Patent ID: 6065779
Filing Date: 2000-05-23
Classification: B25B,F16L

Abstract:
A clip for use with a fitting of a variety adapted for a releasable connection with a distal tubing end of a given outer diameter, the fitting including a body member extending axially along a first central longitudinal axis to a forward end defining an internal gland, and a collet member journalled within the gland as extending axially along the first central longitudinal axis between an forward external end and a rearward internal end, the collet member being received for slidable movement within the gland intermediate a rearward position and a forward position space-apart axially from the rearward position to define a collet travel length therebetween, the rearward position accommodating the radial outward expansion of the collet member for the insertion and removal of the tubing end therethrough, and the forward position effecting the radially inward contraction of the collet member about the outer tubing diameter delimiting the removal of the tubing distal end from the fitting assembly, said clip comprising:a retaining portion configured to be received coaxially on the collet member for insertion intermediate the external end thereof and the forward end of the fitting body member and defining an inner and an outer periphery of said clip, said retaining portion having a forward and a rearward surface each extending between said inner and outer periphery, and extending radially about a second central longitudinal axis from a first distal portion to a second distal portion spaced-apart circumferentially from said first distal portion to define a pair of cantilevered segments, said segments being expansible radially outwardly for enlarging the inner periphery of said retaining portion accommodating the insertion thereof intermediate the forward end of the collet member and the rearward end of the fitting body member, and being resiliently contractible radially inwardly for retaining said clip on the collet member; anda shroud portion configured to extend over the external end of the collet member for delimiting force-transmitting contact therewith tending to move the collet member from its forward to rearward position, said shroud portion being circumscribed about at least part of the outer periphery of said clip as extending axially from the forward surface of said retaining portion to a distal end defining a length of said shroud portion selected such that when said retaining portion of said clip is received on the collet member with the forward surface of said retaining portion disposed opposite the external end of the collet member and with the rearward surface of said retaining portion disposed opposite the forward end of the fitting body member, the distal end of said shroud portion terminates beyond the external end of the collet member when the collet member is disposed in its forward position.