Patent ID: 6880865

Claim:
A tube coupling to receive and hold a tube comprises: a coupling body having a throughway open at a first end to receive an end portion of a tube, the end portion of the tube terminating at an end face; an annular step in the throughway facing the first end to provide an end stop for the tube; an end cap engaging the coupling body for axial movement between forward and retracted positions on the coupling body, the end cap having an opening for the end portion of the tube to extend therethrough and a tube locking device in the end cap to permit entry of the tube into the end cap and to resist withdrawal of the tube; an annular seal located in the coupling body adjacent the annular step, the seal having an axially facing inner annular portion with which the tube end is engageable and an axially facing outer annular portion; and a sleeve acting between the tube locking device and the outer annular portion of the seal for compressing the outer annular portion of the seal axially in response to forward movement of the locking device by the end cap to cause the inner portion of the seal to be pressed into sealing engagement with the end face of the tube.