Releasable coupling for fluid lines
US5871241A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 22, 1996 |
| Grant date | Feb 16, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 22, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16L37/0985
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A coupling for interconnecting two fluid flow lines includes a first coupling member (1) having a male end (4) and a second coupling member (2) having a female end (17) within which a rotatable collar (3) is held captive. The male end (4) includes four equally circumferentially spaced lobes (16) and the collar (3) has a cylindrical portion (3) that is shaped at its inner end to provide a square cross-section (35) to allow passage of the lobes (16) therethrough. The end rim (33) of collar (3) is recessed (37, 38) whereby upon insertion of male end (4) through collar (3) and rotation of the collar, the lobes (16) can seat within the recesses (37, 38), thereby releasably interconnecting the first and second coupling members (1, 2). Each recess in the end (33) of collar (3) has a first portion (37) and a second, deeper, portion (38) such that when the first member (1) is axially moved in a separating direction, the lobes (16) can seat within the deeper recess portions (38) to prevent relative rotation between collar (3) and male end (4) thereby locking the first member (1) to the second member (2). This prevents accidental release of the coupling, particularly in high pressure applicat…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.