US 12,442,477 B2
Low-spill coupling assembly
David J. Vranish, Mound, MN (US)
Assigned to Colder Products Company, Roseville, MN (US)
Filed by Colder Products Company, Roseville, MN (US)
Filed on Jun. 10, 2025, as Appl. No. 19/233,499.
Application 19/233,499 is a continuation of application No. 18/532,514, filed on Dec. 7, 2023, granted, now 12,359,759.
Application 18/532,514 is a continuation of application No. 17/362,288, filed on Jun. 29, 2021, granted, now 11,885,451, issued on Jan. 30, 2024.
Application 17/362,288 is a continuation of application No. 16/670,294, filed on Oct. 31, 2019, granted, now 11,079,052, issued on Aug. 3, 2021.
Application 16/670,294 is a continuation of application No. 16/668,537, filed on Oct. 30, 2019, granted, now 11,060,650, issued on Jul. 13, 2021.
Application 16/668,537 is a continuation of application No. 14/567,254, filed on Dec. 11, 2014, granted, now 11,067,210, issued on Jul. 20, 2021.
Application 14/567,254 is a continuation in part of application No. 14/212,322, filed on Mar. 14, 2014, abandoned.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/799,612, filed on Mar. 15, 2013.
Prior Publication US 2025/0297699 A1, Sep. 25, 2025
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F16L 37/413 (2006.01); F16L 27/073 (2006.01); F16L 37/086 (2006.01); F16L 37/34 (2006.01); F16L 37/35 (2006.01)
CPC F16L 37/413 (2013.01) [F16L 27/073 (2013.01); F16L 37/086 (2013.01); F16L 37/34 (2013.01); F16L 37/35 (2013.01); Y10T 137/87957 (2015.04)] 25 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of using a low-spill coupling system, comprising:
slidably advancing a male coupling device into a female coupling device having a quick disconnect lock comprising a slidable plate and pressable tab, wherein the male coupling device includes:
a male insert body defining a front face with a front opening; an exterior circumferential surface of the male coupling device extending continuously rearward for a first axial length from the front face to an exterior circumferential shoulder that ramps outwardly from the exterior circumferential surface; an exterior circumferential groove positioned rearwardly of the exterior circumferential shoulder and configured to mate with the slidable plate of the quick disconnect lock, both the exterior circumferential shoulder and the exterior circumferential groove being no less in diameter than the exterior circumferential surface, wherein the exterior circumferential groove is at least partially defined by a rear-facing radial surface, a circumferential groove surface extending rearwardly from the rear-facing radial surface, and a rear shoulder surface extending rearwardly and outwardly from the circumferential groove surface; and an interior fluid passageway which has a first bore diameter extending continuously rearward from the front face to an interior shoulder transitioning to a larger second bore diameter that extends continuously rearward for a majority of an overall axial length of the male coupling device;
a rear terminal that defines a maximum lateral width of the male coupling device at a position rearward of the exterior circumferential groove and that has an exterior connection end portion extending between the maximum lateral width and a rearmost end of the male coupling device, wherein the exterior circumferential groove for mating with the slidable plate of the quick disconnect lock is positioned axially closer to the exterior connection end portion of the rear terminal than to the front face of the male insert body, and wherein the rear terminal defines a rear terminal central bore at the rearmost end of the male coupling device axially aligned with the interior fluid passageway defined by the male insert body; and
a valve that is longitudinally slidable within the male insert body and configured to abut the interior shoulder, the valve having a valve seal mounted thereto and having a frontmost valve face with a diameter greater than half a diameter of the exterior circumferential surface of the male insert body, wherein the valve is spring biased toward the front face so that the frontmost valve face is parallel with the front face of the male insert body and the valve seal releasably engages with the first bore diameter of the male insert body, and wherein valve has a maximum axial length that is less than the first axial length extending from the front face to the exterior circumferential shoulder; and
releasably mating the slidable plate of the quick disconnect lock of the female coupling device with the exterior circumferential groove of the male coupling device.