Patent ID: 7575023

Claim:
A fluid breakaway connector for connecting fluid line sections or attachments comprising: a first fitting of generally tubular shape connectable to one section of fluid flow line; a second fitting of generally tubular shape connectable to the other section of fluid flow line and including a second extension therewith said second extension having a circumferential groove and an inner sleeve coaxial with said second fitting, concentric with said second extension, and having a length approximately that of said second extension; said first and second fittings being slidably connected within an outer sleeve, said fittings being held together by a detent means, said detent means engaging said circumferential groove and being disposed to release upon exceeding a pre-determined tensile force; said first and second fittings forming a fuel flow passage; said first and second fittings having check valves, each fitting having a valve seat for the seating of its respective check valves after decoupling of said breakaway connector, one of said check valves having a first extension therewith in said first fitting, and disposed for encountering the other check valve means during breakaway to hold the check valves unseated from their respective valve seats and allowing fluid and vapors to pass through the concentric flow lines and said connector during normal usage; said first and second fittings having connector mounts for securing said check valves to the fittings, said connector mounts allow fluid flow therethrough, and disposed to allow vapor flow through said fuel flow passage; said check valves having cooperating internal vapor passages, said vapor passages cooperatively connected to said fuel flow passage of each connector mount to allow vapors to flow through said vapor passage and out through a spider connector concentric section; means for blocking said flow of fluid and vapors through said connector when said connector is decoupled; and a chamber formed between said inner sleeve and said second fitting and disposed for the reception therein of fluid from the flow line to provide for equalization of fluid forces generated within said device during routine fluid flow to prevent premature decoupling of said connector and leakage from said connector.