US 11,746,941 B2
Quick connect coupling devices for fluid carriers
Collin Danis Search, Kennett Square, PA (US); John Danis Search, Kennett Square, PA (US); and David E. Yaeger, Telford, PA (US)
Assigned to Collin Danis Search, Kennett Square, PA (US); and John Danis Search, Kennett Square, PA (US)
Filed by Collin Danis Search, Kennett Square, PA (US); and John Danis Search, Kennett Square, PA (US)
Filed on Nov. 5, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/519,687.
Application 17/519,687 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/923,536, filed on Jul. 8, 2020, abandoned.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/872,413, filed on Jul. 10, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0057034 A1, Feb. 24, 2022
Int. Cl. F16L 37/096 (2006.01); F16L 37/098 (2006.01)
CPC F16L 37/096 (2013.01) [F16L 37/0982 (2013.01)] 24 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A coupling device for releasably securing a first liquid-carrier to a second liquid-carrier, the second liquid-carrier having a cylindrical end portion terminating in a free end surface, said coupling device comprising:
a housing having a hollow interior configured for receipt of said end portion of said second-liquid carrier, said hollow interior having a longitudinal axis;
a plunger located within said hollow interior and having an inner end portion, an outer end portion, and a passageway extending therethrough between said inner end portion and said outer end portion, said inner end portion including an engagement surface, said outer end portion being configured for releasable or fixed securement to the first liquid-carrier, said plunger being movable relative to a first portion of said housing along said longitudinal axis between a first position, a second position and a third position;
a gasket ring located within said hollow interior centered on said longitudinal axis and coupled to said inner end of said plunger and movable with said plunger, said gasket ring being interposed between the free end surface of the second liquid-carrier and said engagement surface;
a clamp assembly located at said first portion of said housing and including a movable member and another member, said movable member being configured for movement with respect to said longitudinal axis from an open state to a closed state to tightly engage the cylindrical portion of the second liquid-carrier between said movable member and said another member to releasably secure said coupling device thereto; and
a movable handle coupled to said plunger to selectively move said plunger to said first, second and third positions; and
a locking assembly including a portion of said plunger, said locking assembly selectively releasably holding said plunger in an unlocked state when said plunger is in said first position, a locked state when said plunger is in said second position, and in a locked and sealed state when said plunger is in said third position, said locking assembly being in said locked state and in said locked and sealed state when said plural movable members of said clamp assembly are in said closed state, said sealing gasket being tightly interposed between the free end surface of the second liquid carrier and said engagement surface when said locking assembly is in said locked and sealed state to form a fluid-tight seal between said free end surface of said second liquid carrier and said engagement surface, said movable member of said clamp assembly being in said open state and released from engagement with the cylindrical portion of the second liquid-carrier when said locking assembly is in said unlocked state.