Patent ID: 6962321

Claim:
A male coupling portion of the type configured for use with a female coupling portion to form a fluid-flow coupling structure, each of the male and female coupling portions defining a respective fluid flow path and being removably engageable with one another to communicate the respective fluid flow paths, each coupling portion including a respective valve element having a respective closed first position closing the respective fluid flow path from ambient, said respective valve elements moving to respective open second positions when said coupling portions are engaged together to communicate said fluid flow paths with one another, said male coupling portion comprising: a guide structure including support means for supportingly and releasably engaging onto the female coupling portion; said guide structure including structure for guiding a male probe portion in reciprocation between a first position disengaged from the female coupling portion and a second position in which said male probe portion is engageable into the female coupling portion when said coupling portions are engaged together, wherein said guide structure includes a pair of diametrically opposite axially extending and arcuate guide tangs; said male probe portion reciprocable on said guide structure and carrying said respective valve element of said male coupling portion, and said guide structure and respective valve element including cooperating structure for moving said respective valve element to its open second position in response to reciprocation of said male probe portion to its said second position; an actuator rotationally carried upon said guide structure, said actuator and said male probe portion defining cooperating structure for reciprocating said male probe portion between its said first position and its said second position in response to rotation of said actuator.