Configurable coupling apparatus for tubular elements
First Claim
1. A coupling apparatus that is attachable to a tubular element having a passageway extending therethrough, comprising:
- a coupling body having a passageway extending therethrough and having at least two substantially similar legs, each leg having at least two adjacent annular grooves, wherein one of the at least two annular grooves is wider and shallower than the other annular groove; and
at least one adapter having a passageway extending therethrough and an integrally formed, radially extending inward portion frictionally engaging at least one of the at least two annular grooves of one of the at least two legs of the coupling body for connecting the at least one adapter to the coupling body, wherein the at least one adapter is connectable to the tubular element for forming a continuous passageway through the coupling apparatus.
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Abstract
A coupling apparatus that is attachable to a substantially tubular element having a passageway extending therethrough. The coupling apparatus has a coupling body and at least one adapter. The coupling body has a passageway extending therethrough and at least one leg having at least one annular groove. The adapter has a passageway extending therethrough and a radially extending inward portion for engaging the annular groove on the leg of the coupling body for connecting the adapter to the coupling body. The adapter is connectable to the tubular element for forming a continuous passageway through the coupling apparatus.
46 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A coupling apparatus that is attachable to a tubular element having a passageway extending therethrough, comprising:
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a coupling body having a passageway extending therethrough and having at least two substantially similar legs, each leg having at least two adjacent annular grooves, wherein one of the at least two annular grooves is wider and shallower than the other annular groove; and at least one adapter having a passageway extending therethrough and an integrally formed, radially extending inward portion frictionally engaging at least one of the at least two annular grooves of one of the at least two legs of the coupling body for connecting the at least one adapter to the coupling body, wherein the at least one adapter is connectable to the tubular element for forming a continuous passageway through the coupling apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A coupling apparatus that is engageable with at least two tubular elements, comprising:
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a coupling body having a passageway extending therethrough and at least two substantially similar legs, each of the at least two substantially similar legs releaseably and frictionally engaging a push-to-connect adapter and a swivel nut adapter, wherein each of the at least two substantially similar legs is only connected to at most one of either the push-to-connect adapter or the swivel nut adapter at any time, each substantially similar leg having at least one annular groove formed thereon, wherein the push-to-connect adapter is connectable to a first leg from the at least two substantially similar legs and the swivel nut adapter is connectable to a second leg from the at least two substantially similar legs; the push-to-connect adapter adaptable to receive and removably secure one of the at least two tubular elements to the coupling body, the push-to-connect adapter having a nose piece and a passageway extending therethrough, the nose piece having an end for frictionally engaging the at least one annular groove of one of the at least two legs of the coupling body; and the swivel nut adapter adaptable to receive the other of the at least two tubular elements to the coupling body, and the swivel nut adapter having an integrally formed detent and a passageway extending therethrough, wherein the detent protrudes from the swivel nut adapter for frictionally engaging the at least one annular groove on the other of the at least two legs of the coupling body. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A coupling apparatus that is engageable with at least two tubular elements, comprising:
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a coupling body molded from glass reinforced polybutylene terephthalate plastic and having a passageway extending therethrough and at least two substantially similar legs, each of the at least two substantially similar legs being adaptable to releaseably engage in a friction fit an adapter and having at least two annular grooves formed thereon with an annular protruding ridge disposed between the at least two annular grooves, one of the at least two annular grooves being shallower and narrower than the other annular groove, the annular protruding ridge having an outer diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the leg of the coupling body, and the at least two annular grooves and the annular protruding ridge being formed on one end of the leg; the adapter having a passageway extending therethrough and an integrally formed, radially extending inward portion engaging in a friction fit at least one of the at least two annular grooves of one of the at least two substantially similar legs of the coupling body for connecting the adapter to the coupling body, wherein the adapter is connectable to the tubular element for forming a continuous passageway through the coupling apparatus.
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Specification