Patent ID: 6270125
Filing Date: 2001-08-07
Classification: F16L

Abstract:
A tubing assembly, comprising:at least two tubes, each tube having a tube end and an internal conduit;a connector for joining the at least two said tubes, the connector comprising a central portion with an internal conduit having a permanently formed feature therein, and a plurality of arms, each arm extending from the central portion and terminating in an arm end, such that there is one arm and arm end aired with each said tube end, with the connector internal conduit extending through the arms to the respective arm ends;a plurality of linear inserts, such that there is one linear insert for each arm end/tube end pair, a first nipple portion of each said linear insert having an external surface frictionally engaged in an internal surface of the connector internal conduit at the arm end and a second nipple portion of each said linear insert having an external surface frictionally engaged in an internal surface of the tube internal conduit at the tube end;a plurality of ring members, such that one said ring member is slidingly received along each tube end or arm end atop one of the linear inserts frictionally engaged therein, the ring member compressively deforming the respective tube end or arm end onto the linear insert, joining the connector internal conduit to the tube internal conduit in a leak-free manner; andwherein a seat is formed on at least one arm of the connector for receiving one of the plurality of ring members prior to the deformation thereof against the connector arm, and further wherein the seat comprises a stop face to align the ring member coaxially with the connector arm wherein the stop face is defined by at least two ramp-like expansions of the diameter of the connector arm.