Patent ID: 7695020

Claim:
A coupling apparatus for fluid dispensing, the coupling apparatus comprising: a plastic body formed as a single integrally molded piece, the plastic body including: a first end and a second end; a first bore defined by the plastic body, the first bore extending axially from the first end to the second end to allow fluid passage therethrough; a second bore defined by the plastic body and extending axially from the first end, the second bore being sized to receive a locking pin; a slot defined by the plastic body at the first end, the slot extending in a direction that is perpendicular to the first bore, and the slot receiving a metal latch plate; a closed face defined by the plastic body, the closed face being positioned beyond the slot at the first end of the plastic body, and the closed face including a continuous surface that covers the metal latch plate; a first opening defined in the continuous surface of the closed face, the first opening being axially aligned with the first bore in the plastic body, and the first opening being sized to allow a mating insert to extend therethrough, and a second opening defined in the continuous surface of the closed face, the second opening being axially aligned with the second bore in the plastic body, and the second opening being sized to allow the locking pin to extend therethrough; the metal latch plate being coupled to the plastic body within the slot and movable to a latched position and a released position, the metal latch plate being capable of coupling the mating insert to the plastic body; and the locking pin being positioned in the second bore, the locking pin being axially movable through the second opening between a first position, to retain the metal latch plate in the released position, and a second position, so that the metal latch plate is movable to the latched position.