Quick connect coupling

摘要

A quick coupler for a first tube with a plug end and a second tube with a socket end, the first tube including a bead formed proximate the distal end of the tube and a circumferential groove between the bead and the distal end. A first O-ring is disposed in the groove, and a second O-ring is received about the first tube adjacent the forward end of the bead. The plug end of the tube is received within the socket of the second pipe and a collet and shell retain the pipes together. The collet includes a cylindrical sidewall with a series of resilient segmented fingers. Each of the fingers has a radially inward directed tab at its distal end. The collet is slid along the first tube until an annular endwall on the collet abuts the bead, with the fingers resiliently outwardly deflecting to surround the socket of the second tube and retain the first tube to the second tube. The shell is then slid over the collet and provides an inward force on the collet to draw the tubes together. Spring tabs on the shell cooperate with a serrated portion of the collet to retain the shell on the collet. The tabs on the fingers grasp an annular flange on the socket during disconnect to initially allow the tubes to be axially separated an amount sufficient to vent pressure within the tubes.