Fluid Coupling and Method

A fluid coupling, comprising:

• a coupler defining a flow path therethrough and having a valve located therein in a normally-closed position;
• said coupler including a sleeve mounted on and extending about said coupler, said sleeve having a least one recess formed on an inner peripheral surface thereof and being movable relative to said coupler between a normally-forward position and a retracted position;
• said coupler including a set of latching balls such that said latching balls are locked in an inward position when said sleeve is in said normally-forward position and are permitted to extend to an outward position when said sleeve is placed in said retracted position;
• and
• said coupler including a set of locking balls such that said set of locking balls are locked in an inward position when said sleeve is in said retracted position and are permitted to extend to an outward position within said at least one recess of said sleeve when said sleeve is placed in said normally-forward position.

A method of assembling a fluid coupling, comprising the steps of:

• positioning a coupler against a nipple such that a set of latching balls carried within the coupler are locked in an inward position preventing advancement of the coupler onto the nipple;
• locating a sleeve on the coupler to a retracted position to permit the latching balls to extend outwardly thereby permitting the coupler to be advanced onto the nipple until a set of locking balls carried within the coupler and locked in an inward position by the sleeve in the retracted position prevents further advancement of the coupler onto the nipple;
• moving the coupler on the nipple until the latching balls engage within closed helical cam paths formed in an outer peripheral surface of the nipple causing said sleeve to resiliently return to a normal position that locks said latching balls in the inward position and that permits said locking balls to extend outwardly;
• and
• after said latching balls engage said cam paths, rotating said coupler relative to the nipple to advance the coupler onto the nipple as the latching balls follow the cam paths to a fully coupled position.