Quick release coupling

Claim 2

In a fluid system coupling: a. a stepped female adapter fitting including: 1. a first socket portion; and 2. a second socket portion disposed in fixed relation to the first socket portion and having a diameter greater than the first socket portion; b. first and second interchangeable plugs, each of said plugs including: 1. a nose section receivable within the first socket portion; 2. a tail section receivable within the second socket portion but not the first socket portion; and 3. at least one of said sections on one plug having a different diameter from the corresponding section on the other plug; c. sealing means disposed in the adapter fitting, the sealing means being disposed in fixed relation to both the first and second socket portions and sealingly engaging either plug selectively; and d. locking means selectively disposed between the adapter fitting and the selected plug to hold the adapter fitting and plug in coupled relation.

Claim 3

a second socket portion having a diameter greater than the first socket portion; b. first and second interchangeable plugs, each of said plugs including:

Claim 4

a second socket portion having a diameter greater than the first socket portion; b. first and second interchangeable plugs, each of said plugs including:

Claim 5

a tail section receivable within the second socket portion but not the first socket portion; and

Claim 6

a tail section receivable within the second socket portion but not the first socket portion; and

Claim 7

a second socket portion having a diameter greater than the first socket portion; b. first and second interchangeable plugs, each of said plugs including:

Claim 8

a second socket portion having a diameter greater than the first socket portion; b. first and second interchangeable plugs, each of said plugs including:

Claim 9

a tail section receivable within the second socket portion but not the first socket portion; and

Claim 10

a tail section receivable within the second socket portion but not the first socket portion; and

Claim 11

a tail section receivable within the second socket portion but not the first socket portion; and

Claim 12

a tail section receivable within the second socket portion but not the first socket portion; and

Claim 13

a second socket portion having a diameter greater than the first socket portion; b. first and second interchangeable plugs, each of said plugs including:

Claim 14

a second socket portion having a diameter greater than the first socket portion; b. first and second interchangeable plugs, each of said plugs including:

Claim 15

a tail section receivable within the second socket portion but not the first socket portion; and

Claim 16

a tail section receivable within the second socket portion but not the first socket portion; and

Claim 17

a second socket portion having a diameter greater than the first socket portion; b. first and second interchangeable plugs, each of said plugs including:

Claim 18

a second socket portion having a diameter greater than the first socket portion; b. first and second interchangeable plugs, each of said plugs including:

Claim 19

a tail section receivable within the second socket portion but not the first socket portion; and

Claim 20

a tail section receivable within the second socket portion but not the first socket portion; and

Claim 21

a second socket portion having a diameter greater than the first socket portion; b. first and second interchangeable plugs, each of said plugs including:

Claim 22

a second socket portion having a diameter greater than the first socket portion; b. first and second interchangeable plugs, each of said plugs including:

Claim 23

A fluid system coupling as defined in claim 1, in which: e. the nose section of the first plug has a different diameter from that of the second plug; and f. the fixed sealing means includes a first sealing ring having an internal diameter less than either of said nose sections.

Claim 24

a tail section receivable within the second socket portion but not the first socket portion; and

Claim 25

a tail section receivable within the second socket portion but not the first socket portion; and

Claim 26

a second socket portion disposed in fixed relation to the first socket portion and having a diameter greater than the first socket portion; b. first and second interchangeable plugs, each of said plugs including:

Claim 27

a second socket portion disposed in fixed relation to the first socket portion and having a diameter greater than the first socket portion; b. first and second interchangeable plugs, each of said plugs including:

Claim 28

at least one of said sections on one plug having a different diameter from the corresponding section on the other plug; c. sealing means disposed in the adapter fitting, the sealing means being disposed in fixed relation to both the first and second socket portions and sealingly engaging either plug selectively; and d. locking means selectively disposed between the adapter fitting and the selected plug to hold the adapter fitting and plug in coupled relation.

Claim 29

at least one of said sections on one plug having a different diameter from the corresponding section on the other plug; c. sealing means disposed in the adapter fitting, the sealing means being disposed in fixed relation to both the first and second socket portions and sealingly engaging either plug selectively; and d. locking means selectively disposed between the adapter fitting and the selected plug to hold the adapter fitting and plug in coupled relation.

Claim 30

at least one of said sections on one plug having a different diameter from the corresponding section on the other plug; c. sealing means disposed in the adapter fitting, the sealing means sealingly engaging either plug selectively; d. locking means selectively disposed between the adapter fitting and the selected plug to hold the adapter fitting and plug in coupled relation; e. the nose section of the first plug having a smaller diameter than that of the second plug; f. the sealing means including first and second sealing rings disposed in spaced longitudinal relation in the first socket portion; g. the nose section of the first plug being operatively received in sealing engagement through both sealing rings; h. the nose section of the second plug being operatively received in peripherally abutting, sealing engagement against the first sealing ring; i. the adapter fitting including first and second stop means disposed in spaced longitudinal relation; and j. the first and second plugs each including shoulder means engaging the first and second stop means respectively to limit insertion of said fittings relative to the first sealing ring.

Claim 31

at least one of said sections on one plug having a different diameter from the corresponding section on the other plug; c. sealing means disposed in the adapter fitting, the sealing means sealingly engaging either plug selectively; d. locking means selectively disposed between the adapter fitting and the selected plug to hold the adapter fitting and plug in coupled relation; e. the nose section of the first plug having a smaller diameter than that of the second plug; f. the sealing means including first and second sealing rings disposed in spaced longitudinal relation in the first socket portion; g. the nose section of the first plug being operatively received in sealing engagement through both sealing rings; h. the nose section of the second plug being operatively received in peripherally abutting, sealing engagement against the first sealing ring; i. the adapter fitting including first and second stop means disposed in spaced longitudinal relation; and j. the first and second plugs each including shoulder means engaging the first and second stop means respectively to limit insertion of said fittings relative to the first sealing ring.

Claim 32

at least one of said sections on one plug having a different diameter from the corresponding section on the other plug; c. sealing means disposed in the adapter fitting, the sealing means sealingly engaging either plug selectively; d. locking means selectively disposed between the adapter fitting and the selected plug to hold the adapter fitting and plug in coupled relation; e. the nose section of the first plug having a different diameter from that of the second plug; f. the sealing means including a first sealing ring having an internal diameter less than either of said nose sections; g. the nose section of one of said plugs being operatively received through the sealing ring in sealing engagement; h. the nose section of the other of said plugs operatively abutting the sealing ring peripherally in sealing engagement; i. the adapter fitting including first and second stop means disposed in spaced longitudinal relation; j. the first plug including shoulder means engaging the first stop means to determine the limit of insertion of said plug relative to the sealing ring; and k. the second plug including shoulder means engaging the second stop means to determine the limit of insertion of said plug relative to the sealing ring.

Claim 33

at least one of said sections on one plug having a different diameter from the corresponding section on the other plug; c. sealing means disposed in the adapter fitting, the sealing means sealingly engaging either plug selectively; d. locking means selectively disposed between the adapter fitting and the selected plug to hold the adapter fitting and plug in coupled relation; e. the nose section of the first plug having a different diameter from that of the second plug; f. the sealing means including a first sealing ring having an internal diameter less than either of said nose sections; g. the nose section of one of said plugs being operatively received through the sealing ring in sealing engagement; h. the nose section of the other of said plugs operatively abutting the sealing ring peripherally in sealing engagement; i. the adapter fitting including first and second stop means disposed in spaced longitudinal relation; j. the first plug including shoulder means engaging the first stop means to determine the limit of insertion of said plug relative to the sealing ring; and k. the second plug including shoulder means engaging the second stop means to determine the limit of insertion of said plug relative to the sealing ring.

Claim 34

at least one of said sections on one plug having a different diameter from the corresponding section on the other plug; c. sealing means disposed in the adapter fitting, the sealing means sEalingly engaging either plug selectively; d. locking means selectively disposed between the adapter fitting and the selected plug to hold the adapter fitting and plug in coupled relation; e. the nose section of the first plug having a diameter less than that of the nose section of the second plug; f. the sealing means including a first sealing ring disposed in the first socket portion, said ring having an internal diameter less than that of either nose section; g. the nose section of the first plug being operatively received through the sealing ring in sealing engagement, and the nose section of the second plug being operatively received in peripherally abutting, sealing engagement against said sealing ring; h. the adapter fitting including first and second stop means disposed in spaced longitudinal relation; i. the first and second plugs each including shoulder means engaging the first and second stop means respectively to limit insertion of said plug relative to said sealing ring; j. the adapter fitting including an intermediate socket portion disposed between the first and second socket portions and having a diameter intermediate of that of the first and second socket portions; k. the intermediate socket portion receiving the rearward portion of the tail section of the first plug in peripheral bearing relation but being too small to receive the rearward portion of the tail section of the second plug; and the second socket portion receiving the rearward portion of the tail section of the second plug substantially in peripheral bearing relation.

Claim 35

at least one of said sections on one plug having a different diameter from the corresponding section on the other plug; c. sealing means disposed in the adapter fitting, the sealing means sEalingly engaging either plug selectively; d. locking means selectively disposed between the adapter fitting and the selected plug to hold the adapter fitting and plug in coupled relation; e. the nose section of the first plug having a diameter less than that of the nose section of the second plug; f. the sealing means including a first sealing ring disposed in the first socket portion, said ring having an internal diameter less than that of either nose section; g. the nose section of the first plug being operatively received through the sealing ring in sealing engagement, and the nose section of the second plug being operatively received in peripherally abutting, sealing engagement against said sealing ring; h. the adapter fitting including first and second stop means disposed in spaced longitudinal relation; i. the first and second plugs each including shoulder means engaging the first and second stop means respectively to limit insertion of said plug relative to said sealing ring; j. the adapter fitting including an intermediate socket portion disposed between the first and second socket portions and having a diameter intermediate of that of the first and second socket portions; k. the intermediate socket portion receiving the rearward portion of the tail section of the first plug in peripheral bearing relation but being too small to receive the rearward portion of the tail section of the second plug; and the second socket portion receiving the rearward portion of the tail section of the second plug substantially in peripheral bearing relation.

Claim 36

at least one of said sections on one plug having a different diameter from the corresponding section on the other plug; c. sealing means disposed in the adapter fitting, the sealing means sealingly engaging either plug selectively; d. locking means selectively disposed between the adapter fitting and the selected plug to hold the adapter fitting and plug in coupled relation; e. the adapter fitting including a valve chamber forwardly disposed of the first socket portion and communicating therewith; f. valve means resiliently mounted in the adapter fitting for movement between the first socket portion and the valve chamber; g. the valve means including alignment means engageable with either plug for forward, axially aligned movement into the open valve position; h. the nose section of the first plug having a different diameter from that of the second plug; i. the sealing means including a first sealing ring having an internal diameter less than that of either of the nose sections, said ring being operatively disposed in sealing relation to either of said nose sections; j. the sealing means including a second sealing ring disposed in spaced, longitudinal relation to the first sealing ring; k. the valve means including a flange urged rearwardly into sealing engagement against the second sealing ring in the closed valve position; and

Claim 37

at least one of said sections on one plug having a different diameter from the corresponding section on the other plug; c. sealing means disposed in the adapter fitting, the sealing means sealingly engaging either plug selectively; d. locking means selectively disposed between the adapter fitting and the selected plug to hold the adapter fitting and plug in coupled relation; e. the adapter fitting including a valve chamber forwardly disposed of the first socket portion and communicating therewith; f. valve means resiliently mounted in the adapter fitting for movement between the first socket portion and the valve chamber; g. the valve means including alignment means engageable with either plug for forward, axially aligned movement into the open valve position; h. the nose section of the first plug having a different diameter from that of the second plug; i. the sealing means including a first sealing ring having an internal diameter less than that of either of the nose sections, said ring being operatively disposed in sealing relation to either of said nose sections; j. the sealing means including a second sealing ring disposed in spaced, longitudinal relation to the first sealing ring; k. the valve means including a flange urged rearwardly into sealing engagement against the second sealing ring in the closed valve position; and

Claim 38

A fluid system coupling as defined in claim 2, in which: e. the nose section of the first plug has a different diameter from that of the second plug; f. the fixed sealing means includes a first sealing ring having an internal diameter less than either of said nose sections; g. the nose section of one of said plugs is operatively received through said fixed sealing ring in sealing engagement; and h. the nose section of the other of said plugs operatively abuts said fixed seAling ring peripherally in sealing engagement.

Claim 39

at least one of saiD sections on one plug having a different diameter from the corresponding section on the other plug; c. sealing means disposed in the adapter fitting, the sealing means sealingly engaging either plug selectively; d. locking means selectively disposed between the adapter fitting and the selected plug to hold the adapter fitting and plug in coupled relation; e. the tail section of the first plug having a maximum diameter less than the maximum diameter of the second plug; and f. the second socket portion receiving the tail section of the second plug, but not the first plug, substantially in peripheral bearing relation.

Claim 40

at least one of saiD sections on one plug having a different diameter from the corresponding section on the other plug; c. sealing means disposed in the adapter fitting, the sealing means sealingly engaging either plug selectively; d. locking means selectively disposed between the adapter fitting and the selected plug to hold the adapter fitting and plug in coupled relation; e. the tail section of the first plug having a maximum diameter less than the maximum diameter of the second plug; and f. the second socket portion receiving the tail section of the second plug, but not the first plug, substantially in peripheral bearing relation.

Claim 41

In a fluid system coupling: a. a stepped female adapter fitting including:

Claim 42

In a fluid system coupling: a. a stepped female adapter fitting including:

Claim 43

In a fluid system coupling: a. a stepped female adapter fitting including:

Claim 44

In a fluid system coupling: a. a stepped female adapter fitting including:

Claim 45

In a fluid system coupling: a. a stepped female adapter fitting including:

Claim 46

In a fluid system coupling: a. a stepped female adapter fitting including:

Claim 47

A fluid system coupling as defined in claim 6, in which: g. the adapter fitting includes an intermediate socket portion disposed between the first and second socket portions and having a diameter intermediate of that of the first and second socket portions; and h. the intermediate socket portion receives the tail section of the first plug substantially in peripheral bearing relation.

Claim 48

A fluid system coupling as defined in claim 7, in which, i. each tail section includes a forward portion and a rearward portion; and j. the intermediate socket portion has a diameter less than the diameter of the rearward portion of the tail section of the first plug whereby to receive said rearward portion.

Claim 49

In a fluid system coupling: a. a stepped female adapter fitting including:

Claim 50

In a fluid system coupling: a. a stepped female adapter fitting including:

Claim 51

A fluid system coupling as defined in claim 10, in which: m. the locking means includes a plurality of lateral holes circumferentially disposed substantially in the same plane in the intermediate socket portion, and a detent ball housed in each hole, the locking means including an annular groove disposed on the forward portion of the tail section of each plug, said groove being disposed din operatively alignable relation with the holes; and n. the detent balls operatively locking either plug into coupled relation with the adapter fitting.