Patent ID: 8056937
Filing Date: 2011-11-15
Classification: F16L

Abstract:
1. A tube coupling for receiving and holding an end of a tube comprising: a coupling body including a stem having an end to engage in the tube and an encircling head spaced from said end; a cap mounted on the head and encircling the stem, the cap having an end with an opening formed thereat that is configured to receive the tube inserted into the cap over the stem, the cap having an internal tapered cam surface reducing towards the opening of the cap; and a tube locking collet at least partially disposed within the cap comprising an annular member having a plurality of resilient fingers extending into the cap, the resilient fingers being arranged to be deflected radially outward by insertion of the tube and engaging the internal tapered cam surface of the cap so as to be pressed inwardly to engage and grip the outer surface of the tube when the tube is inserted into the cap over the stem to lock the tube in the cap; wherein the cap has locking elements which engage the head of the coupling body to hold the cap on the head, the locking elements comprising a plurality of inwardly angled resilient teeth at circumferentially spaced locations around the cap, the head of the coupling body having an encircling annular recess into which the teeth are received to secure the cap to the head; wherein the cap has a plurality of windows spaced around the cap where the cap encircles the stem adjacent the head of the coupling body to enable an operator to check that the tube is fully engaged onto the stem of the coupling body up to the head; wherein each of the plurality of resilient teeth is formed in a corresponding one of the plurality of windows and extends inwardly at an angle towards the tapered cam surface of the cap; and wherein the recess in the head of the coupling body is bounded by a side having a periphery, an encircling rebate being formed on the periphery in which the inwardly angled teeth are received to retain the cap on the head.