Coupling
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsRonald Lee Hogue, Kenneth Ray Renkes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A threadless coupling for pressurized systems includes a nut member and a mating member. The nut member has a first axial end for attachment to the pressure sensitive control, a second axial end configured for engagement with the mating member, and a housing extending between the first axial end and the second axial end. The housing is configured for locking engagement with a pair of retaining tabs extending from an outer surface of the mating member. Each mating member retaining tab engages a corresponding seating surface and step surface of the respective housing opening so that relative axial and rotational movement of the nut member and mating member is prevented.
Claims22
A coupling, comprising:
- a nut member including a first axial end, a second axial end, a housing extending between said first and second axial ends, and a center prong extending within said housing from said first axial end toward said second axial end, said housing comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, at least two openings in said housing positioned intermediate said first and second axial ends, said openings extending from said inner surface to said outer surface, and
- a mating member including a nut engaging end configured for insertion within said nut member, at least two retaining tabs extending radially outward from said mating member and configured for locking engagement with a respective said housing opening, said housing opening includes a stop surface and a side surface, said stop surface configured to slidingly engage said retaining tab while said mating member is rotated to align said retaining tab with said housing opening, said side surface configured to prevent said mating member from rotating past said housing opening while said mating member retaining tab is in contact with said stop surface.
A coupling, comprising:
- a nut member including a first axial end, a second axial end, a housing extending between said first and second axial ends, and a center prong extending within said housing from said first axial end toward said second axial end, at least two openings in said housing positioned intermediate said first and second axial ends;
- a mating member including a nut engaging end configured for insertion within said nut member, an annular groove formed in said mating member and configured for aligning with a respective said nut member housing opening when said nut engaging end is inserted within said nut member, said mating member further including a channel extending therethrough, said channel including internal threads formed within said channel, said internal threads substantially adjacent said nut engaging end and separated therefrom by a distance;
- a resilient clip configured to have at least a portion thereof inserted through the opening in the nut member and into said annular groove of said mating member when said nut engaging end of said mating member is inserted within said nut member;
- and
- a valve disposed within said internal threads and configured to be in an open position when said mating member and said nut member are fully engaged.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.