Patent ID: 6450550
Filing Date: 2002-09-17
Classification: F16L

Abstract:
A fitting for retaining a tube which is to be inserted into the fitting after the fitting is assembled, comprising:a body, said body having a hole extending through it, said hole comprising a cylindrical main cavity having an open end which allows an end of the tube to be inserted into said hole and an internal end within said body, said main cavity having a cylindrical inner wall, said hole further including a cylindrical guide cavity located after said internal end of said main cavity to receive the tube after the tube has been inserted through said main cavity, said guide cavity having a guide cavity wall and a diameter which is sufficiently larger than the outer diameter of the tube so as to form a preselected guide cavity gap; a retaining ring having a plurality of inwardly extending teeth located within said main cavity, said teeth forming an inside diameter which causes said teeth to engage and hold the tube when the tube is placed in said hole; said retaining ring having a width and having an outer diameter which is sufficiently smaller than the diameter of said main cavity so as to form a preselected retaining ring clearance gap; a closure installable at said open end of said main cavity for holding said retaining ring within said main cavity, said closure having a circular closure hole within it of a size which enables said closure hole to receive the tube after said closure is installed at the open end of said main cavity; said closure hole having a diameter which is sufficiently larger than the outside diameter of the tube so as to form a preselected closure clearance gap; an elastomeric seal mounted within said main cavity between said retaining ring and said closure, said seal having a width and having an inner diameter and an outer diameter that cause said seal to be compressed between the tube and said inner wall of said main cavity; a first circular washer located within said main cavity between said retaining ring and said seal, said first circular washer having a width, a first inner diameter and a first outer diameter, the first inner diameter being larger than the outside diameter of the tube so as to form a preselected first inner gap and the first outer diameter being less than the diameter of said main cylinder so as to form a preselected first outer gap, with the sum of the first inner gap and the first outer gap constituting a first washer clear gap, a second circular washer located within said main cavity between said seal and said closure, said second circular washer having a width, a second inner diameter and a second outer diameter, the second inner diameter being larger than the outside diameter of the tube so as to form a preselected second inner gap and the second outer diameter being less than the diameter of said main cylinder to form a preselected second outer gap, the sum of the second inner gap and the second outer gap constituting a second washer clearance gap; said main cavity having an axial length which is sufficiently larger than the combined widths of said retaining ring, said first washer, said second washer and said seal so as to form a preselected axial gap; the closure clearance gap, the first washer clearance gap, the second washer clearance gap, the retaining ring clearance gap and the guide cavity gap, each having a size which allows sufficient side play between the tube and said fitting and the axial gap allowing sufficient axial play between the tube and said fitting so that the side play and the axial play enable said retaining ring to move freely within said main cavity to an extent that minimizes fatigue on the tube within said main cavity.