Patent ID: 7537246

Claim:
A female coupler adapted to be connected to a male coupler comprising: a coupler body having a cylindrical male coupler receiving portion adapted to receive a male coupler therein, and a fluid passage to be fluidly communicated with a fluid passage of the male coupler which has been received in said cylindrical male coupler receiving portion, said cylindrical male coupler receiving portion having a radial hole; a locking member disposed in said radial hole and movable between an engagement position wherein said locking member engages with a locking member receiving recess formed on the outer surface of the male coupler which has been inserted into said cylindrical male coupler receiving portion to thereby prevent the male coupler from being disengaged or moving out from said cylindrical male coupler receiving portion, and a disengagement position wherein said locking member is positioned radially outwardly relative to said engagement position and disengages from the locking member receiving recess of the male coupler to thereby allow the male coupler to move out from said cylindrical male coupler receiving portion; an outer movable member mounted on said cylindrical male coupler receiving portion, said outer movable member being axially movable between a locking position wherein said outer movable member urges said locking member to said engagement position, and an unlocking position wherein said outer movable member allows said locking member to move to said disengagement position; a handle fixedly connected to said outer movable member, said handle enabling an operator to hold said female coupler by grasping said handle for coupling said female coupler with the male coupler; and, a holding member for engaging with and holding said outer movable member to said unlocking position, said holding member being disengaged from said outer movable member to allow said outer movable member to move to said locking position when the male coupler has been inserted into said cylindrical male coupler receiving portion and reached a position wherein the locking member receiving recess is located at an axial position for receiving said locking member; said cylindrical male coupler receiving portion being engaged by and prevented by the male coupler from effecting a further advancement when the male coupler has been inserted into said cylindrical male coupler receiving portion upon advancement of said female coupler towards the male coupler and reached a position wherein the locking member receiving recess is located at an axial position for receiving said locking member.