# US 5,346,264 A · Liquid tight internal snap connector for connecting corrugated plastic conduit > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,346,264 A - Document ID: US5346264A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 07/881,024 - Filed: 1992-05-11 - Granted: 1994-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 1992-03-19 - Assignees: Heyco Molded Products, Inc. - Inventors: Joseph P. Law; Robert Oehler - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5346264A ## CPC - F16L 25/0045: {of the quick-acting type} - Y10S 285/903: Corrugated - Y10S 285/921: Snap-fit - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## Abstract A fitting or connecting corrugated tubing has a through opening and a liquid tight corrugated tubing connecting portion. The connecting portion has a shank to receive the corrugated tubing and a collar of greater diameter than the shank. The collar extends along the shank from a shoulder in the fitting and terminates before the end of the shank. Pawls in the connecting portion extend from the shank between the collar and the end of the shank. The pawls are hinged and have bevels and a bearing surface. The collar on the shank has an outside diameter slightly greater than the inside diameter of the corrugated tubing which renders the connector liquid tight when engaged with the corrugated tubing. The pawls resiliently extend to engage themselves in an inner corrugation of the corrugated tubing. Various pawl configurations engage the inside corrugations of corrugated tubing for a quick and firm liquid tight connection. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fitting connecting non helical plastic corrugated tubing having an alternating small inside diameter and a larger inside diameter of said corrugations, said fitting including an opening therethrough, a liquid tight corrugated tubing connecting portion for receiving one end of said corrugated tubing thereover in liquid tight engagement, said liquid tight corrugated tubing connecting portion including a shank, said shank having an outside diameter and an end, a shoulder, at least one pawl, said at least one pawl including hinge means a bevel and a bearing surface, said at least one pawl resiliently extending to engage itself within said larger inside diameter of said corrugations, and a collar on said shank, said collar having an outside diameter, said collar's outside diameter greater than said shank's outside diameter and slightly greater than said small inside diameter of said corrugations and receiving said last mentioned corrugations thereover in liquid tight engagement, said collar extending along said shank from said shoulder and having a termination spaced away from said shank end, said pawl extending from said shank between said collar termination and said shank end. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The invention of claim 1 wherein said collar includes a camber at said termination. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The invention of claim 1 wherein said fitting includes an aperture engaging portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The invention of claim 3 wherein said aperture engaging portion includes an O ring. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The invention of claim 3 wherein said aperture engaging portion includes a snap fitting. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The invention of claim 5 wherein said a snap fitting include fingers. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The invention of claim 6 wherein said fingers include shoulders. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The invention of claim 3 wherein said aperture engaging portion includes screw threads. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The invention of claim 8 wherein said aperture engaging portion includes a threaded nut. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The invention of claim 1 wherein said fitting is a coupler. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The invention of claim 1 wherein said hinge means includes at least one hinge, said at least one hinge extending axially with regard to said shank flexing said pawl radially. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The invention of claim 1 wherein said hinge means includes at least one hinge, said at least one hinge extending annularly with regard to said shank and flexing said pawl radially. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The invention of claim 1 including at least two pawls. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The invention of claim 1 including four pawls. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The invention of claim 14 wherein said pawls include two sets of two pawls. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The invention of claim 15 wherein at least one of said sets of pawls comprises two adjacent pawl apposed to each other. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The invention of claim 1 wherein said hinge means are resilient. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The invention of claim 17 wherein said hinge means are biased to flex outward of said shank. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The invention of claim 1 wherein at least one of said at least one pawl includes a tie to said shank. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The invention of claim 1 wherein said liquid tight corrugated tubing connection portion has a longitudinal axis and said at least one pawl extends along the circumference of said shank at a right angle to said longitudinal axis. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The invention of claim 1 in combination with said corrugated tubing wherein said corrugated tubing is plastic.