Abstract:
Improvement in a quick disconnect coupling that includes a tubular coupler half, having a radially outwardly-directed roller on an outer surface portion thereof; a tubular nipple half, having a push-to-connect mechanism, including a cup-shaped member, concentrically surrounding a nipple body portion, this mechanism including a locking device having a basically L-shaped contoured slot including a helically-directed ramp inlet and a locking slot portion; the improvement comprising that the push-to-connect mechanism includes the rotatable journaling of the cup-shaped member, for limited rotational pivoting relative to the nipple half; this mechanism also including a biasing member for concurrently normally biasing the cup-shaped member to an at-rest position relative to the nipple body. A method for joining includes an initial contact between the axially-aligned roller and the helical ramp; further interaction rotationally displacing the cup shaped member until the roller enters the locking portion, resulting in reverse pivoting of the cup-shaped member.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED CASES 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/757,163, filed Jan. 6, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Reference is also made to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/186,534, entitled “Cryogenic Coupling”, filed on Jul. 21, 2005, which is also incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention pertains to couplings, such as quick disconnect couplings, that include a tubular coupling half and a tubular nipple, with these couplings being adapted to be operatively sealingly interconnected. More particularly, the invention pertains to the use of a push-to-connect mechanism, including a cup-shaped member, surrounding the nipple body. The improvement includes the rotational journaling of the cup-shaped member and the normal biasing thereof to an at rest position. The limited pivotal movement of the push-to-connect mechanism permits operative coupling of a coupler half roller with the locking portion of a nipple half contoured slot as the cup-shaped member is being biased back to its at-rest position. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    This invention represents an improvement over above-noted co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/186,534, which is also assigned to the assignee of the present invention, with a more detailed discussion following hereinafter. 
         [0004]    The Parker-Hannifin Corporation of Cleveland, Ohio U.S.A., the assignee of the noted inventions, manufactures and markets an LGO series and a Kodiak series of nozzles and receptacles that utilize a connecting and locking device related to the one used in the present invention, with a helical slot and roller design being utilized for connecting and disconnecting the coupler and nipple halves. In these noted mechanisms, the connection/disconnection is made by manually turning one half of the coupling while the other half is mounted in a fixed relative position. In other words, the locking collars are twisted while the coupling bodies move axially. 
         [0005]    Caire Products of Marietta, Ga., U.S.A. and Sunrise Medical Pulsair/Devilbiss of Carlsbad, Calif., U.S.A. also use a related helical slot and pin design which is used to connect the coupler and nipple halves in cryogenic fill applications. These mechanisms also require that one of the coupling halves be turned to make the connection of that coupling half while the remaining coupling half is mounted in a fixed position. In other words, these connectors require that one of the coupling halves be rotated or twisted. In some cases, this requires that the entire product, to which coupling is attached, must be rotated. 
         [0006]    As previously noted, helical slot constructions have already been utilized as locking devices in fluid-transfer couplings. However, each of the identified styles requires that one of the two coupling halves be mounted in a fixed position, with the locking or connecting action being performed by turning or twisting either one of the coupling halves or at least a part of the coupling. 
         [0007]    The device or mechanism of the present invention differs from the noted prior art constructions in that only the locking device moves and/or rotates when the connection is made in an axially-directed manner. A biasing member is utilized to make an automatic connection, with no manual twisting or turning being required to achieve the desired connection. For disconnection, in an operator-induced manual action, the sliding of a lever releases the connection, with the biasing member then returning the locking mechanism to its home or at-rest position, ready for another connection. A further unique feature of the present invention is the addition of a coupling-misconnect prevention mechanism that inhibits the connection with a coupler half other than its specific mating coupler. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Accordingly, in order to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art devices, the present invention provides an improved Push-to-Connect Helical Slot Mechanism (P-t-CHSM) or Push-to-Connect mechanism and an implementation method for couplings, such as quick disconnect couplings. 
         [0009]    Specifically, in terms of structure, a first embodiment of this invention pertains to an improvement in a quick disconnect coupling that includes: a. a coupler half having a centrally apertured, shaped, generally tubular body; an inner coupler end incorporating a tapered inlet portion and an adjoining internal sealing arrangement; and a generally cylindrical outer surface portion including at least one radially outwardly-directed roller; b. a nipple half having a centrally apertured, shaped, generally tubular body; an inner body end with a central end aperture; a push-to-connect mechanism including a cup-shaped member concentrically surrounding the inner body, having at least one locking device that includes a basically L-shaped contoured slot having a helically-directed, angled, ramp inlet portion and a locking slot portion; the coupler and nipple halves being adapted to be axially interconnected, with the nipple inner body end being sealingly received within the coupler half internal sealing arrangement, the coupling halves being interconnected via the coupler half roller being received within the locking slot portion of the nipple half cup-shaped member, wherein the improvement comprises: c. the push-to-connect mechanism including the rotatable journaling of the cup-shaped member, on the nipple half tubular body, for limited rotational pivoting relative thereto; and d. the push-to-connect mechanism also including a biasing member for concurrently normally biasing the cup-shaped member to an at-rest position, relative to the nipple half tubular body. 
         [0010]    In one version thereof, the coupler half includes a pair of diametrically opposed rollers and the nipple half includes a pair of diametrically opposed locking devices. In one variation thereof, the cup-shaped member further includes a radially outwardly-directed operator actuating handle for pivoting the cup-shaped member against the biasing action of the biasing member, while in another variation thereof, the actuating handle extends radially outwardly from an outer end portion of the cup-shaped member. 
         [0011]    In another version, the biasing member takes the form of a tensioned spring, while in a differing version, the push-to-connect mechanism further includes an anti-freeze bearing, interposed between the nipple half tubular body and the cup-shaped member for preventing the cup-shaped member from freezing to the nipple half tubular body in low temperature operating conditions. 
         [0012]    In a further version, the push-to-connect mechanism further includes a generally annular retainer for retaining the biasing member, the retainer being secured, against rotation, on the nipple half body and having one end of the biasing member secured thereon. In a first variation of this version, the retainer includes spaced, parallel, flange portions, including at least one intermediate flat surface area portion. In a second variation of this version, a circular end portion of the cup-shaped member includes at least one axially extending pin member, the pin member extending into the retainer flat surface area portion, with lateral ends of the flat surface area portion serving to limit the rotational/pivotal movement of the cup-shaped member relative to the nipple half tubular body. In yet a third variation, another end of the biasing member is secured to the circular end portion of the cup-shaped member, with the rotational/pivotal movement of the cup-shaped member further tensioning the biasing member. 
         [0013]    In still a differing version, the cup-shaped member further includes, on an internal peripheral surface thereof a coupling-misconnect prevention mechanism for preventing the connection with coupler halves other than the coupler half. In one a variation of this version, the coupling-misconnect prevention mechanism includes at least one radially inwardly-projecting ridge while in another variation, the ridge is peripherally-extending and one of continuous and segmented. In yet a further variation, the coupling-misconnect prevention mechanism includes at least one of a plurality of peripherally and axially spaced individual ridges. 
         [0014]    Another embodiment of this invention, in a quick disconnect coupler half and nipple half assembly combination, pertains to a method for operatively and lockingly interconnecting the coupler and nipple halves, the method including the steps of: a. axially aligning the coupler and nipple halves, with the coupler half including an outer surface portion having at least one radially outwardly-directed roller axially aligned with a push-to-connect mechanism including a locking device, having a basically L-shaped contoured slot, in a cup-shaped member rotatably journalled on the nipple half, the cup-shaped member being normally biased, in one rotational direction, for limited rotational pivoting relative to the nipple half, to an at-rest position, by a tensioned biasing member; b. making initial axial contact between the roller and a helically-directed, angular, inlet ramp portion of the cup member L-shaped slot; and c. continuing further axial interaction between the roller and the inlet ramp portion, thereby rotationally pivotally displacing the cup-shaped member in opposition to the normally biased rotational direction and thereby further tensioning the biasing member until the roller enters a circumferentially-extending locking slot portion of the contoured slot, causing the biasing member to automatically pivot the cup-shaped member back to its at-rest position, causing the roller to reside in the distal end of the locking slot portion, resulting in the push-to-connect mechanism locking the assembly combination together. 
         [0015]    One version of this assembly method further includes a subsequent disassembly method, the disassembly method including the additional steps of: d. manually biasing the cup-shaped member in a rotational direction, in opposition to the normally biased rotational direction of the tensioned biasing member, until the roller enters an axially extending outlet portion of the contoured slot; and e. axially separating the assembly combination until the roller is fully axially removed from the cup-shaped member, with removal of the manual biasing of the cup-shaped member causing same to automatically pivot back to its at-rest position. 
         [0016]    A further embodiment of this invention pertains to a quick disconnect coupling that comprises in combination: a. a coupler assembly having a centrally apertured, shaped, generally tubular body; an inner coupler end incorporating a tapered inlet portion and an adjoining internal sealing arrangement; and a generally cylindrical outer surface portion including a pair of radially outwardly-directed rollers; b. a nipple assembly having a centrally apertured, shaped, generally tubular body; an inner body end with a central end aperture; a push-to-connect mechanism including a cup-shaped member concentrically surrounding the inner body, having a pair of opposed locking devices, each including a basically L-shaped contoured slot having a helically-directed, angled, ramp inlet portion and a locking slot portion; the coupler and nipple assemblies being adapted to be axially interconnected, with the nipple inner body end being sealingly received within the coupler assembly internal sealing arrangement, the coupling assemblies being interconnected via the coupler assembly rollers being received within respective ones of the locking slot portions of the nipple assembly cup-shaped member; c. the push-to-connect mechanism including the rotatable journaling of the cup-shaped member, on the nipple assembly tubular body, for limited rotational pivoting relative thereto; and d. the push-to-connect mechanism also including a biasing member for concurrently normally biasing the cup-shaped member to an at-rest position, relative to the nipple assembly tubular body. 
         [0017]    In one version of this combination, the cup-shaped member further includes a radially outwardly-directed operator actuating handle for manually pivoting the cup-shaped member against the action of the biasing member. In a variation thereof the actuating handle extends radially outwardly from the cup-shaped member. 
         [0018]    In another version, the biasing member takes the form of a tensioned spring, while in a differing version, the push-to-connect mechanism further includes an anti-freeze bearing, interposed between the nipple assembly tubular body and the cup-shaped member for preventing the cup-shaped member from freezing to the nipple assembly tubular body during low temperature operating conditions. 
         [0019]    In a further version, the push-to-connect mechanism further includes a generally annular retainer for confining the tensioned spring, the retainer being secured, against rotation, on the nipple assembly body and having one end of the tensioned spring secured thereon. In one variation of this version, the retainer includes spaced, parallel, flange portions, including at least one intermediate flat surface portion, while in another variation thereof an end portion of the cup-shaped member includes at least one axially extending pin member, the pin member extending into the retainer flat surface area portion, with lateral ends of the flat surface area portion serving to limit the rotational/pivotal movement of the cup-shaped member relative to the nipple assembly tubular body. In a further variation thereof, another end of the tensioned spring is secured to the end portion of the cup-shaped member, with the rotational/pivotal movement of the cup-shaped member, in one direction, further tensioning the spring. 
         [0020]    In an additional version, the cup-shaped member further includes, on an inner peripheral surface thereof a coupling-misconnect prevention mechanism for preventing the connection with coupler assemblies other than the coupler assembly. In one variation thereof, the coupling-misconnect prevention mechanism includes at least one radially inwardly-projecting rib, while in a variation thereof the rib is peripherally-extending and one of continuous and segmented. In a further variation, the coupling-misconnect prevention mechanism includes at least one of a plurality of peripherally and/or axially spaced individual tabs. 
         [0021]    In a final version thereof, at least portions of the pair of opposed, basically L-shaped, slots are similarly circumferentially directed. 
         [0022]    The previously-described advantages and features, as well as other advantages and features, will become readily apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments that follow. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a nipple assembly utilizing the push-to-connect helical slot mechanism (PtCHSM) of the present invention for rotatably interlocking same with a mating coupler assembly which together comprise a quick disconnect coupling, showing both prior to the assembly of the axially aligned nipple and coupling halves. 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is a frontal view of the axially aligned, but still separated, coupler and nipple halves in preparation for their coupling assembly. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 2  during the assembly process, at the time when the nipple half rollers come into linear contact with helically tapered portions of the coupler half collar slots. 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  illustrates the completion of the coupling assembly of the nipple and coupler halves, after the partial rotation of the nipple collar, relative to the coupler half, thereby biasing the coupler rollers into and thus locking the rollers in nipple collar slot locking portions. 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  is similar to  FIG. 4  but showing the partial rotary movement of the coupler half relative to the nipple half, thereby freeing the coupler half rollers from the nipple half collar slot locking portions, prior to the linear movement that is still required to fully separate the nipple and coupler halves. 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  is a frontal view of the coupler half of the quick disconnect coupling. 
           [0029]      FIG. 6   a  is a frontal view, partly in longitudinal section, taken along line  6   a - 6   a  of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  is a bottom plan view of the nipple half of the quick disconnect coupling that utilizes the mechanism of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  is a frontal view, partly in section, taken along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 8   a  is an enlarged version of circled area  8   a  of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 9  is a perspective frontal view, looking into the interior, of the collar portion of the mechanism of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the main body portion of the nipple half of the mechanism of the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a nipple half spring retainer of the mechanism of the present invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a collar spring that is operatively interposed between the body portion and the collar of nipple half of the mechanism of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0037]    Referring now to the several drawings, illustrated in  FIGS. 1-5  and  7 - 8  is the Push-to-Connect Helical Slot Mechanism (PtCHSM)  16  of this invention as utilized on a nipple half or assembly  18  for rotatably interlocking nipple half  18  with a mating coupler half or assembly  20 , which together comprise a quick disconnect coupling  14 . Specifically,  FIGS. 1-5  progressively show the initial axial alignment ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) subsequent mating ( FIG. 3 ), locking ( FIG. 4 ) and unlocking ( FIG. 5 ) sequences of quick disconnect coupling  14 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the axial, vertical alignment of coupler half  20  with nipple half  18 , with  FIG. 2  showing a frontal view of thereof. Coupler half  20  preferably takes the form of coupler half  20 ′ set forth in detail in  FIGS. 5-8  of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/186,534, entitled “Cryogenic Coupling”, filed on Jul. 21, 2005, also assigned to the assignee of the present invention and incorporated herein, in its entirety, by reference. Basically, coupler half or assembly  20  ( FIGS. 6 and 6   a ) takes the form of a centrally apenured, shaped, generally tubular body  22 , the inner or coupling end of which includes a tapered inlet portion  23  and an adjoining internal sealing member or bushing  21  that is adapted to seal, in slip-fit fashion, with a mating body portion of nipple assembly  18 , in a manner well known in the art. Of further importance is that an outer cylindrical surface portion  24  of coupler half  20  is provided with preferably a pair of opposed, radially outwardly-directed rollers  26  or pin (only one of which is shown) that are adapted to interact, in a twisting motion, with PtCHSM  16  of this invention in a manner to be discussed, in detail, later. In addition, coupler half  20  also includes an internal, normally biased-closed, conventional valve assembly  25 , the operation of which is also well known in the art. 
         [0039]    Turning now to nipple half or assembly  18 , it includes an elongated, generally tubular body portion  30 , best seen in  FIGS. 8 and 10 , which may be provided with a plurality of adjoining intermediate, flat surface or tool portions  32 , preferably hexagonal in profile, if so desired. An inner body end  36  is provided with an annular end surface  38  having a central aperture  40  and an internal frusto-conically tapered portion  42 . In addition, body portion  30  includes a stepped through bore  44  and an apertured valve guide therein (not shown) that serves to seat one end of a known or conventional valve assembly  46  ( FIG. 8 ), similar in construction and operation to the known internal valve assembly  25  in coupling half  20 . Suffice it to say, a head portion  48  of valve assembly  46  extends through central aperture  40  ( FIG. 8 ), with valve assembly  46  being retained in an internal groove  49  in bore  44  via an inner retaining ring  50 . 
         [0040]    Body portion  30  also includes an externally threaded outer end portion  52  and an inner annular radial surface  56 , adjoining the inner lateral edges of body surfaces  32  and merging into a cylindrical body portion  58 , the latter including a peripheral external groove  60 . Located on two opposed flat body portions  32  are corresponding opposed flat, rectangular, laterally-directed areas  64  ( FIG. 11 ) of a generally annular spring retainer  62  having an outer flange  66  and a spaced inner flange  68 , separated by at least opposed lateral area portions  64 , with outer flange  66  having diametrically opposed apertures  70 , in areas thereof located radially outwardly from opposed portions  64 . Adjoining inner flange portion  68  ( FIG. 11 ) is flange portion  76  ( FIG. 8   a ) of an anti-freeze bearing  72  whose cylindrical portion  74  is journalled on body cylindrical portion  58 . Cradled by bearing portions  74  and  76 , is a circular inner end portion  82  of a peripheral, generally cup-shaped member or collar  80  that basically surrounds housing inner body  36 . It is the function of anti-freeze bearing  72  to prevent collar  80  from becoming frozen to body portion  30  in low temperature operating conditions. Circular end portion  82  is provided with a first plurality of preferably evenly spaced ventilation through holes  84  as well as a second plurality of pin retention holes  86  (only one is shown) also preferably evenly spaced, both relative to through holes  84  and each other. At least one of holes  86  fixedly retains an axially extending cylindrical pin  88  ( FIGS. 2-4  and  9 ) that extends into the width  64   c  of spring retainer flat area  64  near one end  64   a  thereof, thus limiting the pivotal movement of collar  80 , specifically end portion  82  thereof, between the one end  64   a  and another end  64   b , for the length or extent  64   d , therebetween. 
         [0041]    As best seen in  FIGS. 8 and 8   a , collar end portion  82 , together with anti-freeze bearing  72  and spring retainer  62  are retained against axial movement by a restraining washer  90 , journalled on cylindrical body portion  58  and held in place by an outer retaining ring  92  received within body external groove  60 , in a manner so as to however permit limited pivotal movement, as already described, between collar  80  and nipple body  30 . 
         [0042]    Interposed between collar annular end portion  82  and spring retainer outer flange  66 , is a multiple loop coil, winding collar or biasing spring  94  ( FIG. 12 ) whose inner end  96  is hooked through one of collar ventilating holes  84  while its outer end  98  is hooked through one of spring retainer apertures  70  with tension applied, so that an operator-initiated pivotal movement of collar  80 , in the circumferential direction away from spring retainer flat area end  64   a  and toward flat area end  64   b , results in the windup of collar spring  94 . Spring retainer flat areas  64  slide over corresponding body flat surfaces  32  with this, in turn, securing spring retainer  62  against rotation as well as supplying tension to collar spring  94 , once spring end  98  ( FIG. 12 ) is secured in spring retainer  70  ( FIG. 11 ), 
         [0043]    Continuing with cup-shaped member or collar  80 , its circular end portion  82  also includes a radially outwardly-directed tab or actuation handle  100  that permits a human operator to easily and readily pivot collar  80  against the restraining action of collar spring  94  when the disassembly, to be discussed in detail later, of quick-disconnect coupling  14  is initiated, as is illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , when collar  80  is pivoted or indexed in a counterclockwise direction. This is best understood by viewing the position of collar  80  relative to roller  26  in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Collar  80  also includes a generally cylindrical portion  102  which is provided on its inside peripheral surface, as best seen in  FIG. 9 , with a coupling misconnect prevention mechanism  103 , forms of which include at least one radially inwardly-projecting continuous peripheral ridge or rib (not shown per se) or a segmented ridge  104  as well as a plurality of peripherally and/or axially spaced individual ridges or tabs  104  that function to prevent the connection of coupler assemblies, other than coupler half assembly  20 , specifically designed for use in quick disconnect coupling  14 , by blocking any slip fit mating with a coupler half that utilizes an outer cylindrical surface portion of a diametral extent greater than that of portion  24  of coupler half  20  ( FIGS. 6 ,  6   a ). Other such ridge designs, including axially-directed ridges can also be utilized. Futhermore, collar cylindrical portion  102  additionally includes peripherally as well as axially spaced pluralities of arced cutouts, openings or relief areas  106  that facilitate air movement during the assembly/disassembly of quick-disconnect coupling  14 . 
         [0044]    Turning now specifically to  FIGS. 2-5  and  9 , cup member cylindrical portion  102  also utilizes two diametrically opposed, locking devices  107 , basically in the form of L-shaped, formed cutouts or contoured slots  108 , each of which includes an axially-extending outlet slot portion  110  ( FIG. 5 ) whose inner end that merges into an adjoining end of a peripherally-extending locking slot portion  112  ( FIG. 4 ) and a helically-directed, angled, ramp or inlet slot portion  114  ( FIG. 3 ) that starts at an outer annular edge  118  of cup portion  102  and terminates inwardly thereof by merging into the adjoining end of locking slot portion  112 . 
         [0045]    In terms of operation, in the assembly of quick disconnect coupling  14 , attention is directed to the assembly sequence specifically set forth in  FIGS. 2-4 .  FIG. 2  illustrates the axially aligned, but still axially separated coupler half  20  and nipple half  18 . It should, of course, be understood that the distal ends of coupler and nipple halves  20 ,  18 , respectively, are operatively interconnected with additional fluid delivery apparatuses (not shown) of any desired type.  FIG. 3  illustrates the start of the mating or assembly process between coupler halves  18  and  20 . Specifically, a human operator has started the mating process, wherein opposed rollers  26  (one being shown) of coupler half  20  have made contact with opposed helical ramp inlet slot portions  114  (one being shown).  FIG. 4  illustrates the completion of the coupling or assembly of coupler half  20  with nipple half  18 . Coupler half rollers  26  have now traveled over inlet slot portion  114  and have entered into and are now located at the distal end of locking slot portion  112 . It should be evident, at this time, that PtCHSM  16  of this invention is basically a rotating locking device that, in the form of a rotatable cup-shaped member  80 , having opposed, generally L-shaped cutouts or slots  108 , including a helical ramp inlet slot portion  114 , is rotationally spring coupled via biasing or collar spring  94 , for limited pivotal movement thereof, to a known nipple assembly  18 . PtCHSM  16  functions by being actuated via the linear movement of a known coupler half  20 , relative to nipple half  18 , wherein rollers  20  of the former initially contact helical ramp inlet slot portion  114  of the latter and, as a result of the continuing axial advancement of coupler half  20  and the helical ramp angle of inlet slot portion  114  causing cup-shaped member  80  to rotationally pivot, thereby permitting rollers  26  to enter the proximate end of locking slot portion  112 . The noted rotational pivoting of member  80  also winds up or additionally tensions collar spring  94  so that, once rollers  26  enter circumferentially-extending slot portions  112 , collar spring  94  unwinds and rotationally moves member  80  until rollers  26  abut the distal ends of locking slot portion  112 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . If desired, the unwinding action of collar spring  94  can be manually augmented by operator-manipulation of actuating handle  100  in the clockwise direction. 
         [0046]    In terms of the disassembly of quick disconnect coupling  14 , i. e., proceeding from the  FIG. 4  showing, wherein rollers  26  are located at the distal ends of locking slot portions  112 , to the  FIG. 5  showing, where rollers  16  are located near the proximate end of locking slot portion  112 , the bias of collar spring  94  is overridden by operator-manipulation of actuator handle  100  in the counterclockwise direction. Once rollers  26  are in the  FIG. 5  position, quick disconnect coupling  14  can be pulled apart by axially separating nipple assembly  18  and coupler assembly  20 , with full separation thereof occurring once rollers  26  have fully exited from outlet slot portion  110 , with coupler assemblies  18  and  20  then again being in the relative positions shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . while helical slot-type mechanisms have been used as locking devices in prior art constructions with quick disconnect couplings, all such known devices have one half of such couplings fixedly mounted in position, with the connecting or locking action being accomplished by turning or twisting either one half of the coupling or part of the coupling. In contrast thereto, in the PtCHSM  16  of the present invention, it is cup-shaped member or collar  80  that includes opposing locking devices  107 , with collar portion  80  moving in rotation while the connection between the coupler halves  18  and  20 , via opposed rollers  26 , is being accomplished in an axial movement, in the manner previously described. Thus, PtCHSM  16  of the present invention uses biasing or collar spring  94  to make a basically automatic connection. It should be understood, at this time, that collar spring  94 , as soon as the noted automatic connection has been accomplished, returns collar  80  to its home or at-rest position, ready for another connection. 
         [0047]    It is deemed that one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the present invention fills remaining needs in this art and will be able to effect various changes, substitutions of equivalents and various other aspects of the invention as described herein. Thus, it is intended that the protection granted hereon be limited only by the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.