FLUID DUCT FIXTURE ASSEMBLY

摘要

A quick-connect fitting or coupling assembly for releasably connecting and disconnecting a pair of fluid conduits 12, 14 in fluid communication with one another includes a socket 26 on one of the fluid conduits for receiving the other fluid conduit inserted longitudinally therein into an interlocking engagement with a resilient barb member 32. A removal member 56 is selectively slidably movable in the socket for deflecting the barb member out of such interlocking engagement in order to remove the previously inserted fluid conduit. The assembly also preferably includes lateral support member 66 for laterally supporting the fluid conduits relative to one another thus strengthening the connection therebetween. One of the preferred embodiments (Fig. 4) includes one of more valve mechanisms for preventing fluid flow into or out of the disconnected fluid conduits, while allowing fluid flow therebetween when the fluid conduits are connected to one another. Other embodiments (Fig. 9) include a feature by which the fitting assembly is relatively tamper-resistant.