Storz type coupling

A storz type coupling comprising a pair of similar and complementary coupling units each comprising assembled inner and outer annular parts with the former threaded externally over an axially extending portion thereof and the latter having mating internal threads over an axially extending portion thereof, the inner and outer annular parts being threadedly engaged at their mating portions with the parts assembled and fixedly attached together to form a coupling unit, each inner annular part having front and rear end portions with a pair of similar circumaxially spaced axially forwardly projecting lugs at its front end portion, and each lug having a radially outwardly projecting ear at its free end portion, each outer annular part having a front end portion adjacent and diametrically enlarged relative to its threaded portion and relative to the front end portion of an associated inner part, a radially inwardly open annular groove defined in said diametrically enlarged portion, and said front end portion of said outer annular part also defining a pair of similar circumaxially spaced axially forwardly open notches communicating with the annular groove and located and dimensioned for the rearward axial entry of the lugs on the complementary coupling unit there through and into the groove, relative rotation of the two coupling units on entry of the lugs and their ears into the groove serving to secure the units together in assembled relationship, wherein a latching device is provided and is operable to selectively project into and to allow a lug ear to rotate through said annular groove in one direction on assembly of two complementary coupling units and to engage and prevent rotation of the lug ear through the groove in an opposite direction whereby to prevent the unintended disassembly of the units, said latching device also being manually operable to allow passage of the lug in said opposite direction for the intentional disassembly of the units.