Coupler for fire extinguisher nozzle accessory

A fire extinguisher nozzle coupling system comprising:

• an accessory socket body, the socket body further comprising a first shelf stop and a collar movably coupled along the socket body between a locked coupling configuration and an unlocked configuration, and a movable locking element;
• and
• a receiver provided at least partially inside the socket body and slidable axially relative to the socket body, the receiver comprising:
• a first end;
• an axial inner passage configured to receive a flowable material from the plug and release the material at a second end of the receiver;
• a first outer wall portion extending along a first length of the receiver and having a first radial dimension;
• a second outer wall portion extending along a second length of the receiver and having a greater second radial dimension;
• wherein the second outer wall portion is configured to bias the locking element toward the collar when the collar is in the unlocked configuration;
• a first shelf between the first and second outer wall portions of the plug receiver;
• wherein a travel of the receiver along an axis of the socket body is limited in a first direction by engagement of the first shelf and the first shelf stop;
• wherein:
• in a locked configuration wherein a plug portion of a fire extinguisher nozzle is retained in the socket body, the collar is disposed in a first position and the locking element is biased by the collar toward the plug portion of the fire extinguisher nozzle;
• in a released configuration wherein the plug portion of the fire extinguisher nozzle is removable from the socket body, the collar is disposed in a second position and the locking element is unbiased by the collar;
• and
• a first end of the receiver is configured to engage a nipple at the plug portion of the nozzle, and wherein a second end of the receiver is configured to dispense flowable material received from the nozzle.

A method for operating a push-to-connect and quick-release coupling, the coupling comprising a socket assembly having a socket body extending between first and second socket faces, the socket body comprising a first shelf stop, a plug receiver inside of the socket body, and slidable axially relative to the socket body, and a collar movably coupled to the socket body, and the coupling comprising a nozzle assembly having a housing and a plug, wherein the nozzle assembly is configured to dispense a flowable material therethrough, the plug receiver comprising:

• an axial inner passage configured to receive the flowable material from the plug and release the material at the second end of the plug receiver;
• a first outer wall portion extending along a first length of the plug receiver and having a first radial dimension;
• a second outer wall portion extending along a second length of the plug receiver and having a greater second radial dimension;
• wherein the second outer wall portion is configured to bias the locking element toward the collar when the collar is in the unlocked configuration;
• a first shelf between the first and second outer wall portions of the plug receiver;
• wherein a travel of the plug receiver along an axis of the socket body is limited in a first direction by engagement of the first shelf and the first shelf stop;
• the method comprising:
• biasing the plug receiver in the socket assembly toward a first axial position and thereby biasing a locking element in the socket assembly toward an unlocked configuration using an outer face of the plug receiver;
• receiving the nozzle assembly at the plug receiver in the socket assembly and, in response, translating the plug receiver axially toward a second axial position and away from the locking element;
• and
• translating the collar of the socket assembly toward the nozzle assembly and thereby biasing the locking element toward a locked configuration wherein the locking element is received in a groove in the nozzle housing and the socket assembly is secured to the nozzle assembly.