Crimp ring

• US 8,282,138 B2
• Filed: 11/19/2009
• Issued: 10/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oetiker Tool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Rostra Tool Company
• Inventors: Steiner, Richard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hewitt, James
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ripley, Jay R
• Application Number:
  US12/592,129
• Publication Number:
  US 20100156097A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,055 Days
• Field of Search: 285/382, 285/371, 285/256, 285/293.1, 285/294.1, 285/331, 285/399, 285/901, 285/7, 285/94, 285/109, 285/140.1, 285/370, 285/920, 138/96.R, 138/96.T, 138/109, 138/155
• US Class Current: 285/256
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 13/141 by crimping or rolling from the outside

Abstract

An annular shaped crimp ring construction which incorporates two separate and distinct sections formed adjacent each other on the same annular member. In accordance with the present invention, the first section of the crimp ring comprises an axial length which is substantially greater than the axial length of the second section, with the first section also comprising a thickness which is substantially greater than the thickness of the second section.

Claims

1. A crimp ring configured to couple a tube member about at least two radially extending circumferential protrusions on a fitting, the at least two protrusions being spaced a distance apart, the crimp ring comprising:

a cylindrical first section having a first axial length, a first thickness and a first outer diameter, the first thickness being substantially constant along the first axial length;

a cylindrical second section adjacent the first section, the second section having a second axial length, a second thickness and a second outer diameter, the second axial length being smaller than the first axial length, the second thickness being smaller than the first thickness, and the second outer diameter being smaller than the first outer diameter, the second thickness being substantially constant along the second axial length;

a first opening extending through the first section and the second section, the first opening having a first diameter sized to receive the tube member; and

,

a stop flange arranged on an end of the second section opposite the first section, the stop flange extending radially inward to define a second opening, the second opening having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter;

wherein the stop flange includes an inner surface, the inner surface being configured to contact an end of the tube member;

further comprising a groove disposed between the first section and the second section, the groove having a third outer diameter, the third outer diameter being smaller than the second outer diameter; and

the cylindrical first section adjoins the groove and the groove adjoins the cylindrical second section.

2. The crimp ring of claim 1 wherein the inner surface is substantially perpendicular to the first opening.

3. The crimp ring of claim 1 wherein the first axial length is greater than the distance.

4. The crimp ring of claim 1 wherein crimp ring is made from a material comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of copper, brass, soft metals, plastics, and malleable materials.

5. The crimp ring of claim 1 wherein the second axial length ranges between about 33% and 77% of the first axial length.

6. The crimp ring of claim 5 wherein the second thickness ranges between about 35% and 50% of the first thickness.

7. The crimp ring of claim 6 wherein the groove has a depth ranging between about 45% and 55% of the second thickness.

8. A crimping system comprising:

a fitting having a first end having at least two radially extending circumferential protrusions spaced apart by a distance;

a tube member having a first inner diameter disposed over the at least two protrusions, the tube member having a second end; and

,

a crimp ring disposed about the tube member radially opposite the at least two protrusions comprising;

a cylindrical first section having a first axial length, a first thickness and a first outer diameter;

a cylindrical second section adjacent the first section, the second section having a second axial length, a second thickness and a second outer diameter, the second axial length being smaller than the first axial length, the second thickness being smaller than the first thickness, and the second outer diameter being smaller than the first outer diameter, wherein the second axial length is sized to position the first section about the at least two protrusions;

a first opening having a first inner diameter extending through the first section and the second section and disposed about the tube member; and

,

a stop flange arranged on an end of the second section opposite the first section and in contact with the tube member, the stop flange extending radially inward to define a second opening having a second inner diameter that is smaller than the first inner diameter;

wherein the stop flange includes an inner surface, the inner surface in contact with an end of the tube member;

further comprising a groove disposed between the first section and the second section, the groove having a third outer diameter, the third outer diameter being smaller than the second outer diameter; and

the cylindrical first section adjoins the groove and the groove adjoins the cylindrical second section.

9. The crimp ring of claim 8 wherein the inner surface is substantially perpendicular to the first opening.

10. The crimp ring of claim 8 wherein crimp ring is made from a material comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of copper, brass, soft metals, plastics, and malleable materials.

11. The crimp ring of claim 8 wherein the second section is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein when in the second position, the first opening positions the tube member onto the at least two protrusions.

12. The crimp ring of claim 11 wherein the second axial length ranges between about 33% and 77% of the first axial length.

13. The crimp ring of claim 12 wherein the second thickness ranges between about 35% and 50% of the first thickness.

14. The crimp ring of claim 13 wherein the groove has a depth ranging between about 45% and 55% of the second thickness.