US 5,682,662 A · Tube connector and method of making a connection

Abstract

One embodiment of the invention provides a joining element for joining a tube with a port. The joining element comprises a seal having a bore for accepting the tube, a nut and a ferrule. The ferrule has a bore for accepting the seal and the tube, a retaining member which retains the tube with the ferrule by engaging the tube, and a positive stop which limits engagement of the retaining member and the tube. The nut has a bore for accepting the ferrule and the tube and a bearing surface which engages the positive stop on the ferrule to positively limit engagement of the retaining member and the tube. Still other embodiments provide methods for forming a connection between a tube and a port. One such method comprises inserting the tube into a first member and a second member. The first member is moved with respect to the second member such that the second member is positioned partially within the first member. The first member, the second member and the tube are placed in the port. A mating structure on the first member is mated with a complementary mating structure on the port. The first member is moved with respect to the second member within the port such that a retention member on the second member engages the tube. The action of at least one of the first member and the retention member is positively limited.

A method for forming a connection between a tube and a port, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a tube having first and second ends;
(b) providing a first member having first and second ends, an outer circumferential surface having mating structure thereon, and a bore extending therethrough, said bore being defined by:
(i) a first diameter portion located between said first and second ends;
(ii) a second diameter portion located between said first diameter portion and said second end;
(iii) a vertical wall joining said first diameter portion to said second diameter portion;
(iv) a third diameter portion between said second diameter portion and said second end;
and
(v) an inclined portion joining said second diameter portion to said third diameter portion, wherein the diameter of said first diameter portion is greater than that of said second diameter portion and the diameter of said second diameter portion is greater than that of
(c) providing a second member having first and second ends and a bore extending therethrough, with a retention member extending inwardly from said bore at said second end, and also having an outer surface defined by first and second diameter portions with a vertical wall joining these portions to one another;
wherein said second diameter portion has a diameter greater than that of said third diameter portion of said first member, and less than that of said second diameter portion of said first member;
(d) providing a seal having first and second ends and a bore extending therethrough;
(e) providing a port having a bore defined by mating structure, and an end wall extending perpendicularly to said bore;
(f) locating said seal partially within said bore of said second member at said first end thereof;
(g) locating said second member partially within said first member at said first end thereof;
(h) locating said tube at least partially within said first member, said member and said seal, such that said first end of said seal extends from said first end of said second member, and said first end of said second member extends from said first end of said first member;
(i) inserting said tube, said seal, said second member and said first end of said first member into said bore of said port, such that said mating structure of said first member engages said mating structure of said port;
(j) moving said first member further into said bore of said portion by continually engaging said mating structure of said first member with said mating structure of said port, thereby causing:
(i) said inclined portion and said third diameter portion to deflect said second diameter portion of said second member inwardly such that said retention member engages said tube;
and
(ii) said vertical wall of said first member to abut said vertical wall of said second member, such that said first member drives said second member, said seal and said tube against said end wall, whereby said seal deforms against said end wall and forms a leak-proof joint between said tube and said port.

17 more elements

Tube connector and method of making a connection

Life of this patent

Tube connector and method of making a connection

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims4