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US 12,680,642 B2Granted
Compact fluid couplings
AssigneeColder Products Company
InventorsAndres E. Abraham Carabano, Shaun J. Jacobsen, Erik A. M. Weigel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Some fluid coupling devices described herein are configured as non-spill fluid couplings. In addition, some embodiments described in this document relate to fluid coupling devices and fluid coupling systems that are constructed in a compact configuration.
Claims20
A fluid coupling device comprising:
- a housing defining an internal space and a fluid flow path that extends along a first axis and along a second axis, wherein the first and second axes are substantially perpendicular to each other, and wherein the housing defines a first end opening on the first axis and a second end opening on the second axis;
- a valve assembly within the internal space and comprising a valve member that is movable along the second axis and spring-biased to a closed position that blocks the fluid flow path, wherein the valve member entirely fills the housing's second end opening when the valve member is in the closed position;
- and
- a latch member coupled to the housing and movable relative to the housing along the first axis between a latched position and an unlatched position, wherein the latch member is configured to releasably latch the fluid coupling device to a mated fluid coupling device in a coupled arrangement that opens the fluid flow path, wherein the latch member comprises a surface and a biasing member that abuts the housing, the surface being depressible to deflect the biasing member to cause the latch member to move from the latched position to the unlatched position.
1 more element
A fluid coupling system comprising:
- a male coupling device comprising:
- a male housing defining an internal space and a fluid flow path that extends along a first axis and along a second axis, wherein the first and second axes are substantially perpendicular to each other, and wherein the male housing defines a first end opening on the first axis and a second end opening on the second axis;
- a male valve assembly within the internal space and comprising a male valve member that is movable along the second axis and spring-biased to a closed position that blocks the fluid flow path, wherein the male valve member entirely fills the male housing's second end opening when the male valve member is in the closed position;
- and
- a latch member coupled to the male housing and movable relative to the male housing along the first axis between a latched position and an unlatched position, wherein the latch member comprises a surface and a biasing member that abuts the housing, the surface being depressible to deflect the biasing member to cause the latch member to move from the latched position to the unlatched position;
- and
- a female coupling device comprising:
- a female housing defining an end opening configured to receive a portion of the male housing when the male and female coupling devices are releasably coupled to each other in an operable configuration that creates an open fluid flow path through the fluid coupling system,
- wherein the female housing defines an internal groove that receives a portion of the latch member when the male and female coupling devices are releasably coupled to each other in the operable configuration.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.