Non-Rotating Coupling Device

Abstract

The invention is a quick connect and disconnect coupling which limits the free rotation between the female socket and the male plug of the coupling with respect to one another. It comprises a male plug having a coupling end and a female socket having a coupling end with a receiving opening therein to receive the coupling end of the male plug when the connectors are in a coupled condition. A holding mechanism is associated with the ed. The male plug includes a non circular surface that interengages the locking balls within the female quick connect socket to substantially prevent relative rotation of the male plug in relation to the female socket. The coupling is particularly useful for attaching accessories as used in highly pressurized spray applications to allow the ability to rotationally adjust the dispensing action.

1 . A fluid coupling device comprising:
 (a) A female fitting having a receiving opening and including one or more retention balls.   (b) A male fitting having a first coupling end, a annular coupling groove, and a second attachment end for releaseably coupling with the female fitting.   (c) A interlocking ridge that at least partially extends radially within the annular coupling groove and between the first and second ends of the male fitting.   
   
   
       2 . The coupling device of  claim 1 , wherein the interlocking ridge has at least one divider that extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the male fitting. 
   
   
       3 . The coupling device of  claim 1 , wherein the male fitting comprises a partitioned annular coupling groove. 
   
   
       4 . The coupling device of  claim 1 , wherein the female fitting is a female quick connect coupler. 
   
   
       5 . The coupling device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one divider provides a connection amid the retention balls to limit rotation between the male fitting and the female fitting. 
   
   
       6 . The coupling device of  claim 2 , wherein the ridge extends rearward from the annular coupling groove of the first coupling end across to the second attachment end of the male 
   
   
       7 . A fluid coupling device comprising:
 (a) A conduit that receives pressurized fluid;   (b) A fluid accessory fluidly connected with the conduit to receive pressurized fluid from the conduit;   (c) A quick-disconnect assembly selectively fluidly connecting the fluid accessory and the conduit, the quick-disconnect assembly including   (d) A male fitting coupled to the fluid accessory and the conduit, the male fitting including
 (1) A first coupling end, a annular coupling groove, and a second attachment end; 
 (2) A ridge extending within the annular coupling groove 
   (e) A female fitting coupled to the other end of the fluid accessory and conduit, the female fitting including
 (1) An opening for receiving the coupling end of the male fitting; 
 (2) A system of retention balls that engage the annular coupling groove of the male fitting 
   
   
   
       8 . An interlocking assembly for preventing rotation between the male fitting and the female fitting, the interlocking assembly including
 (a) A first component having a system of radially spaced retention balls engageable with a annular coupling groove of the second component.   (b) A second component having a ridge that extends within the annular coupling groove and is located within the space between the retention balls; the first component being limited in rotation by the radial distance between each retention ball.   
   
   
       9 . The coupling device of  claim 7 , wherein the fluid accessory is a nozzle assembly configured to discharge the pressurized fluid. 
   
   
       10 . The coupling device of  claim 8 , wherein the nozzle assembly comprises an adjustable mechanism that is operably coupled to the nozzle assembly and is configured to change the nozzle spray pattern. 
   
   
       11 . The coupling device of  claim 7 , wherein the fluid accessory is a regulator valve configured to adjust the discharge pressure or flow. 
   
   
       12 . The coupling device of  claim 7 , wherein the fluid accessory is an adaptor for changing or extending one coupler to another coupler. 
   
   
       13 . The coupling device of  claim 7 , wherein the fluid accessory is a sensing instrument configured to obtain fluid measurements. 
   
   
       14 . A fluid coupling device comprising:
 (a) A female fitting having a receiving opening and including one or more retention balls.   (b) A male fitting having a first coupling end, a annular coupling groove, and a second attachment end for releaseably coupling with the female fitting.   (c) A interlocking ridge that at least partially extends radially within the annular coupling groove and between the first and second ends of the male fitting.   
   
   
       15 . The coupling device of  claim 13 , wherein the interlocking ridge has at least one divider that extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the male fitting. 
   
   
       16 . The coupling device of  claim 13 , wherein the male fitting comprises a partitioned annular coupling groove. 
   
   
       17 . The coupling device of  claim 13 , wherein the female fitting is a female quick connect coupler. 
   
   
       18 . The coupling device of  claim 13 , wherein at least one divider provides a connection amid the retention balls to limit rotation between the male fitting and the female fitting. 
   
   
       19 . The coupling device of  claim 2 , wherein the ridge extends rearwardly from the annular coupling groove of the first coupling end across to the second attachment end of the male 
   
   
       20 . The coupling device of  claim 14 , wherein the ridge is alternatively a separate component that is attachably connected to the male fitting. 
   
   
       21 . The coupling device of  claim 19 , wherein the ridge momentarily limits rotational movement and provides an audio or physical feedback to the operator before rotating further.