Quick connect tube couplings

• US 5,511,830 A
• Filed: 09/20/1994
• Issued: 04/30/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Eaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Dana Corporation (Dana, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hyska, John S., Olson, Darwin C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Arola, Dave W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shackelford, Heather Chun
• Application Number:
  US08/308,906
• Time in Patent Office: 588 Days
• Field of Search: 285/322, 285/323, 285/347, 285/331, 285/234, 285/239, 285/240, 285/241, 285/242, 285/246, 285/243, 285/255, 285/101, 285/259, 138/89, 138/90, 138/89.3, 138/89.4, 138/96 R
• US Class Current: 285/243
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/0925 with rings which bite into the wall of the pipe
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/0926 with an inner support sleeve arranged within the pipe
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/0927 the wedge element being axially displaceable for releasing the coupling

Abstract

A quick connect tube coupling is configured for use with unstepped bores in conventional fittings, valves, manifolds and similar devices. The coupling includes a tubular tube support which has structure thereon for positively coupling with a brass sleeve which is utilized to retain the coupling in the bore. The tubular tube support further includes a stepped portion which locates a primary O-ring seal for sealing directly with a tube connected by the coupling and a secondary O-ring seal which seals with the wall of the bore. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the tube support is molded of plastic and is polygonal in cross-section.

Claims

1. In a quick-connect coupling, useful to connect tubes or plugs within unstepped bores formed in bodies in alignment with fluid passages, wherein the coupling includes a plastic tubular tube support of an outside diameter suitable for frictionally engaging the inner wall of the tube or plug;

a metal sleeve having an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the tube or plug and an outer diameter which is substantially the same as the diameter of the unstepped bore for frictionally retaining the sleeve in the bore;

a collet having an outer diameter complementing the inner diameter of the sleeve and an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the tubular tube support and slightly less than the outer diameter of the tube or plug, wherein the tube or plug is frictionally retained between the collet and tubular tube support, and at least one O-ring seal is disposed around the coupling, the improvement comprising;

the tubular tube being made of plastic;

a base support portion extending radially from the plastic tubular tube support, the base having an axially extending portion with an end facing the sleeve;

a first latching structure at the end of the axially extending portion, of the plastic tubular tube support;

the first latching structure having a plurality of inwardly facing detents; and

inner and outer ends on the metal sleeve with a second latching structure at the inner end of the metal sleeve, the second latching structure having groove means receiving the detents;

the latching structures coupling to positively retain the sleeve on the tubular tube support upon the detents being received in the groove means.

2. The improvement of claim 1, wherein a step is provided in the base of the tubular tube portion at the axially extending portion to define an interior and an exterior space and wherein a primary O-ring is disposed in the interior space to seal against the tube or plug and secondary O-ring is disposed in the exterior space to seal with the bore.

3. The improvement of claim 2, wherein the collet has inner and outer ends with the inner end being aligned with and facing the primary seal and the outer end having a flange disposed over the outer end of the sleeve.

4. The improvement of claim 3, wherein the collet has an inner surface adjacent the inner end thereof with teeth therein for engaging the exterior surface of the tube or plug.

5. The improvement of claim 1, wherein the collet is made of metal.

6. The improvement of claim 1, wherein the tubular tube support has a polygonal cross-section which is received within the tube or plug.

7. In a quick-connect coupling, useful to connect tubes or plugs within unstepped bores formed in bodies in alignment with fluid passages, wherein the coupling includes a tubular tube support of an outside diameter suitable for frictionally engaging the inner wall of the tube or plug;

a sleeve having an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the tube or plug and an outer diameter which is substantially the same as the diameter of the unstepped bore for frictionally retaining the sleeve in the bore;

a collet having an outer diameter complementing the inner diameter of the sleeve and an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the tubular tube support and slightly less than the outer diameter of the tube or plug, wherein the tube or plug is frictionally retained between the collet and tubular tube support, and at least one O-ring seal disposed around the coupling, the improvement comprising;

the tubular tube support having a polygonal cross-section;

a base support portion extending radially from the tubular tube support, the base having an axially extending portion with an end facing the sleeve;

a first latching structure at the end of the axially extending portion of the tubular tube support; and

inner and outer ends on the sleeve with a second latching structure at the inner end of the sleeve, the latching structures coupling to positively retain the sleeve on the tubular tube support.

8. A quick-connect coupling for connecting tubes within unstepped bores formed in bodies in alignment with fluid passages, wherein the coupling includes a tubular tube support of an outside diameter suitable for frictionally engaging the inner wall of the tube or plug;

the tubular tube support having a polygonal cross-section in order to reduce friction between the outside of the tubular tube support and the inside of the tube;

a sleeve having an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the tube or plug and an outer diameter which is substantially the same as the diameter of the unstepped bore for frictionally retaining the sleeve in the bore;

a collet having an outer diameter complementing the inner diameter of the sleeve and an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the tubular tube support and slightly less than the outer diameter of the tube or plug, wherein the tube is frictionally retained between the collet and tubular tube support, and at least one O-ring seal disposed around the coupling for sealing the coupling with the bore.