Aeroquip Corporation

John C Field

Paul J Fournier

David S Densel

Robert A Laipply

John D Boland

A fluid coupling is disclosed. The fluid coupling includes first and second coupling parts which define a passageway. A valve is provided in the passageway. The valve is adapted to open upon interconnection of the coupling parts. One of the coupling parts includes at least one guide groove, while the other coupling part includes at least one key pin receivable by the guide groove. The coupling parts can only be interconnected upon alignment of the key pin with the guide groove.

Fluid coupling

A push-to-connect tube connector for interconnecting conduits wherein a male part is received within a female part passage by relative axial displacement. Resilient fingers mounted upon one part cooperate with a shoulder defined on the other part to maintain the parts fully connected, seals interposed between the parts prevent leakage, and indicia means in the form of a sleeve axially displaceable upon the male part supports an indicator displaced thereon by the female part during connection to provide a visual indication of the degree of interconnection. A reference mark defined on the sleeve is masked by the indicator upon the parts being fully connected. Upon removal of the indicator, which is in the form of a split ring, the sleeve may be used to 'open' the fingers to disconnect the parts, and in an embodiment non-circular transverse cross sections defined on the respective parts telescopingly cooperate during full connection to prevent relative rotation between the parts.

Growing community of inventors

Jackson, MI, United States of America

John C Field