초록 ▼

A pneumatic coupling is provided. The pneumatic coupling is configured to couple a plurality of pneumatic lines together. According to the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the pneumatic coupling includes first and second housings and a plurality of fittings sized to receive the pneuma

A pneumatic coupling is provided. The pneumatic coupling is configured to couple a plurality of pneumatic lines together. According to the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the pneumatic coupling includes first and second housings and a plurality of fittings sized to receive the pneumatic lines.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A pneumatic device configured to supply pressurized air, the pneumatic device comprising a plurality of pneumatic supply lines, a plurality of pneumatic receiving lines configured to receive pressurized air from the plurality of pneumatic supply lines, and a pneumatic c

The invention claimed is: 1. A pneumatic device configured to supply pressurized air, the pneumatic device comprising a plurality of pneumatic supply lines, a plurality of pneumatic receiving lines configured to receive pressurized air from the plurality of pneumatic supply lines, and a pneumatic coupling configured to couple and uncouple the plurality of pneumatic receiving lines from the plurality of pneumatic supply lines, the pneumatic coupling including a two-piece housing, a plurality of supply line fittings configured to receive the plurality of pneumatic supply lines, a plurality of receiving line fittings configured to receive the plurality of pneumatic receiving lines, and an over-center latch configured to couple the two-piece housing together, the two-piece housing including a pair of identical housings, each identical housing including a plurality of channel bodies defining channels sized to receive the plurality of supply and receiving line fittings and a plurality of parallel ribs coupled to the channel bodies, each of the ribs having a cantilevered portion extending away from at least one of the channel bodies, the channels having an exterior end and an interior end, the plurality of supply and receiving pneumatic lines being positioned within the exterior ends of the channels, the interior ends of the channels of one of the identical housings being positioned adjacent to the interior ends of the channels of the other identical housing, each of the plurality of supply and receiving line fittings being sized for insertion through the interior ends of the channels to couple with at least one of the supply and pneumatic receiving lines, the over-center latch being configured to couple the cantilevered portions of the ribs of one of the identical housings to the cantilevered portions of the ribs of the other identical housing to separably couple the two-piece housing together. 2. A pneumatic coupling configured to couple a plurality of pneumatic lines, the pneumatic coupling comprising a first housing having at least one aperture sized to receive a first pneumatic line of the plurality of the pneumatic lines, a second housing having at least one aperture sized to receive a second pneumatic line of the plurality of pneumatic lines, and a coupler configured to couple the second housing to the first housing to couple the first and second pneumatic lines in fluid communication, the coupler including a link pivotably coupled to the first housing and a latch member coupled to the link to pivot about a pivot axis extending through the link, the latch member being configured to couple the second housing to the first housing, wherein the first housing includes a plurality of apertures sized to receive a plurality of pneumatic lines and the second housing includes a plurality of apertures sized to receive a plurality of pneumatic lines. 3. The pneumatic coupling of claim 2, further comprising another coupler configured to couple the first housing to the second housing to couple the first and second pneumatic lines in fluid communication and including a link pivotably coupled to the second housing and a latch member pivotably coupled to said link and configured to couple to the first housing to couple the first housing to the second housing. 4. The pneumatic coupling of claim 2, wherein the latch member is movable between an unlatched position and to an over-center position where it is urged to a latched position. 5. The pneumatic coupling of claim 2, wherein the latch member is movable between first, second, and third positions, the first and second housings are coupled together and the first and second pneumatic lines are in fluid communication when the latch member is in the first position, the first and second housings are spaced apart and the first and second pneumatic lines are unsealed when the latch member is in the second position, the latch member restrains movement of the second housing relative to the first housing when in the second position, the latch member is spaced apart from the second housing when in the third position to permit unrestrained movement of the second housing relative to the first housing. 6. A pneumatic coupling configured to couple a plurality of pneumatic lines, the pneumatic coupling comprising a first housing adapted to receive a first pneumatic line of the plurality of pneumatic lines, and a second housing adapted to receive a second pneumatic line of the plurality of pneumatic lines, the second housing being movable relative to the first housing between a first position coupled to the first housing and a second position coupled to the first housing, when the second housing is in the first position, the first and second pneumatic lines are in sealed fluid communication permitting air to flow therebetween, when the second housing is in the second position, the first and second pneumatic lines are unsealed permitting air from the first pneumatic line to flow externally of the first and second pneumatic lines, wherein the first housing is adapted to receive a plurality of pneumatic lines including the first pneumatic line, the second housing is adapted to receive a plurality of pneumatic lines including the second pneumatic line, the plurality of pneumatic lines received by the first housing are in sealed fluid communication with the plurality of pneumatic lines received by the second housing when the second housing is in the first position. 7. The pneumatic coupling of claim 6, wherein the second housing is movable to a third position uncoupled from the first housing and unrestrained relative to the first housing. 8. The pneumatic coupling of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of fittings configured to receive the pneumatic lines received by the first and second housings. 9. A pneumatic device comprising a first pneumatic component configured to receive pressurized air, a second pneumatic component configured to receive pressurized air, and a pneumatic coupling configured to couple the first pneumatic component to the second pneumatic component, the pneumatic coupling being configured to move from a first position with the first and second components fluidly coupled to permit the flow of pressurized air from the first pneumatic component to the second pneumatic component and a second position with the first and second pneumatic components fluidly uncoupled to permit the flow of pressurized air from the first pneumatic component to a location external of the first and second pneumatic components, the second pneumatic component being restrained from moving beyond a predetermined distance from the first pneumatic component when the pneumatic coupling is in the second position, wherein the pneumatic coupling includes first and second housings and a coupler configured to couple the first and second housings together, and a first plurality of pneumatic lines and a second plurality of fluid lines, the first pneumatic component is a pneumatic line included in the first plurality of pneumatic lines, the second pneumatic component is a pneumatic line included in the second plurality of pneumatic lines, the first housing is configured to receive the first plurality of fluid lines, the second housing is configured to receive the second plurality of fluid lines, the first and second plurality of pneumatic lines being in sealed fluid communication when the pneumatic coupling is in the first position. 10. The pneumatic device of claim 9, wherein the first and second plurality of pneumatic lines are simultaneously sealed together when the pneumatic coupling moves to the first position and simultaneously unsealed when the pneumatic coupling moves to the second position. 11. A pneumatic coupling configured to couple a plurality of pneumatic lines, the pneumatic coupling comprising a housing adapted to receive the plurality of pneumatic lines, the housing including an interior region and exterior edges defining a plurality of apertures sized to receive the plurality of pneumatic lines, the plurality of edges defining a minimum width across the plurality of apertures, and a plurality of fittings sized to receive the plurality of pneumatic lines, at least a portion of the plurality of fittings being positioned in the interior region of the housing in a position aligned with a corresponding one of the plurality of apertures, the portions of the plurality of fittings having a maximum width that is greater than the minimum width of the corresponding aperture of the housing, the housing including a plurality of fitting-receiving channels positioned adjacent to the plurality of exterior edges defining the plurality of apertures, each fitting including a plug member positioned in one of the fitting-receiving channels, a seal positioned between the plug member and one of the plurality of pneumatic lines extending through one of the plurality of apertures of the housing, a pneumatic line clamp positioned between said pneumatic line and the fitting-receiving channel, a tube support positioned in an end of said pneumatic line, a clamp actuator extending through said aperture and positioned to engage the pneumatic line clamp, and an O-ring positioned to seal with a plug member of an oppositely positioned fitting. 12. A pneumatic coupling configured to couple a plurality of pneumatic lines, the pneumatic coupling comprising a housing adapted to receive the plurality of pneumatic lines, the housing including an interior region and exterior edges defining a plurality of apertures sized to receive the plurality of pneumatic lines, the plurality of edges defining a minimum width across the plurality of apertures, and a plurality of fittings sized to receive the plurality of pneumatic lines, at least a portion of the plurality of fittings being positioned in the interior region of the housing in a position aligned with a corresponding one of the plurality of apertures, the portions of the plurality of fittings having a maximum width that is greater than the minimum width of the corresponding aperture of the housing, the housing including a first housing and a second housing separable from the first housing, the first and second housings including a plurality of channels sized to receive the plurality of fittings, the plurality of fittings including a plurality of first fittings positioned in the channels of the first housing and adapted to seal with a plurality of pneumatic lines extending into the first housing, and the plurality of fittings including a plurality of second fittings positioned for sealed contact with the plurality of first fittings and adapted to seal with a plurality of pneumatic lines extending into the second housing. 13. A pneumatic coupling configured to couple a plurality of pneumatic components, the pneumatic coupling comprising a housing configured to receive a plurality of pneumatic components and fluidly couple first and second pneumatic components of the plurality of pneumatic components together, the housing including a housing body and a plurality of parallel ribs extending substantially across the housing body to strengthen the housing, the plurality of parallel ribs defining a plurality of grooves therebetween, at least one of the plurality of parallel ribs including a notch, to receive a coupler. 14. The pneumatic coupling of claim 13, wherein the housing body includes a plurality of channel bodies coupled to the plurality of ribs, the channel bodies cooperate to define a plurality of channels sized to receive the first and second pneumatic components. 15. The pneumatic coupling of claim 14, further comprising a plurality of pneumatic line fittings, wherein the plurality of pneumatic line fittings are positioned in the channel bodies and cooperate to provide fluid communication between the first and second pneumatic components. 16. The pneumatic coupling of claim 15, wherein the channel bodies and the ribs cooperate to define a plurality of apertures in the housing. 17. The pneumatic coupling of claim 16, wherein the housing includes identical half portions that are separable from one another. 18. The pneumatic coupling of claim 17, wherein each identical half portion includes a plurality of rib portions extending away from the channel bodies, the pneumatic coupling further comprising a coupler configured to couple the plurality of rib portions of each half portion of the housing together to couple the identical half portions of the housing together. 19. A method of coupling and uncoupling first and second pneumatic components using a pneumatic coupling, the method comprising the steps of coupling the first pneumatic component to the second pneumatic component using the pneumatic coupling so that the first and second pneumatic components are in sealed fluid communication and providing fluid communication between a plurality of pneumatic supply lines and a plurality of pneumatic receiving lines, unsealing the first pneumatic component from the second pneumatic component by permitting movement of the second pneumatic component relative to the first pneumatic component, restraining movement of the second pneumatic component beyond a predetermined location relative to the first pneumatic component with the pneumatic coupling after the unsealing step, and uncoupling the first pneumatic component from the second pneumatic component so that the movement of the second pneumatic component is no longer restrained by the pneumatic coupling. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the coupling, unsealing, and restraining steps are provided by an over-center latch. 21. The method of claim 19, wherein the unsealing step releases pressure in the pneumatic supply and receiving lines. 22. A method of assembling a pneumatic device comprising the steps of providing a pneumatic coupling including a housing and a fitting, the housing defining an interior region, an interior aperture, and an exterior aperture spaced apart from the interior aperture, the pneumatic coupling including a plurality of fittings and the housing including a plurality of interior apertures and a plurality of exterior apertures, each of the plurality of fittings being associated with one of the plurality of interior apertures and one of the plurality of exterior apertures, the plurality of interior apertures being spaced apart from the associated plurality of exterior apertures, and inserting the fitting through the interior aperture into the interior region of the housing to a position aligned with the exterior aperture and inserting each of the plurality of fittings through its associated interior aperture into the interior region of the housing to a position aligned with its associated exterior aperture. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the inserting step includes positioning a first portion of the fitting adjacent to the exterior aperture and inserting a second portion of the fitting through the exterior aperture to couple with the first portion of the fitting. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein a portion of the housing is sandwiched between the first and second portions of the fitting. 25. The method of claim 22, wherein the housing includes a plurality of exterior apertures and a plurality of fitting-receiving channels having a first ends positioned adjacent to the exterior apertures and a second ends spaced apart from the first ends, the providing step further includes providing a plurality of fittings, the inserting step further includes positioning at least first portions of the plurality of fittings in the plurality of fitting-receiving channels through the second ends. 26. The method of claim 22, further comprising a step of inserting a pneumatic line through the exterior aperture. 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the pneumatic coupling defines a flow path, the fitting is inserted through the interior aperture in a first direction along the flow path during the fitting insertion step, the pneumatic line is inserted in a second direction along the flow path during the pneumatic line insertion step, the second direction is opposite the first direction. 28. The method of claim 22, wherein at least a portion of the fitting is inserted into the interior region of the housing without passing through the exterior aperture. 29. The method of claim 22, wherein a plurality of the pneumatic fittings are co-axial after the fitting insertion step. 30. A pneumatic coupling configured to couple a plurality of pneumatic lines, the pneumatic coupling comprising a housing adapted to receive the plurality of pneumatic lines, the housing including a housing body defining an interior region and a plurality of lips having edges defining a plurality of apertures sized to receive the plurality of pneumatic lines, the plurality of edges defining a minimum width across the plurality of apertures, the plurality of lips being integral with the housing body, and a plurality of fittings sized to receive the plurality of pneumatic lines, at least a portion of the plurality of fittings being positioned in the interior region of the housing in a position aligned with a corresponding one of the plurality of apertures, the portions of the plurality of fittings having a maximum width that is greater than the minimum width of the corresponding aperture of the housing, wherein the plurality of fittings include a tube chuck configured to grasp the pneumatic lines, the tube chuck having a diameter greater than the minimum width across the plurality of apertures. 31. A method of assembling a pneumatic device comprising the steps of providing a pneumatic coupling including a housing and a fitting, the housing defining an interior region, an interior aperture, and an exterior aperture spaced apart from the interior aperture, the fitting includes a tube chuck configured to grasp a pneumatic line and a chuck release configured to permit release of the pneumatic line from the tube chuck, inserting the fitting through the interior aperture into the interior region of the housing to a position aligned with the exterior aperture, wherein the tube chuck is moved in a first direction into the interior region of the housing, and inserting at least a portion of the chuck release into the interior region of the housing in a second direction opposite the first direction. 32. The method of claim 31, wherein the tube chuck fails to pass through the exterior aperture during the fitting insertion step. 33. A pneumatic coupling configured to couple a plurality of pneumatic components, the pneumatic coupling comprising a housing configured to receive a plurality of pneumatic components and fluidly couple first and second pneumatic components of the plurality of pneumatic components together, the housing including a housing body and a plurality of parallel ribs extending substantially across the housing body to strengthen the housing, the plurality of parallel ribs defining a plurality of grooves therebetween, the housing body includes a plurality of channel bodies coupled to the plurality of ribs, the channel bodies cooperate to define a plurality of channels sized to receive the first and second pneumatic components, and a plurality of pneumatic line fittings, wherein the plurality of pneumatic line fittings are positioned in the channel bodies and cooperate to provide fluid communication between the first and second pneumatic components. 34. The pneumatic coupling of claim 33 wherein the channel bodies and ribs cooperate to define a plurality of apertures in the housing. 35. The pneumatic coupling of claim 34, wherein the housing includes identical half portions that are separable from one another. 36. The pneumatic coupling of claim 35, wherein each identical half portion includes a plurality of rib portions extending away from the channel bodies, the pneumatic coupling further comprising a coupler configured to couple the plurality of rib portions of each half portion of the housing together to couple the identical half portions of the housing together.