Fluid flow connector

Abstract

A fluid flow connector with a structure for preventing over-torquing of the coupler and the nipple during engagement and furthermore, preventing inadvertent disengagement of the coupler from the nipple which might otherwise occur upon oppositely directed rotation of an outer shell of the coupler. The nipple is provided with a shoulder which, upon full engagement between the coupler and the nipple to a desired level of torque between the threads thereof, abuts the end of the outer shell. Subsequent further rotation of the shell causes relative travel between the outer shell and the coupler threads until the dowel disengages the first set of teeth whereby any further rotation of the outer shell will not impart a rotational force or torque to the coupler threads. In order to accomplish such disengagement it is necessary to translate the outer shell away from the nipple shoulder against the force of a shell biasing spring until the dowel thereof engages a second set of teeth displaced axially from the first set of teeth. Only upon such translation of the outer shell in an axial direction relative to the coupler threads and subsequent engagement of the dowel with the second set of teeth, is it possible to cause the coupler threads to rotate away from the nipple threads upon rotation of the outer shell.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.