Patent ID: 6019399
Filing Date: 2000-02-01
Classification: F16L,Y10S

Abstract:
A coupling for connecting a distal end of a corrugated tube in fluid communication with a fitting of a variety having a forward end with an externally threaded surface, the tube being formed of alternating crest portions defining the outer periphery of the tube and root portions, said coupling comprising:a generally annular compression member having an opening therethrough extending axially along a central longitudinal axis from a forward end portion of an inner diametric extent receivable coaxially over the distal end of the tube to an internally-threaded rearward end portion threadably engagable with the externally-threaded forward end of the fitting, said opening forward end portion extending axially along said central longitudinal axis from a rearward first end to a forward, radially-inwardly extending second end which defines the inner diametric extent of said opening, and having an inner radial surface extending intermediate said first and seconds ends from a rearward circumferential gland having a forward and a rearward end wall to a forward circumferential camming surface; andan annular one-piece split ring member journalled coaxially within said gland of said compression member to be received therewith over the distal end of the tube for disposition into a root portion thereof, said split ring member being retained axially in said gland intermediate the forward and rearward end walls thereof and being resiliently expandable radially outwardly within said gland in response to the bearing of the crest portions of the tube thereon to an expanded diameter accommodating the passage of the outer periphery of the tube therethrough for said split ring member and compression member to be received over the distal end of the tube, and being resiliently compressible radially inwardly within said root portion of the tube in response to the bearing of the camming surface of said compression member thereon as said compression member is threadably engaged with the fitting to a compressed diameter delimiting the forward advancement of the tube distal end out of said opening of said compression member.