Tubular connector

A plumbing fitting comprising:

• a first connector assembly comprising:
• a first connector body centered along a first axis and configured to receive a first fluid conduit end, the first connector body having a first end, an opposite second end, the first connector body having a first flange extending radially away from the first connector body at the first end, a second flange extending radially away from the first connector body between the first end and the second end, and a shoulder surface with a frustoconical profile between a connector body groove and the second flange, wherein the connector body groove is positioned between the shoulder surface and the first flange;
• a first retainer sleeve coupled to the first connector body and configured to receive the first fluid conduit end;
• and
• a first interference portion interposed between the first connector body and the first retainer sleeve, the first interference portion configured to prevent rotation of the first retainer sleeve about the first axis relative to the first connector body, wherein the shoulder surface is configured to engage an end portion of the first retainer sleeve as the first retainer sleeve is received over the first interference portion;
• a second connector assembly comprising:
• a second connector body centered along a second axis and configured to receive a second fluid conduit end, the second connector body in fluid communication with the first connector body;
• a second retainer sleeve coupled to the second connector body and configured to receive the second fluid conduit end;
• and
• a second interference portion interposed between the second connector body and the second retainer sleeve, the second interference portion configured to prevent rotation of the second retainer sleeve about the second axis relative to the second connector body;
• and
• a fluid passage extending between the first connector assembly and the second connector assembly.

A connector assembly comprising:

• a connector body having a fluid passage that extends at least partially therethrough, the connector body comprising:
• a first end and a second end opposite the first end;
• a first connector flange extending radially from the connector body between the first end and the second end and having a first diameter;
• a second connector flange extending radially from the connector body between the first connector flange and the second end, the second connector flange having a second diameter greater than the first diameter;
• and
• a shoulder surface with a frustoconical profile between a connector body groove and the second connector flange, wherein the connector body groove is positioned between the shoulder surface and the first connector flange;
• and
• a retainer sleeve configured for coupling to the connector body and configured for extending around the fluid passage, wherein the shoulder surface is configured to engage an end portion of the retainer sleeve as the retainer sleeve is received over the connector body, the retainer sleeve comprising:
• a first sleeve end and a second sleeve end opposite to the first sleeve end;
• an inner sleeve surface having a third diameter, the third diameter being less than the second diameter;
• and
• a plurality of latches positioned circumferentially about the inner sleeve surface and extending radially inward relative to the inner sleeve surface;
• wherein the retainer sleeve is configured such that when the retainer sleeve is coupled to the connector body and the second connector flange engages a portion of the inner sleeve surface proximate to the first sleeve end:
• the portion of the inner sleeve surface proximate to the first sleeve end expands to a fourth diameter greater than the second diameter responsive to deformation of the retainer sleeve, and
• the plurality of latches actuate inward toward the connector body when the first sleeve end expends to the fourth diameter.

A connector comprising:

• a connecting body having a fluid passage that extends at least part way therethrough;
• a seal configured to provide a seal with an outer portion of a fluid tube;
• a cartridge located near the connecting body, the cartridge having a hollow portion therethrough;
• a grab part having one or more teeth that are configured to retain the fluid tube, the grab part being located between the cartridge and the seal;
• a demount part being movable within the hollow portion of the cartridge and configured to move the one or more teeth to a position to allow the fluid tube to be released;
• a sleeve covering at least part of the cartridge and the connecting body;
• and
• a protecting ring configured to assist in protecting the seal, wherein the protecting ring includes an inclined surface inclined inward to generally align with the one or more teeth of the grab part, the inclined surface forming a generally frustoconical surface, the protecting ring having a stop that assists in ensuring the seal is captured in a space where retention of the seal is suitable;
• wherein a latch is located on one of the sleeve or the connecting body and a mating catch is located on the other of the sleeve or the connecting body such that engagement of the latch with the catch connects the sleeve to the connecting body and assists in restraining movement of the cartridge.

A connector comprising:

• a connecting body having a fluid passage that extends at least part way therethrough;
• a seal ring configured to provide a seal with an outer portion of a fluid tube;
• a cartridge located near the connecting body, the cartridge having a hollow portion therethrough;
• a grab part having one or more teeth that are configured to retain the fluid tube, the grab part being located between the cartridge and the seal ring;
• a protecting ring configured to assist in protecting the seal ring, wherein the protecting ring includes an inclined surface inclined inward to generally align with the one or more teeth of the grab part, the inclined surface forming a generally frustoconical surface, the protecting ring having a stop that assists in ensuring the seal ring is captured in a space where retention of the seal ring is suitable;
• a demount part being movable within the hollow portion of the cartridge and configured to move the one or more teeth to a position to allow the fluid tube to be released;
• and
• a sleeve covering at least part of the cartridge and the connecting body to provide a connection therebetween;
• wherein the demount part is structured such that when an external force is applied over a distance from at least a free end of the demount part to the cartridge, the demount part does not move to a position that engages with the one or more teeth to allow the fluid tube to be released.

A connector for a fluid tube having an outer diameter, the connector having proximal and distal ends and extending along a longitudinal axis, comprising:

• a connector body having a fluid passage extending at least part way through the body and a tube stop to limit passage of the fluid tube through the connector body;
• a sealing ring encircling the longitudinal axis and having an internal diameter to provide a fluid tight seal with the fluid tube when the fluid tube passes through the sealing ring;
• a protecting ring encircling the longitudinal axis, the sealing ring located between a shoulder on the connector body and the protecting ring;
• a cartridge part encircling the longitudinal axis and holding the protecting ring against the connector body;
• a grab ring having a plurality of teeth encircling the longitudinal axis and extending inward and toward the connector body a distance sufficient to grab the fluid tube during use, the grab ring held between the cartridge part and the protecting ring;
• a demount ring encircling the longitudinal axis and held between a shoulder on the cartridge part and the grab ring, the demount ring being axially movable a distance sufficient to push the teeth outward and release the fluid tube;
• and
• a tubular sleeve encircling the cartridge part and the protecting ring and part of the connector body, the sleeve having a resiliently flexible latch latched to the connector body, and holding the cartridge part against the protecting ring and holding the protecting ring against the connector body, the sleeve having a proximal end with a sleeve opening through which the fluid tube passes;
• wherein the protecting ring includes an inclined surface inclined inward to generally align with the plurality of teeth of the grab ring, the inclined surface forming a generally frustoconical surface, the protecting ring having a stop that assists in ensuring the sealing ring is captured in a space where retention of the sealing ring is suitable.