Patent ID: 8469407

Claim:
A bottom loading coupler comprising: a coupler body comprising a plurality of slots extending through a body sidewall of the coupler body and a plurality of interlocks, wherein each interlock is positioned in a corresponding slot in the body sidewall and pivotally coupled to the coupler body such that each interlock has an engaged position and a disengaged position with respect to the coupler body, wherein each interlock is biased to the disengaged position; a coupler sleeve slidably positioned around the coupler body, wherein the coupler sleeve is slidable from a first, retracted position relative to the coupler body to a second, extended position relative to the coupler body; the coupler sleeve comprises a sleeve retention stop located on an inner circumference of the coupler sleeve; a support ring removably coupled to an outer circumference of the coupler body, wherein the support ring contacts the inner circumference of the coupler sleeve aligning the coupler body in the coupler sleeve and providing a bearing surface for the coupler sleeve; the biasing element is positioned between the coupler sleeve and the coupler body, wherein the biasing element biases the coupler sleeve to the second, extended position relative to the coupler body; the biasing element is positioned between the support ring and the sleeve retention stop; the biasing element is seated on the support ring and the sleeve retention stop; wherein: the interlocks are in the disengaged position when the coupler sleeve is in the first, retracted position; and the interlocks are in the engaged position when the coupler sleeve is in the second, extended position.