Patent ID: 8322756

Claim:
A disconnectable connector assembly comprising: (a) a first polymeric fitting including a first open end, and a second open end; (b) a stem disposed in the first fitting, the stem including an open end and a closed end, a head comprising the closed end, a side wall including one or more apertures and a plurality of circumferential grooves, and a plurality of resilient members circumferentially engaging the circumferential grooves in the side wall, wherein the stem is axially movable, from a first position to a second position, in the direction from the first end of the first fitting toward the second end of the first fitting; (c) valve releasably attached to the stem, the valve including a plurality of legs, wherein the legs are engageable with a lip; (d) a second polymeric fitting connected to the first fitting, the second fitting including a first end and a second end, and the lip, the second fitting being in fluid communication with the stem and the first fitting when the stem is in the first position, and wherein fluid flow between the second fitting and the stem and the first fitting is blocked when the stem is in the second position; wherein the first fitting is disconnectable from the second fitting when the stem is in the second position and the valve is released from the stem and remains in the second fitting with the legs of the valve engaged with the lip, sealing the valve in the first end of the second fitting, when the first and second fittings are disconnected; and, (e) the assembly further comprises one or more of the following (i)-(iii): (i) a stem locking arrangement comprising at least one depression in the side wall of the stem, and a catch engageable with the depression, wherein the first fitting includes the catch; (ii) a lock-out device comprising a deformable tab having a frangible portion, the device preventing axial movement of the stem until the device is removed; and (iii) a connection locking device comprising a substantially cylindrical body, a handle, and at least one frangible portion, the locking device preventing disconnection of the first fitting from the second fitting until the locking device is removed.