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US 12,571,493 B2Granted
Fluid handling couplings
AssigneeColder Products Company
InventorsSamuel C. Buck, Blake M. Harris, Emma N. Miller, Grant A. Wilhelm
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Fluid couplings described herein are designed be assembled efficiently and economically. In example embodiments, the fluid couplings are designed with minimal component parts so that the fluid couplings are additionally economical to produce. In some embodiments, the fluid couplings described herein include internal valve components. Some such fluid couplings are designed to prevent spillage of fluid when connecting and disconnecting the couplings.
Claims4
A fluid coupling comprising:
- a main body defining an internal space and a longitudinal axis, the main body comprising a first end configured to couple with another fluid coupling and a termination end opposite of the first end, the first end defining an opening leading to the internal space;
- a spring disposed in the internal space;
- and
- a valve member that is longitudinally movable within the internal space between:
- (i) an open position in which a fluid flow path through the fluid coupling is defined and (ii) a closed position in which the fluid flow path is blocked by the valve member, the valve member comprising:
- a front face;
- a seal groove portion defining a seal groove;
- a post on an opposite end of the valve member in comparison to the seal groove portion;
- and
- multiple deflectable elements coupled to the post as cantilevers and extending toward the seal groove portion, wherein the deflectable elements are radially deflectable between:
- (i) a compressed configuration in which an outer diameter of the deflectable elements is less than or equal to an inner diameter of the opening and (ii) a relaxed configuration in which a maximum outer diameter of the deflectable elements is greater than the inner diameter of the opening.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.