Patent ID: 7922212

Claim:
A barb clamp for a flexible tube having a predetermined inner diameter defining a passageway therein and an outer surface, the clamp comprising: a barb connector having a tubular configuration with a first end for disposing within an end of the tube, the barb connector having a smooth inner bore with a constant diameter defining a fluid passageway therein, said constant diameter of the inner bore equal to the predetermined inner diameter of the flexible tube; a cylindrical collet having a through aperture slidable over the first end of the barb connector, said collet having a first end, a second end, and inner and outer surfaces, said inner surface of the collet having a circumferential ridge at a first end of the through aperture, said outer surface of the collet having a bi-level configuration wherein the diameter of the outer surface adjacent the first end is less than the diameter of the outer surface adjacent the second end defining a ledge therebetween; and a cylindrical sleeve having a through center aperture for slidably receiving said collet, said sleeve having a first and a second end, said second end of the sleeve connected to the second end of the collet by frangible tabs, said through center aperture of the sleeve defined by an inner surface, said inner surface having a first circumferential portion, a second circumferential portion, a third circumferential portion and a fourth circumferential portion, said first circumferential portion having an expanded diameter and located adjacent to the second end of the sleeve, the frangible tabs having one end of each tab connected to the first circumferential portion, said second circumferential portion located adjacent to the first circumferential portion and ramping to a reduced diameter portion defined by the third circumferential portion, said third circumferential portion terminating at a ledge at a midpoint of the sleeve.