Non-metallic identical half coupling

An improved non-metallic identical half coupling having a housing enclosing a valve that can be rotated between open and closed positions comprising:

• (a) an annular housing comprised of a polymer material having a first end and a second end, said first end being adapted to receive a second identical half coupling, said second end being adapted to receive a fluid conduit, a fluid passageway defined through said housing;
• (b) a valve having a spherical configuration positioned adjacent said first end in said housing, said valve comprised of a polymer material, said valve defining a bore having an axis extending through said bore;
• and
• (c) a valve actuation member in communication with said valve, said member comprised of a polymer material, said member including a handle having a housing connection plate, a shank and a hand piece, said handle including at least one projection on said shaft adjacent said connection plate, said housing including at least one recess for receiving said projection, said projection being inserted in said recess, said member being connected by a screw to an actuator comprised of a polymer material, said actuator being in communication with said valve, whereby when said valve actuation member is moved from a first position to a second position, said valve is rotated about a valve axis transverse to said bore axis between an open position wherein said valve bore is in communication with said first end and said fluid passageway of said housing and a closed position wherein said valve closes said first end from said fluid passageway.

An improved non-metallic identical half coupling having a housing enclosing a valve that can be rotated between open and closed positions comprising:

• (a) an annular housing comprised of a polymer material having a first end and a second end, said first end being adapted to receive a second identical half coupling, said second end being adapted to receive a fluid conduit, a fluid passageway defined through said housing;
• (b) a valve having a spherical configuration positioned adjacent said first end in said housing, said valve comprised of a polymer material, said valve defining a bore having an axis extending through said bore;
• and
• (c) a valve activation member in communication with said valve, said member comprised of a polymer material, said member including a T-shaped handle including a shank and a hand piece, said member being connected to an actuator comprised of a polymer material, said actuator being in communication with said valve, whereby when said valve activation member is moved from a first position to a second position, said valve is rotated about a valve axis transverse to said bore axis between an open position wherein said valve bore is in communication with said first end and said fluid passageway of said housing and a closed position wherein said valve closes said first end from said fluid passageway.

An improved non-metallic identical half coupling having a housing enclosing a valve that can be rotated between open and closed positions comprising:

• (a) an annular housing comprised of a polymer material having a first end and a second end, said first end being adapted to receive a second identical half coupling, said second end being adapted to receive a fluid conduit, a fluid passageway defined through said housing;
• (b) a valve having a spherical configuration positioned adjacent said first end in said housing, said valve comprised of a polymer material, said valve defining a bore having an axis extending through said bore;
• (c) at least one energized spring positioned adjacent said first end of said housing and at least one O-ring seal and at least one wave spring positioned adjacent said second end of said housing to maintain said valve within said housing;
• and
• (d) a valve actuation means in communication with said valve, said valve actuation means comprised of a polymer material, said valve actuation means rotating said valve about a valve axis transverse to said bore axis between an open position wherein said valve bore is in communication with said first end and said fluid passageway of said housing and a closed position wherein said valve closes said first end from said fluid passageway.