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US 4,792,115 AGranted
Coupling with fusible actuator member
AssigneeTuthill Corporation
InventorsPaul R. Jindra, Edward D. Gailey
Life of this patent
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AssigneeTuthill Corporation
InventorsPaul R. Jindra, Edward D. Gailey
Estimating the term…
A coupling includes plug and socket assemblies which are interconnectable to connect conduits in fluid communication. A heat fusible actuator member is connected with a valve member disposed in the socket assembly. The actuator member extends axially outwardly from the valve member and has an outer end portion which is engageable with the plug assembly to move the valve member from a closed condition to an open condition as the plug and socket assemblies are interconnected. The actuator member is fusible upon exposure to excessive heat to release the valve member for movement from the open condition to the closed condition under the influence of a biasing spring. As the valve member moves from the open condition to the closed condition, the size of the actuator member is reduced as it is compressed into a unitary body under the influence of the force applied against the valve member by the biasing spring. In one embodiment of the invention, when the actuator member is exposed to excessive heat, it is axially compressed. In another embodiment of the invention, when the actuator member is exposed to excessive heat, it is radially compressed. The actuator member could be mounted in the plug assembly if desired.
A coupling for use in connecting a pair of conduits in fluid communication, said coupling comprising a plug assembly adapted to be connected with one of the conduits, a socket assembly adapted to be connected with another of the conduits, said plug and socket assemblies being interconnectable to connect the conduits in fluid communication, a first one of said assemblies including a valve member movable along its central axis between a closed condition blocking fluid flow through said first one of said assemblies and an open condition in which said valve member is ineffective to block fluid flow through said first one of said assemblies, spring means for urging said valve member toward the closed condition,a heat fusible actuator member connected to said valve member for movement therewith, said actuator member extending axially outwardly from one end of said valve member and having an axially outer end portion which is engageable with a second one of said assemblies to transmit force from the second one of said assemblies to said valve member to move said valve member from the closed condition to the open condition upon interconnection of said assemblies, said actuator member being fusible upon exposure to excessive heat to release said valve member for movement from the open condition to the closed condition under the influence of said spring means while said assemblies are interconnected.
A coupling for use in connecting a pair of conduits in fluid communication, said coupling comprising a plug assembly adapted to be connected with one of the conduits, a socket assembly adapted to be connected with another of the conduits, said plug and socket assemblies being interconnectable to connect the conduits in fluid communication, a first one of said assemblies including a valve member movable between a closed condition blocking fluid flow through said first one of said assemblies and an open condition in which said valve member is ineffective to block fluid flow through said first one of said assemblies, spring means for urging said valve member toward the closed condition, a heat fusible actuator member which fuses when exposed to excessive heat, said actuator member being disposed between said valve member and a second one of said assemblies to transmit force from the second one of said assemblies to said valve member to move said valve member from the closed condition to the open condition upon interconnection of said assemblies, said actuator member having outer side surfaces which define a first spatial envelope which contains said actuator member upon interconnection of said assemblies, said actuator member being fusible and compressible upon exposure to excessive heat to release said valve member for movement from the open condition to the closed condition under the influence of said spring means while said assemblies are interconnected, said valve member and the second one of said assemblies having surface means for compressing said actuator member into a unitary body contained in a second spatial envelope which is smaller than the first spatial envelope upon fusing of said actuator member due to exposure to excessive heat.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
Drawings are temporarily unavailable. Open the PDF at USPTO
No related US applications are recorded in the indexed filing history.
In which the connection is maintained by means of balls, rollers or helical springs under radial pressure between the parts: by means of balls
With fluid cut-off means: with fluid cut-off means in only one of two pipe-end fittings
With fluid cut-off means in only one of two pipe-end fittings: with a lift valve being opened automatically when the coupling is applied
Heat destructible or fusible: in fluid flow path
Term ended 16 Mar 2008 (estimated)
USPTO file history isn’t available for this patent, so only indexed dates are shown.
This invention relates generally to a new and improved coupling which is utilized to interconnect a pair of conduits. More specifically, the invention relates to a coupling which interrupts fluid communication between the conduits upon exposure of the coupling to excessive heat.
During the use of gas appliances, such as cooking stoves and other devices, there is an ever present danger of a fire which will travel through the conduits to a source of flammable gas. In order to prevent this from happening, couplings have been provided with a safety cutoff which closes a valve to block a flow of gas to the appliance upon heating of the coupling. Known couplings which may be used in such an environment and having safety cutoff devices which respond to exposure of the coupling to excessive heat are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,245,423; 3,532,101; 4,280,523; and 4,290,440.
The present invention provides a new and improved coupling for use in connecting a pair of conduits in fluid communication. The coupling includes a plug assembly which is adapted to be connected with one of the conduits and a socket assembly which is adapted to be connected with the other conduit. The plug and socket assemblies are interconnectable to connect the conduits in fluid communication with each other.
The foregoing and other objects and feaures of the present invention will become more apparent upon a consideration of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a coupling having plug and socket assemblies which are interconnected with a valve member in an open condition to enable fluid to flow through the coupling;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the socket assembly of FIG. 1, the socket assembly being disconnected from the plug assembly and the valve member being in a closed condition;
Coupling
A coupling 10 (FIG. 1), constructed in accordance with the present invention, is utilized to connect a pair of conduits (not shown) in fluid communication with each other. The coupling 10 includes a plug assembly 12 which is telescopically received in a socket assembly 14. An externally threaded metal end portion 16 of the plug assembly 12 is connected with a fluid conduit. An externally threaded metal end portion 18 of the socket assembly 14 is connected with a second fluid conduit. When the plug and socket assemblies 12 and 14 are interconnected in the manner shown in FIG. 1, the fluid conduits are connected in fluid communication with each other through the coupling 10.
To interconnect the plug and socket assemblies 12 and 14, a cylindrical metal locking sleeve 22 is retracted, that is moved toward the left as viewed in FIG. 1, against the influence of a metal biasing spring 24. Retraction of the locking sleeve 22 releases spherical metal locking elements 26 for radially outward movement relative to a generally cylindrical metal socket body 28. After the locking sleeve 22 has been retracted to release the locking elements 26, the plug assembly 12 can be telescopically inserted into the socket assembly 14.