Pipe joints or couplings – With means blocking release of holding means – Auxiliary latch
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-02
2001-05-01
Nicholson, Eric K. (Department: 3627)
Pipe joints or couplings
With means blocking release of holding means
Auxiliary latch
C285S087000, C285S312000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06224113
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a locking device for a quick release coupling, and more particularly to a locking device for a quick release coupling that can be operated and produced more easily.
2. Description of Related Art
A conventional locking device (
50
) for a quick release coupling in accordance with the prior art shown in FIG.
6
and
FIG. 7
comprises a sleeve (
51
) having an arcuate groove (
511
) defined therein, a connecting member (
60
), a lever (
70
) and a coupling (
80
). The connecting member (
60
) includes at least two pairs of supports (
61
) extending therefrom and a pivot pin (
62
) mounted on each pair of supports (
61
). A lever (
70
) is pivotally mounted on the connecting member (
60
) and held in place by the pivot pin (
62
).
The lever (
70
) includes a cam (
71
) formed on one end and a recess (
72
) defined in the other end. The cam (
71
) is received in the arcuate groove (
511
) of the sleeve (
51
). The recess (
72
) of the lever (
70
) includes a first flange (
721
) on one end extending radially inwardly and forming a first hole (
722
) and a ring (
723
) containing a second hole (
724
) pressed into the other end. The lever (
70
) further includes a locking rod (
73
) received in the recess (
72
). The locking rod (
73
) has one end extending through the bole (
722
) in the flange (
721
), the other end connected to a ring (
74
) and a locking ring (
731
) having one side abutting the interior of the first flange (
721
). A spring (
732
) received in the recess (
72
) and around the locking rod (
73
) has one end abutting the second side of the locking ring (
731
) and the other end abutting the interior of the ring (
723
) at the end of the recess (
72
). Each coupling (
80
) includes a bracket (
81
) with a locking bole (
811
) to receive the end of the locking rod (
73
) that extends through the flange (
721
) at the end of the recess (
72
).
To connect the locking device for a quick release coupling (
50
), the sleeve (
51
) is inserted into the connecting member (
60
), and the lever (
70
) is rotated down to insert the cam (
71
) tightly into the arcuate groove (
511
). The more the lever (
70
) is pulled down, the more the sleeve (
51
) securely squeezes the connecting member (
60
) to prevent fluid from leaking out of the locking device (
50
) for a quick release coupling. As the lever (
70
) is pulled down, the bracket (
81
) presses the locking rod (
73
) into the recess (
72
) and compresses the spring (
732
). Referring to
FIG. 7
, as the end of the locking rod (
73
) aligns with the locking hole (
811
) of the coupling (
80
), the resilience of the compressed spring (
732
) presses the locking rod (
73
) into the locking hole (
811
) to prevent the sleeve (
51
) from detaching from the connecting member (
60
).
With reference to
FIG. 6
, to detach the locking device (
50
) for a quick release coupling, the locking rod (
73
) is pulled by the ring (
74
) to make the end of the locking rod (
73
) come out of the locking hole (
811
) of the coupling (
80
). Then the lever (
70
) is pulled up to detach the cam (
71
) from the arcuate groove (
511
) of the sleeve (
51
). The sleeve (
51
) can be pulled out of the connecting member (
60
) when the cam (
71
) is detached from the arcuate groove (
511
) of the sleeve (
51
)
However, there are several disadvantages with the conventional locking device (
50
) for a quick release coupling.
1. It is difficult to produce. The coupling (
80
) includes at least two brackets (
81
) each containing a locking hole (
811
). Consequently, the mold to fabricate the coupling (
80
) is complicated. It will cost the manufacturer a lot of money.
2. It is hard to assemble. The locking rod (
73
) is received in the recess (
72
) and has a spring (
732
) abutting the locking pin (
731
) and the ring (
723
) of the recess (
72
). The assembly process is complicated and wastes much time.
The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the disadvantage of the conventional locking device for a quick release coupling.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a locking device for a quick release coupling that is easy to operate and produce is provided.
The locking device for a quick release coupling in accordance with the present invention comprises a coupling including at least two pairs of supports each having a locking pin attached thereto. A lever includes has a recess to receive a torsional spring and a linkage therein. The linkage holds the lever in place by the locking pin when the lever is pressed against the sleeve.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4222593 (1980-09-01), Lauffenburger
patent: 4295670 (1981-10-01), Goodall et al.
patent: 4802694 (1989-02-01), Vargo
patent: 5816623 (1998-10-01), Chang
patent: 5911445 (1999-06-01), Lee
patent: 6015168 (2000-01-01), Fahl
patent: 6047995 (2000-04-01), Kotake
patent: 6053540 (2000-04-01), Meyer
patent: 6120065 (2000-09-01), Chen
Nicholson Eric K.
Pelton, Esq. William E.
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