Patent ID: 8469405

Claim:
A coupling device configured for connecting a drinkable fluid source to a human-worn, personal protective device without contaminating the drinkable fluid source or an environment inside of the personal protective device, said coupling device comprising: a body having a body fluid inlet end configured for attachment to a drinkable fluid source, and a body fluid outlet end opposite said body fluid inlet end; a cover piece extending around and being at least partially rotatable around said body fluid outlet end, said cover piece being substantially cylindrical and having a longitudinal central axis aligned with a longitudinal central axis of said coupling device, and having a cover piece fluid outlet end, said cover piece fluid outlet end being configured to removably receive a fluid connector from a drink system attached to a personal protective device; a cam lock appliance disposed within said cover piece, said cam lock appliance having a plurality of wedges attached to flexible arms so as to allow radially inward movement of said wedges; and a piston within said coupling device and moveable along said longitudinal axis of said coupling device from a closed position that prevents fluid flow from a drinkable fluid source to a fluid connector from a drink system, to an open position that allows fluid flow from a drinkable fluid source to a fluid connector from a drink system, said piston being configured to move from said closed position to said open position upon insertion of a fluid connector into said cover piece fluid outlet end; wherein rotation of said cover piece in a first direction causes said wedges to be displaced toward said central axis of said coupling device so as to grip a fluid connector inserted within said cover piece fluid outlet end, and rotation of said cover piece in a second, opposite direction allows said wedges to return to a non-displaced position.