The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 21, 1997
Filed:
May. 05, 1995
Mark E Gillen, Crawfordsville, IN (US);
Stephen L Biggs, Crawfordsville, IN (US);
Banjo Corporation, Crawfordsville, IN (US);
Abstract
A dry break coupling assembly for interconnecting components of a fluid handling system. The coupling assembly includes first and second valves which each include a rotatable valve element for opening and closing a fluid passageway within a valve body. The valve elements are cooperatively structured such that a portion of one valve element fits within a recess in the other valve element when the valves are connected, thereby reducing any space between the valves in which fluid could collect and spill from when the valves are disconnected. The first valve includes camming levers pivotally mounted to the body. The second valve includes locking fingers disposed on the body that are engaged by the camming levers when the first and second valves are connected and the camming levers pivot to the locking position, whereby the valves are locked together. The present invention provides a mechanism for engaging the camming levers when the valves are opened to prevent inadvertent disconnection of the valves. The present invention also provides a locking assembly which prevents the valve handles from rotating and opening the valves when the valves are not connected.