Abstract:
A crimp sleeve connector is provided for the secure connection of a tube and a fitting. The crimp sleeve connector is substantially positionable on the fitting and the tube is inserted between the fitting and the crimp sleeve connector. The connector includes a crimp ear which extends through the body of the crimp sleeve connector. At least one o-ring is fitted over the fitting in such a position that when the tube, fitting and crimp sleeve connector are in place the o-ring functions to maintain a fluid-tight seal. An alternative embodiment of the crimp sleeve connector includes a crimp indicator in the form of a band which falls away after crimping, thus allowing visual confirmation that the crimp ear has been crimped.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 10/921,536, filed Aug. 18, 2004, and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/775,890, filed Feb. 23, 2007, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/814,112, filed Jun. 16, 2006, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/852,162, filed Nov. 17, 2006. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to sleeve connectors for attaching a tube to a fitting. More particularly, the present invention relates to crimp sleeve connectors that can be crimped to attach a tube to a fitting. The present invention further relates to indicators for use with such crimp sleeve connectors for providing positive confirmation that the connector has been crimped.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Fluid carrying conduits are used in a variety of environments including building structures such as homes and manufacturing facilities as well as in transportation vehicles such as automobiles. The conduits are provided in a variety of shapes and sizes and typically involve polymerized pipes and tubes that are connected to pipe fittings. The pipes and tubes are fixed to the fittings through a variety of methods, including, for example, compression clamps. The compression clamps bring the pipe or tube into close physical contact with the fitting. To accomplish this measure the compression clamps must be compressed or crimped around the tube or pipe. Whether or not the tube is successfully attached depends on the arrangement of the compression clamp and on the skill of the installer.  
         [0004]     Because of the great number of compression clamps used in a variety of settings it is important that the installer is able to easily and quickly attach the tube to the fitting at the correct orientation. Too much overlap of the tube onto the fitting results in wasted tubing whereas too little overlap of the tube onto the fitting risks an improper connection. Once the tube is properly attached to the fitting it is also necessary that the compression clamp be readily compressed.  
         [0005]     While some known methods of compression clamping of a tube to a fitting have certain advantages, as in so many areas of vehicle technology, there is room in the art of compression clamps for improving both the accuracy and ease of connection.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention provides a crimp sleeve connector for connecting and maintaining the connection between a pipe fitting and a component such as a fitting. The crimp sleeve connector includes a crimp band formed from a metal and a body formed from a polymerized material. The crimp band includes a band portion and a crimp ear. The crimp ear extends from the band portion and includes a pair of opposed crimping walls and a bridge connecting the walls. The body includes an upper, tube receiving end and a lower, narrow end for attachment to the fitting. The upper end has a bevel which allows the installer to more easily insert the tube into the body. The lower end has a series of legs which terminate in flanges. The flanges interlock with a channel formed on the fitting. This will connect the crimp sleeve connector and the fitting together as an assembly saving the installer valuable time during installation. Inward of the flanges is a shoulder against which the tube abuts upon full insertion of the tube into the body of the crimp sleeve connector.  
         [0007]     To provide a fluid-tight seal between the fitting and the tube one or more O-rings is provided on the fitting. When the crimp band is crimped the tube is pressed against the fitting and the O-rings are squeezed, thus forming a fluid-tight seal.  
         [0008]     The body of the crimp sleeve connector also includes an internal groove formed on the inner wall of the body. The band portion of the crimp band nests in the groove. The crimp sleeve connector body also includes a window formed in one of its walls. When the crimp band is positioned within the crimp sleeve connector body the crimp ear extends substantially through the window.  
         [0009]     To use the crimp sleeve connector of the present invention, the installer places the crimp sleeve connector onto the fitting until the flanges of the body engage the channel of the fitting. The crimp sleeve connector is thus installed on the fitting. The installer next inserts the tube into the crimp sleeve connector body until the end of the tube abuts the shoulder formed within the crimp sleeve connector body. At that point the tube is fully inserted into the crimp sleeve connector body.  
         [0010]     Crimping of the crimp sleeve connector is effected using a crimping tool having a pair of opposed jaws for engagement with the crimping walls of the crimp ear. When the installer applies force to the crimping tool such that the opposed jaws press against the crimping walls, the crimping walls are moved in toward one another and the diameter of the crimping band is thus reduced. The reduced diameter causes the tube to squeeze inwardly against the fitting.  
         [0011]     The present invention also provides a system by which the installer can know visually and with certainty that the crimp sleeve connector has been crimped. To this end a crimp indicator is provided around the crimp sleeve connector. The crimp indicator is specifically positioned over the crimp ear. The crimp indicator is composed of an elastic and flexible polymerized material in the form of a band or tape. The crimp indicator is preferably stretched over the crimp sleeve connector  
         [0012]     Once the crimping tool is placed on the clamp connector the tool is manipulated by squeezing, in addition to crimping the crimp ear the opposed jaws of the crimping tool cut through the flexible band, thus freeing the band from the clamp connector and indicating to the installer that the clamp connector has been crimped and verifies that the crimp operation has been completed by the installer.  
         [0013]     The arrangement of the present invention offers a variety of advantages over the prior art.  
         [0014]     The present invention has several useful features when compared with the prior art. For example, the crimp sleeve connector can be used to attach many different types of pipe made from a variety of materials, such as plastic, rubber, and/or a combination of plastic and metal or multi-layer pipes.  
         [0015]     In addition, the fitting can be made from any type of metal or plastic material. The fitting can include one or more barbs of any shape or design as well as o-rings in addition to or instead of the barbs.  
         [0016]     The indicator system provides the installer with instant recognition of the state of the crimping of the crimp band. The crimp band indicator of the present invention may be readily attached to the crimp sleeve connector at the manufacturing stage or the crimp band indicator may be attached to a crimp sleeve connector as an after-market indicator. The crimp band indicator of the present invention is also inexpensive to produce and to operate.  
         [0017]     Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description of the preferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings and the appended claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]     For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference should now be made to the embodiments illustrated in greater detail in the accompanying drawings and described below by way of examples of the invention wherein:  
         [0019]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the assembled tube, fitting and crimp sleeve connector of the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  shows a sectional view of the assembled tube, fitting, and crimp sleeve connector shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the components shown in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 3  but showing each illustrated component in section;  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of a modified version of the assembled tube, fitting and crimp sleeve connector of  FIGS. 1-4  with the crimp sleeve connector having a crimp band indicator in position prior to crimping;  
         [0024]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the assembled tube, fitting and crimp sleeve connector shown in  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0025]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the tube, fitting and crimp sleeve connector with the connector having the crimp band indicator of  FIGS. 5 and 6 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 8  is an exploded side view of the assembled tube, fitting and crimp sleeve connector with crimp band indicator of  FIGS. 5-7  but showing the components in sectional view;  
         [0027]      FIG. 9  is a view of the first step in using a crimping tool to crimp the crimp sleeve connector while simultaneously grasping the crimp band indicator;  
         [0028]      FIG. 10  is a view of the second step in using the crimping tool to crimp the crimp sleeve connector while simultaneously breaking the crimp band indicator with the crimping tool; and  
         [0029]      FIG. 11  is a view of the third step in using the crimping tool to crimp the crimp sleeve connector with the crimp band indicator having been broken. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0030]     In the following figures, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same components. In the following description, various operating parameters and components are described for one constructed embodiment. These specific parameters and components are included as examples and are not meant to be limiting.  
         [0031]     With reference to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of the assembled tube, fitting and crimp sleeve connector, generally illustrated as  10 , is shown. It is to be understood that the illustrated size and shape of the assembly  10  is shown for illustrative purposes and is not intended to be limiting. The assembly  10  is illustrated in cross-section in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0032]     Referring to both  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the assembly  10  includes a tube  12  that may be composed of a variety of materials including plastic or vinyl. In addition, the tube  12  may have a core composed of a metal, such as aluminum, and have a wrapping of a polymerized material.  
         [0033]     The assembly  10  further includes a fitting  14  to which the tube  12  is connected. The fitting  14  is illustrated as being of the threaded type. However it is to be understood that the fitting  14  may be of a variety of types and designs. In addition, the fitting  14  may be composed of a wide variety of materials including a plastic, a nylon or a metal. A pair of spaced apart O-rings  16 ,  16 ′ is fitted near the connected end of the fitting  14  in channels formed in the fitting  14 . The O-rings  16 ,  16 ′ may be made from a known variety of polymerized material and are provided to form a fluid-tight seal between the tube  12  and the fitting  14 . While two O-rings  16 ,  16 ′ are shown it is to be understood that a single o-ring may be used as well as more than the illustrated two o-rings. In addition, the one or more O-rings may be placed along the fitting  14  at different locations other than those shown. In addition, the O-rings may alternatively be provided on the inside of the tube  12 . The object of the O-rings and their placement is to provide a fluid-tight seal between the tube  12  and the fitting  14 .  
         [0034]     Holding the tube  12  and the fitting  14  together is a crimp sleeve connector  18 . The crimp sleeve connector  18  includes a body  20  and a crimp band  22 . The body  20  is preferably composed of a polymerized material such as a plastic. The crimp band  22  is formed from a metal.  
         [0035]     The body  20  of the crimp sleeve connector  18  includes a narrow end  24  and a wide end  26 . The wide end  26  includes a slight bevel as illustrated. The narrow end  24  includes an internal flange  28  which is fittable into a channel  30  radially formed on the fitting  14 . Formed inwardly of the internal flange  28  is a shoulder  32  which acts as a wall so that the end of the tube  12  stops on insertion into the crimp sleeve connector  18 .  
         [0036]     The crimp band  22  is provided in a groove  34  formed radially in the inner wall of the body  20 . The crimp band  22  includes a crimp ear  36  and a band portion  38 . The crimp ear  36  extends radially outwardly from the band portion  38 . The crimp ear  36  includes a pair of spaced apart crimp tool-receiving walls  40  and  40 ′ of which one, wall  40 , is seen in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . The crimp tool-receiving walls  40  and  40 ′ are joined by a bridge  42 . When the teeth of a crimp tool (not shown) are applied to either side of the crimp tool-receiving walls  40  and  40 ′ and pressure is applied to the tool, the walls  40  and  40 ′ are pushed toward one another and the band portion  38  is compressed against the tube  12 , thereby locking by compressive force the tube  12  against the fitting  14 . The method of fitting is described and illustrated more fully in co-pending U.S. Ser. No. 10/921,536, incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0037]     The tube  12 , fitting  14 , crimp band  22 , and body  20  are shown in exploded views in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 . In  FIG. 3  the exploded components are shown whole while in  FIG. 4  the components are each shown in section. These views help to illustrate some of the details of the construction of the present invention. With regard to the body  20 , a window  44  is defined therein through which the crimp ear  36  passes when the crimp band  22  is positioned within the groove  34  of the body  20 . Also illustrated in greater detail is the channel  30  and its formation adjacent a radial wall  46  which functions as a stop against which the body  20  is braced when in position on the fitting  14 . The other wall of the channel  30  is a radial shoulder  47 . The radial wall  46  and the radial shoulder  47  define the channel  30  therebetween.  
         [0038]     To use the crimp sleeve connector  18  to connect the tube  12  and the fitting  14 , the crimp sleeve connector  18  (with the band  22  in place in the groove  34  of the body  20 ) is first placed on the fitting  14  by a sliding movement followed by a snap fit. Specifically, and to this end, both  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  also provide an advantageous view of the construction of the narrow end  24  of the body  20 . Particularly, the narrow end  24  includes a plurality of legs  48 ,  48 ′, and  48 ″. Because the body  20  is composed of a polymerized material, the legs  48 ,  48 ′ and  48 ″ are somewhat flexible in relation to the body  20 . This construction allows for the flange  28  (formed on each of the legs  48 ,  48 ′ and  48 ″) to resiliently move outwardly and over the radial shoulder  47  of the fitting  14  as the body is inserted onto the crimp sleeve connector  18  is fitted on the fitting  14 . The flanges  28  of each of the legs  48 ,  48 ′ and  48 ″ snap fit into the channel  30 .  
         [0039]     Once the crimp sleeve connector  18  is positioned on the fitting  14 , the tube  12  is inserted into the wide end  26  of the body  20 . The tube  12  is pushed into the body  20  until the end of the tube  12  abuts the shoulder  32  at which point inward movement of the tube  12  into the body  20  is halted.  
         [0040]     Thereafter the crimping tool is used to crimp the crimp ear  36  and the band  22  is drawn tight against the tube  12  which, in turn, is drawn tight against the fitting  14 . This arrangement, in conjunction with the O-rings  16  and  16 ′, forms a fluid-tight connection between the tube  12  and the fitting  14 .  
         [0041]     It may be desired by the user to readily visualize whether or not the crimp sleeve connector  18  has been crimped. Accordingly, a variation of the invention shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4  is illustrated in  FIGS. 5 through 11  in which an indicator system is provided on the crimp sleeve connector.  
         [0042]     With reference to  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , an alternate embodiment of the present invention is illustrated as an assembly  110  which includes a tube  112  which is composed of the same materials as the tube  12 . The assembly  110  further includes a fitting  114  to which the tube  112  is connected. A pair of spaced apart O-rings  116 ,  116 ′ is provided on the fitting  114 .  
         [0043]     A crimp sleeve connector  118  is provided and includes a body  120  and a crimp band  122 . The body  120  of the crimp sleeve connector  118  includes a narrow end  124  and a wide end  126 . The narrow end  124  includes an internal flange  128  which is fittable into a channel  130  radially defined in the fitting  114 . A shoulder  132  is formed inwardly of the internal flange  128 . The shoulder  132  is a wall against which the end of the tube  112  is halted when the tube  112  is inserted into the crimp sleeve connector  118 .  
         [0044]     A groove  134  is formed inside of the body  120  to receive and retain the crimp band  122 . A crimp ear  136  extends from a band portion  138  of the crimp band  122 .  
         [0045]     As illustrated more clearly in  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8  which both illustrated exploded views of the assembly  110 , the crimp ear  136  includes a pair of spaced apart crimp tool-receiving walls  140  and  140 ′ which are joined by a bridge  142 . Referring to  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 , a window  144  is formed through the body  120  through which the crimp ear  136  is passed when the crimp band  122  is positioned within the groove  134  of the body  120 . The construction of the channel  130  is also clearly shown in  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 . The channel  130  is formed between a radial wall  146  and a radial shoulder  147 . A pair of opposed walls  145  and  145 ′ are formed in the body  120 . The pair of opposed walls  145  and  145 ′ define two opposed ends of the window  144  and provide a slot which guides the jaws of the crimping tool (shown in  FIGS. 9 through 11  and discussed in relation thereto). The opposed walls  145  and  145 ′ thus enable the operator to more readily locate and apply appropriate pressure to the crimping ear  136 , an arrangement which provides great time savings and improved crimping.  
         [0046]     Also visible in  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8  are a pair of legs  148  and  148 ′. The construction and function of the legs  148  and  148 ′ are essentially the same as construction and function of the legs  48 ,  48 ′ and  48 ″. Each of the legs  148  and  148 ′ includes a flange  128 . The flanges  128  snap fit into the channel  130  upon attachment of the crimp sleeve connector  118  onto the fitting  114 .  
         [0047]     Assembly of the fitting  114 , the tube  112  and the crimp sleeve connector  118  is the same as discussed above with respect to the assembly  10 .  
         [0048]     An additional and distinguishing feature of the embodiment of the crimp sleeve connector illustrated in  FIGS. 5 through 8  is the addition of an indicator system which is provided to make clear to the installer by a quick visual glance whether or not the crimp sleeve connector has been crimped. To accomplish this, a crimp indicator  150  is provided around the crimp sleeve connector  118  and is in part specifically positioned over the crimp ear  136 . The crimp indicator  150  is preferably composed of an elastic and flexible polymerized material in the form of a band or tape. The crimp indicator  150  is preferably stretched over the crimp sleeve connector  118 . When the crimp sleeve connector  118  is in position on the tube  112  and the fitting crimp indicator  150  is missing from the crimp sleeve connector  118  it can be presumed by the installer that the crimp sleeve connector  118  has already been crimped.  
         [0049]     The crimping of the crimp sleeve connector  118  and the substantially simultaneous breaking and release of the crimp indicator  150  is illustrated in step-wise views in  FIGS. 9 through 11  in which a crimping tool  152  is shown. The crimping tool  152  includes a pair of opposed crimping and cutting jaws  154  and  154 ′. The crimping tool  152  shown is for illustrative purposes and it is to be understood that a single crimping tool  152  may be used to crimp a wide variety of connectors regardless of the width of the crimp ear. This flexibility enables easier installation of the connector of the present invention in that the installer need only rely on one crimping tool  152  rather than several.  
         [0050]     In  FIG. 9  the crimping tool  152  is shown spaced apart from the assembly  110  and the crimp band indicator  150 . In  FIG. 10  the crimping tool  152  is shown in position on the crimp ear  136  and the overlapping crimp indicator  150  while crimping and cutting is being undertaken by the opposed jaws  154  and  154 ′. In  FIG. 11  the crimping tool  152  is shown as having completed the crimping and cutting operation whereby the crimp indicator  150  has been cut and released and the crimp sleeve connector  118  has been crimped and is positioned so as to hold the tube  112  in place in the fitting  114 .  
         [0051]     The foregoing discussion discloses and describes a exemplary embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying drawings and claims that various changes, modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the true spirit and fair scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.