Push-to-connect fitting providing an insertion indication

A tube fitting for connection to a tube, the tube fitting comprising:

• a main body structure configured to receive an end of the tube and fluidly connect the tube to another component;
• a retainer positioned around an end of the main body structure,
• the main body structure and the retainer are configured such that, when the tube is only partially inserted into the tube fitting, the end of the tube is positioned at a depth that is less than a depth within the tube fitting, and the retainer is freely rotatable about the end of the main body structure, and
• when the tube is fully inserted into the tube fitting, the end of the tube is positioned at the depth within the tube fitting, and the main body structure and the retainer cooperate together to prevent the retainer from freely rotating about the end of the main body structure, the main body structure and the retainer providing a force indication to indicate that the tube has been fully inserted into the tube fitting,
• wherein the force indication comprises the retainer providing a resisting force preventing rotational movement of the retainer relative to the main body structure when a user attempts to rotate the retainer.

A tube fitting for connection to a tube, the tube fitting comprising:

• a body assembly configured to receive an end of the tube and fluidly connect the tube to another component;
• and
• an actuator positioned at least partially within the body assembly and being movable between a retracted position and an extended position within the body assembly,
• the body assembly and the actuator being configured such that, when the tube is fully inserted into the tube fitting, the end of the tube is positioned at a depth within the tube fitting and the actuator is moved from the retracted position to the extended position to provide a visual indication to indicate that the tube has been fully inserted into the tube fitting;
• wherein the body assembly defines a through-hole through which the visual indication is provided.

A method of connecting a tube into a tube fitting, the method comprising:

• inserting an end of the tube into the tube fitting to fluidly connect the tube to another component;
• inserting a tube liner at least partially into the tube, wherein the tube liner is positioned at least partially within a main body structure;
• providing an audible indication to indicate that the tube has been fully inserted into the tube fitting, wherein the main body structure and the tube liner cooperate together to provide the audible indication;
• wherein, when the tube is fully inserted into the tube fitting, the end of the tube is inserted into the tube fitting such that the end of the tube is positioned at a depth within the tube fitting;
• and
• positioning a retainer around an end of the main body structure, wherein the retainer includes a plurality of tabs spaced along a perimeter of the retainer, the plurality of tabs configured to be received within a channel of the main body structure.