초록 ▼

The female coupling half includes: a body, a plurality of locking bars, a spring, a locking ring, and, a cam. The body includes a plurality of grooves, an exterior, and an internal longitudinal bore. The cam, locking ring and locking bars are movable between first and second positions. The cam in th

The female coupling half includes: a body, a plurality of locking bars, a spring, a locking ring, and, a cam. The body includes a plurality of grooves, an exterior, and an internal longitudinal bore. The cam, locking ring and locking bars are movable between first and second positions. The cam in the first position permits the locking ring in first position, urged by the spring, to force the locking bars to a first position in the grooves of the body and to extend the locking bars into the internal longitudinal bore locking the male and females coupling halves. The cam in the second position engages and forcefully urges the locking bars to a second position in the grooves toward the exterior of the body and the locking bars urge the locking ring to a second position further compressing the spring.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A coupling, comprising: a female coupling half;said female coupling half includes: a body having a longitudinal axis; a locking bar that extends transverse to said longitudinal axis of said body; a spring; a ring; and, a cam;said body includes a groove, an exterior, and an internal longitudinal b

1. A coupling, comprising: a female coupling half;said female coupling half includes: a body having a longitudinal axis; a locking bar that extends transverse to said longitudinal axis of said body; a spring; a ring; and, a cam;said body includes a groove, an exterior, and an internal longitudinal bore therethrough;said groove extends from said exterior of said body to said internal longitudinal bore;said locking bar having an intermediate portion movable in said groove and end portions at opposite ends of said intermediate portion;said spring operable between said body and said ring;said ring engages said locking bar;said cam slidingly engages said body;said cam slidingly engages said end portions of said locking bar externally of said body;said cam movable between first and second positions;said cam in said first position permitting said ring, urged by said spring, to force said locking bar into said groove of said body extending said locking bar into said internal longitudinal bore of said body; and,said cam in said second position forcefully urging said locking bar toward said exterior of said body and out of said internal longitudinal bore against said ring compressing said spring. 2. A coupling as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a sleeve;said sleeve slidingly engages said body and positions said cam in said second position against the force of said spring when desired to permit uncoupling said female coupling half from a male coupling half. 3. A coupling as claimed in claim 1 wherein said end portions are cylindrical and said intermediate portions is substantially square, in cross-section. 4. A coupling as claimed in claim 3 wherein said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portion of said locking bar includes an engagement side, and said engagement side includes an arcuate retaining surface. 5. A coupling as claimed in claim 4 wherein said engagement side of said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portion of said locking bar includes a first arcuate wall, a second arcuate wall, and an arcuate groove residing between said first arcuate wall and said second arcuate wall. 6. A coupling as claimed in claim 5, further comprising: said engagement side includes a first face of said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portion;said engagement side includes a second cut-away face of said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portion;said first arcuate wall extends from said first face of said engagement side of said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portion to said arcuate groove;said second arcuate wall extends from said second cut-away face of said engagement side of said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portion to said arcuate groove; and,said arcuate retaining surface is formed in said second cut-away face of said engagement side of said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portion. 7. A coupling as claimed in claim 1 wherein: one of the end portions of said locking bar includes a first cylindrical portion and a first end surface;a second of the end portions of said locking bar includes a second cylindrical portion and a second end surface;said cam is generally cylindrically shaped and includes an inner surface; said cam includes a first post and a second post;said first post of said cam includes a locking bar first end guide surface;said second post of said cam includes a locking bar second end guide surface;said cam includes a cam surface between said locking bar first end guide surface of said first post of said cam and said locking bar second end guide surface of said second post of said cam;said inner surface of said cam is keyed to said body preventing rotation of said cam with respect to said body;said first end surface is guided by said locking bar first end guide surface of said first post of said cam;said second end surface is guided by said locking bar second end guide surface of said second post of said cam;said first cylindrical portion and said second cylindrical portion slidingly engages said cam surface as said cam moves between said first position and said second position of said cam urging said locking bar toward said exterior of said body and out of said internal longitudinal bore of said body. 8. A coupling as claimed in claim 1 wherein said ring and said cam are each made of metal or plastic. 9. A coupling as claimed in claim 1 wherein said coupling is push-to-connect. 10. A coupling as claimed in claim 1 wherein said locking bar is stainless steel. 11. A coupling as claimed in claim 10 wherein said locking bar is coated with a coating. 12. A coupling, comprising: a female coupling half; said female coupling half includes: a body having a longitudinal axis; a plurality of locking bars that extend transverse to said longitudinal axis of said body; a spring; a ring; and, a cam;said body includes a plurality of grooves, an exterior, and an internal longitudinal bore therethrough;said plurality of grooves extend from said exterior of said body to said internal longitudinal bore;said locking bars each having an intermediate portion movable in said groove and end portions at opposite ends of said intermediate portion;said spring operable between said body and said ring;said ring engages said plurality of locking bars; said cam slidingly engages said body;said cam slidingly engages said end portions of said plurality of locking bars externally of said body;said cam movable between first and second positions;said cam in said first position permitting said ring, urged by said spring, to force said plurality of locking bars into said grooves of said body, each one of said plurality of locking bars extending into said internal longitudinal bore; and,said cam in said second position urging said locking bars toward said exterior of said body and against said ring compressing said spring;a male coupling half; said male coupling half secured by said locking bars when said cam is in said first position. 13. A coupling as claimed in claim 12, further comprising: a sleeve;said sleeve slidingly engages said body and positions said cam in said second position against the force of said spring when desired to permit uncoupling said male coupling half and said female coupling half. 14. A coupling as claimed in claim 13 wherein said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portion of each of said locking bars includes an arcuate retaining surface. 15. A coupling as claimed in claim 14 wherein said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portion of each of said locking bars includes an engagement side; and said engagement side includes a first arcuate wall, a second arcuate wall, and an arcuate groove residing between said first arcuate wall and said second arcuate wall. 16. A coupling as claimed in claim 15, further comprising: said engagement side includes a first face of said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portion;said engagement side includes a second cut-away face of said substantially square, in cross-section, portion;said first arcuate wall extends from said first face of said engagement side of said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portion;said second arcuate wall extends from said second cut-away face of said engagement side of said substantially square, in cross-section, portion; and,said arcuate retaining surface is formed in said second cut-away face of engagement side of said substantially square, in cross-section, portion. 17. A coupling as claimed in claim 12 wherein each said end portion of each locking bar is cylindrical said intermediate portion of each locking bar is substantially square, in cross-section. 18. A coupling as claimed in claim 12 wherein: first one of the end portions of each locking bar includes a first cylindrical portion and a first end surface;a second one of the end portions of each locking bar includes a second cylindrical portion and a second end surface;said cam is generally cylindrically shaped and includes an inner surface; said cam includes a first post, a second post, and a third post;each of said posts of said cam includes one locking bar end guide surface and another locking bar end guide surface;said cam includes a first cam surface, a second cam surface and a third cam surface;said first cam surface resides between said one locking bar end guide surface of said first post and said another locking bar end guide surface of said second post;said second cam surface resides between said one locking bar end guide surface of said second post and said another locking bar end guide surface of said third post;said third cam surface resides between said one locking bar end guide surface of said third post and said another locking bar end guide surface of said first post;said inner surface of said cam is keyed to said body preventing rotation of said cam with respect to said body;said first end surface of said first end of a first said locking bar is guided by said one locking bar first end guide surface of said first post of said cam, said second end surface of said second end of said first locking bar guided by said another locking bar end guide surface of said second post of said cam;said first end surface of said first end of a second said locking bar is guided by said one locking bar first end guide surface of said first post of said cam, said second end surface of said second end of said second locking bar is guided by said another locking bar end guide surface of said third post of said cam;said first end surface of said first end of a third said locking bar is guided by said one locking bar first end guide surface of said third post of said cam, said second end surface of said second end of said third locking bar guided by said another locking bar end guide surface of said first post of said cam;said first cylindrical portion of said first locking bar and said second cylindrical portion of said first locking bar slidingly engages said first cam surface as said cam moves between said first position and said second position urging said locking bar toward said exterior of said body and out of said internal longitudinal bore of said body;said first cylindrical portion of said second locking bar and said second cylindrical portion of said second locking bar slidingly engages said second cam surface as said cam moves between said first position and said second position urging said locking bar toward said exterior of said body and out of said internal longitudinal bore of said body; and,said first cylindrical portion of said third locking bar and said second cylindrical portion of said third locking bar slidingly engages said third cam surface as said cam moves between said first position and said second position urging said locking bar toward said exterior of said body and out of said internal longitudinal bore of said body. 19. A coupling as claimed in claim 12 wherein said ring and said cam are each made of metal or plastic. 20. A coupling as claimed in claim 12 wherein said male coupling half is push-to-connect. 21. A coupling as claimed in claim 12 wherein said locking bar is stainless steel. 22. A coupling as claimed in claim 12 wherein said locking bar is coated with a coating. 23. A coupling, comprising: a female coupling half;said female coupling half includes a body and a locking bar;said locking bar includes a substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portion;said body of said female coupling half includes a groove, an exterior, and an internal longitudinal bore therethrough;said groove extends from said exterior of said body to said internal longitudinal bore;said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portion of said locking bar resides in said groove of said body of said female coupling half; anda male coupling half;said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portion of said locking bar resides in said groove of said body of said female coupling half engaging said male coupling half when said coupling is fully coupled;said male coupling half includes an external circumferentially extending groove, said external circumferentially extending groove includes a circumferentially extending mating surface extending to a radially outer edge of said groove;said locking bar of said female half engages said circumferentially extending mating surface of said external circumferentially extending groove of said male coupling half at an engagement area that is radially inwardly spaced from said radially outer edge of said groove;said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portion of said locking bar of said female coupling half includes an arcuate retaining surface;said arcuate retaining surface of said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portion of said locking bar of said female half, engages said circumferentially extending mating surface of said external circumferentially extending groove of said male half at said engagement area; and,said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portion of said locking bar of said female coupling half includes a second surface opposite said arcuate retaining surface; said second surface opposite said arcuate surface engages said groove of said body of said female coupling half locking said male coupling half and said female coupling half together. 24. A coupling as claimed in claim 23 wherein said groove of said body is transversely oriented with respect to said internal longitudinal bore and wherein said locking bar is transversely oriented with respect to said internal longitudinal bore and said male coupling half. 25. A coupling as claimed in claim 23 wherein: said locking bar of said female coupling half includes a first cylindrical end and a second cylindrical end, said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portion resides between said first and second ends;said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portion of said locking bar of said female half includes a first arcuate wall, a second arcuate wall, and an arcuate groove;said arcuate groove resides between said first arcuate wall and said second arcuate wall; and,said arcuate groove of said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portion of said locking bar of said female half spaced apart from said male coupling half during coupling. 26. A coupling as claimed in claim 25, further comprising: an engagement side of said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portion includes a first face;said engagement side of said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portion includes a second face;said first arcuate wall extends from said first face of said engagement side of said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portion;said second arcuate wall extends from said second face of said engagement side of said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portion; and,said arcuate retaining surface resides in said second face of said engagement side of said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portion. 27. A coupling as claimed in claim 23, further comprising: said female coupling half includes: a spring; a locking ring; and, a cam; spring operable between said body and said locking ring;said ring engages said locking bar; said cam slidingly engages said body;said cam slidingly engages said locking bar;said cam movable between first and second positions;said cam in said first position permitting said ring, urged by said spring, to force said locking bar into said groove of said body extending said locking bar into said internal longitudinal bore of said body; and, said cam in said second position urging said locking bar toward said exterior of said body and out of said internal longitudinal bore against said ring compressing said spring. 28. A coupling as claimed in claim 27, further comprising: a sleeve;said sleeve slidingly engages said body and positions said cam in said second position against the force of said spring when desired to permit uncoupling said male coupling half and said female coupling half. 29. A coupling as claimed in claim 27 wherein said coupling is a push-to-connect coupling. 30. A female coupling half, comprising: a body having a longitudinal axis and a locking bar that extends transverse to said longitudinal axis of said body;said locking bar includes a substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portion between opposite end portions;said body of said female coupling half includes a groove, an exterior, and an internal longitudinal bore therethrough;said groove extends from said exterior of said body to said internal longitudinal bore, and the groove is defined by longitudinally spaced-apart surfaces that are inclined to the longitudinal axis of the body and to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body;said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portion of said locking bar resides in said groove of said body of said female coupling half; andsaid opposite end portions extend transversely outwardly beyond said exterior of said body. 31. A female coupling half as claimed in claim 30 wherein said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portion of said locking bar includes an arcuate retaining surface. 32. A female coupling half as claimed in claim 30 wherein said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portion of said locking bar includes a first arcuate wall, a second arcuate wall, and an arcuate groove residing between said first arcuate wall and said second arcuate wall. 33. A female coupling half as claimed in claim 32, further comprising: a first face of said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portion;a second face of said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portion;said first arcuate wall extends from said first face of said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portion;said second arcuate wall extends from said second face of said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portion; and,said arcuate retaining surface formed in said second face of said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portion. 34. A female coupling half, comprising: a body having a longitudinal axis and a locking bar that extends transverse to said longitudinal axis of said body;said locking bar includes a substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portion between opposite end portions;said body of said female coupling half includes a groove, an exterior, and an internal longitudinal bore therethrough;said groove extends from said exterior of said body to said internal longitudinal bore;said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portion of said locking bar resides in said groove of said body of said female coupling half;said opposite end portions extend transversely outwardly beyond said exterior of said body; andfurther comprising:a spring; a locking ring; and, a cam;spring operable between said body and said locking ring;said ring engages said locking bar;said cam slidingly engages said body;said cam slidingly engages said end portions of said locking bar;said cam movable between first and second positions; and,said cam in said first position permitting said ring, urged by said spring, to force said locking bar into said groove of said body extending said locking bar into said internal longitudinal bore of said body; and, said cam in said second position urging said locking bar toward said exterior of said body and out of said internal longitudinal bore against said ring compressing said spring. 35. A female coupling half as claimed in claim 34, further comprising: a sleeve;said sleeve slidingly engages said body and positions said cam in said second position against the force of said spring when desired to retract said locking bar from said internal longitudinal bore of said body. 36. A female coupling half as claimed in claim 34 wherein each end portion is cylindrical. 37. A coupling, comprising: a female coupling half and a male coupling half;said female coupling half includes a body and a plurality of locking bars;each of said plurality of locking bars includes a substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portion;said body of said female coupling half includes a plurality of grooves therein for each respective locking bar;said body also includes an exterior and an internal longitudinal bore therethrough;each of said grooves extends from said exterior of said body to said internal longitudinal bore;each of said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portions of each of said plurality of locking bars resides in one of said grooves of said body of said female coupling half;each of said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portions of each of said plurality of locking bars oriented in said grooves of said body of said female coupling half engage said male coupling half when said coupling is fully coupled;each of said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portions of said locking bars of said female coupling half includes an arcuate retaining surface;said male coupling half includes an external circumferentially extending groove, said external circumferentially extending groove includes a circumferentially extending mating surface extending inwardly from a radially outer edge of said groove;each of said arcuate retaining surfaces of said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portions of said locking bars of said female half, engage said circumferentially extending mating surface of said external circumferentially extending groove of said male coupling half at an engagement area that is radially inwardly spaced from said radially outer edge of said groove. 38. A coupling as claimed in claim 37 wherein: each of said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portions of said locking bars of said female coupling half includes a second surface opposite said arcuate retaining surface; and,each of said second surfaces opposite said arcuate surfaces of each of said intermediate portions engage said groove of said body of said female coupling half locking said male coupling half and said female coupling half together. 39. A coupling as claimed in claim 37 wherein: each of said locking bars of each of said female coupling halves includes a first cylindrical end, a second cylindrical end, and, a substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portion, and, said each of said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portions, resides between said first and second cylindrical ends;each of said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portions of said locking bars of said female halves includes an a first arcuate wall, a second arcuate wall, and an arcuate groove;each of said arcuate grooves resides between a respective said first arcuate wall and a respective said second arcuate wall; and,each said arcuate groove is spaced apart from said male coupling half during coupling. 40. A coupling as claimed in claim 39, further comprising: an engagement side of each of said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portions includes a first face;said engagement side of said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portions includes a second face;each said first arcuate wall extends from said first face of said engagement side of said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portions;each of said second arcuate walls extend from said second face of each of said respective engagement sides of said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portions; and,each of said arcuate retaining surfaces resides in said second face of a respective said engagement side of said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portion. 41. A coupling as claimed in claim 37, further comprising: said female coupling half includes: a spring; a locking ring; and, a cam;said spring is operable between said body and said locking ring;said ring engages said plurality of said locking bars;said cam slidingly engages said body;said cam slidingly engages each of said plurality locking bars;said cam movable between first and second positions;said cam in said first position permitting said ring, urged by said spring, to force each of said plurality locking bars into respective ones of said plurality of grooves of said body extending each of said plurality of locking bars into said internal longitudinal bore of said body; and, said cam in said second position urging each of said plurality of locking bars toward said exterior of said body and out of said internal longitudinal bore against said ring compressing said spring;said male coupling half being secured by each of said plurality of locking bars when said cam is in said first position. 42. A coupling as claimed in claim 41, further comprising: a sleeve;said sleeve slidingly engages said body and positions said cam in said second position against the force of said spring when desired to permit uncoupling said male coupling half and said female coupling half. 43. A coupling as claimed in claim 37 wherein said coupling is a push-to-connect coupling. 44. A coupling as claimed in claim 37 wherein said locking bar is stainless steel. 45. A coupling as claimed in claim 37 wherein said locking bar is coated with a coating. 46. A female coupling half, comprising: a body and a plurality of locking bars;each of said plurality of locking bars includes a substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portion;said body of said female coupling half includes a plurality of grooves, an exterior, and an internal longitudinal bore therethrough;each of said plurality of grooves extends from said exterior of said body to said internal longitudinal bore;each of said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portions of said locking bars resides in a respective one of said plurality of grooves of said body of said female coupling half;a spring; a locking ring; and, a cam;said spring operable between said body and said locking ring;said locking ring engages each of said plurality of locking bars;said cam slidingly engages said body;said cam slidingly engages each of said plurality of locking bars externally of said body;said cam movable between first and second positions; and,said cam in said first position permitting said locking ring, urged by said spring, to force each of said plurality of locking bars into said respective one of said plurality of grooves of said body extending said plurality of locking bars generally radially inwardly into said internal longitudinal bore of said body; and, said cam in said second position urging each of said plurality of locking bars generally radially outwardly toward said exterior of said body and out of said internal longitudinal bore against said locking ring compressing said spring. 47. A female coupling half as claimed in claim 46 wherein each of said plurality of grooves includes a stop. 48. A process for locking and unlocking a male coupling half and a female coupling half, said female coupling half includes: a body having a longitudinal axis, a spring-biased flow valve and a plurality of locking bars extending transverse to the longitudinal axis; each of said plurality of locking bars includes a substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portion and end portions protruding from said body; said body of said female coupling half includes a plurality of grooves, an exterior, and an internal longitudinal bore therethrough; each of said plurality of grooves extends from said exterior of said body to said internal longitudinal bore; and, each of said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portions of said locking bars resides in a respective one of said plurality of grooves of said body of said female coupling half; a spring; a locking ring; and, a cam; said spring operable between said body and said locking ring biasing said locking ring; said locking ring engages each of said plurality of locking bars; said male coupling half includes: a male body and a circumferential recess, said circumferential recess includes a locking surface; comprising the steps of: inserting said male body of said male coupling half into said body of said female coupling half, pushing said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portions of said locking bars, outwardly from a first position partially in said internal longitudinal bore to a second position toward said exterior of said body in said grooves against said spring-biased locking ring and moving said spring-biased locking ring from a first position to a second position;pushing said male body of said male coupling half against the force of said spring-biased flow valve of said female coupling half, and sliding said male body of said male coupling half into said female coupling half until said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portions of said locking bars move from said second position to said first position and said locking surface of said circumferential recess of said male body resides in engagement with said substantially square, in cross-section, intermediate portions of said locking bars of said female coupling half locking said male coupling half and said female coupling half together and moving said cam to a first position and moving said spring-biased locking ring from said second position to said first position;moving said cam to a second position under the influence of an external force and camming said end portions of said locking bars outwardly to move said locking bars outwardly in said grooves to said second position toward said exterior of said body of said female coupling half and moving said spring-biased locking ring to said second position;extracting said male coupling half out of said body of said female coupling half under the influence of said spring-biased flow valve;releasing said external force applied to said cam and moving said cam to said first position, moving said spring-biased locking ring to said first position and moving said locking bars to said first position unlocking and separating said male coupling half and said female coupling half.