Abstract: A valve assembly (10) comprising a male coupling member (100) and a female coupling member (200) which are connectable by inserting a probe (110) of the male member into a socket (210) of the female member. A fluid passageway (120) within the male member has an aperture (122) on the probe that is opened and closed by a second closing member. A fluid passageway (220) within the female member has an aperture (222) within the socket that is opened and closed by a first closing member (230) moveable within the socket. When mated, fluid flows between the two fluid passageways. The female member includes a first cage (240). During insertion of the probe into the socket, the first cage releasably locks the first closing member to the probe such that the cage carries separation forces created due to the pressure of the fluid within the fluid passageways.

Abstract: A coupling assembly for releasably interconnecting fluid passages comprises male and female coupling members, which are mated by inserting a probe and socket of the members respectively. Each coupling member has a first end arranged for connection to a fluid passage. When mated in use, the coupling assembly provides a straight fluid conduit between the fluid passages comprising through-bores in each of the coupling members coincident along a first longitudinal axis. When mated in use, the probe and socket are arranged coincident on a second longitudinal axis, which is inclined to the first axis. Sealing means comprising an annular sealing ring proximate each of the socket and probe are arranged, when mated in use, either side of an intersection between the through-bore and socket. The sealing arrangement is such that fluid within the fluid conduit exerts a net force resisting separation of said coupling members.

Abstract: A coupling assembly for releasably interconnecting fluid passages comprises male and female coupling members, which are mated by inserting a probe and socket of the members respectively. Each coupling member has a first end arranged for connection to a fluid passage. When mated in use, the coupling assembly provides a straight fluid conduit between the fluid passages comprising through-bores in each of the coupling members coincident along a first longitudinal axis. When mated in use, the probe and socket are arranged coincident on a second longitudinal axis, which is inclined to the first axis. Sealing means comprising an annular sealing ring proximate each of the socket and probe are arranged, when mated in use, either side of an intersection between the through-bore and socket. The sealing arrangement is such that fluid within the fluid conduit exerts a net force resisting separation of said coupling members.

Abstract: A valve assembly including a male member and a female member, the male member including a probe having a first fluid passageway having an exit aperture opening through a side face of the probe, and the female member including a socket for receiving the probe, a second fluid passageway having an exit aperture arranged on an internal side face of the socket, a first closing member freely moveable between an open position and a closed position, and a first securing means for releasably securing the first closing member to the probe to restrict relative movement therebetween, the first closing member including two sealing rings such that, when in the closed position, the rings form a seal on either side of the exit aperture.

Abstract: A valve assembly comprises male and female coupling members that are connectable by inserting a probe of the male member into a socket of the female member. A fluid passageway within the female member has an aperture within the socket that is open and closed by a first closing member that moves within the socket. A fluid passageway within the male member has an aperture on the probe that is open and closed by a second closing member. When mated fluid flows between the two fluid passageways. The female member includes a first cage. During insertion of the probe into the socket, the first cage releasably locks the first closing member to the probe such that the cage carries any separation forces created due to the pressure of the fluid within the passageways.

Abstract: A valve assembly including a male member and a female member, the male member including a probe having a first fluid passageway having an exit aperture opening through a side face of the probe, and the female member including a socket for receiving the probe, a second fluid passageway having an exit aperture arranged on an internal side face of the socket, a first closing member freely moveable between an open position and a closed position, and a first securing means for releasably securing the first closing member to the probe to restrict relative movement therebetween, the first closing member including two sealing rings such that, when in the closed position, the rings form a seal on either side of the exit aperture.

Abstract: A latch mechanism (10) comprises a male coupling member (12), and a female coupling member (14). The latch mechanism (10) is coupled/de-coupled by inserting/withdrawing male coupling member from female coupling member, by movement in a first direction A-A. A latch (20), here comprising a plate (44) and two prongs (42), is slidably mounted on the male coupling member (12), for movement in a second direction B-B. A compression spring (21) biases the latch (20) so that the prongs (42) are exposed at the distal end of the male coupling member (12). Catch channels shown here as two holes (22) that extend in the second direction B-B for receiving the prongs (42) are formed in the female coupling member. In use, the latch mechanism (10) is coupled by relative movement in the first direction between the male and female coupling members. When the probe is fully inserted, the prongs of the latch are aligned with the holes (22). Consequently, due to the bias of the spring (21), the prongs (42) enter the holes (22).

Abstract: A coupling assembly for releasably interconnecting fluid passages comprises male and female coupling members, which are mated by inserting a probe and socket of the members respectively. Each coupling member has a first end arranged for connection to a fluid passage. When mated in use, the coupling assembly provides a straight fluid conduit between the fluid passages comprising through-bores in each of the coupling members coincident along a first longitudinal axis. When mated in use, the probe and socket are arranged coincident on a second longitudinal axis, which is inclined to the first axis. Sealing means comprising an annular sealing ring proximate each of the socket and probe are arranged, when mated in use, either side of an intersection between the through-bore and socket. The sealing arrangement is such that fluid within the fluid conduit exerts a net force resisting separation of said coupling members.

Abstract: A valve assembly comprises male and female coupling members that are connectable by inserting a probe of the male member into a socket of the female member. A fluid passageway within the female member has an aperture within the socket that is open and closed by a first closing member that moves within the socket. A fluid passageway within the male member has an aperture on the probe that is open and closed by a second closing member. When mated fluid flows between the two fluid passageways. The female member includes a first cage. During insertion of the probe into the socket, the first cage releasably locks the first closing member to the probe such that the cage carries any separation forces created due to the pressure of the fluid within the passageways.

Abstract: A coupling assembly (1) for releasably interconnecting fluid passages. A female coupling member (3) has a first end (10) arranged for connection to a first fluid passage, and a second end comprising a socket (12) extending along a first longitudinal axis. A male coupling member (2) has a first end (6) arranged for connection to a second fluid passage, and a second end comprising a probe (13) receivable in the socket (12), extending along a second longitudinal axis. The coupling members (2, 3) are arranged such that when the coupling members (2, 3) are mated, the coupling members (2, 3) provide a conduit for fluid flow between the first and second fluid passages. The conduit has internal surfaces dimensioned such that fluid within the conduit exerts pressure on the internal surfaces to provide a net force resisting separation of the mated coupling members (2, 3).

Abstract: A coupling comprising a first member defining a socket, a second number such as a tube defining a spigot inserted into an open end of the socket, and a locking device received within an annular gap defined between an inner wall of the socket and an outer wall of the spigot. The locking device comprises circumferentially spaced load-bearing members, each load-bearing member extending within the annular gap from a first end which is relatively close to the open end of the socket and a second end which is relatively remote from the open end of the socket. Each load-bearing member is resiliently biased such that the first end engages the socket and the second end engages the spigot, and each load-bearing member is dimensioned such that it acts substantially as a beam in compression to resist withdrawal of the spigot from the socket.