Patent ID: 8727384

Claim:
A coupler for coupling a first fluid delivery device to a second fluid delivery device, the first fluid delivery device having an inlet opening and a discharge opening, the second fluid delivery device having an inlet opening and a discharge opening, said coupler comprising: a base adapted for mounting at one of the openings of the first fluid delivery device, said base having: a fluid flow passageway extending therethrough along a longitudinal axis, and an annular mounting surface comprising a base shoulder; a locking member moveably coupled to said annular mounting surface of said base about said longitudinal axis, said locking member having a locking member shoulder facing said base shoulder to define a fluid chamber in fluid communication with said fluid flow passageway of said base, said locking member extending around said base and being movable along said base through a predetermined range of motion along said longitudinal axis such that said fluid chamber is longitudinally expanded and contracted as said locking member shoulder advances away from and toward said base shoulder respectively, said locking member defining a locking position at one end of said predetermined range of motion when said fluid chamber is longitudinally expanded and an unlocking position at an opposing end of said predetermined range of motion when said fluid chamber is longitudinally contracted; a connector member having a body adapted for releasably mounting at one of the openings of the second fluid delivery device, said body having a fluid flow passageway extending therethrough, and said connector member releasably received on said base such that said locking member is disposed between said connector member and said base shoulder, said connector member engaged with said locking member when said locking member is in said locking position, such that said connector member is fixed to said base and said locking member when said locking member is in said locking position and moveable with respect to said base when said locking member is moved toward said unlocking position; said locking member and said connector member lock together with a first locking force when a fluid flows through said coupler and into said chamber, the fluid biasing said locking member into engagement with said connector member; and a biasing element biasing said locking member toward said locking position, such that said locking member and said connector member lock together with a second locking force provided by said biasing member when there is no significant fluid flow through said coupler, said first locking force being greater than said second locking force.