Patents by Inventor Benny B. Sprague

Benny B. Sprague has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Quick connect coupling
    Patent number: 4971474
    Abstract: A coupling device has a transversely arranged, open-end groove (30) in a flange attached to a pipe end. The groove in the flange receives a circumferentially arranged locking flange element (76) on the other coupling member and permits alignment of the bores of the coupling members when the locking flange element is in the open end groove. Upon alignment of the bores of the coupling members, a trigger member (60) is activiated to automatically release a spring biased tubular member (33) in one of the coupling members. The tubular member has a conical end (48) which is displaced into the other coupling member to lock the coupling members to one another. A tensioning nut (72) is threadedly movable on a coupling member so as to be moved into tightening engagement with the other coupling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Benny B. Sprague