Component retaining structure for conduit fitting

A preassembly for a conduit fitting, the preassembly comprising:

• an annular fitting component having an interior wall extending along a central axis from an inboard end to an outboard end, the interior wall including an inboard surface, an outboard surface and an intermediate surface recessed from the inboard surface by an outward facing inboard radial wall extending radially inward to a first diameter at an outboard edge of the inboard surface, and recessed from the outboard surface by an inward facing outboard radial wall extending radially inward to a second diameter at an inboard edge of the outboard surface, the second diameter being smaller than the first diameter;
• and
• at least a first conduit gripping device retained within the annular fitting component and including a projection extending radially outward of an outer circumferential surface of the first conduit gripping device;
• wherein when the projection is bent axially toward an inboard end of the first conduit gripping device, an end portion of the projection is configured to be axially captured between the inboard radial wall and the outboard radial wall;
• wherein when the projection is bent axially toward an outboard end of the first conduit gripping device to a predetermined angle between about 30° and about 70° with respect to the central axis, the end portion extends radially outward to a diameter greater than the second diameter and smaller than the first diameter.