (i.e., in the first sleeve position of  FIG. 2  where sleeve  118  is held in place via spherical balls or retaining members  126 ), rear surface  194  is configured to contact abutment members  181  and  182  of handle  180  as shown in  FIG. 8 . More specifically, rear surface  194  is configured to interfere with the rotational path of abutment members  181  and  182  and thereby prevent handle  180  from rotating more than a nominal degree. See  FIG. 8 . Put differently, when sleeve  118  is retracted, rear surface  194  of sleeve  118  is configured to block handle  180  from reaching the horizontal position of  FIG. 7 . 
         [0035]    When sleeve  118  is partially retracted and partially extended as shown in  FIG. 3 , the rear surface  194  of sleeve  118  is still configured to interfere with or block abutment members  181  and  182  of handle  180 . When sleeve  118  is partially retracted, rear surface  194  of sleeve  118  thus prevents handle  180  from rotating forward and reaching the horizontal position of  FIG. 7 . 
         [0036]    When sleeve  118  is fully extended (i.e., in a second sleeve position) as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , rear surface  194  of sleeve  118  is clear of the rotational path of abutment members  181  and  182 . A user may now rotate handle  180  into the horizontal position of  FIGS. 6 and 7  to open the flow restriction chamber or valve  185 . 
         [0037]    Features of rapid connect coupler  100  are further discussed below. Some of the disclosure below repeats features discussed above for context. Rapid-connect coupler  100  includes a housing  124  having a first housing end  101  and a second housing end  103 . An interior of housing  124  defines, at least in part, a probe cavity  164 . Rapid-connect coupler  100  also includes probe  108  having a probe front end  105  and a probe back end  107 , where probe front end  105  is configured to extend out of probe cavity  164  and probe  108  is configured to slidably translate within probe cavity  164 . Probe  108  translates within the probe cavity  164  to engage receptacle  400  ( FIG. 10 ), by causing latch segments  110  to securely latch and couple with threaded portion  420  of the refillable receptacle  400 . Certain portions of the coupler  100  are similar to those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,115,838, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
         [0038]    Rapid-connect coupler  100  includes a fluid passageway  162  defined by an interior of probe  108  and/or housing  124 . Fluid passageway  162  is configured to communicate product (i.e., fluid) such as a gas or liquid from second housing end  103  through to probe front end  105 . Latch segments  110  are pivotally coupled to the housing  124  via latch pins  112 . Each latch segment  110  includes a latch nose  172  and a latch lip  174 . Rapid connect coupler  100  may include a total of three latch segments  110 . 
         [0039]    Sleeve  118  is configured to longitudinally translate with respect to housing  124 , probe  108 , end fitting  140 , and/or one or more latch segments  110 . Sleeve spring  120  biasing sleeve  118  along the X-axis. Sleeve spring  120  rests against a spring pad  154 , which rests against the end fitting  140 . 
         [0040]    Rapid-connect coupler  100  includes ball seat  114  surrounding a portion of probe  108  within probe cavity  164 . Seat spring  116  biases ball seat  114  toward probe front end  105 . Ball seat  114  defines a ball cavity  170  configured to accept the one or more spherical balls or retaining members  126 . 
         [0041]    Probe packing or sealing ring  106  sits at first housing end  101 . Probe packing or sealing ring  106  is a compressible sealing ring for sealing a connection between rapid-connect coupler  100  and, for example, refillable receptacle  400 . Probe packing or sealing ring  106  compresses between probe  108  and an inner feature of receptacle  400 . Probe packing or sealing ring  106  prevents fluid or product from leaking out of probe  108 , past threads  420 , and into atmosphere. As previously noted, probe  108  includes fluid passageway  162  at first housing end  101  that extends through probe  108  along the x-axis. 
         [0042]    A tip  102  slideably resides within fluid passageway  162  extending along the x-axis, and is centered into the proper radial position via the front guide  104 , a washer  144 , and a spring pad  148 . Spring pad  148  is a solid member that interfaces with tip spring  146  to position and load the tip spring  146  for biasing. Washer  144  is fixed to the tip  102 . Tip spring  146  biases tip  102  to the longitudinally extended position by exerting a compressive force against washer  144 . In some embodiments, tip  102  is hollow and therefore contributes to the supply of fluid or product into receptacle  400 . In preferred embodiments, tip  102  is solid (i.e., not hollow) and does not carry any fluid or product. 
         [0043]    Probe  108  includes seat spring  116 , a seat  128 , a backup ring  130 , a rear probe packing  132 , a lock ring packing  134 , and a lock ring  136 . Rear probe packing  132  provides a seal to stop external leakage. Seat  128  and backup ring  130  aid in supporting rear probe packing  132 . Lock ring packing  134  and lock ring  136  assist in positioning rear probe packing  132 . 
         [0044]    Probe back end  107  surrounds a tube  160  and contacts terminal probe spring  138 . Terminal probe spring  138  biases probe  108  towards the longitudinally extended position. Second housing end  103  includes an end fitting  140  housing tube  160  and supporting terminal probe spring  138 . End fitting packing  122  resides between housing  124  and end fitting  140  to provide a leakage seal. 
         [0045]    End fitting  140  also includes a plunger  142  (there can be multiple plungers  142 ), which includes plunger packing  158  and a plunger-backup ring  156 . When an inner radial end of plunger  142  is pressurized, plunger  142  radially protrudes out of end fitting  140  to provide a hard stop for sleeve  118 . With reference to  FIG. 6 , when sleeve  118  is in the fully longitudinally extended position and fluid passes through flow restriction chamber or valve  185 , fluid pressurizes the inner radial end of plunger  142 , causing plunger  142  to protrude from end fitting  140  and provide a hard back-stop for sleeve  118  (not shown). Now sleeve  118  cannot be retracted until the inner radial end of plunger  142  is de-pressurized (i.e., flow restriction chamber or valve  185  is actuated to the closed position). 
         [0046]    Terminal coupler  166  defines an end fitting cavity  168 . Terminal coupler  166  comprises a threaded extension  166   a,  which enables complementary threaded components to couple with terminal coupler  166 . More specifically, a tube connecting coupler  100  to a pressurized fluid source (not shown) threads onto threaded extension  166   a  and supplies fluid into cavity  168 . Terminal coupler  166  may be any suitable, shape, configuration or size, depending on the hardware that is desired to be coupled to rapid-connect coupler  100  via terminal coupler  166 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 9  is a top cross-sectional view of rapid-connect coupler  100 . Rapid-connect coupler  100  is includes a flow restrictor assembly with a flow restrictor handle  180 , first abutment member  181 , second abutment member  182 , first pin  183 , second pin  184 , flow restriction chamber or valve  185 , first attachment member  186 , and second attachment member  187 . 
         [0048]    First pin  183  and second pin  184  rotatably secure the flow restrictor assembly to end fitting  140  such that portions of the flow restrictor assembly are rotatable around first pin  183  and second pin  184 . First pin  183  and second pin  184  enable flow restrictor handle  180  to rotate or actuate flow restriction chamber or valve  185 . 
         [0049]    First attachment member  186  and second attachment member  187  may be, for example, nuts or similar fasteners that attach flow restrictor handle  180  to the first abutment member  181  and second abutment member  182 . Rotation of the flow restrictor handle  180  causes flow restriction chamber or valve  185  to rotate to a plurality of different positions that restrict or enable flow of fluid or product through rapid-connect coupler  100 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 10  illustrates rapid-connect coupler  100  and refillable receptacle  400 . Refillable receptacle  400  may, for example, be a CGA  580  port. Refillable receptacle  400  includes front cavity  410 , middle cavity  430 , and rear cavity  440 , and further includes threaded portion  420  in the front cavity  410 . Rapid-connect coupler  100  is configured to couple with refillable receptacle  400  when rapid-connect coupler  100  is inserted into refillable receptacle  400 , as described above. 
         [0051]    Ball seat  114  is biased by seat spring  116 . Biasing of ball seat  114  may be desirable because it provides for improved sealing and coupling of probe  108  within refillable receptacle  400 . Biasing of ball seat  114  may prevent a gap from forming between the probe front end  105  and middle cavity  430  of refillable receptacle  400 . More specifically, biased ball seat  114  enables probe  108  to move forward (i.e., longitudinally extend) under pressure of gas within the fluid passageway  162  while ball seat  114  stays put. Probe  108  may thereby find and maintain a tight fit against refillable receptacle  400  via packing  106 . 
         [0052]    Additionally, in various embodiments, tip  102  may be configured to actuate a check-valve or residual pressure valve within refillable receptacle  400  (e.g., within the rear cavity  440 ). However, in some embodiments, tip  102  may be absent. 
         [0053]    The second embodiment of the rapid connect coupler  100  includes a rod assembly configured to open a check valve inside of the receptacle  400 . In some cases, the rod assembly of the second embodiment replaces all of tube  160 , spring pad  148 , tip spring  146 , washer  144 , front guide  104 , and tip  102  of the first embodiment. 
         [0054]    The rod assembly is also configured to be exchangeable, such that a user can switch out or exchange one rod assembly for another rod assembly depending on the specific check valve of the receptacle  400 . More specifically, a user may be required to refill various different receptacles  400  with a single coupler  100 . Each receptacle  400  may include a different check valve. Each check valve may be opened or actuated with a different rod assembly. The rod assembly thus enables a user to tailor the rapid connect coupler  100  to different receptacles. 
         [0055]    The rod assembly includes a housing  300 , a first generally cylindrical rod  302 , a cross pin  303 , a rod spring  304 , and a second generally cylindrical rod  307 . Housing  300  is generally cylindrical and defines a longitudinal groove  301 . First rod  302  is attached to cross pin  303 . One end of cross pin  303  slides in and tracks groove  301 . It should be appreciated that groove  301  serves as a track for cross pin  303 . Cross pin  303  stops at both longitudinal ends of groove  301 . Some embodiments include a second groove that opposes groove  301  (but is otherwise identical to groove  301 ). The second groove accommodates the other end of cross pin  303 . In some embodiments, housing  300  may longitudinally translate (i.e., extend or retract). In these embodiments, terminal probe spring  138  opposes the extension of housing  300  and biases housing  300  to a retracted position shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0056]    First rod  302  contacts second rod  307  at rod interface  306 . Second rod  307  includes a tip  308 . Tip  308  opens or actuates a check valve of a receptacle  400  (not shown). For example, a check valve may include a hinged door (not shown). A check valve spring may bias the hinged door shut. Tip  308  would oppose the check valve spring and open the hinged door. When tip  308  retracts, the check valve spring would close the hinged door, thus trapping fluid in receptacle  400 . 
         [0057]    As previously stated, first rod  302  contacts second rod  307  at rod interface  306 . More specifically, first rod  302  defines an internal threaded bore. A portion of the outer circumference of second rod  307  defines outer threads. The outer threads of second rod  307  thread into the inner threads of first rod  302 . It should thus be appreciated that the threaded outer circumferential portion of second rod  307  extends past interface  306  and into first rod  302 . It should be appreciated that the threading may be reversed such that second rod  307  defines the internal threaded bore and first rod  302  defines the outer circumferential threads. First rod  302  and second rod  307  define gaps  305  therebetween. Gaps  305  are optional. In a preferred embodiment, rods  302  and  307  are solid. In other embodiments, rods  302  and  307  may be hollow to enable fluid flow therethrough (not shown). 
         [0058]    Flow through probe  108  of second rapid connect coupler will now be described. Fluid or product enters an inner void defined in housing  300  via valve  185 . Rod  302  has a square or rectangular cross section. It should be appreciated that the cross sections referred to in the following description are cut in a plane perpendicular to fluid flow and the longitudinal axis of the rapid connect coupler  100 . The inner void defined in housing  300  is cylindrical. Thus, fluid flows between the outer surfaces of rod  302  and the inner surfaces housing  300 . 
         [0059]    When rod  302  narrows, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the cross section of rod  302  becomes circular. It should thus be appreciated that the portion of rod  302  extending along rod spring  304  is generally cylindrical. In this area, fluid flows between rod  302  and the inner surface of probe  108 . Rod  302  widens into a boss  309 . Boss  309  centers rod spring  304  between probe  108  and rod  302  such that rod spring  304  can translate in the longitudinal direction but cannot shift in the radial direction. 
         [0060]    After boss  309 , rod  302  returns to having the square or rectangular cross section. As previously discussed, this portion of rod  302  also defines an inner threaded bore for receiving outer threads of second rod  307 . Second rod  307  also has a square or rectangular cross section. Fluid flows between rod  307  and the inner surface of probe  108  into receptacle  400 . The cross section of tip  308  varies according to the specific kind of check valve. In one embodiment, tip  308  has a circular cross section. In another embodiment, tip  308  has a square cross section. 
         [0061]    It should be appreciated that the square or rectangular cross sections of rods  302  and  307  enable rods  302  and  307  to self-center inside of probe  108 . More specifically, outer edges of rods  302  and  307  continuously contact the inner surface of probe  308 , thus preventing rods  302  and  307  from flexing under fluid pressure. This can be pictured as a circle tightly encompassing a square. The square contacts the circle at four points. The circle corresponds to the inner surface of probe  308 . The square corresponds to rods  302  and  307 . The four points correspond to the outer edges of rods  302  and  307 . It should be appreciated that rods  302  and  307  can have cross sections other than squares. The rods  302  and  307  may, for example, have any cross section in the form of an equilateral and equiangular polygon. 
         [0062]    Rod spring  304  biases rods  302  and  307  to a longitudinally extended position. Force from a check valve opposes rod spring  304 , enabling rods  302  and  307  to retract into coupler  100 . Eventually, compressive force generated by rod spring  304  overcomes the force from the check valve and rods  302  and  307  extend to open the check valve. Rod  302  and  307  can extend until cross pin  303  reaches the end of groove  301 . 
         [0063]    Although the rod assembly of  FIG. 4  includes two rods, it should be appreciated that two rods are not necessary and that a single rod (or no rod, if the receptacle  400  does not include a check valve) will suffice. 
         [0064]    The components of rapid-connect coupler  100  may be made of any suitable material. For example, suitable materials may include, but not be limited to corrosion resistant steel, brass, or the like. Other suitable materials for various components may include nitrile butadiene rubber, polytetrafluoroethylene, or the like. 
         [0065]    In various embodiments, rapid-connect coupler  100  may be part of a gas cylinder charging system. For example, rapid-connect coupler  100  may be attached to a tube or hose, which is connected to a pressurized gas source. In some embodiments, a plurality of rapid-connect coupler  100  may be coupled to the pressurized gas source. In such embodiments, pressurized gas cylinders may be rapidly charged either alone or as a group by coupling the one or more rapid-connect coupler  100  to the fill-port of each cylinder and charging the tanks via the pressurized gas source. 
         [0066]    As an additional feature, flow restrictor handle  180  may be configured to safely restrain a cylinder or tank that is being re-filled by rapid-connect coupler  100 . For example, flow restrictor handle  180  may be configured to loop over and around a portion of refillable receptacle  400  to provide a restraint against free detachment from refillable receptacle  400 . 
         [0067]      FIG. 11  illustrates this feature. In  FIG. 11 , a receptacle (such as receptacle  400 ) includes receptacle body  500 , stem  501 , and wheel  502 . A user twists wheel  502  to open a port fluidly connecting stem  501  to receptacle body  500 . A rapid connect coupler  503  (such as rapid connect coupler  100 ) includes a flow restrictor handle  504  (such as flow restrictor handle  180 ). Rapid connect coupler  503  is coupled with stem  501  and is delivering fluid or product through stem  501  into receptacle body  500 . 
         [0068]    As shown in  FIG. 11 , the user has rotated flow restrictor handle  504  to its fully horizontal position in order to open valve  185 . Flow restrictor handle  504  is continuous (except where flow restrictor handle  504  joins rapid connect coupler  503 ) and loops over stem  501  and wheel  502 . If rapid connect coupler  503  decouples from stem  501 , fluid or product will flow out of rapid connect coupler  503  toward stem  501 , thus propelling coupler  503  backward and away from the receptacle. If this were to happen, flow restrictor handle  504  would contact stem  501  or wheel  502 , thus preventing coupler  503  from launching away from the receptacle. 
         [0069]    It should be noted that in the description and drawings, like or substantially similar elements may be labeled with the same reference numerals. However, sometimes these elements may be labeled with differing numbers or serial numbers in cases where such labeling facilitates a more clear description. Additionally, the drawings set forth herein are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in some instances proportions may have been exaggerated to more clearly depict certain features. As stated above, this specification is intended to be taken as a whole and interpreted in accordance with the principles of the invention as taught herein and understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0070]    While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any equivalent thereof.