Coupling device for security coupling first and second elements

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to coupling devices for securely coupling first and second elements. The disclosed device can be used, for example, to connect different components of oral hygiene apparatuses that produce a relatively high-velocity water jet to clean a person's teeth.

1 . A coupling device for coupling respective passages of first and second elements in communication with one another, the coupling device comprising: 
 an inner cylinder defining a passage;    an outer cylinder surrounding a first portion of the inner cylinder, the outer cylinder having a closed wall defining an aperture through which a second portion of the inner cylinder extends, the second portion of the inner cylinder having threads defined on an outer surface thereof, the threads of the inner cylinder capable of joining with threads defined in an inner surface defining the passage of the first element so that the passage of the inner cylinder communicates with the passage of the first element;    first and second pairs of spaced plates positioned on opposite sides of the outer cylinder;    first and second levers positioned between respective first and second pairs of plates;    first and second pins extending through respective first and second levers and having ends supported by the first and second pairs of plates, the first and second levers pivotally mounted to the first and second pairs of plates by respective first and second pins;    first and second springs having respective first ends fixed to respective first and second levers, and second ends fixed to the outer surface of the outer cylinder, the first and second springs biasing respective first and second levers so that the locking ends thereof extend into apertures defined in the outer surface of the outer cylinder to engage with an annular groove of the second element positioned between the inner and outer cylinders so that the passage of the second element communicates with the passage of the inner cylinder, the first and second elements thereby capable of being releasably locked together by the coupling device so that their respective passages communicate with one another.    
   
   
       2 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the first and second springs have respective first and second ends fixed to respective posts defined in the first and second levers and the outer surface of the outer cylinder.