Patent ID: 6328347
Filing Date: 2001-12-11
Classification: F16L,Y10S

Abstract:
A system for coupling a ball fitting having a diameter to a socket fitting having a diameter, where the ball fitting is connected to a first tubing having a diameter and the socket fitting is connected to a second tubing having a diameter, the system comprising:a first coupling piece,the first coupling piece forming an aperture having a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the ball fitting and the diameter of the first tubing, the aperture of the first coupling piece for receiving the ball fitting and the first tubing through the first coupling piece,the first coupling piece also forming an annular race disposed concentric with and outside of the aperture in the first coupling piece, andthe first coupling piece having an annular surface disposed concentric with and between the annular race of the first coupling piece and the aperture of the first coupling piece,first split ring pieces for assembling into a first ring,the first ring forming an aperture having a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the ball fitting and larger than the diameter of the first tubing, the aperture of the first ring for receiving the first tubing through the first ring, andthe first ring also forming an annular ridge disposed concentric with and outside of the aperture in the first ring, the annular ridge for engaging the annular race of the first coupling piece, the annular race of the first coupling piece for assisting in aligning and holding the first split ring pieces together in the first ring,the first ring further forming a first surface disposed concentric with and between the annular ridge of the first ring and the aperture of the first ring,the annular surface of the first coupling piece for applying uniform axial pressure to the first surface of the first ring,the first ring having a second surface opposing the first surface and disposed concentric with and outside of the aperture of the first ring, the second surface for applying uniform axial pressure to a back portion of the ball fitting,a second coupling piece,the second coupling piece forming an aperture having a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the socket fitting and the diameter of the second tubing, the aperture of the second coupling piece for receiving the socket fitting and the second tubing through the second coupling piece,the second coupling piece also forming an annular race disposed concentric with and outside of the aperture in the second coupling piece, andthe second coupling piece having an annular surface disposed concentric with and between the annular race of the second coupling piece and the aperture of the second coupling piece,second split ring pieces for assembling into a second ring,the second ring forming an aperture having a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the socket fitting and larger than the diameter of the second tubing, the aperture of the second ring for receiving the second tubing through the second ring, andthe second ring also forming an annular ridge disposed concentric with and outside of the aperture in the second ring, the annular ridge for engaging the annular race of the second coupling piece, the annular race of the second coupling piece for assisting in aligning and holding the second split ring pieces together in the second ring,the second ring further forming a first surface disposed concentric with and between the annular ridge of the second ring and the aperture of the second ring,the annular surface of the second coupling piece for applying uniform axial pressure to the first surface of the second ring,the second ring having a second surface opposing the first surface and disposed concentric with and outside of the aperture of the second ring, the second surface for applying uniform axial pressure to a back portion of the socket fitting, andengagement means for reversibly drawing the first coupling piece and the second coupling piece toward each other and for releasably holding the first coupling piece and the second coupling piece together with uniform axial pressure.