Patent Abstract:
A tube connector including a tubular connector body having an inboard contact surface facing an outboard open end, a collet extending into the open end and towards the contact surface, and an o-ring positioned between the collet and the contact surface. The o-ring provides a fluid-tight seal between the connector body and an outer circumference of a tube inserted through the collet and into the connector body. The connector also includes a relatively rigid ring guide positioned between the o-ring and the collet. The ring guide is adapted to protect the o-ring and maintain the o-ring in a proper position for providing a fluid-tight seal and includes a sloped or radiused outboard surface for guiding an inserted tube and a sloped inboard surface for contacting the o-ring.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/406,639, filed 2 April 2003 now abandoned, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60/374,709, filed 23 April 2002, under 35 USC 119(e), and is related to copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/405,901, filed on 2 April 2003, each application hereby incorporated by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to plumbing connectors and, in particular, this invention relates to reversible connectors for tubing. 
   2. Background 
   Connectors for plumbing conductors such as tubing are known. One class of connectors reversibly connects substantially smooth tubing pieces by means of friction-inducing surfaces. 
   Connectors with friction-inducing surfaces offer the favorable attributes of 1) being joined to connectors without requiring extra materials, e.g., solder, flux; 2) easily separating joined tubing and connectors; and 3) easily reconfiguring supply plumbing to accommodate changing needs or demands. In spite of the foregoing favorable attributes, connectors with friction-inducing surfaces also have shortcomings. One shortcoming is that leakage frequently occurs because the tubing is not correctly aligned with the seal in the connector. Another shortcoming is that leakage is frequently induced by lateral pressures on the seals. The leakage frequently occurs because the lateral pressure displaces the tubing to the extent that the seal can no longer provide a fluid-tight fit thereto. Yet another shortcoming is that leakage frequently occurs to seal damage caused by misaligning the connector and tubing when these components are being joined. 
   There then is a need for a connector with friction-inducing surfaces which is self-aligning with respect to tubing being inserted therein, which will sustain lateral forces without leakage, and which will offer an enhanced degree of protection to seals when the connector is being mated to a piece of tubing. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention substantially meets the aforementioned needs of the industry by providing a connector with friction-inducing surfaces which 1) is self-aligning with respect to tubing being inserted therein; 2) will sustain lateral forces without leakage; and 3) offers an enhanced degree of protection to seals when the connector is being mated to a piece of tubing. 
   It is an aspect of the present invention to provide a connector, the connector including a connector body, a collet, a positionable ring guide, and a seal. The connector body may define a connector fluidic passageway. The collet may be disposable in the connector passageway and may include friction-inducing surfaces, such as an annular arrangement of a plurality of teeth. The ring guide may be disposed in the connector body passageway inboard with respect to the collet. The seal may be disposed in the connector passageway inboard with respect to the ring guide. 
   It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a process of forming a fluid-tight seal between a connector and a tubing piece. The connector may include a connector body, a collar, a collet, a seal, and a guide. The connector body may define an interior passageway. The collar may be affixed in the connector body at an end of the passageway. The collet may be removably held in place by the collar. The seal may be disposed in the interior passageway. The guide may be slidably held in place between the seal and the collar. The guide may include a radiused outboard surface. The process may include displacing the tubing piece to an opening in the collet; contacting the tubing piece to the guide radiused surface, thereby aligning the tubing piece; and inserting the tubing piece within the seal, thereby forming the fluid-tight seal. 
   It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a process of aligning a tubing piece with a seal, the seal disposed in a fluidic passageway of a connector body. A guide with a radiused outlet may be disposed outboard the seal in the passageway. A collet may be disposed in the passageway outboard the seal. The collet and guide may be held in place by a collar inserted in one end of the passageway. The process may include extending the tubing piece through an opening in the collet; and contacting the tubing piece to the guide radiused outlet, thereby aligning the tubing piece with the seal. 
   It is still another aspect of the present invention to provide a process of manufacturing a fluidic connector. The process may include disposing a seal within a passageway formed within a connector body; placing a guide outboard the seal, the guide comprising a radiused outboard surface and a generally flat inboard surface; fixing a collar in one end of the passageway; and positioning a collet with in the collar. 
   It is a feature of the present connector to include a guide with a radiused outboard (inlet) surface. It is an advantage of the radiused outboard surface that tubing is self-aligned with respect to the seal when the tubing is being joined to the connector. It is another advantage of the radiused outboard surface that connectors having guides with this feature have an increased side load capacity. It is yet another advantage of the radiused outboard surface that seals are prevented from being dislodged in connectors having seals with this feature. 
   It is another feature of the present connector to include a collet made from a material including a polysulfone resin or a fiber or mineral reinforced polyamide or polypropylene resin, such as a nylon 66 resin reinforced with fiber. It is an advantage of the present invention that connectors with a collet made from the foregoing material are capable of functioning without failure at 150 psi and 210 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 720 hours and/or at 190 psi and 180 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 1000 hours. 
   These and other objects, features, and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the description which follows, when considered in view of the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a cross section of one embodiment of a fluidic connector of this inventor; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective, exploded view of the connector of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a collet used in the connector of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a plan view of the collet of  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a partial cross section of a tubing piece being aligned with the connector of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a side view of a tubing piece being marked using indicia present on the connector of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a joined tubing piece being rotated in the connector of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a cross section of two tubing pieces joined to the connector of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a partial cross section of a second embodiment of the guide of this invention; and 
       FIG. 10  is a partial cross section of a third embodiment of the guide of this invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   All dimensions of the components in the attached figures may vary with a potential design and the intended use of an embodiment of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention. Each of the additional features and methods disclosed herein may be utilized separately or in conjunction with other features and methods to provide improved connectors and methods for making the same. Representative examples of the teachings of the present invention, which examples utilize many of these additional features and methods in conjunction, will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. This detailed description is merely intended to teach a person of skill in the art further details for practicing preferred aspects of the present teachings and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Therefore, specific combinations of features and methods disclosed in the following detailed description may not be necessary to practice the invention in the broadest sense, and are instead taught merely to particularly describe representative and preferred embodiments of the invention. 
   One embodiment of a connector of the present invention is depicted in the figures generally at  100  and includes a connector body  102 , and a connecting mechanism with a collet  104 , a collar  106 , a guide such as a first embodiment thereof depicted at  108 , and sealing device, such as an O-ring  110 . While a 180 degree union connector is depicted, it should be appreciated that the present connector can encompass other connective configurations such as a union tee or an elbow. It should also be appreciated that the present connecting mechanism, as illustrated and disclosed infra, can be operably present at all openings of the present connector, or can be present along with mechanisms to connect the present connector to threaded conductors or conductors having other operable connecting features (e.g., soldering joints). 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , the connector body  102  may unitarily, or otherwise integrally, include a first (middle) section  120 , at least one second section, e.g., second sections  122  and  123 , and at least one third section, e.g., third sections  124  and  125 . The second sections  122  and  123  are outboard the first section  120  and the third sections  124  and  125  are outboard the respective second sections  122  and  123 . The first section  120 , the second sections  122  and  123 , and the third section  124  and  125  cooperate to define a fluidic passageway  128  therethrough. It should be recognized in this embodiment, that the second sections  122  and  123  are substantially identical and are oriented in mirror-image fashion with respect to each other. It should be further recognized that the third sections  124  and  125  are also substantially identical and are likewise oriented in a mirror-image fashion with respect to each other. 
   The first section  120  displays respective interior and exterior surfaces  130  and  132 . A plurality of stops  134  extend from the interior surface  130 . Indicia, such as a pair of optional insertion depth marks  136  ( FIG. 2 ), may be present on the exterior surface  132 . 
   Because the second sections  122  and  123  and the third sections  124  and  125  have substantially identical components in this embodiment, identical numbering shall be used to indicate substantially identical elements for these sections. The second sections  122  and  123  display interior surfaces  140  and exterior surfaces  142 . Both the interior surfaces  140  and the exterior surfaces  142  are “stepped out,” that is have larger diameters than the interior surface  130  and exterior surface  132  of the adjoining first section  120 . Contact surfaces  144  are formed at the outboard ends of the first section  120 . Other contact surfaces  146  are formed by the interior surfaces  140  of the second sections  122  and  123  proximate their junctions to the first section  120 . The third sections  124  and  125  display respective inner surfaces  148  and  150 , exterior surfaces  152 , end surfaces  154 , and end surfaces  156 . The interior surfaces  150  are stepped-out from the interior surfaces  148  and the outer surfaces  154  extend between the interior surfaces  148  and  150 . 
   As depicted in  FIGS. 1-4 , the collet  104  may unitarily, or otherwise integrally, include a rim  160 , a cylindrical member  162  extending from the rim  160 , and a terminal lip portion  164  extending from the rim  160 . Part of the cylindrical member  162  and lip portion  164  are divided into generally arcuate collet sections  166 . A friction-inducing surface such as an exterior surface of a generally arcuate tooth  168  is embedded in each the lip portion of each collet section  166  so as to extend from an interior surface  170  thereof. In the embodiment depicted, there are six collet sections  166 , although more or fewer collet sections  166  may be present. The rim  160  displays an outboard surface  174  and an inboard surface  176 . The interior surface  170  extends continuously over the cylindrical and lip portion of each collet section  166 . The cylindrical member portion of the each collet section  166  displays an exterior surface  178  and the exterior surface of the lip portion of each collet section  166  displays an exterior surface  180 . Additionally, the lip portion of each collet section  166  displays an outboard surface  182  and an inboard surface  184 . 
   Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the collar  106  displays a terminal outboard surface  190  and outer surfaces  192 ,  194 , and  196 . The outer surfaces  192 - 196  are stepped from a maximum diameter at outer surface  192  to a minimum diameter at outer surface  196 . Respective inboard surfaces  198  and  200  extend between outer surfaces  192  and  194  and between outer surfaces  194  and  196 . The collar  106  further displays a terminal inboard surface  202 , an inner surface  204 , an inboard surface  206 , and an inner surface  208 . The inner surface  204  slopes between a maximum diameter proximate inboard surface  202  and a minimum diameter proximate the inboard surface  206 . 
   The guide  108  displays an exterior surface  220 , an inboard surface  222 , an interior surface  224 , and an outboard surface  226 . An arcuate (radiused) section  228  of the interior surface  224  curves between a maximum diameter proximate the remainder of the outboard surface  226  and a minimum diameter at surface  224 . The guide  108  thus provides a large internal radius for an outboard (inlet) surface and a substantially flat inboard (outlet) surface  222  operably abutting the present O-ring  110 . The surface  222  is generally orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the connector body  102  and to the exterior surface  220 . When inserted into the connector body  102 , the present O-ring  110  may be envisioned as being bisected by a plane  230 , the plane  230  being substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal axis  232  of the connector body  102 . Moreover, when a tubing piece to be joined is aligned with the O-ring  110 , the tubing piece will be substantially coaxial to the connector body longitudinal axis  232 . 
   Turning to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , two more embodiments of the present guide are shown at  250  and  252 . The guides  250  and  252  display respective exterior surfaces  260  and  262 , inboard surfaces  264  and  266 , interior surfaces  268  and  270 , and outboard surfaces  272  and  274 , the guide  252  having an additional outboard surface  276 . The outboard surface  276  may angularly join the outboard surface  274  and orthogonally join the exterior surface  262 . In contrast to the radiused surface of  228  of the guide  108 , the outboard surfaces  272  and  274  may be generally frustoconical. Diagonally opposed portions thereof may extend in angles between about 50 degrees and 80 degrees, between about 60 degrees and 73 degrees, about 60 degrees, about 65 degrees, or about 73 degrees, the angle denoted at  280  in  FIG. 9 . Diagonally opposed portions of the outboard surfaces  272  and  274  may extend between a maximum diameter proximate the exterior surfaces  260  and  262  and a minimum diameter proximate interior surfaces  268  and  270 . The outboard surfaces  272  and  274  present a generally sloped contact surface which guides pipes being inserted into the instant connector to be readily received in the space defined by the interior surfaces  268  and  270 . In further contrast, the inboard surfaces  264  and  266  extend at an angle  284  that may depart from a generally perpendicular orientation with respect to the longitudinal axis  282  of guide  250  and  252 , for example between about 5 degrees and 15 degrees, between about 7.5 degrees and 12.5 degrees, or about 10 degrees. It has been found that the sloped inboard surfaces  264  and  266  more effectively maintain the O-rings in position during use by exerting a slightly outward pressure on the O-rings. More effectively maintaining the O-rings in position during use thereby ensures a better seal between the O-ring and the pipe. As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , a beveled surface  290  is provided at the juncture of the interior surfaces  268  and  270  and the inboard surfaces  264  and  266 . 
   The present connector body, collar and guide may be made from any suitable material. One class of suitable materials is thermoplastic resins. A suitable thermoplastic resin is sold under the trademark Delrin® and may be obtained from Dupont®. However, other thermoplastics may be suitable for embodiments of the present connector body. Various thermoplastics, and properties thereof, are disclosed in “Handbook of Plastics, Elastomers, and Composites, Third Edition, Charles A. Harper (Editor-in Chief), McGraw-Hill, New York (1996), the entire disclosure of the foregoing document hereby incorporated by reference. A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that several thermoplastics in the foregoing document may be identified for specific embodiments of the present connector body, collar, and guide without undue experimentation. 
   The present collet may be made from a polysulfone resin or a fiber or mineral reinforced polyamide or propylene resin. Suitable resins include Zytel® and Minlon® 10B40 NC010, nylon 66 resins reinforced with mineral and obtainable from Dupont®. The above-referenced Handbook of Plastics, Elastomers, and Composites may contain several alternative suitable materials for the present collet which would be identifiable by a person of ordinary skill in the art without undue experimentation. In one embodiment, the present collet withstands the conditions under which the ASTM test for fittings (e.g., F877-01) is administered. These conditions may include operability at 150 psi and 210 degrees Fahrenheit for 720 hours or at 190 psi and 180 degrees Fahrenheit for 1000 hours. To the inventors&#39; knowledge no collets, other than those advantageously made from Minlons have achieved the foregoing standard test. The teeth in the collet may be fashioned from metals such as aluminum, steel alloys, stainless steel, and the like. 
   The present O-ring may be made from several thermopolymers, such as those listed and described in the above-referenced “Handbook of Plastics, Elastomers, and Composites.” One suitable material is ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPDM), which can be obtained from Parker Hannafin®. When used for connecting tubing to convey pressurized water, embodiments of the present connector, which operate satisfactorily under sustained pressures of 100 psi (6.8 bar) and 180 degrees Fahrenheit (82 degrees Celsius) may be desirable. 
   The present connector is assembled by inserting the O-ring  110  into the passageway  128  until the O-ring  110  rests against the contact surfaces  144  and  146 . The guide  108  is then inserted such that the inboard surface  222  thereof abuttingly contacts the O-ring  110 . The collar  106  is then pressed into the passageway  128  and may be fixed in place by such means as heat or sonic welding, adhesives, and the like. Suitable adhesives may be selected from the above-referenced “Handbook of Plastics, Elastomers, and Composites” by a person of ordinary skill in the art without undue experimentation. When the collar  106  is in place, the guide  108  can be readily slid between the space between the O-ring  110  and the collar  106 . The collet  104  is then pressed inside an opening formed by the collar  106 . The installed collet  104  may subsequently be readily removed so that the collet  104 , itself, and the O-ring  110  may be replaced. 
   In use and referring to  FIG. 5 , a tubing piece  350  is inserted into the present connector  100  to form a fluid-tight seal therebetween. Ideally, the tubing piece  350  is cut such that the end  351  to be inserted into the present connector is substantially orthogonal (square) to the connector exterior surface  352 . The insertion depth is marked on the tubing  350  by aligning the tubing end  351  with the insertion depth line  136  present on the exterior surface of the connector body  102  and marking the tubing  350  at the end of the present assembled connector  100  ( FIG. 6 ). The tubing  350  is then pushed into the connector  100  in the direction of the arrow  354  ( FIG. 5 ) until the insertion mark on the tubing generally aligns with the collet rim  160 . The term aligned is intended to mean that the longitudinal axis of the tubing piece  350  is substantially orthogonal to the plane of the O-ring. As the tubing  350  is inserted, the tubing edge  353  encounters the radiused surface  228  of the guide  108  and is thereby forced to squarely fit inside the O-ring  110  to provide a fluid-tight seal. If the tubing is pulled in a direction away from the present connector when seated therein (as indicated by the arrow  356 ), the tubing will be securely held as the lip portions of the collet sections  166  contact, and are forced (biased) inwardly by, the sloped collar inner surface  204 . As the collet sections  166  are forced inwardly, the teeth  168  are forced against the tubing piece  350  to secure the tubing piece  350  firmly in place. By insuring the that tubing  350  alligns correctly with the O-ring  110 , the present guide protects the O-ring from damage during connection, increases the side load capacity of the present connector, and prevents the O-ring from becoming dislodged during use. 
   The tubing can be removed from the present connector by pressing the collet  104  inwardly until the collet rim inboard surface  176  abuts the collar outboard surface  190  ( FIG. 1 ), then pulling the tubing from the present connector in the direction of arrow  256  ( FIG. 5 ). When in this position, the collet lip sections  166  are in a noncontacting relation with the sloped surface  204  of the collar  106  and a minimum of retaining force (friction) is applied by the collet teeth  168  against the tubing piece  250 . 
   The present connector can be used to connect tubing made from multiple materials, e.g., copper, chlorinated polyvinylchloride (CPVC), cross-linked polyethylene (PEX), low density polyethylene (LDPE), medium density polyethylene (MDPE), and high density polyethylene (HDPE). 
   Because the stops  134  may extend from the inner surface  120  of the present connector body to distance generally equal to the thickness of the tubing to be connected, the present connector will conduct fluid therethrough at a flow rate substantially similar to the flow rate of the tubing itself. After a connection is made between the present connector and tubing, the tubing can swivel (rotate) within the connector (as indicated by arrow  258  in  FIG. 7 ) even when a maximum of fluid pressure is present. This ability to rotate the under when fluid pressure is present insures a fluid-tight connection under conditions when reconnected tubing pieces twist or vibrate. Because the present guide maintains alignment of the tubing  250  within the o-ring  110 , the fluid-tight seal between the tubing surface  252  and o-ring  110  is maintained even when substantial lateral forces (indicated by arrows  260  and  262  in  FIG. 8 ) are exerted on the connector  100 . 
   Because numerous modifications of this invention may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, the scope of the invention is not to be limited to the embodiments illustrated and described. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5