Eaton Corporation

Eaton Aeroquip, Inc.

Aeroquip Corporation

Todd Jerome Vogel

Michael Paul Wells

David S Densel

Philip C VanRiper

Gregory A Haunhorst

Charles Joseph Martin

Jason Dahms

Philip C Van Riper

Matthew M Persohn

Terry L Karl

Stephen D Hargett

Richard Faber

Chris L Schwab

In one embodiment, a male coupling connectable to and separable from a female coupling (e.g., a female threaded port) is provided. The female coupling includes a receiving portion sized to receive at least a portion of the male coupling, where the receiving portion has internal threads provided therein. The male coupling includes a body having a passageway extending therethrough and a locking member disposed about the body and configured to move between locking and releasing positions. The locking member includes a retaining formation configured to engage the internal threads of the female coupling when the locking member is in its locking position. The male coupling further includes a locking sleeve disposed about and axially movable with respect to the body between first and second positions. After insertion of the male coupling into the female coupling and upon movement of the locking sleeve to its first position, the locking sleeve forces the locking member to move to its locking position causing the retaining formation of the locking member to engage the internal threads of the female coupling, thereby locking the male coupling and the female coupling together.

Male coupling for connecting to female threaded coupling

A male coupling is connectable to and separable from a female threaded coupling. The female threaded coupling includes a sealing surface and a receiving portion sized to receive at least a portion of the male coupling, where the receiving portion has internal threads provided therein. The male coupling includes a body having a passageway extending therethrough and a locking member disposed about the body and configured to move between locking and releasing positions. The locking member has a retaining formation configured to engage the internal threads of the female threaded coupling when the locking member is in its locking position. After insertion of the male coupling into the female threaded coupling, the retaining formation of the locking member engages one or more of the internal threads in the female threaded coupling when the locking member is in its locking position.

A coupling assembly having male and female coupling members that are connectable and separable from each other. The coupling assembly utilizes a resiliently expandable locking element, which is provided on the male coupling member, to connect the male and female coupling members together by trapping the locking element, in its expanded position, between respective locking surfaces of the male and female coupling members. A locking sleeve, which is movable between unlocked and locked positions, is employed to move the locking element to its expanded position. In this position, the locking element prevents the withdrawal of the male coupling member from the female coupling member by creating a positive lock therebetween. To maintain the locking sleeve in its locked position, a retainer can be used.

Coupling assembly and retainer for use with same

A wheel valve assembly for adjusting the air pressure within a pneumatic tire is provided that includes a body that extends from a first end in communication with a pressure source to a second end in communication with the tire. A low pressure differential operable valve member is received within the body. The valve member is moveable between open and closed positions for respectively allowing and preventing air communication between the internal segment and the external segment of the body. The check valve of the present invention is virtually unaffected by the centrifugal force of a rotating tire to substantially prevent back flow of the tire air when the tire is rotating at a relatively high speed.

Check valve for tire inflation system

A coupling assembly for connecting two members is provided that includes a first &ldquo;male&rdquo; member and a second &ldquo;female&rdquo; member. The first member includes a release sleeve moveably mounted thereon having a rigid release portion and a flexible sealing portion. The second member comprises at least one of an integral coupling member integrated into an apparatus, such as a pump, and an independent coupling member. Upon connection of the first and second members, the flexible sealing portion sealingly engages a mating surface on the second member to substantially inhibit the entry of contamination into an area between the first and second members when connected. The present invention provides an improved release sleeve that releases the male member from both an independent female member and an integral female member.

Coupling assembly

The present invention includes a pre-assembled, high-pressure coupling interface adapter for use with a non-threaded port of a female member. The adapter comprises a generally cylindrically shaped metal body including a central longitudinal channel and an inner and outer surface. The body includes an external segment having an external end and an internal segment having an internal end, the internal segment configured for receipt within the port of the female member. The inner surface of the body is configured to engage and secure one or more external features of a separate male coupling member. The present invention also includes a coupling assembly including a coupling adapter and a method for forming a female coupling assembly including an adapter.

Coupling adapter and assembly

A coupling assembly for connecting two members is provided that includes a first &ldquo;male&rdquo; member and a second &ldquo;female&rdquo; member. The first member includes a release sleeve moveably mounted thereon having a rigid release portion and a flexible sealing portion. The second member is integrated into an apparatus, such as a pump, and includes a duct therethrough for receiving the first member. Upon connection of the first and second members, the flexible sealing portion sealingly engages a recessed seat portion of the second member to substantially inhibit the ingression of contaminates into the duct when the first and second members are connected. The foregoing coupling assembly is advantageous because it allows the second member to be formed directly into an apparatus. In other embodiments, the coupling assembly provides an improved release sleeve that releases the male member from both a conventional female member and an integral female member.

A pressure relief adapter includes a body and a slideable sleeve positioned in a passageway thereof and cooperating therewith and with O-rings to define a sealed chamber containing ambient air or other gas. The slideable sleeve has an enlarged head at one end. A compression spring in the chamber urges the sleeve toward the end having the enlarged head. Upon introduction of hydraulic fluid under pressure into the passageway and sleeve, the hydraulic fluid acting on the enlarged head urges the sleeve in a direction compressing the spring and reducing the size of the chamber thereby relieving pressure in the fluid flow system in which the adapter is positioned.

Pressure relief adapter

A female coupling member includes a body portion, a slideable sleeve positioned in the body portion and an axially extending stem valve sealingly engageable with the sleeve. Axial movement of the sleeve relative to the stem valve opens the female coupling member to the flow of fluid. The stem valve is provided with a cavity sized to receive a protruding nose of a male member to be attached thereto. The slideable sleeve and the stem valve are designed to receive the male coupling member including its flat insertion end and protruding nose with minimal air inclusion and minimal fluid loss upon disengagement.

Growing community of inventors

Waterville, OH, United States of America

Todd Jerome Vogel