Abstract:
A connector adapted for use with an associated fluid line includes a connector body having a passage dimensioned to receive the associated fluid line and a capturing member supported on said connector body. The capturing member is suitable for retaining the associated fluid line in the passage. A sealing member is disposed within the passage and is suitable for forming a fluid-tight seal between the connector body and the associated fluid line. A stiffening member is disposed within the connector body along the passage, and an indicator is disposed within the connector body and is adapted to indicate that the associated fluid line has been received a predetermined distance into the passage.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     The present invention broadly relates to the art of fluid distribution systems and, more particularly, to a connector adapted for use on an associated fluid line and having an indicator that visually indicates the complete and proper installation of the connector on the associated fluid line.  
         [0002]     Fluid line connectors of a wide variety of types and styles are well known and commonly used. One such connector is a push-on or stab-type connector that is installed on the end of a length of smooth-walled tubing and is useful for connecting the tubing to an associated device or apparatus, such as a gas meter or another length of tubing, for example. Such connectors can typically be quickly and conveniently installed on the tubing end without the use of tools. Prior to installation of the connector, the end of the length of tubing can be trimmed, chamfered and/or otherwise prepared, and the connector thereafter pushed onto the tubing end. A capturing member or other suitable arrangement is usually provided on the connector to secure the same to the tubing end.  
         [0003]     Push-on or stab-type connectors have a number of disadvantages associated with the use thereof. One disadvantage is that it is generally not possible to visually determine whether the tubing has been properly and completely seated within the connector to form a fluid-tight seal therewith. Various methods have been devised to provide at least an indication of the amount of tubing extending into the connector or, said differently, the distance the tubing end extends into the connector. In one such method, a technician makes a mark on the tubing at a predetermined distance from the end of the tubing. The tubing is then inserted into the connector, and the mark is used to determine whether a sufficient length of tubing has been delivered into the connector to form a secure and fluid-tight connection. Such a method, however, makes only an indirect determination of the quality of the connection. As such, a situation remains in which it is typically not possible for the technician to directly determine that a complete and proper connection has been made between the connector and the tubing.  
         [0004]     In certain applications, the length of tubing is covered by a flexible sheath to help protect the tubing from being inadvertently cut or otherwise damaged. To install a push-on type connector on such a length of tubing, it is common for the technician to force the sheath away from the tubing end to expose the same. Using the method mentioned above, the technician often makes a mark on the tubing at a predetermined length from the end thereof prior to installing the connector on the tubing end. Another disadvantage is that such a technique is often difficult to accomplish by one person, as the technician must typically hold the tubing, hold back the sheath, hold and align the measuring device, and make the mark. However, this remains one of the few options available to the technician to ensure that known connectors are being properly installed.  
         [0005]     A further disadvantage of known connectors is that the same are generally not removable and, as such, are generally limited to one installation or use. Where a technician is unsure whether the connector has been properly installed on a tubing end, the connector may be removed from the length of tubing by cutting the tubing below the connector and discarding the entire severed portion. The tubing end is then prepared for the installation of a new connector. In such situations, it is possible that the technician has cut off and discarded a properly installed connector. This undesirably adds time and expense to the installation.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0006]     In accordance with the present invention, a connector is provided that is adapted for use with an associated fluid line and includes a connector body having a passage dimensioned to receive the associated fluid line. A capturing member is supported on the connector body and is suitable for retaining the associated fluid line in the passage. A sealing member is disposed within the passage and is suitable for forming a fluid-tight seal between the connector body and the associated fluid line. A stiffening member is disposed within the passage, and an indicator is adapted to indicate that the associated fluid line has been received a predetermined distance into the passage.  
         [0007]     Additionally, a connector is provided that is adapted for use with an associated fluid line having an inside wall and an outside wall. The connector includes a connector body having a passage extending therethrough. The passage is dimensioned to receive the associated fluid line. A capturing member is supported on the connector body and is suitable for retaining the associated fluid line the passage. A sealing member is disposed within the passage and is suitable for forming a fluid-tight seal between the connector body and the outside wall of the associated fluid line. A stiffening member is disposed within the passage and at least a portion of the stiffening member is dimensioned to be received within the inside wall of the associated fluid line. An indicator is adapted to indicate that the associated fluid line has been received a predetermined distance into the passage.  
         [0008]     Furthermore, a connector is provided that is adapted for use with an associated fluid line having an inside wall and an outside wall and including a connector body having a first end adapted to receive the associated fluid line, a second end opposite the first end, a passage extending through the connector body between the first and second ends, and a shoulder within the passage between the first and second ends. A capturing member is supported on the connector body and is adapted to engage the outside wall of the associated fluid line to retain the same in the passage. A sealing member is disposed within the passage and is suitable for forming a fluid-tight seal between the connector body and the associated fluid line. A stiffening member having a sleeve portion and a flange portion is positioned within the passage such that the flange portion is adjacent the shoulder. The sleeve portion is dimensioned to be received within the inside wall of the associated fluid line. An indicator is adapted to indicate that the associated fluid line has been received a predetermined distance into the passage.  
         [0009]     Further still, a method of installing a connector on an end of an associated fluid line is provided and includes the steps of providing a connector having a connector body with a passage dimensioned to receive the associated fluid line, a capturing member supported on the connector body and suitable for retaining the associated fluid line in the passage, a sealing member disposed within the passage and suitable for forming a fluid-tight seal between the connector body and the associated fluid line, a stiffening member disposed within the passage of the connector body, and an indicator adapted to indicate that the associated fluid line has been received a predetermined distance into the passage. Another step includes inserting the end of the associated fluid line into the passage of the connector body, and a further step includes observing the indicator to thereby show the end of the associated fluid line extending a predetermined distance into the passage. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view, in cross-section, of a connector in accordance with the present invention shown installed on a tubing end.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a side view, in cross-section, of the connector of  FIG. 1  shown prior to installation on a tubing end.  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a side view, in cross-section, of the stiffening member and indicator shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is an end view of another embodiment of a stiffening member having a plurality of indicators.  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a side view, in cross-section, of the stiffening member in  FIG. 4  taken along line  5 - 5 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0015]     Referring now in greater detail to the drawings, wherein the showings are for the purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention,  FIG. 1  illustrates a connector  100  shown installed on a length of tubing  102  having an inside wall  104  and an outside wall  106 , and terminating at a tubing end  108  having an end wall  110  and a chamfer  112 . Tubing  102  has an inside diameter dimension D 1  of any suitable size, such as from about ¼ of an inch to about 2 inches, for example.  
         [0016]     Connector  100  includes a connector body  114  having a first portion  116 , a second portion  118 , and an axis AX. First and second portions  116  and  118  threadably interengage one another by way of respective female threads  120  and male threads  122 . It will be appreciated, however, that any suitable connection or manner of joining the first and second portions can be used and that, alternately, the connector body can be of a unitary construction. Connector body  114  has a first end  124  and a second end  126 . A cylindrical projection  128  extends axially outwardly from first portion  116  at first end  124 . A suitable feature, such as male threads  130 , for example, for interconnecting connector  100  to another component or apparatus is provided on projection  128 . It will be appreciated, however, that any suitable feature or connection can be used without departing from the principles of the present invention.  
         [0017]     A cylindrical projection  132  extends from second portion  118  at second end  126 . Cylindrical projection  132  is optionally provided and can be used, for example, in applications in which tubing  102  is covered by a sheath (not shown). In such case, the sheath preferably extends along the outside of projection  132  and can be secured thereto in any suitable manner, such as, by using a clamp or crimped band (not shown), for example. It will be appreciated that in some applications, the sheath is formed from one or more helically wound elements, such as, metallic strands, for example. One or more helically extending ridges  134  can optionally be provided on projection  132  to threadably engage the windings of the sheath and aid in securing the same to the connector body. In such case, ridges  134  are preferably cooperable with the windings of the sheath such that the connector body can be threaded into the sheath. An annular cavity  136  is also shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and the connector body can be rotated such that the end (not shown) of the sheath (not shown) seats within cavity  136  preventing further rotation thereof. Additionally, helical ridges  134  can also be used to aid in the retention of sheaths made from more flexible materials, such as braiding, for example, that do not extend in such a helical nature. Alternately, an embodiment having annular ridges (not shown) can be used.  
         [0018]     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , connector  100  also includes a capturing member  138 , a washer  140 , a sealing member, such as o-rings  142 , for example, a retaining member  144 , a stiffening member  146 , and an indicator, such as an opening or window  148 , for example.  
         [0019]     Capturing member  138  includes a plurality of radially inwardly extending teeth  150  suitable for interengaging outside wall  106  of tubing  102 . Capturing member  138  also includes a frustoconical outside wall  152 . One or more slots (not shown) can be provided in capturing member  138 , as is well known by those of skill in the art, to permit the capturing member to be radially inwardly deflected as frustoconical outside wall  152  is axially displaced along frustoconical inside wall  154  of second portion  118 . In operation, as a technician, for example, attempts to withdraw tubing  102  from connector  100 , teeth  150  are caused to further engage outside wall  106  of the tubing as capturing member  138  is radially inwardly deflected due to the axial movement of the tubing. This substantially prevents the removal of tubing  102  from connector  100 . It will be appreciated, however, that any suitable configuration or device can be used to retain the tubing within the connector without departing from the principles of the present invention.  
         [0020]     Retaining member  144  includes a generally cylindrical outer wall  172  and a radially inwardly extending flange  174  having a tooth or edge  156  disposed thereon. Edge  156  is adapted to engage outside wall  106  of tubing  102  and further retain the same within the connector.  
         [0021]     A passage  158  extends through connector body  114  between first and second ends  124  and  126 . A shoulder  160  is provided along passage  158  toward first end  124 . Additionally, it will be appreciated that capturing member  138 , washer  140 , o-rings  142  and retaining member  144  each have an opening or passage extending centrally therethrough substantially along axis AX ( FIG. 1 ). Stiffening member  146  extends from adjacent shoulder  160  along passage  158  and centrally through the retaining member, o-rings, washer and capturing member along axis AX ( FIG. 1 ).  
         [0022]     Stiffening member  146  is shown in  FIG. 3  and includes a flange portion  162  and a sleeve portion  164 . The sleeve portion includes an outside wall  166  and an inside wall  168 . In one embodiment, outside wall  166  has an outside diameter D 2 . Dimension D 2  can be of any suitable size, such as from about {fraction (3/16)} of an inch to about 2 inches, for example. Preferably, dimension D 2  of sleeve portion  164  is cooperable with dimension D 1  of tubing  102  such that the sleeve portion can be received inside tubing  102 . A chamfer  170  or other feature can optionally be provided at the end of sleeve portion  164  opposite flange portion  162  to facilitate entry of the sleeve portion into the tubing.  
         [0023]     One or more openings or windows  148  extend through at least a portion of one of the flange portion and sleeve portion of the stiffening member. It will be appreciated that windows  148  are merely one example of a suitable indicator and that indicators having additional components can be used. For example, an indicator could alternately and/or additionally include an element that projects from the connector body and/or the stiffening member when the tubing reaches a predetermined position within the connector body. Window  148  is shown in  FIGS. 1-3  as being substantially rectangular. However, it will be further appreciated that the window can take any suitable size, shape or configuration without departing from the principles of the present invention.  
         [0024]     Another embodiment of a stiffening member  146 ′ is shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . It will be appreciated that stiffening member  146 ′ is substantially similar to stiffening member  146 , and as such, like features are shown with like item numbers. However, stiffening member  146 ′ includes a plurality of openings or windows  148 ′ disposed circumferentially around the stiffening member. Windows  148 ′ extend radially outwardly along flange portion  162  and axially along sleeve portion  164 . It will be appreciated that in another alternate embodiment, one or more windows could be provided that extend only along the flange portion of the stiffening member.  
         [0025]     In installing connector  100  on tubing end  108  of tubing  102 , the technician preferably properly trims or otherwise prepares the tubing end prior to installation. The tubing end is thereafter inserted into passage  158  of connector  100  at second end  126 . Preferably, sleeve portion  164  of stiffening member  146  is suitably dimensioned to be received into tubing  102  as the tubing is inserted into the connector. Once end wall  110  extends into and through the central passage or opening through capturing member  138 , the tubing is generally substantially unable to be removed from the connector due to the engagement of teeth  150  into outside wall  106 . However, it should be appreciated that the tubing has not been fully and properly seated within the connector at this point. However, by visually inspecting window  148  in stiffening member  146  through passage  158 A at first end  124 , the technician can determine that the tubing has not been fully inserted into the connector. This is easily determined because the tubing is of a different color and preferably a significantly contrasting color, such as yellow, for example, than the color of the stiffening member, which might be silver, gray or black, for example. Further insertion of the tubing causes end wall  110  to pass into and through washer  140 , O-rings  142  and retaining member  144 . Upon passing sufficiently into and/or through retaining member  144 , tubing end  108  is clearly visible by its contrasting through window  148  as indicated by arrow  108 A.  
         [0026]     While the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments and considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the structure and structural interrelationships between the component parts of the embodiments disclosed, it will be appreciated that other embodiments of the invention can be made and that many changes can be made in the embodiments illustrated and described without departing from the principles of the invention. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. Accordingly, it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the present invention and not as a limitation. Rather, it is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims and the equivalents thereof.