Patent ID: 7887102

Claim:
A quick coupling for making a temporary junction between an upstream pipe and a downstream pipe conveying a gas under pressure, the coupling comprising a male portion and a female portion which comprises, a hollow female element for receiving a male plug of the male portion, a latch for retaining in two distinct positions a coupling element selected from the male plug and an optional adapter that is movable between a position for locking the male plug coupled in the female portion and a position for releasing the male plug, and a resilient return member for driving said latch, said latch being movable in a single manual operation against the action of said resilient return member relative to the female element between a first position in which said latch is suitable for retaining the coupling element engaged to a first depth in the female portion and coupled in leak tight manner to said female portion so that gas flows from said upstream pipe to said downstream pipe, and a second position different from said first position in which said latch is suitable for retaining the coupling element engaged to a second depth that is smaller than the first depth, the coupling including a passage for purging the downstream pipe to the outside when the coupling element is at the second depth, but not when the coupling element is at the first depth, wherein said latch is configured in such a manner as to be held in its second position at least in part by positive pressure in said purge passage against the action of said resilient return member; and a drive member for driving the latch at least towards its second position, said drive member and the latch being two distinct parts, wherein said drive member is slidably mounted in the same hole as the latch, the female portion including a retaining abutment for retaining the drive member in said hole.