Importance

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Abstract

A coupling assembly includes a female coupling member that can be connected to a fluid supply source and a male coupling member that can be quickly coupled to the female coupling member and quickly separated from the female coupling member. A pair of spaced latching members provided on the female coupling member move transversely with respect to a longitudinal axis of the coupling assembly into and out of engagement with one or more latch engaging surfaces on the male coupling member. The latching members have openings that are out of alignment with each other. An actuating button on the female coupling member is arranged to move the latching members in predetermined fasion to permit the openings in each of the latching members to sequentially interfere with the latch engaging surface or surfaces on the male coupling member to establish sequential latching positions. The sequential latching positions permit placement of the coupling assembly in a fluid flow position, a depressurization position and an unlatched position which permits separation of the coupling members. A further embodiment of the invention permits placement of the coupling assembly in an intermediate position between the fluid flow position and the depressurization position wherein the coupling assembly remains pressurized but fluid flow is shut off. The further embodiment includes a pair of stop surfaces on the male coupling members which interengage with the latching members. The coupling assembly is thus depressurized while the coupling members are latched together and a single actuation of the actuating button permits the coupling assembly to pass through each of the latching positions in a predetermined sequence before the coupling members are unlatched. Quick and safe uncoupling is thus accomplished.

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First Claim