Coupling for automobile air conditioning system

摘要

A coupling (10) for connecting hoses or other conduits carrying refrigerant material in an automobile air conditioning system has a male end (12) and a female end (14). The male end has an extending portion (26) which is accepted into an aperture (50) in the female end when the coupling ends are connected. A pair of o-ring seals (34), seal the ends in fluid tight engagement when they are connected. Finger portions (24) on legs (22) of a leaf spring (20) mounted on the male end, engage step areas (68) on the female end to hold the coupling ends together when engaged. The legs nest in slots (64) to prevent relative rotation of the coupling ends. Tapered portions (66) of the slots provide for ease of engagement of the coupling ends. The legs of the leaf spring are biased apart as the coupling ends are pushed together until the finger portions engage the step areas. Disengagement is achieved by spreading the legs of the leaf spring with a special tool (72) and separating the coupling ends.