Fluid conduit coupling assembly having male and female couplers with integral valves

US7806139B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Value Plastics, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Trent Turner Packham · Fort Collins, US
• Francis J. Lombardi, III · Loveland, US
• Leonard L. Hofheins · Concord, US
• Gregg D. Niven · Kaysville, US
• Robert J. Elshof · Fort Collins, US
• Raymond Townsend · Johnstown, US
• Richard W. Cairns · Longmont, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 20, 2006
• Grant date: Oct 5, 2010
• Expiry date: Feb 19, 2027

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T137/87965
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The present invention is a fluid conduit coupling assembly for coupling a first fluid conduit to a second fluid conduit. The fluid conduit coupling assembly comprises a first coupler and a second coupler. The first coupler is for connecting to the first fluid conduit and comprises a first housing and a first valve. The first valve comprises a first lever arm. The second coupler is for connecting to the second fluid conduit and comprises a second housing and a second valve. The second valve comprises a second lever arm. When a force is applied to couple together the couplers, at least a portion of said force is communicated to each lever arm, thereby causing each valve to pivot from a closed position to an open position. The first valve and first lever arm are contained within the first housing, and the second valve and second lever arm are contained within the second housing.