PROTECTIVE DEVICE FOR QUICK CONNECT COUPLING

Abstract: A protective device for a quick connect coupling having selectively connectible male and female coupling bodies (B,C) includes a cylindrical releasing sleeve (142) which has an integral flange (210) extending axially beyond and radially outwardly of an end face of one of the male and female coupling bodies. The flange (210) has a radially outwardly tapering shape to add desired rigidity and bulk thereto. The protective device is designed to extend axially outward beyond either the female receiving member or the male stem portion in both a first outermost biased position and a second innermost position.

Description: This invention pertains to the art of fluid fittings and more particularly to a quick connect type fluid coupling having a male body portion selectively co-operable with a female body portion. The invention concerns a protective device which is particularly applicable to use with a female body portion of the foregoing type of fluid coupling and will be described with particular reference thereto. However, the invention has broader applications and the protective device may be advantageously employed on the male body portion or protective devices may be employed on both the male and female body portions in other environments and applications. US-A- 4,378,028 describes a quick connect coupling of the kind having a hollow stem portion extending from a male body, a female body including a hollow receiving member which has a through bore dimensioned to closely receive the stem portion, locking means to selectively retain the stem portion in the receiving member, and releasing means operatively associated with said locking means to enable disengagement of the locking means from retaining action with the stem portion. This quick-connect tube coupling is adaptable to either single or double end shut-off applications. The versatility and reliability of that particular quick connect coupling has met with substantial commercial success. Nevertheless, a possibility exists that careless handling by an operator or user can result in coupling bodies being marred or disfigured to the point of becoming non-mating with a counterpart coupling body. Such result would occur most often when a coupling body was inadvertently dropped or otherwise received rough treatment. Typically, the male and female coupling bodies are secured to the ends of fluid lines. The opposed, terminal ends of the coupling bodies are adapted to be placed in co-operating, locked relation with each other to permit fluid flow therethrough. Prior to being placed in this co-operative relationship, however, the coupling bodies remain exposed at the end of their associated fluid lines. As previously mentioned, accidental or inadvertent dropping, or other rough handling of a fluid line can result in denting, marring, or disfigurement of the coupling body. This, in turn, can adversely affect the precision fit that can be achieved with an associated coupling body. Indeed, such damage can prevent obtaining a locked relationship between the two coupling components. Other quick connect coupling arrangements and designs are similarly exposed to the above-described type of problem. The axially outwardly extending male stem and the axially outwardly extending female receiving member define outermost faces of the coupling bodies. Depending on the coupling design either one or both of the bodies are subject to possible damage as a result of careless handling. An object of the invention is to provide a protective device for the separate coupling bodies that limits the potential for the above described type of damage. Additionally, such an arrangement must not interfere with the quick connect or quick disconnect of the separate bodies. According to the invention, a quick connect coupling of the kind described is characterised by a protective device for protecting a portion of one of said bodies, said protective device comprising a flange on one end of a sleeve and extending axially beyond and radially outwardly from the receiving member on the stem portion, both in a first, outward position into which the sleeve is biassed and in a second, recessed position into which the sleeve can be shifted axially against the bias. Preferably the sleeve has a generally tapering shape for adding sufficient bulk and rigidity to the structure to withstand impact forces. The sleeve advantageously includes a bore adapted to accommodate the other of the male and female body portions. Preferably the sleeve extends axially beyond the outermost end of the receiving member or the stem portion in both its inward or recessed locking position and in its outward or extended position. One advantage of the invention resides in the protection offered to male and female quick connect coupling bodies. Another advantage of the invention is the simplified arrangement and non-interfering relationship with the connecting and disconnecting actions of the coupling bodies. A still further advantage of the invention is the adaptability of the device to a cost effective method of construction. The invention is further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig.1 is a side elevational view of a quick connect coupling incorporating the protective device of the present invention; Fig.2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the male body portion used in a single end shut-off type of coupling; Fig.3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a male body portion used in a double end shut-off type of coupling; Fig.4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the female body portion which incorporates the protective device of the present invention; Fig.5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a double end shut-off coupling with the male and female body portions in a connected and locked relationship; Fig.6 is an exploded perspective view of the valve opening means of the single end shut-off type of coupling; and Fig.7 is an end view of the guide and support member of the double end shut-off type of coupling. Fig.1 shows a connected and locked quick connect coupling A having male coupling body B and a female coupling body C. More particularly, and with additional reference to Figs. 2 and 3, the male coupling body B includes an elongated tubular member 10 having a first exteriorly threaded end 12 and an opposite or second hollow stem portion end 14. The threaded end is adapted for connection to a fluid system as is well known. Typically, a ferrule and nut assembly is received on the threaded end 12 to securely mount body B to one end of a fluid line or the like. A central through passage 16 communicates between the opposed ends of the tubular member and includes distinct, different diameter passage sections, all of which are concentrically arranged in the preferred embodiment. A first enlarged passage section 22 is interposed between a flared outer end 24 and an intermediate passage section 26. The intermediate passage section merges into reduced diameter passage section 28 along a radially inwardly tapering shoulder 30. The shoulder provides versatile use of the male coupling body, facilitating changeover between the single end shut-off arrangement (Fig.2) and the double end shut-off arrangement (Fig.3). The function of the shoulder and co-operation with the other elements of the quick connect coupling will be described in greater detail below. Another intermediate diameter passage section 32 is provided adjacent the outer end of stem portion 14. The juncture between passage sections 28 and 32 is defined by a generally radially extending shoulder 34 that also facilitates changeover to the double end shut-off arrangement and, likewise, will be described further below. The passage section 32, in turn, communicates with an enlarged bore section 40 at the outer end. The enlarged bore section is adapted to receive a valve opening means 42. According to the preferred embodiment, the valve opening means 42 comprises first and second interlocking halves 44,46. Each of the interlocking halves has a generally planar configuration with a central slot 48,50 respectively, extending along a partial axial length thereof (Fig.6). The interlocking halves are positioned in mating relationship through interconnection along these slots to define a generally cross-shaped configuration. An outer terminal end 56 of the step portion has a reduced cross-sectional area for securely retaining the valve opening means 42 in the enlarged bore section. The outer wall of the elongated tubular member includes an enlarged portion 58 having peripherally spaced wrench flats 60 adapted to facilitate handling of the male coupling body. An external shoulder 62 is defined on one end of the enlarged portion and functions as a stop or limit surface for biasing means such as spring 64. The spring is operatively received in a first sleeve 70 adapted for movement relative to the tubular member 10. One end of the sleeve has an enlarged bore adapted to slide over the enlarged portion 58 of the tubular member. Further, the spring 64 is received in enlarged bore 72 to abuttingly engage an internal rim or shoulder 74. The rim not only functions as a second limit surface for the spring biasing means, but also co-operates with a stop ring 76 on the tubular member to limit movement of the first sleeve 70 towards the stem portion 14. The internal rim 74 can abut the stop ring to define the rightward limit of movement of the first sleeve relative to the tubular member as shown in Fig.2. The stem portion 14 extends out of the first sleeve 70 a substantial distance for receipt in the female coupling body C. As will be described further hereinbelow, a peripheral groove 78 enables locking engagement between the male and female coupling bodies. Preferably, the peripheral groove has sloping side walls for reasons which will become more apparent after further description of the invention. Fig.3 shows a male coupling body B' that is virtually identical to that described above with reference to Fig.2. Additionally, however, the Fig.3 embodiment is adapted for double end shut-off application. For ease of illustration, like elements are identified by like numerals with a primed (') suffix and new elements are identified by new numerals. The male coupling body contains a valve core 90. The valve core includes an elongated rod-like member 92 threaded at one end 94. The threaded end 94 advantageously receives a guide and support member 96. The guide and support member includes an outermost nose portion 98 designed for abutting engagement with a valve member of the female coupling body as will be described below. The guide and support member 96 further includes a plurality of radially extending ribs 100 (Fig.7) that are closely received in the enlarged bore section 40'. The ribs also define an abutment surface for one end of valve core biasing means, such as spring 106. The opposite end of the spring 106 interfaces with the radially extending shoulder 34' so as to bias the valve core 90 rightwardly as shown in Fig.3. The opposed end of the valve core includes a flange 108 dimensioned for close receipt in passage section 28'. An enlarged head 110 is spaced from the flange 108 by a recessed area 112. The recessed area is adapted to receive a seal member, such as 0-ring 114. In the rightward biased position, the 0-ring 114 sealingly engages with the tapering shoulder 30' which defines a valve seat in the double end shut-off arrangement. Thus, the valve core assumes a normally closed relationship with the tubular member and prohibits fluid flow through passage 16'. With particular reference to Fig.4, the female coupling body C comprises a hollow tubular member 120 which is exteriorly threaded at one end 122. The threaded end 122 is also adapted to receive an internally threaded coupling nut or the like which co-operates with a ferrule (not shown) for connection to an associated fluid system in much the same manner as the male coupling body. A body member extension 124 is disposed on an exterior threatened portion 126 at the other end of the tubular member 120. The body member extension 124 includes first and second radially extending shoulders 128,130 disposed on opposite sides of a central portion 132. The central portion includes openings 134 spaced along selected peripheral sections thereof. Locking means, shown as ball detents 136, are received in the circumferentially spaced openings. Other locking means, such as arcuate locking dogs and the like, could be used as an alternative to the ball detents 136 without departing from the scope of the invention. The end of the body member extension 124 remotely disposed from the tubular member defines the receiving member 138 of the female coupling body C. The receiving member has an interior passage 140 dimensioned to closely receive the outer surface of male stem portion 14. Close tolerances must be maintained so that the locking means will securely retain the male stem portion when desired. A locking/releasing sleeve 142 is slidably received over the central portion 132 and receiving member 138. The sleeve 142 includes a radially inwardly extending flange 144 which defines a bore in which the receiving member 138 is closely received and which is adapted for abutting engagement with a stop ring 146 disposed on the receiving member 138. Biasing means such as spring 148 is axially disposed between the radial flange 144 and radial shoulder 130 of the body member extension. The spring biases the locking/releasing sleeve to an axial outer position, i.e. to the left, as illustrated in Fig.4. The locking/releasing sleeve includes three distinct bore sections 150, 152, 154. More particularly, the first or enlarged bore section 150 is dimensioned to freely receive a portion of the first sleeve 70 of the male coupling body (Fig.5). The second bore section 152 is adapted to receive the spring 148 while the third bore section 154 accommodates the central portion 132 of the body member extension. In this manner, the locking/releasing sleeve 142 is adapted for axial movement relative to the body member extension upon imposition of sufficient axial force to overcome the outward biasing force of spring 148. Still further, a tapering camming surface 160 is interposed between the second and third bore sections, and selectively co-operates with the locking means 136. As shown in Fig.4, the release position of the locking/releasing sleeve permits the locking means 136 to move radially outward into third bore section 154 of the sleeve. Axial movement of the sleeve 142 relative to the body member extension and against the opposed biasing force of spring 148 cams the locking means 136 radially inwards due to abutting engagement with the camming surface 160 (Fig.5). Outward radial movement of the locking means is thereafter constrained due to the reduced dimension of the second bore section 152. Thus, the locking means 136 are positioned radially inwardly into their receiving openings 134 and engage the peripheral groove 78 on the male stem portion, thus preventing axial removal of the stem portion from the female coupling body. Maintaining the locking/releasing sleeve in its rightward position illustrated in phantom in Fig.4, and also shown in Fig.5, lockingly joins the male coupling body B to the female coupling body C. The biasing force of spring 64 is substantially larger than the biasing force of spring 148. Due to this force relationship, the first sleeve 70 of the male coupling body will maintain rightward engagement with stop ring 76 during axial insertion of the stem portion into the receiving member. On the other hand, the locking/releasing sleeve 142 will be positioned away from the engagement with stop ring 146 and the spring 148 will be further compressed. The movement of the sleeve 142, in turn, cams the locking means into retaining engagement with peripheral groove 78 which is maintained until the flange 144 is again abutting stop ring 146. Turning again to details of the female coupling body C, a generally cylindrical valve seat member 162 is interposed between interior shoulders 164 of the body member extension and end shoulder 166 of the tubular member 120. The valve seat member 162 includes an interior passage 168 also adapted to closely receive the male stem portion 14 once it is inserted into the receiving member 138. The valve seat member 162 is of a stepped configuration having first and second cylindrical portions 170,172 received in bores 174,176 respectively, of the body member extension. A tapered seat area 180 extends axially and radially outward from the interior passage 168 at one end of the valve seat member. Further, first and second seal members such as O-rings 182,184 are disposed on opposite ends of the second cylindrical portion 172. The first and second O-rings prohibit fluid flow around the valve seat member. A third O-ring 186 is captured between the forward end face of seat member 162 and a flange or shoulder area on body extension 124. As is apparent in Fig.5, this third O-ring 186 is radially compressed upon insertion of the male stem portion into the female coupling body and inhibits fluid flow along the closely toleranced interface area of the stem portion and receiving member. A generally cylindrical valve member 190 is normally biased into closed relation with valve seat member 162 by spring 192. A tapered forward portion 194 of the valve member has a maximum radial dimension permitting receipt in the passage 168 of the valve seat member. On the other hand, an enlarged flange 196 is spaced from the foreward portion 194 by a recess or groove 198 and the flange has a radial dimension slightly larger than that of passage 168. The groove is adapted to receive an O-ring 204 therein. The O-ring provides abutting sealing engagement with the tapered seat area 180 in its normally closed position (Fig.4) and is spaced therefrom in an open position (Fig.5). An axial protrusion 206 extends from the flange 196 to retain and centre one end of the spring 192 thereon. An opposite end of the spring engages a reduced shoulder area of passage 208 of the hollow tubular member. Insertion of the male stem portion into locking engagement with the receiving member defines a continuous flow path for fluid in the associated system. Typically, in the single end shut-off arrangement of Fig.2, only the fluid line associated with the female coupling body is pressurized. Therefore, the male coupling body requires only the valve opening means 42 to engage and unseat valve member 190 of the female coupling body. In other arrangements, the fluid line associated with the male coupling body is also pressurized, thus necessitating use of valve core 90, particularly nose portion 98, to unseat the valve member 190 of the female coupling body. As previously described above, prior arrangements have been constructed so that the male stem portion extends axially outwardly from the first sleeve 70. The stem portion is thereby exposed to potential damage, marring, etc. of its surface so that close receipt within the receiving member 124 may not be possible. Likewise, the female receiving member has previously been constructed to extend axially outward from the locking/releasing sleeve. It, too, is exposed to potential damage that would interfere with a close fitting, connected and locked relationship between the male and female coupling bodies. The protective device D for the female coupling body is defined by an enlarged flange 210 formed on the axially outer end of the locking/releasing sleeve 142. Preferably, the flange tapers both radially and axially outwardly from a generally cylindrical portion of the sleeve. The tapering configuration provides benefits which are two-fold. First, the axially outer end of the sleeve has sufficient bulk and rigidity to withstand significant impact forces which may indavertently be imposed thereon. Secondly, the enlarged flange permits formation of the first bore section 150 therein to receive the first sleeve 70 of the male coupling body. Thus, no interference with the engagement between the coupling bodies occurs and, as will become apparent below, disengagement or disconnection of the locked coupling bodies is also unaffected. As clearly illustrated in Fig.4, the outwardly biased position of the sleeve and flange 210 extends beyond an outermost face of the receiving member 138. Additionally, when the spring 148 is placed under compression, the enlarged flange 210 still extends beyond the outermost face of the receiving member. Thus, under no circumstances does the receiving member extend axially outward beyond the enlarged flange 210. Since the flange is formed as an integral extension of the locking/releasing sleeve 142, the configuration lends itself to manufacture through conventional machining techniques or to formation through powder metallurgy processes. This later process offers significantly reduced manufacturing costs while providing a durable structure. Although the protective device is illustrated and described with reference to the female coupling body C, a like protective device could be provided on the male coupling body B. For example, one such structure would provide a generally cylindrical sleeve extending radially outwardly from the first sleeve 70 and axially outwardly towards the stem portion 14. This type of protective device would, of course, have to accommodate a locking/release sleeve of a female coupling body, with or without a protection flange 210. In the fully joined and locked position shown in Fig. 5, the biasing force of spring 64 is greater than that of spring 148. Thus, the locking/release sleeve is moved axially inwards and the locking means 136 engage the peripheral groove 78 of the male stem portion as described above. To disconnect the joined coupling bodies, either the first sleeve 70 or the locking/release sleeve 142 can be moved leftwardly from the position illustrated in Fig.5. In either situation, the force of spring 64 is overcome so that the locking/release sleeve 142 abuts stop ring 146, thereby releasing the locking means 136 from engagement in the peripheral groove of the male stem portion. Thus, incorporation of a protective sleeve device into either a male coupling body or a female coupling body is easy, since the connected bodies can be released by either the sleeve 70 or sleeve 142 of the female coupling body. If a protective device is provided for both coupling bodies, the protective flange of the male coupling body would preferably surround the protective flange of the female coupling body. Still other arrangements can be used with equal success.

Claims: A quick connect coupling of the kind having a hollow stem portion (14) extending from a male body (B), a female body (C) including a hollow receiving member (138) which has a through bore (140) dimensioned to closely receive the stem portion (14), locking means (136) to selectively retain the stem portion (14) in the receiving member (138), and releasing means operatively associated with said locking means to enable disengagement of the locking means (136) from retaining action with the stem portion (14), characterised by a protective device for protecting a portion (138 or 14) of one of said bodies (C or B), said protective device comprising a flange (210) on one end of a sleeve (142,70) and extending axially beyond and radially outwardly from the receiving member (138) or the stem portion (14), both in a first outward position into which the flange (210) is biassed and in a second, recessed position into which the flange (210) can be shifted axially against the bias (148). A protective device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flange (210) has a generally tapering shape for adding rigidity and bulk thereto. A protective device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said flange (210) is integrally formed with said releasing sleeve (142). A protective device as claimed in any of claims 1, 2, or 3, wherein said sleeve (142) is on said female body (C) and serves as the releasing means to enable disengagement of the locking means (136). A protective device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said flange (210) has a first bore closely received around said receiving member (138) and a coaxial, second enlarged bore (150) accommodating said male body (B). A protective device as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the male body (B) includes a further sleeve (70) and said flange (210) defines an axially inwardly extending recess area (150) adapted to closely receive the further sleeve (70). A protective device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said sleeve is on said male body (B).

Inventors: MEDVICK, RICHARD J.
Applicants: SWAGELOK QUICK-CONNECT CO.
Application year: 1987
Main classification: F16L37
IPC codes: F16L37