Patent ID: 6974161

Claim:
A coupling device for connecting a filter element to a fluid conduit, comprising: male and female couplings each having a passageway for fluid, the passageways defining an axial direction; the male coupling adapted to be secured to one of the fluid conduit and the filter element, the male coupling having at least two radially projecting lugs; the female coupling engaged with the male coupling for securing the filter element on the fluid conduit, the female coupling having at least two latching tabs for engaging with said lugs; and a spring operatively mounted on the male coupling, the spring disposed so as to engage at least one latching tab when the male and female couplings are moved toward each other, the spring urging the at least one latching tab to rotate around the axial direction in a first angular direction, rotation of the at least one tab in the first angular direction causing the at least one tab to latch to a lug of the male coupling.