Patent ID: 7543854

Claim:
A coupling assembly comprising: a first coupling member extending along an axis from a leading end to a trailing end and having an exterior that includes a first locking surface; a second coupling member extending from a receiving end to a remote end and including a receiving portion sized to receive the first coupling member, the second coupling member also including a second locking surface; a latching sleeve positioned between the first and second coupling members and including a radially outward extending bead, wherein the bead is sized such that as the first coupling member is inserted into the second coupling member, the bead compresses radially inward as it engages the second coupling member and then expands radially outward as it moves over the second locking surface to become engaged between the first locking surface on the first coupling member and the second locking surface on the second coupling member; and a resiliently expandable annular support member secured to the latching sleeve within the bead.