All plastic quick-connect coupling

The coupling assembly for selectively coupling first and second fluid lines together, the coupling assembly comprising:

• a first coupling member having an opening extending therethrough, the first coupling member adapted to be connected to a first fluid line at one end and having a circumferential groove defined no an external surface;
• a second coupling member having an opening extending therethrough, the second coupling member adapted to be selectively connected to a second fluid line at one end and having a circumferential groove defined on an external surface, the second coupling member being selectively coupled to the first coupling member;
• a cylindrical sleeve member being substantially circumferentially continuous at one end thereof, a radially inward extending shoulder being defined at the other end for receipt in one of the grooves defined on the first and second members, the sleeve including a latching member having a first end, an intermediate central position, and a second end, the latching member including a tab being dimensioned for selective receipt in the other one of the grooves of the first and second members when the shoulder is received in the one groove, the latching member having means for securing the latching member to the sleeve and pivoting the first and second ends thereof about an intermediate central portion by depressing an actuating portion defined at the first end of the latching member;
• and,
• means for selectively retaining the first and second coupling members in coupled relation, the retaining means being operatively connected with one of the first and second coupling members, the retaining means including means for precluding pivotal movement of the latching member about the intermediate central portion.

A coupling assembly adapted to connect first and second associated fluid lines together, the coupling assembly comprising:

• first and second coupling members having openings therethrough for passage of fluid when connected with the associated fluid lines and selective coupled engagement with one another, the second coupling member including an external groove and the first coupling member including first and second spaced external grooves;
• a substantially circumferentially continuous sleeve having an opening therethrough and including means for fixedly securing the sleeve to the first coupling member first groove and for selectively securing to the second coupling member, the sleeve being formed entirely from a plastics material and having an integral latching means for coupling the first and second coupling members together, the latching means including a latching member having opposite ends and a central portion, said one end including a tab that extends radially inward in a first position for engagement with the groove in said second coupling member and is movable to a second, radially outer position by pivoting the latching member about a central portion through radial movement of an actuating portion defined at the end opposite said one end of the latching member, the central portion being adapted for pivoting action through use of longitudinally and circumferentially extending pairs of slots in said sleeve adjacent the latching member that place circumferential strips interposed between the circumferential slots under twisting forces when the tab is urged toward the second position;
• and,
• means for retaining the first and second coupling members in coupled relation, the retaining means being secured to the first coupling member via the second groove thereof.