Patent ID: 7887104

Claim:
A quick connect and disconnect coupler (QCDC) that function in combination with a fluid or particulate matter source and a hose, said QCDC comprising: a) a coupler plug comprising: (1) an input and an output, (2) a circumferential slot located between the input and the output, and (3) means for attaching the input of said coupler plug to the fluid or a particulate matter source, and b) a coupler socket comprising: (1) a collar having a central opening and a front raised rim that is integrally attached to a rear section of the collar, and (2) a coupling sleeve having a front section, a rear raised rim and a central opening, wherein the front section is dimensioned to be inserted into the central opening on said collar and retained therein by a retaining clip that is inserted into a clip groove that is located on a forward end of the collar, wherein when said coupling sleeve is inserted into said collar, a lock slot remains that is located between the interface of said collar and said coupling sleeve, and wherein the rear raised rim terminates in an integral threaded section that interfaces with a corresponding threaded connector on the hose from where the fluid and particulate matter is delivered to a fire, c) means for attaching and detaching said coupler socket from said coupler plug, d) a front gripping flange comprising: (1) a central section having a central opening and a plurality of bolt bores, and (2) an outer gripping section that is integrally separated from the central section by a plurality of elongated openings that function as hand grips, wherein said front gripping flange is removably attached to the front raised rim of said collar by a plurality of threaded bolts that are inserted into the plurality of bolt bores located on said central section, and into a plurality of threaded bores located on the front raised rim, e) a rear gripping flange comprising: (1) a central section having an opening and a plurality of bolt bores, and (2) an outer gripping section that is integrally separated from the central section by a plurality of elongated openings that function as hand grips, wherein said rear gripping flange is removably attached to the rear raised rim located on the coupling sleeve by a plurality of threaded bolts that are inserted into the plurality of bolt bores on said central section, and into a plurality of bolt bores on the front section of said coupling sleeve, wherein the combination of said front and rear gripping flanges allows a person to easily and securely grip said QCDC when connecting or disconnecting said coupler socket to and from said coupler plug, and f) means for locking and unlocking said coupler socket to and from said coupler plug.