Abstract: There is disclosed a quick connect/disconnect coupling for tubular elements such as hoses and the like, which uses a plurality of articulated jaws, with a retainer and a retainer clip. In this invention, each of the jaws has an axial groove extending from its inner edge, and the retainer sleeve has pins which extend into the grooves of the jaws. The axial groove in each jaw has a stepped width, with a greater width at the inner edge of said jaw, thereby permitting a limited rotational movement of said ring between its rearward and forward positions. The retainer sleeve also has an inner annular groove adjacent its inner face which receives a retainer clip to secure the assembly.

Abstract: There is disclosed a quick acting coupling for interconnecting tubular members such as hoses which is particularly useful with fire fighting equipment. The device has a body member for attachment to one of a pair of tubular members. The body member distally carries a plurality of segmented jaws which are pivotally mounted thereon to permit movement between radially expanded and contracted positions. The outer surfaces of the jaws have flat grooves having leading and trailing cam surfaces. The jaws are surrounded by a cam guide ring that is mounted for limited axial displacement on the assembly of jaws with cam guides of mating contour. The cam guide surfaces are beveled, planar surfaces and are engaged by the cam guides of the cam ring in both the opened and closed positions so that axial movement of the cam ring positively expands and contracts the segmented jaws.