Abstract: A quick disconnect coupling having a socket and a plug. In one embodiment, the plug has an outwardly projecting ring at its end that is captured behind a plurality of pins of an inwardly stepped shoulder formed in the socket in order to prevent the plug from being withdrawn from the socket. The plug is releasably retained in the socket by a variety of means, including a resilient ring surrounding the plug that tightly fits into a stepped shoulder formed in the socket or circumferentially spaced ball bearings mounted on either the plug or the socket and biased into a groove formed on the socket or plug, respectively. In another embodiment of the invention, the plug is formed by a cylindrical sleeve on which retaining fingers are pivotally mounted. The retaining fingers each terminate in a respective retaining tab that is captured behind an inwardly stepped shoulder formed in the socket.

Abstract: A quick disconnect coupling having a socket and a plug. In one embodiment, the plug has an outwardly projecting ring at its end that is captured behind a plurality of pins or an inwardly stepped shoulder formed in the socket in order to prevent the plug from being withdrawn from the socket. The plug is releasably retained in the socket by a variety of means, including a resilient ring surrounding the plug that tightly fits into a stepped shoulder formed in the socket or circumferentially spaced ball bearings mounted on either the plug or the socket and biased into a groove formed on the socket or plug, respectively. In another embodiment of the invention, the plug is formed by a cylindrical sleeve on which retaining fingers are pivotally mounted. The retaining fingers each terminate in a respective retaining tab that is captured behind an inwardly stepped shoulder formed in the socket.