Patent ID: 6846021

Claim:
In combination with a tube end having an outwardly projecting ridge, a fitting comprising: a body formed with a seat centered on an axis, formed with a radially inwardly directed inner surface, and open axially rearwardly, the tube end being coaxially engageable in the seat; a retaining clip on the body extending secantally across the seat and movable radially between an outer spread position engaging the inner surface of the seat and an inner retaining position spaced radially inward from the respective inner surface and projecting radially into the seat; spring means urging the clip radially inward into the inner retaining position, the seat being dimensioned such that when the tube end is axially inserted into the seat the clip is deflected radially outward from the inner retaining position as the ridge moves axially past the clip and when fully axially inserted into the seat the clip is engaged axially rearward of the ridge with the tube end; and a latch element displaceable between an outer freeing position generally clear of the clip and an inner locking position engaged outward of the clip and bearing directly radially inward on the clip and radially outward directly on the inner surface and thereby preventing the clip from moving from the inner retaining position to the outer spread position.