Connecting structure

• US 6,481,759 B1
• Filed: 07/21/2000
• Issued: 11/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sumitomo Riko Company Limited.
• Original Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries Limited
• Inventors: Kawasaki, Minoru, Kasahara, Kazuhito, Miyajima, Atsuo, Sakazaki, Kazushige
• Primary Examiner(s): Lavinder, Jack
• Assistant Examiner(s): King, Bradley
• Application Number:
  US09/621,055
• Time in Patent Office: 851 Days
• Field of Search: 285/319, 285/331, 285/256, 285/322
• US Class Current: 285/319
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/0985 the flexible hook extending radially inwardly from an outer part and engaging a bead, recess or the like on an inner part F16L37/0982 takes precedence

Abstract

A connecting structure including a press-fitting body 341 of a press-fitting member 34 is press-fitted into one end of a resin tube 1 to thereby form a diameter-enlarged end portion 1a at one end of the resin tube 1 and fixedly engage an axially-inner end portion of the diameter-enlarged end portion with inner circumferential surface of a base portion 271 of a connection member 27. A sealing member 71 is fitted into an annular outer circumferential groove formed in the outer circumference of the diameter-enlarged end portion. An end portion 551 of a mating member 55 is fitted onto or inserted into the diameter-enlarged end portion, so that the end portion 551 engages the outer circumference of the sealing member in a fluid-tight condition. Upon insertion or fitting of the end portion of the mating member, a second engagement portion 552 projecting radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the end portion 551 of the mating member 55 engages arm portions 272 of the connection member.

Claims

1. A connecting structure for connecting a resin tube to a tubular mating member in a fluid-tight condition, comprising:

said resin tube including a tube body having a cylindrical wall of substantially uniform thickness, and a diameter-enlarged end portion formed at one end of the tube body;

a connection member having a tubular base portion and a first engagement element, said tubular base portion being fitted onto an axially-inner end portion of the diameter-enlarged end portion of said resin tube, and the first engagement element extending outwardly from the base portion;

tubular press-fitting means for preventing said connection member from moving axially outward relative to said resin tube, said tubular press-fitting means including a press-fitting body and an annular element which protrudes radially outward from an axially outer end of the press-fitting body while projecting beyond an outer circumferential surface of the diameter-enlarged end portion, the press-fitting body being press-fitted into the one end of said resin tube to thereby form the diameter-enlarged end portion and fixedly engage the axially-inner end portion of the diameter-enlarged end portion with an inner circumferential surface of the base portion of said connection member;

an annular sealing member disposed in an annular outer circumferential groove defined by the outer circumferential surface of the diameter-enlarged end portion, the annular element of the press-fitting body, and the base portion of said connection member;

said tubular mating member including a fitting end portion which can be fitted onto an outer circumference of the annular element of the press-fitting body and an outer circumference of the base portion of said connection member, while engaging an outer circumference of said sealing member in a fluid-tight condition;

a second engagement element projecting radially outward from an outer circumferential surface of the fitting end portion of said mating member, the second engagement element engaging the first engaging element when the fitting end portion is fitted onto the diameter-enlarged end portion.

2. A connecting structure according to claim 1, wherein the annular element is formed by a flange-shaped or cap-shaped holder.

3. A connecting structure according to claim 1, wherein said connection member has a tubular base end portion, a pair of parallel arm portions extending axially outward from the base end portion symmetrically with respect to a center axis of said connection member, a ring portion substantially concentric with the center axis and connected to free ends of the arm portions, and engagement pawls projecting radially inward from an inner circumferential surface of the ring portion.

4. A connecting structure for connecting a resin tube to a tubular mating member in a fluid-tight condition comprising:

a resin tube including a tube body having a cylindrical wall of substantially uniform thickness, and a diameter-enlarged end portion formed at one end of the tube body;

a connection member having a tubular base portion and a first engagement element, the tubular base portion being fitted onto an axially-inner end portion of the diameter-enlarged end portion of said resin tube, and the first engagement element extending outwardly from the base portion;

tubular press-fitting means for preventing said connection member from moving axially outward relative to said resin tube, said tubular press-fitting means including first and second press-fitting bodies and an annular element which protrudes radially outward from an axially outer end of the second press-fitting body while projecting beyond an outer circumferential surface of the diameter-enlarged end portion, the first and second press-fitting bodies being press-fitted into the one end of said resin tube to thereby form the diameter-enlarged end portion and fixedly engage the axially-inner end portion of the diameter-enlarged end portion with an inner circumferential surface of the base portion of said connection member;

an annular sealing member disposed in an annular inner circumferential groove defined by an inner circumferential surface of the diameter-enlarged end portion, the first press-fitting body, and the second press-fitting body;

said tubular mating member including an inserting end portion which can be inserted into the first and second press-fitting bodies of said press-fitting means, while engaging an inner circumference of said sealing member in a fluid-tight condition; and

a second engagement element projecting radially outward from an outer circumferential surface of the inserting end portion of said mating member, the second engagement element engaging the first engaging element when the inserting end portion is inserted into the diameter-enlarged end portion;

wherein said connection member has a tubular base end portion, a pair of parallel arm portions extending axially outward from the base end portion symmetrically with respect to a center axis of said connection member, a ring portion substantially concentric with the center axis and connected to free ends of the arm portions, and engagement pawls projecting radially inward from an inner circumferential surface of the ring portion.