Randall J Mullins

US Patent:

52557146, Oct 26, 1993

Filed:

Nov 13, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/975822

Inventors:

Randall J. Mullins - Matthews NC

Assignee:

Perfecting Services, Inc. - Charlotte NC

International Classification:

F16L 3728

US Classification:

13761404

Abstract:

A push-to-connect, pull-to-disconnect ball detent coupling operable with one hand has a socket, a plug, detent balls carried by the socket for holding the plug in coaxial coupled relation, and spring-biased sleeves on the socket and on the plug. The socket sleeve spring is located in an annular passageway between the sleeve and the socket on the side of the detent balls opposite the coupling end of the socket. The plug sleeve spring is located in an annular passageway between the sleeve and the plug on the side of the detent retaining means opposite the coupling end of the plug. During coupling movement, the outer terminal end of the plug sleeve engages the outer terminal end of the socket sleeve to move the socket sleeve to actuate the detent balls. To release the plug from the socket, an operator pushes either the socket sleeve or the plug sleeve against the plug sleeve spring so that an annular groove on the inner surface of the socket sleeve comes into registry with the ball retaining apertures thereby releasing the balls from the annular groove in the plug. The coupling is compact and suitable for use in the areas of limited access.

US Patent:

50923641, Mar 3, 1992

Filed:

Jun 20, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/717698

Inventors:

Randall J. Mullins - Matthews NC

Assignee:

Perfecting Services, Inc. - Charlotte NC

International Classification:

F16L 3728

US Classification:

13761405

Abstract:

A push-to-connect, pull-to-disconnect ball detent coupling has a socket, a plug, detent balls carried by the socket for holding the plug in coaxial coupled relation, and a collar with two interlocking sleeves forming a channel. The channel receives a spring biased plunger for moving the collar to actuate the detent balls. The collar is biased so that when the socket and plug are disconnected, the ball detents are not maintained in a fixed position. The plug enters the socket through an orifice in the plunger and engages the balls and the plunger to compress the plunger spring. On further insertion of the plug into the socket, the retaining balls move inwardly into an annular groove on the plug and release the collar. The compressed spring then causes the collar to snap so that a projecting shoulder on the inner sleeve of the collar holds the balls in place in the annular groove in the plug and the socket and plug are locked in coupling engagement. To release the plug from the socket, an operator pushes the collar against the spring so that an annular groove on the inner surface of the collar comes into registry with the ball retaining apertures thereby releasing the balls from the annular groove in the plug.

US Patent:

55402500, Jul 30, 1996

Filed:

Mar 22, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/215845

Inventors:

Randall J. Mullins - Matthews NC

Assignee:

Perfecting Coupling Company - Charlotte NC

International Classification:

F16L 3500

US Classification:

137 77

Abstract:

A ball detent fluid coupling for gas fuel for appliances and the like equipment is characterized by push-to-connect and pull-to-disconnect features, a heat responsive breakaway feature, and a ball retaining sleeve that is retractable by hand for joining and for separating the socket and plug. The sleeve has a shoulder projecting radially inwardly with an inclined surface for engaging the balls. The spring for the sleeve is urged against the shoulder by a fusible stop ring that is matingly mounted on an inclined shoulder on the socket. The stop ring fuses at a predetermined temperature, the spring is released, and the sleeve releases the ball detents from engagement with the plug. A valve in the fluid flow passageway urges the plug out of coaxial coupled relation and stops the flow of fuel when the plug and socket are released from coaxial coupled relation.