Patent ID: 7959192

Claim:
A disconnectable connector assembly comprising: (a) a first polymeric fitting including a first open end, and a second open end; (b) a stem disposed in the first fitting, the stem including an open end and a closed end, a head comprising the closed end, a side wall including one or more apertures and a plurality of circumferential grooves, and a plurality of resilient members circumferentially engaging circumferential grooves in the side wall, wherein the stem is axially movable, from a first position to a second position, in the direction from the first end of the first fitting toward the second end of the first fitting; (c) a valve; and, (d) a second polymeric fitting connected to the first fitting, the second fitting including a first end and a second end, a valve guide and a spring, the second fitting being in fluid communication with the stem and the first fitting when the stem is in the first position, the valve guide and the spring biasing the valve in an open position when the stem is in the first position and wherein fluid flow between the second fitting and the stem and the first fitting is blocked when the stem is in the second position; wherein the first fitting is disconnectable from the second fitting when the stem is in the second position and the valve remains in the second fitting when the first fitting and the second fitting are disconnected.