Quick-connect tube fitting connection including a safety ring

A connection comprising:

• a tube end;
• a body having a bore with an opening into the body, the tube end being grippably retained in the bore;
• and
• a fitting comprising:
• a generally annular member having a first member end received coaxially in the bore and a second member end extending outside of the bore having a shoulder surface facing a stationary surface surrounding the bore opening, the tube end being receivable coaxially through the member into the bore, and the second member end being pushable towards the stationary surface to slidably move the member over the tube from a first position wherein the shoulder surface is axially spaced-apart from the stationary surface and a second position releasing the tube end from its retention in the bore;
• and
• a safety collar disposed intermediate the stationary surface and the shoulder surface in the first position of the member for delimiting the movement of the member from the first position to the second position, the collar being formed from an elongate element having a first element end and a second element end, and an aperture through a portion thereof, the element being closed around the release member with the first member end being secured to the second member end to form a ring having a section of reduced tensile strength adjacent the aperture, the aperture being accessible on the ring to fracture the reduced tensile strength section for opening the ring and allowing its removal from the member.

A method of forming a safety collar for a fitting for coupling a tube end to a body having a bore with an opening into the body, the tube end being grippably retained in the bore, and the fitting comprising a generally annular member having a first member end received coaxially in the bore and a second member end extending outside of the bore having a shoulder surface facing a stationary surface surrounding the bore opening, the tube end being receivable coaxially through the member into the bore, and the second member end being pushable towards the stationary surface to slidably move the member over the tube from a first position wherein the shoulder surface is axially spaced-apart from the stationary surface and a second position releasing the tube end from its grippable retention in the bore, the safety collar being disposed intermediate the stationary surface and the shoulder surface in the first position of the member for delimiting the movement of the member from the first position to the second position, method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing an elongate element having a first element end and a second element end, and an aperture through a portion thereof;
• (b) closing the element around the release member intermediate the stationary surface and the shoulder surface in the first position of the member;
• (c) securing the first member end to the second member end to form a ring having a section of reduced tensile strength adjacent the aperture, the aperture being accessible on the ring to fracture the reduced tensile strength section for opening the ring and allowing its removal from the member.