Abstract:
A female coupling device includes: a main body, and a clip member coupled to the main body, the clip member having a plurality of arms extending perpendicularly therefrom, with the plurality of arms forming at least one pair of arms, with the pair of arms including a first distance therebetween and a second distance therebetween, with the first distance being sized to engage a clip groove of a mating male coupling device, and with the second distance being sized to disengage the mating male coupling device. In a locked position, the pair of arms is positioned so that the first distance is adjacent to the mating male coupling device. In an unlocked position, the pair of arms is positioned so that the second distance is adjacent to the mating male coupling device.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
       [0001]    This application is related to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/061,791 filed on Oct. 9, 2014 and U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/102,841 filed on Jan. 13, 2015, the entireties of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Coupling assemblies typically include female and male coupling devices that are connected to create a fluid flow path therebetween. Such coupling assemblies can be used in various applications to connect sources of fluid with destinations for that fluid. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    In one aspect, a female coupling device includes: a main body defining a first fluid passageway therethrough; and a clip member coupled to the main body, the clip member defining a clip body and a plurality of arms extending perpendicularly therefrom, with the plurality of arms forming at least one pair of arms, with the pair of arms including a first distance therebetween and a second distance therebetween, with the first distance being sized to engage a clip groove of a mating male coupling device, and with the second distance being sized to disengage the mating male coupling device; wherein, in a locked position, the pair of arms is positioned so that the first distance is adjacent to the mating male coupling device so that the pair of arms is received in the clip groove to couple the mating male coupling device to the female coupling device; and wherein, in an unlocked position, the pair of arms is positioned so that the second distance is adjacent to the mating male coupling device to allow the mating male coupling device to be removed from the female coupling device. 
         [0004]    In another aspect, a female coupling assembly includes: a main body including a first female coupling device and a second female coupling device, with the first female coupling device defining a first fluid passageway therethrough, and the second female coupling device defining a second fluid passageway therethrough; and a clip member coupled to the main body, the clip member defining a clip body and a plurality of arms extending perpendicularly therefrom, with the plurality of arms forming at least one pair of arms, with the pair of arms including a first distance therebetween and a second distance therebetween, with the first distance being sized to engage a clip groove of a mating male coupling device, and with the second distance being sized to disengage the mating male coupling device; wherein, in a locked position, the pair of arms is positioned so that the first distance is adjacent to the mating male coupling device so that the pair of arms is received in the clip groove to couple the mating male coupling device to the female coupling assembly; and wherein, in an unlocked position, the pair of arms is positioned so that the second distance is adjacent to the mating male coupling device to allow the mating male coupling device to be removed from the female coupling assembly. 
         [0005]    In another aspect, a female coupling assembly includes: a main body including a first female coupling device and a second female coupling device, with the first female coupling device defining a first fluid passageway therethrough, and the second female coupling device defining a second fluid passageway therethrough; and a clip member coupled to the main body, the clip member defining a clip body and a plurality of arms extending perpendicularly therefrom, with the plurality of arms forming at least one pair of arms, with the pair of arms including a first distance therebetween and a second distance therebetween, with the first distance being sized to engage a clip groove of a mating male coupling device, and with the second distance being sized to disengage the mating male coupling device; wherein, in a locked position, the pair of arms is positioned so that the first distance is adjacent to the mating male coupling device so that the pair of arms is received in the clip groove to couple the mating male coupling device to the female coupling assembly; and wherein, in an unlocked position, the pair of arms is positioned so that the second distance is adjacent to the mating male coupling device and the pair of arms is flexed outwardly to allow the mating male coupling device to be removed from the female coupling assembly. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example coupling assembly. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the coupling assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the coupling assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the coupling assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is another side view of the coupling assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is an end view of the coupling assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a perspective exploded view of the coupling assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a female coupling assembly of the coupling assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is an end view of the female coupling assembly of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a top view of the female coupling assembly of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is a bottom view of the female coupling assembly of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  is a side view of the female coupling assembly of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 13  is another side view of the female coupling assembly of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 14  is an exploded perspective view of the female coupling assembly of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the female coupling assembly of  FIG. 8  without the clip member. 
           [0022]      FIG. 16  is an end view of the female coupling assembly of  FIG. 15 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 17  is a top view of the female coupling assembly of  FIG. 15 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 18  is a bottom view of the female coupling assembly of  FIG. 15 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 19  is a side view of the female coupling assembly of  FIG. 15 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 20  is another side view of the female coupling assembly of  FIG. 15 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 21  is a top view of a clip member of the female coupling assembly of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 22  is a bottom view of the clip member of  FIG. 21 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 23  is a perspective view of the clip member of  FIG. 21 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 24  is an end view of the clip member of  FIG. 21 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 25  is a side view of the clip member of  FIG. 21 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 26  is another side view of the clip member of  FIG. 21 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 27  is a cross-sectional view of the female coupling assembly of  FIG. 8  with the clip member in the locked position. 
           [0034]      FIG. 28  is another cross-sectional view of the female coupling assembly of  FIG. 27 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 29  is another cross-sectional view of the female coupling assembly of  FIG. 27 . 
           [0036]      FIG. 30  is a cross-sectional view of the female coupling assembly of  FIG. 8  with the clip member in the unlocked position. 
           [0037]      FIG. 31  is a cross-sectional view of the coupling assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0038]      FIG. 32  is a perspective view of another female coupling assembly. 
           [0039]      FIG. 33  is an end view of the female coupling assembly of  FIG. 32 . 
           [0040]      FIG. 34  is an opposite end view of the female coupling assembly of  FIG. 32 . 
           [0041]      FIG. 35  is a top view of the female coupling assembly of  FIG. 32 . 
           [0042]      FIG. 36  is a bottom view of the female coupling assembly of  FIG. 32 . 
           [0043]      FIG. 37  is a side view of the female coupling assembly of  FIG. 32 . 
           [0044]      FIG. 38  is a perspective view of the female coupling assembly of  FIG. 32  without the clip member. 
           [0045]      FIG. 39  is an end view of the female coupling assembly of  FIG. 38 . 
           [0046]      FIG. 40  is an opposite end view of the female coupling assembly of  FIG. 38 . 
           [0047]      FIG. 41  is a top view of the female coupling assembly of  FIG. 38 . 
           [0048]      FIG. 42  is a bottom view of the female coupling assembly of  FIG. 38 . 
           [0049]      FIG. 43  is a side view of the female coupling assembly of  FIG. 38 . 
           [0050]      FIG. 44  is a top view of a clip member of the female coupling assembly of  FIG. 32 . 
           [0051]      FIG. 45  is a bottom view of the clip member of  FIG. 44 . 
           [0052]      FIG. 46  is a perspective view of the clip member of  FIG. 44 . 
           [0053]      FIG. 47  is an end view of the clip member of  FIG. 44 . 
           [0054]      FIG. 48  is an opposite end view of the clip member of  FIG. 44 . 
           [0055]      FIG. 49  is a side view of the clip member of  FIG. 44 . 
           [0056]      FIG. 50  is a perspective view of another female coupling assembly. 
           [0057]      FIG. 51  is an end view of the female coupling assembly of  FIG. 50 . 
           [0058]      FIG. 52  is a top view of the female coupling assembly of  FIG. 50 . 
           [0059]      FIG. 53  is a bottom view of the female coupling assembly of  FIG. 50 . 
           [0060]      FIG. 54  is a side view of the female coupling assembly of  FIG. 50 . 
           [0061]      FIG. 55  is a top view of a clip member of the female coupling assembly of  FIG. 50 . 
           [0062]      FIG. 56  is a bottom view of the clip member of  FIG. 55 . 
           [0063]      FIG. 57  is a perspective view of the clip member of  FIG. 55 . 
           [0064]      FIG. 58  is an end view of the clip member of  FIG. 55 . 
           [0065]      FIG. 59  is a side view of the clip member of  FIG. 55 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0066]    In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a dual coupling assembly including two female coupling devices. Other configurations are possible. For example, in another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a coupling assembly including a single female coupling device. 
         [0067]    In the examples described herein, the coupling assembly is valved (see valving  500  in  FIGS. 31 and 33 ). However, in other examples, the coupling assembly can be non-valved. 
         [0068]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-6 and 31 , an example coupling assembly  100  is shown. The coupling assembly includes female coupling assembly  201  with female coupling devices  200 A,  200 B and male coupling devices  300 A,  300 B. 
         [0069]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-20 , in this example, the female coupling devices  200 A,  200 B are joined by a shroud portion  400 . The shroud portion  400  is coupled to the female coupling devices  200 A,  200 B so that the female coupling assembly  201  forms dual, separate fluid passageways. Specifically, each of the female coupling devices  200 A,  200 B includes a main body  204 A,  204 B and a termination  202 A,  202 B. The main body  204 A,  204 B forms a fluid passageway  201 A,  201 B theretrough. In these examples, fluid can be any type of fluid, such as a liquid or gas (e.g., air). Each fluid passageway  201 A,  201 B is separate. 
         [0070]    The female coupling assembly  201  can be formed using known techniques, such as sonic welding, staking, press-fitting, threading, insert molding, and/or snapping. In this example, the main bodies  204 A,  204 B and shroud portion  400  are integrally molded. However, in other examples, the main bodies  204 A,  204 B, terminations  202 A,  202 B, and shroud portion  400  can be coupled using sonic welding or other techniques disclosed herein. 
         [0071]    The male coupling devices  300 A,  300 B each includes a main body  304 A,  304 B and a termination  302 A,  302 B. The main body  304 A,  304 B forms a fluid passageway  301 A,  301 B therethrough and a clip groove  303 A,  303 B. 
         [0072]    The terminations  202 A,  202 B,  302 A,  302 B are configured to be coupled to another component, such as fluid lines and/or devices. For example, in one embodiment, the termination  302 A is connected to a fluid line extending to a fluid source. The termination  202 A is connected to a fluid line extending to a fluid destination. Fluid (i.e., liquid or gas) is provided from the fluid source, through the fluid line, through the female coupling assembly  201 , and to the fluid destination. The terminations  302 B and  202 B can be similarly connected to the same or a different fluid source and destination. 
         [0073]    Referring now to  FIGS. 21-26 , the female coupling assembly  201  includes a clip member  250 . The clip member  250  is protected by the shroud portion  400  and moves in directions  254 ,  255  (see  FIGS. 27-30 ) between locked and unlocked positions. 
         [0074]    As shown in  FIGS. 27-29 , the clip member  250  is in the locked position. A spring  256  forces the clip member  250  in the direction  255  into this locked position. The spring  256  is positioned about a post  260 . The clip member  250  is retained in the locked position within the shroud portion  400  by tabs  262 ,  264  that engage the shroud portion  400 . Specifically, the tab  262  engages a tab  462  formed by the shroud portion  400 , and the tab  264  on an end of the post  260  engages a tab  464  formed by material extending between the main bodies  204 A,  204 B to hold the clip member  250  in place. 
         [0075]    The clip member  250  includes a main body  270  with a contoured portion  272  that allows for placement of an individual&#39;s finger (e.g., thumb) for actuation from the locked state to the unlocked state, as described below. In addition, there are recessed contours  207  formed on the bottom sides of the main bodies  204 A,  204 B to help locate opposing fingers of the individual to assist in generating the force necessary to actuate the clip member  250 . Arms  274 A,  274 B and  276 A,  276 B extend generally perpendicularly from the main body  270  in pairs. The arms  274 A,  276 A form a first pair and are positioned to engage the male coupling device  300 A in the clip groove  303 A formed on the main body  304 A, and the arms  274 B,  276 B form a second pair and are positioned to engage the male coupling device  300 B in the clip groove  303 B formed on the main body  304 B. 
         [0076]    For example, a distance  292  between the arms  274 A,  276 A is smaller than a diameter of a front portion  305 A of the main body  304 A of the male coupling device  300 A. When the front portion  305 A is introduced into the fluid passageway  201 A of the female coupling device  200 A with the clip member  250  in the locked position, the arms  274 A,  274 B bend in opposite directions  258 ,  259  to allow the front portion  305 A to pass theretrough. A tapered portion  278  of each arm  274 A,  276 A facilitates the arms  274 A,  276 A riding along the front portion  305 A as the arms  274 A,  276 A are forced to bend in directions  258 ,  259 . 
         [0077]    When the male coupling device  300 A is fully inserted, the arms  274 A,  276 A are received in the clip groove  303 A. Since the clip groove  303 A has a smaller diameter, the arms  274 A,  276 A return to their resting positions within the clip groove  303 A. In this configuration, the arms  274 A,  276 A are positioned in the clip groove  303 A at opposite sides of the male coupling device  300 A and resist movement of the male coupling device  300 A in a direction out of the female coupling device  200 A. This retains the male coupling device  300 A within the female coupling device  200 A so that fluid can flow therethrough. 
         [0078]    In this example, the openings formed by the main body  204 B each includes an angled front surface  209 . See  FIG. 31 . This angled front surface  209  functions to force the arms  274 A,  274 B and  276 A,  276 B inward towards the clip grooves  303 A,  303 B when the clip member  250  is in the locked position and an axial load is placed on the mating male coupling device  300 A,  300 B in a direction out of the mating female coupling device  200 A,  200 B. In this manner, the angled front surfaces  209  help to retain the male coupling device  300 A,  300 B within the respective female coupling device  200 A,  200 B. 
         [0079]    The male coupling device  300 B can be coupled to the main body  204 B in a similar manner. Each of the male coupling devices  300 A,  300 B can be connected separately to the female coupling assembly  201  without impacting the connection state of the other coupling device  300 A,  300 B. In other words, since the clip member  250  remains in the locked position during insertion of the male coupling devices  300 A,  300 B, the introduction of a second male coupling device while a first male coupling device is already connected does not disconnect the first male coupling device. 
         [0080]    When the clip member  250  is depressed in the direction  254  against the spring  256 , any of the male coupling devices  300 A,  300 B that are coupled to the female coupling assembly  201  can be disconnected from the female coupling assembly  201 . 
         [0081]    The unlocked position for the clip member  250  is shown in  FIG. 30 . When depressed, the arms  274 A,  276 A (and  274 B,  276 B) are moved so that notches  284 A,  286 A, are positioned at the clip groove  303 A. In addition, ends of the arms  274 A,  276 A contact angled surfaces  289  formed by the main body  204 A to cause the arms  274 A,  276 A to move in the directions  258 ,  259 . This allows the front portion  305 A to clear the arms  274 A,  276 A and thereupon remove the male coupling device  300 A from the female coupling device  200 A. In other words, since the distance  294  at the notches  284 A,  286 A is larger (i.e., wider) than the distance  292 , the arms  274 A,  276 A can clear the clip groove  303 A and front portion  305 A to allow for removal of the male coupling device  300 A. Removal of the male coupling device  300 B can be accomplished in a similar manner. 
         [0082]    When the clip member  250  is released, the spring  256  thereupon moves the clip member  250  in the direction  255  back into the locked position. 
         [0083]    In example embodiments, the female coupling assembly  201  is formed using various polymeric materials. In one example, the main bodies  204 A,  204 B (including terminations  202 A,  202 B) and shroud portion  400  are made of ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), and clip member  250  is made of acetal. These structures can be formed using various techniques, such as injected molding. Other materials, such as polycarbonate, polysulfone, nylon, and polypropylene, can be used. 
         [0084]    Referring now to  FIGS. 32-49 , another example female coupling assembly  600  is shown. The female coupling assembly  600  is similar to the female coupling assembly  201  described above except for the noted differences below. 
         [0085]    The female coupling assembly  600  includes female coupling devices  600 A,  600 B and a clip member  650 . The female coupling devices  600 A,  600 B include valves  500 . 
         [0086]    As shown in  FIGS. 44-49 , the clip member  650  includes a main body  670  with arms  674 A,  674 B and  676 A,  676 B extend generally perpendicularly from the main body  670  in pairs like clip member  250  described herein. 
         [0087]    Each of the arms  672 A,  674 A,  672 B,  674 B includes a bottom portion  672 A,  674 A,  672 B,  674 B that extends from the arms  674 A,  674 B and  676 A,  676 B, respectively. Each pair of the bottom portions  672 A,  674 A,  672 B,  674 B extends towards the opposite bottom portion  672 A,  674 A,  672 B,  674 B, respectively. Each of the bottom portions  672 A,  674 A,  672 B,  674 B includes a contoured section  678  sized to be received in the clip groove of a mating male coupling device, as described below. The section  678  also assists in the deflection of the arms  674 A,  674 B and  676 A,  676 B during connection of the male coupling device  300 A. 
         [0088]    Each pair of the bottom portions  672 A,  674 A,  672 B,  674 B forms an opening  676  therebetween, so that the bottom portions  672 A,  674 A,  672 B,  674 B do not extend completely to touch. The opening  676  allows the respective arms  674 A,  674 B and  676 A,  676 B to flex during insertion of the male coupling device, so that the arms  674 A,  674 B and  676 A,  676 B and bottom portions  672 A,  674 A,  672 B,  674 B move outwardly to allow for insertion of the male coupling device  300 A. 
         [0089]    When the male coupling device  300 A is fully inserted into the female coupling device  600 A of the female coupling assembly  600 , the arms  674 A,  676 A are received in the clip groove  303 A. In addition, the bottom portions  672 A,  674 A are received in the clip groove  303 A. Since the clip groove  303 A has a smaller diameter, the arms  674 A,  676 A return to their resting positions within the clip groove  303 A. In this configuration, the arms  674 A,  676 A are positioned in the clip groove  303 A at opposite sides of the male coupling device  300 A and the bottom portions  672 A,  674 A at the bottom of the clip groove  303 A to resist movement of the male coupling device  300 A in a direction out of the female coupling device  600 A. This retains the male coupling device  300 A within the female coupling device  600 A so that fluid can flow therethrough. 
         [0090]    Each of the male coupling devices  300 A,  300 B can be connected separately to the female coupling assembly  600  without impacting the connection state of the other coupling device  300 A,  300 B. In other words, since the clip member  650  remains in the locked position during insertion of the male coupling devices  300 A,  300 B, the introduction of a second male coupling device while a first male coupling device is already connected does not disconnect the first male coupling device. 
         [0091]    When the clip member  650  is depressed, any of the male coupling devices  300 A,  300 B that is coupled to the female coupling assembly  600  is disconnected from the female coupling assembly  600 . When depressed, the arms  674 A,  676 A (and  674 B,  676 B) are moved so that notches  284 A,  286 A, are positioned at the clip groove  303 A and the bottom portions  672 A,  674 A,  672 B,  674 B are moved out of the clip groove  303 A (and move within openings  610  formed at the bottom of the female coupling device  600 A, as shown in  FIGS. 36 and 42 ). This allows the front portion  305 A to clear the arms  674 A,  676 A and the bottom portions  672 A,  674 A,  672 B,  674 B and thereupon remove the male coupling device  300 A from the female coupling device  600 A. 
         [0092]    A member  611  is formed between each pair of openings  610  formed in the body  600 A. The member  611  functions to strengthen the body  600 A, particularly during loading of the mating male coupling device upon use. Specifically, the member  611  can maintain the shape of the openings  610  during axial loading of the male coupling device during use. 
         [0093]    Although the examples show a dual coupling assembly, in other embodiments a single coupler can be used. In such an example, a single pair of arms would extend from the clip member to capture the single male coupling device inserted into the single female coupling device. 
         [0094]    For instance, referring now to  FIGS. 50-59 , another example female coupling assembly  700  is shown. The female coupling assembly  700  is similar to the female coupling assembly  600  described above except for the noted differences below. 
         [0095]    The female coupling assembly  700  includes a single female coupling device  700 A and a clip member  750 . The female coupling device  700  includes a valve  500 . 
         [0096]    As shown in  FIGS. 55-59 , the clip member  750  includes a main body  770  with arms  774 A,  774 B extend generally perpendicularly from the main body  770  in a pair like clip members  250 ,  650  described herein. 
         [0097]    Each of the arms  774 A,  774 B includes a bottom portion  772 A,  772 B that extends from the arms  774 A,  774 B, respectively. The bottom portion  772 A extends towards the bottom portion  772 B. Each of the bottom portions  772 A,  772 B includes a contoured section  778  sized to be received in the clip groove of a mating male coupling device, as described below. The section  778  also assists in the deflection of the arms  774 A,  774 B during connection of the male coupling device  300 A. 
         [0098]    The bottom portions  774 A,  774 B form an opening  776  therebetween, so that the bottom portions  774 A,  774 B do not extend completely to touch. The opening  776  allows the respective arms  774 A,  774 B to flex during insertion of the male coupling device, so that the arms  774 A,  774 B and bottom portions  772 A,  772 B move outwardly to allow for insertion of the male coupling device  300 A. Other configurations are possible. For example, in another design, the bottom portions  774 A,  774 B extend towards one another to touch or otherwise interface. 
         [0099]    When the male coupling device  300 A is fully inserted into the female coupling device  700 A of the female coupling assembly  700 , the arms  774 A,  774 B are received in the clip groove  303 A. In addition, the bottom portions  772 A,  772 B are received in the clip groove  303 A. Since the clip groove  303 A has a smaller diameter, the arms  774 A,  774 B return to their resting positions within the clip groove  303 A. In this configuration, the arms  774 A,  774 B are positioned in the clip groove  303 A at opposite sides of the male coupling device  300 A and the bottom portions  772 A,  772 B at the bottom of the clip groove  303 A to resist movement of the male coupling device  300 A in a direction out of the female coupling device  600 A. This retains the male coupling device  300 A within the female coupling device  700 A so that fluid can flow therethrough. 
         [0100]    When the clip member  750  is depressed, the male coupling device  300 A that is coupled to the female coupling assembly  700  can be disconnected from the female coupling assembly  700 . When depressed, the arms  774 A,  774 B are moved so that notches  784 A,  784 B are positioned at the clip groove  303 A and the bottom portions  772 A,  772 B are moved out of the clip groove  303 A (and move within openings  710  formed at the bottom of the female coupling device  700 A, as shown in  FIG. 53 ). This allows the front portion  305 A to clear the arms  774 A,  774 B and the bottom portions  772 A,  772 B and thereupon remove the male coupling device  300 A from the female coupling device  700 A. 
         [0101]    Other configurations are possible. For example, in another embodiment, a dual coupling assembly is provided that includes two separate clip members. Each of the clip members can be configured in a manner similar to that of the clip member  750  described above. In this example, each of the clip members of the dual assembly can be actuated separately from the other. 
         [0102]    Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.