# US 10,502,353 B2 · Quick connect release system for a fluid coupling > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,502,353 B2 - Document ID: US10502353B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/167,325 - Filed: 2016-05-27 - Published: 2017-11-30 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2016-05-27 - Assignees: Kohler Co. - Applicants: Kohler Co. - Inventors: Jeffrey A. Schumacher; Ravi Kumar Rajendran; John C. Redding - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10502353B2 ## CPC - F16L 37/127: using hooks hinged about an axis {(F16L37/1215 takes precedence)} - F16L 37/0987: {the flexible hook being progressively compressed by axial tensile loads acting on the coupling} - F16L 41/023: {Y- pieces (F16L41/025, F16L41/026, F16L41/028 take precedence)} - F16L 33/2071: {the sleeve being a separate connecting member} - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL ## Abstract A quick connect and quick disconnect adaptor for a fluid coupling system is provided. The adaptor includes a first half having a center point, and a sidewall at least partially defining a plurality of bores. Each of the bores contains an aperture, and each of the bores terminates at the center point. The first half further includes a plurality of release tabs. Each release tab is configured to resiliently deflect through an aperture, and each release tab terminates at the center point. The adaptor further includes a second half, which is at least partially symmetric to the first half. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A quick connect and disconnect adaptor for a fluid coupling system, comprising: a first half having: a center point; a sidewall at least partially defining a plurality of bores, wherein each of the bores contains an aperture, and each of the bores terminates at the center point; a plurality of release tabs, wherein each aperture corresponds to a release tab of the plurality of release tabs, wherein each of the release tabs is configured to resiliently deflect about the center point through a respective aperture, and each of the release tabs terminates at the center point; and a second half, wherein the second half is at least partially symmetric to the first half; wherein the release tabs are further configured to transfer a compressive force to a fluid coupling fitting to move the fluid coupling fitting in an axial direction relative to the first half and the second half to remove the fluid coupling fitting from the adaptor. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The adaptor of claim 1, further comprising a hinge located between the first half and the second half, wherein the hinge connects the first half to the second half, and wherein the hinge permits the adaptor to travel between an open configuration and a closed configuration. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The adaptor of claim 2, wherein the sidewall further defines a plurality of flanges, and wherein the flanges contain retention features to retain the adaptor in a closed configuration. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The adaptor of claim 3, wherein the second half is rotationally symmetric to the first half. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The adaptor of claim 4, wherein the retention features comprise at least one peg and at least one hole. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The adaptor of claim 2, wherein the first half, the second half, and the hinge are fabricated as a unitary part. ### Claim 7 A quick connect and disconnect adaptor for a fluid coupling system, comprising: a first half comprising: a sidewall at least partially defining a plurality of bores, wherein each of the plurality of bores includes an aperture disposed in the sidewall; a plurality of release tabs, wherein each aperture corresponds to a release tab of the plurality of release tabs, and wherein each of the plurality of release tabs is configured to resiliently deflect about a common point through a respective aperture by a force applied to each release tab so as to move a fluid coupling fitting in an axial direction to remove the fluid coupling fitting from the adaptor; and a second half that is at least partially symmetric to the first half. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The adaptor of claim 7, further comprising a hinge located between the first half and the second half, wherein the hinge pivotally couples the first half to the second half, and wherein the hinge permits the adaptor to travel between an open configuration and a closed configuration. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The adaptor of claim 8, wherein the sidewall further defines a plurality of flanges, and wherein the plurality of flanges include retention features to retain the adaptor in a closed configuration. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The adaptor of claim 9, wherein the second half is rotationally symmetric to the first half. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The adaptor of claim 10, wherein the retention features comprise at least one peg and at least one hole. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The adaptor of claim 8, wherein the first half, the second half, and the hinge are fabricated as a unitary part. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) The adaptor of claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of release tabs comprises a tab protrusion configured to transfer the force to a lug of the fluid coupling fitting. ### Claim 14 (depends on 7) The adaptor of claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of release tabs is joined at the common point on the first half. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The adaptor of claim 14, wherein the common point is configured to serve as a fulcrum for each of the plurality of release tabs as they deflect relative to the apertures. ### Claim 16 A quick connect and disconnect adaptor for a fluid coupling system, comprising: a first half comprising: a sidewall at least partially defining a plurality of bores, wherein each of the plurality of bores includes an aperture; a plurality of release tabs, wherein each aperture corresponds to a release tab of the plurality of release tabs, and wherein each of the plurality of release tabs is configured to resiliently deflect in a radial direction about a common point through a respective aperture by a force applied to each release tab so as to remove a fluid coupling fitting in an axial direction from each of the plurality of bores; and a second half pivotally coupled to the first half, wherein the second half is at least partially symmetric to the first half. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The adaptor of claim 16, further comprising a hinge located between the first half and the second half, wherein the hinge pivotally couples the first half to the second half, and wherein the hinge permits the adaptor to travel between an open configuration and a closed configuration. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The adaptor of claim 16, wherein each of the plurality of release tabs comprises a tab protrusion configured to transfer the force to a lug of the fluid coupling fitting. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The adaptor of claim 16, wherein each of the plurality of release tabs is joined at the common point on the first half. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The adaptor of claim 19, wherein the common point is configured to serve as a fulcrum for each of the plurality of release tabs as they deflect relative to the apertures.