Tubing connection construction for a water purification system

• US 5,607,192 A
• Filed: 03/23/1995
• Issued: 03/04/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: One More ENT Limited
• Original Assignee: One More ENT Limited
• Inventors: Lee, Shih-ping
• Primary Examiner(s): Nicholson, Eric K.
• Application Number:
  US08/409,677
• Time in Patent Office: 712 Days
• Field of Search: 285/305, 285/921, 285/308
• US Class Current: 285/305
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/004 Seals, connections
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/144 the securing element being U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 285/921 Snap-fit

Abstract

A tubing connection construction includes a fitting member having one end portion received in a passage defined in an apparatus. A flange portion is formed on a periphery of the end portion of the fitting member and protrudes radially and outwardly therefrom. An annular recess is defined in the periphery of the end portion of the fitting member and communicates with a slot defined in the apparatus, which communicates with the passage. A positioning member is received in the slot and includes a substantially C-shaped leg portion fitted in the annular recess of the fitting member such that the flange portion is stopped by the C-shaped leg portion, thereby fixing the fitting member to the apparatus.

Claims

1. A tubing connection construction for an apparatus which includes a lug portion (31) laterally formed thereon and protruding outwardly therefrom, a passage (32) transversely defined in said apparatus and extending through said lug portion (31), a slot (312) vertically defined between said apparatus and said lug portion (31) and communicating with said passage (32), said tubing connection construction comprising:

a fitting member (10) including a first end portion (12) received in said passage (32) and a second end portion (11), a flange portion (124) formed on a periphery of the first end portion (12) of said fitting member (10) and protruding radially and outwardly therefrom to be retained in said passage (32) in said apparatus, an annular recess (122) defined in the periphery of the first end portion (12) of said fitting member (10) adjacent to said flange portion (124) and communicating with said slot (312); and

a C-shaped positioning member (60) received in said slot (312) and including a leg portion (61) formed on a lower end thereof and fitted in said annular recess (122) of said fitting member (10) such that said flange portion (124) of said fitting member (10) is stopped by means of said leg portion (61) of said positioning member (60), thereby fixing said fitting member (10) to said apparatus, said leg portion (61) having a snapping end (62) laterally formed of an upper portion thereof and abutting on an inner wall of said lug portion (31) defining said passage (32).

2. The tubing connection construction in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a projection (123) formed on the periphery of the first end portion (12) of said fitting member (10) and received in said passage (32) in said lug portion (31) to abut on said leg portion (61) of said positioning member (60).

3. The tubing connection construction in accordance with claim 1, further comprising an annular groove (121) defined in the periphery of the first end portion (12) of said fitting member (10) and communicating with said passage (32) in said apparatus, a sealing washer (50) mounted around said annular groove (121) and abutting on an inner wall of said apparatus defining said passage (32).