Abstract:
A tubing connecting device for a fluid carrying tube having a flat portion with an aperture therethrough includes a coupling body having a first port and a second port that are in fluid communication, a planar surface on the coupling body, surrounding the first port and configured to engage the flat portion of the tube with the first port in fluid communication with the aperture. A strap is affixed at both ends to the coupling body and is configured to engage the tube and hold the coupling body in place on the flat.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation application of application Ser. No. 11/031,713, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,322,616, filed on Jan. 7, 2005, and issued on Jan. 29, 2008. The disclosure of the above patent is incorporated herein by reference. 

   FIELD 
   The present invention relates to tubing connecting systems, and more particularly to a metal tubing connecting system for gas fuel appliances. 
   BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY 
   Gas fuel appliances include tubing connecting systems to enable fluid flow from a fluid source to an apparatus such as a burner. In some instances, the tubing connecting system connects first and second tubes for fluid communication. In other instances, the tubing connecting system is provided as a valve and includes a fluid regulating device to regulate fluid flow between first and second tubes. 
   In some saddle valve applications, the tubing connecting system can have an undesirable rocking movement between the tube and the fluid regulating device, usually as a result of an operator manipulating the fluid regulating device. While it may not be unsafe, movement of the tubing connecting system is undesired as it negatively impacts product appearance and a consumer&#39;s impression of quality. 
   Although there are known tubing connecting systems that are designed to obviate this problem, they retain certain disadvantages. For example, a bolt-through design includes a tube having parallel flats formed on opposite sides thereof. A coupling body rests on an upper flat and includes a port that is received a distance into the tube through an upper aperture. A fastener extends through the tube and is in threaded engagement with the coupling body. The fastener is tightened to secure the body to the tube to inhibit relative movement between the body and tube. Although this design inhibits relative movement between the body and tube, it requires additional components, manufacturing processes and assembly, all of which increase cost and manufacturing complexity. 
   The present invention concerns a tubing connecting system comprising a tube having a D-shaped profile including a longitudinally extending flat portion with an aperture therethrough and a coupling body having a planar surface surrounding a port and configured to engage the flat portion of the tube with the port in fluid communication with the aperture. A simple strap is affixed at both ends to the coupling body and is configured to engage the tube and hold the coupling body in place on the flat to provide a fluid seal therebetween. 
   In one feature, the strap includes a first aperture receiving a retention feature of the coupling body to secure the coupling body in place on the flat. 
   In another feature, the tubing connecting system further includes a fastener that is received through a second aperture of the strap. The fastener is operable to regulate an engagement force between the coupling body and the flat. 
   In another feature, the strap includes a single-piece, curved, rigid body. 
   In another feature, the tubing connecting system further includes a valve assembly for controlling fluid flow through the system. 
   In another feature, the tubing connecting system further includes an elastomeric seal that seals an interface between the planar surface and the flat. 
   In still other features, the port extends a distance into the tube through the aperture of the tube. The port includes a first profile that mates with a second profile of the aperture of the tube to inhibit relative rotation between the coupling body and the tube. 
   In yet another feature, the coupling body has a second having an exterior threaded surface. 
   Further features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. 

   
     DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a tubing connecting system according to the present invention including a valve assembly; 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the tubing connecting system of  FIG. 1  without the valve assembly; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a coupling body of the tubing connecting system; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a bracket of the tubing connecting system; 
       FIG. 5  is a plan view of a flat of the coupling body illustrating an exemplary profile of a first port; 
       FIG. 6  is a plan view of a flat of a first tube illustrating an exemplary profile of an aperture that corresponds to the exemplary profile of the first port of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an alternative tubing connecting system according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the tubing connecting system of  FIG. 7 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the tubing connecting system of  FIG. 7  including an alternative bracket according to the present invention; and 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a portion of an exemplary fluid circuit including the tubing connecting systems of  FIGS. 1 and 7 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 4 , a tubing connecting system  10  according to the present invention will be described in detail. The tubing connecting system  10  enables fluid transfer between a first tube  12  and a coupling  14  that modifies fluid flow to an apparatus such as a burner. The tubing connecting system  10  includes a coupling body  16 , a bracket  18  and a fastener  20 . The coupling body  16  is secured to the first tube  12  via a clamping force exerted by the bracket  18  and the fastener  20 , as described in further detail below. The tubing connecting system  10  of  FIG. 1  further includes valve components  22  that selectively enables fluid communication between the first tube  12  and the coupling  14 . In this manner, the coupling body  16  functions as a valve body that operably supports the valve components  22 . 
   The coupling body  16  includes a first port  24 , a second port  26  and a fluid passage  28  enabling fluid communication between the first and second ports  24 , 26 . The coupling body  16  further includes an opening  30  that receives the valve components  22 . The valve components  22  can include any of several valve components known in the art and are operable to selectively control fluid flow between the first and second ports  24 , 26 . The first port  24  is in fluid communication with the first tube  12  and the second port  26  is in fluid communication with the coupling  14 . The coupling body  16  includes a flat  32  from which the first port  24  extends. The second port  26  extends from the coupling body  16  along an axis A that is generally perpendicular to an axis B of the first port  24 . The coupling body  16  further includes a seal seat  34  formed in the flat  32  that carries a seal  36  therein and a retention feature  38  having a lip  40  formed at an end thereof. 
   The bracket  18  includes first and second apertures  42 , 44 , respectively, formed at opposite ends of a contoured body  46 . The contoured body  46  is formed to match the contour or contoured surface  48  of the first tube  12 . In the case of the exemplary D-shaped profile, discussed in further detail below, the contoured body  46  is curved. The first aperture  42  and second aperture  44  enable the ends of the bracket  18  to be secured to the coupling body  16 . It is anticipated that the second aperture  44  of the bracket  18  can be formed as a recess (see  FIG. 4 ). 
   The first tube  12  includes the curved surface  48  and a flat  50  that define a generally D-shaped profile. It is anticipated that the flat  50  can be formed in a portion of the first tube  12  local to the tubing connecting system  10  (see  FIG. 9 ). In this case, the remainder of the first tube  12  or areas that do not include a flat  50  formed therein would include a circular or otherwise rounded profile. The localized flats can be formed by inserting a D-shaped mandrel within the first tube  12  and stamping the flats  50  where desired. Alternatively, it is anticipated that the flat  50  can be formed along the entire length of the first tube  12 . In this case, the D-shaped profile can be formed by stamping the first tube  12  with a D-shaped mandrel disposed therein or extruding or otherwise manufacturing the first tube  12  to include the D-shaped profile. 
   Although the first tube  14  is described as having a D-shaped profile, it is anticipated that the first tube  14  can have a range of geometrical profiles that include the flat  50 . More specifically, it is anticipated that profile of the first tube  14  can include, but is not limited to, a square profile, a rectangular profile and a triangular profile. Regardless of the specific profile, at least one edge of the profile includes the flat  50 . 
   Upon assembly, the first tube  12  is sandwiched between the coupling body  16  and the bracket  18 . More specifically, the coupling body  16  is assembled onto the first tube  12 , whereby the flat  32  abuts the flat  50  of the first tube  12  and the first port  24  is received through an aperture  52  formed through the flat  50  of the first tube  12 . The retention feature  38  is received through the first aperture  42  and the bracket  18  is wrapped around the first tube  12 , such that the contour of the bracket  18  aligns with the contour of the first tube  12 . The threaded fastener  20  is received through the second aperture  44  and engages a threaded aperture  54  formed in the flat  32  of the coupling body  16 . The threaded fastener  20  is tightened to induce a clamping force that urges the flat  32  of the coupling body  16  against the flat  50  of the first tube  12 . The lip  40  inhibits the bracket  18  from sliding off of the retention feature  38  as the fastener  20  is tightened. The seal  36  is compressed between the seal seat  34  and the flat  50  to inhibit leaking of a fluid flowing between the first tube  12  and the tubing connecting system  10 . 
   The coupling  14  can be coupled to the second port  26  in various manners known in the art. In one example, as illustrated in the Figures, the second port  26  includes a threaded outer surface  56 . The coupling  14  can include a threaded inner surface (not shown) for threaded engagement with the threaded outer surface  56 . It is anticipated that a seal or gasket means is disposed between the second port  26  and the coupling  14  to inhibit fluid leakage. It is anticipated that other means can be used to secure the coupling  14  to the second port  26  including, but not limited to, crimping and rolling. 
   With particular reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , it is anticipated that the first port  24  includes a profile that mates with a corresponding profile of the aperture  52 . The interface between the profiles inhibits rotation of the coupling body  16  on the first tube  12  about the axis B. In the exemplary embodiment, the first port  24  include a square profile that includes at least one straight perimeter edge  60 . The aperture  52  of the first tube  12  includes a corresponding square profile including at least one straight perimeter edge  62 . Upon assembly, the straight edges  60 , 62  are aligned as the first port  24  is received through the aperture  52 . In this manner, the interface between the straight edges  60 , 62  inhibits rotation of the coupling body  16  on the first tube  12  about the axis B. It is appreciated that the profiles of the first port  24  and the aperture can include one of multiple geometrical profiles including, but not limited to, square, rectangle, triangle, D-shaped, star-shaped, clover shaped and the like. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , an alternative tube connecting system  10 ′ according to the present invention will be described in detail. The alternative tubing connecting system  10 ′ enables fluid transfer between a first tube  12 ′ and a second tube (not shown). The tubing connecting system  10 ′ includes a coupling body  16 ′, a bracket  18 ′ and a fastener  20 ′. The coupling body  16 ′ is secured to the first tube  12 ′ via a clamping force exerted by the bracket  18 ′ and the fastener  20 ′, as described in further detail below. The tubing connecting system  10 ′ provides uninhibited fluid communication between the first tube  12 ′ and the second tube. 
   The coupling body  16 ′ includes a first port  24 ′, a second port  26 ′ and a fluid passage  28 ′ enabling fluid communication between the first and second ports  24 ′, 26 ′. The first port  24 ′ is in fluid communication with the first tube  12 ′ and the second port  26 ′ is in fluid communication with the second tube  14 ′. The coupling body  16 ′ includes a flat  32 ′ from which the first port  24 ′ extends. The first and second ports  24 ′, 26 ′ extend from the coupling body  16 ′ along a common axis C. It is anticipated, however, that the second port  26 ′ can extend from the coupling body  16 ′ along an alternative axis that intersects the axis C. The coupling body  16 ′ further includes a seal seat  34 ′ formed in the flat that carries a seal  36 ′ therein and a retention feature  38 ′ having a lip  40 ′ formed at an end thereof. 
   The bracket  18 ′ and the first tube  12 ′ are formed as similarly described above with respect to the bracket  18  and the first tube  12 . The second tube can be coupled to the second port  26 ′ as similarly described above with respect to the second port  26  and the second tube  14 . Further, assembly of the tubing connecting system  10 ′ and the first tube  12 ′ is achieved as similarly described above with respect to the tubing connecting system  10  and the first tube  12 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 9 , the tubing connecting system  10 ′ is illustrated and is attached to the tube  12 ′ using an alternative bracket  70 . A coupling body  16 ″ of the tubing connecting system  10 ′ includes retention features  38 ′ extending from both sides. The retention features  38 ′ each include a lip  40 ′. The bracket  70  includes slots  72  formed on opposite ends, and which define arms  74 . The bracket  70  is slid into engagement with the coupling body  16 ″ along an axis D of the tube  12 ′. More specifically, the retention features  38 ′ are received into the slots  72  to inhibit detachment of the coupling body  16 ″ from engagement with the tube  12 ′. The lips  40 ′ inhibit the arms  74  from decoupling from the retention features  38 ′. Although the bracket  70  is illustrated in conjunction with the tubing connecting system  10 ′, it is anticipated that the bracket  70  can be implemented with the tubing connecting system  10  with slight modification to the connecting body  16 . 
   The tubing connecting systems  10 , 10 ′ enable first and second tubes to be coupled for fluid communication and/or a first tube and an apparatus, such as a burner, for fluid communication. It is anticipated that the tubing connecting systems  10 , 10 ′ can be implemented with various diameter tubes that can be provided as thin or thick walled tubes. It is further anticipated that the tubing connecting systems  10 , 10 ′ can be implemented with any type of tubes regardless of their material or how they are formed. For example, the tubing connecting systems  10 , 10 ′ can connect to extruded tubes, forged tubes and/or injection molded tubes. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 10 , a portion of an exemplary fluid circuit  100  is illustrated. It is anticipated that the fluid circuit  100  can be implemented in an appliance including, but not limited to, a gas range. The fluid circuit  100  includes a distributor tube  102  and a supply tube  104 . The distributor tube  102  and the supply tube  104  are coupled for fluid communication by a tube connecting system  10 ′, which is described in detail above. The distributor tube  102  includes a plurality of flats  50  formed therein including apertures  52 . A plurality of tubing connecting systems  10  are secured to the distributor tube  102  at the flats  50 . The tubing connecting systems  10  each include a valve assembly  22  to regulate fluid flow to an apparatus (e.g., gas burner) (not shown). Fluid (e.g., natural gas) flows from a fluid supply into the fluid circuit through the supply tube and is selectively distributed to a plurality of apparatuses through the tubing connecting systems  10 . 
   The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.