Pipe joints or couplings – Essential catch
Patent
1993-04-21
1995-06-13
Arola, Dave W.
Pipe joints or couplings
Essential catch
285319, 285351, 285910, 285918, 277DIG6, F16L 3714
Patent
active
054235774
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This application relates to improvements in tubing connectors.
Various types of tubing connectors are known wherein a tube is connected by a threaded member to a housing body. Several of these tubing connectors are used on most vehicles. These systems have proven somewhat deficient in that they are time consuming and difficult to assemble. Further, it is difficult to ensure that the tube is properly positioned within the housing body with such connectors.
Known tubing connectors may have included a seal to provide a fluid tight seal between tile housing body and the tube. These seals may have been formed of materials such that they provide a fluid tight seal at temperatures down to about 20.degree. below zero Fahrenheit. Until recently, vehicles have not been operable below that temperature range. Recently, however, modifications to vehicle technology have allowed vehicles to operate at temperatures ranging down to 40.degree. below zero Fahrenheit. Thus, the prior art seals may prove somewhat deficient in the lower temperature ranges.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a disclosed embodiment of the present invention, a tube having a radially enlarged, or upset portion is positioned within a housing. A resilient retainer abuts the upset portion and prevents tube removal. Several retainer embodiments are disclosed.
Seals are positioned within the housing to provide a fluid tight seal between the housing and an inner end of the tube. Preferably, there are two spaced seals, with an outer seal being formed of toughened fluorosilicone, and the inner seal being formed of a blend of fluorosilicone and fluorocarbon. The outer seal is adaptable to lower temperature ranges, and provides a good seal down to about 50.degree. below zero Fahrenheit. The outer seal is formed of a material which has proven fluid tight reliability at less extreme temperature ranges. The combination of the two seals provides a fluid tight seal that is reliable across the normal the vehicle operating temperature range.
These and other features of the present invention can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, of which the following is a brief description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of a first embodiment tubing connector.
FIG. 2 is an end view through the first embodiment tubing connector in an assembled condition.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view through the tubing connector shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment retainer.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment retainer.
FIG. 6 is an end view of a third embodiment retainer according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment retainer.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing details of the connection of a metal conduit.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment retainer.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view through a sixth embodiment retainer.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the retainer shown in FIG. 10.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment retainer.
FIG. 13 is another embodiment of a tubing connector according toe present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
A tubing connector 20 includes tube 22 having upset portion 24, and positioned within a connector housing 26, shown partially cut away. Upset portion 24 is outwardly ramped. A plurality of slots 28 extend through the wall of connector housing 26 and receive a retainer 30. Retainer 30 has a pair of legs 32 which extend through spaced slots 28 and are received axially outwardly of upset portion 24 to retain tube 22 within housing 26. Slots 28 are sufficiently large to allow legs 32 to move radially. Latches 34 ensure that retainer 30 is not removed from housing 26. Surfaces 33 conform to the shape of tube 22, and are biased radially outwardly by upset portion 24, to allow passage of upset portion 24 into housing 26 to a connected position. The ramped upset portion 24 facilitates this insertion.
FIG. 2 shows re
REFERENCES:
patent: 2774621 (1956-12-01), Kilbourne
patent: 3493645 (1970-02-01), Sanderson et al.
patent: 4223897 (1980-09-01), Staab et al.
patent: 4283064 (1981-08-01), Staab et al.
patent: 4615547 (1986-10-01), Sutcliffe et al.
patent: 4936544 (1990-06-01), Bartholomew
Arola Dave W.
Bundy Corporation
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