Coupling for hoses or the like

A coupling for connecting hoses or the like to a medium under pressure, comprising:

• a female part including a nipple release mechanism and at least one ball-type nipple locking member for initially locking a nipple in place within the female part;
• an axially displaceable valve member centrally located and movable in the female part from a closed position in contact with an annular valve seat and an open position away from the valve seat;
• and,
• a nipple insertable in the female part and including a groove in an outer surface region adapted to initially engage the ball-type nipple locking member for locking the nipple in place in the female part upon insertion;
• said female part additionally including a restraining member for holding the nipple in place at an intermediate position consisting of a partial removal of the nipple from the female part upon subsequent activation of the nipple release mechanism together with movement of the valve member to the closed position against the valve seat and thereafter releasing the nipple for complete removal from the female part in response to pressure inside the nipple dropping below a predetermined pressure level;
• and
• wherein said restraining member comprises an elongated rotatable arm mounted on the female part and located beneath the slideable sleeve assembly, and having a rounded distal end portion of a size corresponding to the ball member for contacting said groove in the nipple.

A coupling for connecting hoses or the like to a medium under pressure, comprising:

• a female part including a nipple release mechanism and at least one ball-type nipple locking member for initially locking a nipple in place within the female part;
• an axially displaceable valve member centrally located and movable in the female part from a closed position in contact with an annular valve seat and an open position away from the valve seat;
• and,
• a nipple insertable in the female part and including an outer surface region adapted to initially engage the ball-type nipple locking member for locking the nipple in place in the female part upon insertion;
• said female part additionally including a restraining member for holding the nipple in place at an intermediate position consisting of a partial removal of the nipple from the female part upon subsequent activation of the nipple release mechanism together with movement of the valve member to the closed position against the valve seat and thereafter releasing the nipple for complete removal from the female part in response to pressure inside the nipple dropping below a predetermined pressure level;
• wherein said ball-type nipple locking member comprises a ball member and said surface region of said nipple comprises a groove formed in an outer surface of the nipple for receiving said ball member;
• and
• wherein said nipple release mechanism comprises a slideable body member located on an outer portion of the female part and providing an access opening adjacent the ball member when actuated for receiving the ball member so as to permit removal of the nipple from the female part upon a subsequent release thereof by said restraining member.