Leak-proof connection fitting
AssigneeMercury Plastics, Inc.
InventorsDonald Currey, Scott R. Gardner, Brock Elsea, Earl Christian, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and process by which a leak-proof connection with a polymeric tube is described herein. Particular embodiments of the present invention include a leak-proof connection fitting inserted into a bore of a overmolded attachment piece wherein the overmolded attachment piece is overmolded onto the polymeric tube. The leak-proof connection fitting includes multiple surfaces in various configurations. The multiple surfaces include barb(s), raised surface(s), reduced surface(s), and channel(s). O-rings may be further added to the leak-proof connection fitting. In some embodiments, the overmolded attachment piece or the tube itself is secured to the fitting by shape memory.
Claims15
A leak-proof connection fitting comprising:
- an outermost first end;
- a second end opposite the outermost first end;
- a barb proximal the outermost first end having a barb outside diameter at an apex of the barb, the barb including a surface area extending from the outermost first end to the apex of the barb;
- a raised surface distal the outermost first end and having a surface area, the raised surface being a smooth straight section having a constant raised surface outside diameter;
- and a reduced surface extending from the apex of the barb to the raised surface, the reduced surface having a reduced surface outside diameter and a surface area, and the reduced surface outside diameter is less than the constant raised surface outside diameter and the barb outside diameter;
- where the constant raised surface outside diameter is greater than or equal to the barb outside diameter;
- where the surface area of the raised surface is greater than the surface area of the barb for eliminating the effect of long-term creep when a cuff is positioned over the barb, the reduced surface and the raised surface, where the fitting is monolithic.
A leak-proof connection fitting comprising:
- an outermost first end;
- a second end opposite the outermost first end;
- a barb proximal the outermost first end having a barb outside diameter at an apex of the barb, the barb including a surface area extending from the outermost first end to the apex of the barb;
- a raised surface distal the outermost first end and having a surface area, the raised surface being a smooth straight section having a constant raised surface outside diameter;
- and a first reduced surface extending from the apex of the barb to the raised surface, the first reduced surface having a first reduced surface outside diameter and a surface area, and the first reduced surface outside diameter is less than the constant raised surface outside diameter and the barb outside diameter;
- a second reduced surface extending from the raised surface and away from the first reduced surface, the second reduced surface having a second reduced surface outside diameter and a surface area, and the second reduced surface outside diameter is less than the constant raised surface outside diameter;
- where the constant raised surface outside diameter is greater than or equal to the barb outside diameter;
- where the surface area of the raised surface is greater than the surface area of the barb for eliminating the effect of long-term creep when a cuff is positioned over the barb, the reduced surface and the raised surface, where the fitting is monolithic.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.