Patent ID: 7984933
Filing Date: 2011-07-26
Classification: F16L,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An assembly comprising a torque fitting, a length of tubing, and a compressible ferrule, wherein: the torque fitting comprises a threaded body portion, a torque-limiting body portion, and a channel; the threaded body portion and the torque-limiting body portion are arranged concentrically along a longitudinal axis of the torque fitting; the channel of the torque fitting extends through the torque fitting from a first opening defined in the threaded body portion to a second opening defined in the threaded body portion; the channel of the torque fitting is oriented along the longitudinal axis of the torque fitting and defines a cross-sectional area sufficient to accommodate the length of tubing along the longitudinal axis; the threaded body portion comprises a compressing edge on the underside of the threaded body portion adjacent to the second opening and a mechanical thread defining a compressive direction of rotation and a decompressive direction of rotation; the threaded body portion and the torque-limiting body portion are configured such that, one of the threaded body portion or the torque-limiting body portion comprises a lever having a first arresting surface and a yielding surface, and the other of the threaded body portion or the torque-limiting body portion comprises an abutment having a second arresting surface and an engaging surface; the lever and the abutment are configured such that, when torque above the threshold level is applied by rotating the torque-limiting body portion in the compressive direction of rotation, the engaging surface contacts the yielding surface, the lever flexes toward the body portion comprising the lever and away from the body portion comprising the abutment, and the lever bypasses the abutment; the length of tubing is accommodated by the channel of the torque fitting, such that the length of tubing extends through both the first opening and the second opening; and the compressible ferrule is applied to an end of the length of tubing such that the compressible ferrule is positioned to cooperate with the compressing edge to prevent fluid leakage when the assembly is applied to a fluid-handling device.