US 4,890,866 AGranted

Tubing connector

AssigneeMentor Corporation

InventorRobert A. Arp

Life of this patent

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Abstract

There is disclosed a connector for attachment of flexible plastic tubing which is most compatible with filament reinforced tubing which resists elastic expansion. The connector has a central radial flange with opposite cylindrical ends which provide mandrels to receive adjacent ends of tubing. A cylindrical cage surrounds the cylindrical ends and supports chuck members. A pair of collet members are provided which slide over the tubing and the chuck members, compressing the chuck members radially inwardly without axial movement of the chuck members relative to the tubing. This deflects the chuck members into the wall of the tubing, thereby locking the tubing securely onto the mandrel. The collet member has an internal annular groove on its inside wall which receives an outer edge of the chuck members, thereby serving as a detent or interlock to resist the retraction of the collet member once it is moved into final position.

Claims27

Dependent claims

A connector for flexible plastic tubing comprising:

a. a connector body having:
(1) a tubular mandrel with a smooth, entirely cylindrical outside wall of a diameter slightly larger than the internal diameter of said plastic tubing to provide a frictional engagement with an end of said tubing placed thereover;
(2) a radial flange surrounding said mandrel to serve as a tubing stop;
(3) a tubular cage integral with and extending from said radial flange, coextensive with said mandrel, and comprising a cylindrical body having an internal diameter greater than the outside diameter of said tubing with a plurality of angularly-spaced-apart apertures, and having an axial length which extends substantially the length of said mandrel;
(4) a plurality of chuck members, one each positioned in a respective one of said apertures, and hinged to the laterally distal edge of its respective aperture, said chuck members comprising a wedge of thickness increasing axially towards said radial flange and a length less than the axial length of its respective aperture;
and
b. a collet member having:
(1) a distal end with a diameter closely conforming to the outside diameter of said tubing to be slidably received thereover;
(2) a medial end facing said connector body with an internal diameter permitting it to be received over said tubular cage to compress said chuck members radially inwardly and into the wall of tubing surrounding said mandrel;
and
(3) detent means on its inside wall to lock said collet member to said connector body and prevent the axial dislodgement of said collet member when placed over said connector body and end of tubing.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/323,343Filed 14 Mar 1989
Granted: 2 Jan 1990
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

F16L 33/227
With means not mentioned in the preceding groups for gripping the hose between inner and outer parts: the hose being introduced into or onto the…
A61M 39/10
Tubes, tube connectors, tube couplings, valves, access sites or the like, specially adapted for medical use: tube connectors or tube couplings
F16L 33/221
With means not mentioned in the preceding groups for gripping the hose between inner and outer parts: the external piece comprising segments…
A61M 39/1055
Tube connectors or tube couplings: rotating or swivel joints