End terminating means for plastic and rubber conduit
AssigneeProprietary Technology, Inc.
InventorDonald D. Bartholomew
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Connectable connector fittings for positioning on the terminal ends of flexible conduits include a first member positioned on the exterior surface of the terminal end of a conduit, a second member is positioned on the interior surface of the terminal end of the conduit, and a connector member coupled with either the first or second member. The first and second members are securely affixed by expanding the diameter of the second member outwardly against the first member to achieve a pressure fit whereby to provide a connectable connector fitting on the terminal end of the conduit.
Claims6
A connector assembly adapted to be attached to the terminal end of a flexible conduit, said connector assembly comprising:
- a first generally cylindrical member having a forward end and a rearward end positioned about the exterior surface of said terminal end of said conduit, said forward end including an inwardly tapering portion and an inwardly extending flange-like portion dependent therefrom, said flange-like portion adapted to locate said flexible conduit relative to said first cylindrical member, said first cylinder member having a smooth interior surface adjacent said conduit;
- and
- a second generally cylindrical member axially disposed to said first member, and positioned about the interior surface of said terminal end of said conduit, said second cylinder member having an outwardly extending flange terminating on one of its ends for orienting the conduit for affixment, said flange positioned inside and abutting said first cylinder member adjacent said inwardly extending flange, said second cylinder member having a smooth exterior surface and a single annular bead forming a discontinuity on said exterior surface, said bead adapted for abutting said conduit against said smooth interior surface of said cylinder member to retain and seal said conduit in said members.
A method of attaching a connector assembly to the terminal end of a flexible conduit, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a generally cylindrical member having a substantially continuous smooth interior surface on its entire inside;
- positioning said cylindrical member about the exterior surface of the terminal end of said flexible conduit;
- providing a substantially frustoconical member having a smooth exterior surface;
- forming a single annular bend providing a discontinuity on said external surface of said frustoconical member;
- positioning said frustoconical member about the interior surface of the terminal end of said flexible conduit;
- and
- deforming said frustoconical member to become substantially cylindrical and substantially parallel to said cylindrical member such that said annular bead abuts said conduit against said smooth interior surface of said first cylindrical member thereby retaining and sealing said conduit with said member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.