Breakaway hose coupling with manual rotational separation

1. A breakaway coupling adapted for use with a co-axial flexible fuel supply hose having a fuel supply passage and a vapor return passage, said coupling comprising a first tubular valve body and a second tubular valve body assembled together with a common center axis, each said valve body defining a fuel supply passage and a vapor return passage, an axially movable valve member within each said valve body and movable between an open position and a closed position relative to said fuel supply passage, a connecting member releasably connecting said valve bodies and providing for movement of said valve bodies from a connected position to a disconnected position in response to a substantial axial tension force on said valve bodies, and said valve bodies supporting axially opposing cooperating surfaces connected to rotate with said valve bodies and effective to move said valve bodies from said connected position to said disconnected position in response to relative rotation between said valve bodies.

2. A coupling as defined in claim 1 wherein said cooperating surfaces comprise peripherally extending opposing cam surfaces on said valve bodies.

3. A coupling as defined in claim 2 wherein at least one of said cam surfaces is formed by an integral part of one of said valve bodies.

4. A coupling as defined in claim 2 wherein at least one of said cooperating surfaces is formed by an annular sleeve supported by one of said valve bodies.

5. A coupling as defined in claim 1 and including an annular protective sleeve surrounding both of said valve bodies in said connected position and covering said cooperating surfaces.

6. A coupling as defined in claim 5 wherein said sleeve comprises a resilient material and remains attached to one of said valve bodies when said valve bodies are moved to said disconnected position.

7. A coupling as defined in claim 1 wherein said connecting member comprises an annular coil spring.

8. A coupling as defined in claim 1 and including an axially movable valve member within said vapor return passage.

9. A breakaway coupling adapted for use with a flexible fuel supply hose having a fuel supply passage and a vapor return passage, said coupling comprising a first tubular valve body and a second tubular valve body assembled together with a common center axis, each said body defining a fuel supply passage and a vapor return passage, an axially movable valve member within each said valve body and movable between an open position and a closed position relative to said fuel supply passage, a connecting member releasably connecting said valve bodies and providing for movement of said valve bodies from a connected position to a disconnected position in response to a substantial axial tension force on said valve bodies, and said valve bodies having peripherally extending and opposing cam surfaces effective to move said valve bodies from said connected position to said disconnected position in response to relative rotation of said valve bodies.

10. A coupling as defined in claim 9 wherein said cam surfaces are integral with said valve bodies.

11. A coupling as defined in claim 9 wherein cam surfaces comprise end surfaces on annular sleeves rigidly connected to said valve bodies.

12. A coupling as defined in claim 9 and including an annular protective sleeve of resilient material and surrounding both of said valve bodies in said connected position and covering said cam surfaces.

13. A coupling as defined in claim 12 wherein said sleeve is attached to one of said valve bodies and remains with said one body when said valve bodies are moved to said disconnected position.

14. A coupling as defined in claim 9 wherein said connecting member comprises an annular coil spring, and an axially movable valve member within said vapor return passage.

15. A coupling as defined in claim 9 wherein said valve bodies have flat outer surfaces adapted to receive wrenches to produce said relative rotation of said valve bodies.

16. A coupling as defined in claim 9 wherein said vapor return passage is disposed radially outwardly of said fuel supply passage.

17. A coupling as defined in claim 9 wherein said fuel supply passage is disposed radially outwardly of said vapor return passage.

18. A breakaway coupling adapted for use with a flexible fuel supply hose having a fuel supply passage and a vapor return passage, said coupling comprising a first tubular valve body and a second tubular valve body assembled together with a common center axis, each said valve body defining a fuel supply passage and a vapor return passage, an axially movable valve member within each said valve body and movable between an open position and a closed position relative to said fuel supply passage, an annular coil spring releasably connecting said valve bodies and providing for movement of said valve bodies from a connected position to a disconnected position in response to a substantial axial tension force on said valve bodies, and said valve bodies having peripherally extending V-shaped cam surfaces in opposing relation and effective to move said valve bodies from said connected position to said disconnected position in response to relative rotation of said valve bodies.

19. A coupling as defined in claim 18 wherein said cam surfaces are integral with said valve bodies.

20. A coupling as defined in claim 18 wherein one of said valve bodies supports an axially movable valve member within said vapor return passage.