Coupling

Abstract

A system includes a body with a fluid passage therethrough, a first open end, and an opposite termination, a valve positioned within the body and including first and second ends, the valve moving between open and closed positions, the valve being biased into the closed position, and a seal positioned on the second end of the valve, the seal forming the closed position when the valve is biased towards the first open end of the body, and the seal engaging a shoulder formed by the body to retain the valve within the body. The seal is accessible from the termination of the body to allow the valve to be coupled to the body.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A male fluid coupling, comprising:
 an insert member defining a bore and a longitudinal axis, the insert member having a front end portion and a termination end portion on opposing ends of the insert member,   wherein the insert member also defines a circumferential groove configured to receive a latch of a female fluid coupling when the male fluid coupling is coupled with the female fluid coupling,   wherein the circumferential groove extends fully around a circumference of the insert member and includes a first surface disposed between opposing first and second wall surfaces of the insert member, and   wherein the first surface: (i) is sloped at a first acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis, (ii) extends at a second acute angle relative to the first wall surface, and (iii) extends at an obtuse angle relative to the second wall surface.   
     
     
         2 . The male fluid coupling of  claim 1 , further comprising a first seal coupled to the front end portion of the insert member and configured to seal against the female fluid coupling when the male fluid coupling is coupled with the female fluid coupling. 
     
     
         3 . The male fluid coupling of  claim 1 , further comprising a valve positioned within the bore. 
     
     
         4 . The male fluid coupling of  claim 3 , further comprising a spring, wherein the valve is biased by the spring to a closed position. 
     
     
         5 . The male fluid coupling of  claim 4 , further comprising a valve seal coupled to a rear end portion of the valve, wherein the valve seal seats against an internal shoulder of the insert member while the valve is in the closed position, the valve seal and the internal shoulder being separated while the valve is in an open position in which fluid can flow through the bore. 
     
     
         6 . The male fluid coupling of  claim 5 , wherein the valve seal is accessible from the termination end portion of the body, and wherein the valve is retained within the bore of the insert member because the valve seal seats against the internal shoulder. 
     
     
         7 . The male fluid coupling of  claim 1 , wherein the opposing first and second wall surfaces are parallel to each other. 
     
     
         8 . The male fluid coupling of  claim 1 , wherein the first acute angle extends toward the longitudinal axis along a direction from the termination end portion to the front end portion. 
     
     
         9 . A male fluid coupling, comprising:
 an insert member defining a bore and a longitudinal axis, the insert member having a front end portion and a termination end portion on opposing ends of the insert member,   wherein the insert member also defines a circumferential groove configured to receive a latch of a female fluid coupling when the male fluid coupling is coupled with the female fluid coupling,   wherein the circumferential groove extends fully around a circumference of the insert member and includes: (i) a first surface and (ii) a wall surface that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and   wherein the first surface: (i) is sloped at a first acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis, and (ii) extends at a second acute angle relative to the wall surface.   
     
     
         10 . The male fluid coupling of  claim 9 , wherein the circumferential groove further includes a second wall surface that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         11 . The male fluid coupling of  claim 10 , wherein the first surface extends at an obtuse angle relative to the second wall surface. 
     
     
         12 . The male fluid coupling of  claim 9 , further comprising a first seal coupled to the front end portion of the insert member and configured to seal against the female fluid coupling when the male fluid coupling is coupled with the female fluid coupling. 
     
     
         13 . The male fluid coupling of  claim 9 , further comprising a valve positioned within the bore. 
     
     
         14 . The male fluid coupling of  claim 13 , further comprising a spring, wherein the valve is biased by the spring to a closed position. 
     
     
         15 . The male fluid coupling of  claim 14 , further comprising a valve seal coupled to a rear end portion of the valve, wherein the valve seal seats against an internal shoulder of the insert member while the valve is in the closed position, the valve seal and the internal shoulder being separated while the valve is in an open position in which fluid can flow through the bore. 
     
     
         16 . The male fluid coupling of  claim 15 , wherein the valve seal is accessible from the termination end portion of the body, and wherein the valve is retained within the bore of the insert member because the valve seal seats against the internal shoulder. 
     
     
         17 . The male fluid coupling of  claim 9 , wherein the first acute angle extends toward the longitudinal axis along a direction from the termination end portion to the front end portion.