Quick connect coupler
AssigneeNelson Irrigation Corporation
InventorsCraig B. Nelson, Chad D. Leinweber, Mathew L. Zimmerman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A quick connect coupler includes a female connector having a central bore and a plurality of recesses, and a male connector having a post insertable into the central bore. The male connector has a first tab row with a plurality of first tabs and a second tab row with a plurality of second tabs axially spaced from the plurality of first tabs. The first and second tabs are shaped corresponding to the recesses in the female connector. The first and second tab rows are circumferentially offset to effect a two- or multi-step connection between the female connector and the male connector.
Claims20
A coupler comprising:
- a female connector having a central bore and a plurality of recesses;
- and
- a male connector having a post insertable into the central bore, the male connector including a first tab row including a plurality of first tabs and a second tab row including a plurality of second tabs axially spaced from the plurality of first tabs, wherein the first and second tabs are shaped corresponding to the recesses in the female connector,
- wherein the first and second tab rows are circumferentially offset to effect a two-step connection between the female connector and the male connector.
A coupler comprising:
- a female connector having a central bore and a plurality of recesses, at least two of the plurality of recesses being differently sized;
- a male connector having a post insertable into the central bore, the male connector including a first tab row including a plurality of first tabs and a second tab row including a plurality of second tabs axially spaced from the plurality of first tabs, wherein the first and second tabs are shaped corresponding to the recesses in the female connector;
- and
- a radial stop member connected between the first tab row and the second tab row, wherein one of the plurality of recesses engages the radial stop member when the plurality of recesses are aligned with the second tab row.
A method of securing a coupler including a female connector with a central bore and a plurality of recesses, and a male connector with a post insertable into the central bore, the male connector including a first tab row including a plurality of first tabs and a second tab row including a plurality of second tabs axially spaced from the plurality of first tabs, wherein the first and second tabs are shaped corresponding to the recesses in the female connector, and wherein the first and second tab rows are circumferentially offset, the method comprising:
- (a) positioning the plurality of recesses over the plurality of first tabs in the first tab row;
- (b) rotating the female connector relative to the male connector to align the plurality of recesses with the plurality of second tabs in the second tab row;
- (c) displacing the plurality of recesses over the plurality of second tabs in the second tab row;
- and
- (d) rotating the female connector relative to the male connector until the female connector is fully seated on the male connector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.