Quick connect coupling

1. A quick connect coupling, comprising:

a) a pair of couplers coupled together upon relative movement of the couplers towards each other in one direction along an axis for conveying a fluid under pressure through the couplers, and being decoupled upon relative movement of the couplers from each other in an opposite direction along the axis;

b) a bleed fitting for releasing the pressure of the fluid during said movement to facilitate coupling and decoupling of the couplers;

c) an annular gasket stationarily mounted on one of the couplers; and

d) a tubular body mounted for sliding movement along the axis within the other of the couplers, the tubular body having an outer wall formed with a sealing surface extending continuously and circumferentially around the axis, the outer wall also being formed with an outer channel axially adjacent the sealing surface, the sealing surface being slidably movable with the tubular body between a sealed position in which the sealing surface sealingly engages the gasket, and a bleed position in which the outer channel is spaced from the gasket to enable the fluid to bypass the gasket and pass to the bleed fitting for release of pressure in the fluid.

2. The coupling of claim 1 , wherein the outer channel comprises a pair of grooves formed on the outer wall of the tubular body at opposite axial sides of the sealing surface.

3. The coupling of claim 1 , wherein the outer channel comprises a plurality of spiral grooves spaced apart around the axis.

4. The coupling of claim 1 , wherein the outer channel comprises a plurality of axial grooves spaced apart in mutual parallelism around the axis.

5. The coupling of claim 1 , wherein the outer channel comprises a plurality of hemispherical cavities spaced apart around the axis.

6. The coupling of claim 1 , and a locking ring for fixing the gasket on the one coupler.