# US 5,704,106 A · Modular tubing assembly device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,704,106 A - Document ID: US5704106A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/256,645 - Filed: 1994-06-29 - Granted: 1998-01-06 - Earliest claimed: 1991-12-30 - Assignees: Value Plastics, Inc. - Inventors: Richard K. Sampson; James K. Sampson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5704106A ## CPC - B25B 27/10: inserting fittings into hoses - Y10T 29/4987: Elastic joining of parts - Y10T 29/49945: by driven force fit - Y10T 29/53657: to apply or remove a resilient article [e.g., tube, sleeve, etc.] - Y10T 29/5367: Coupling to conduit - Y10T 29/53896: having lever operator - B25B: TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING, OR HOLDING - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract An automatic tubing assembly device of modular design and suitable to utilization with thin-walled, flexible tubing is shown in several embodiments. The device includes a mechanical assembly for pure rectilinear motion to avoid tubing damage and an elongated jaw set (18) which applies a force to the tubing (45) over the fitting (1) involved and which flexes outward over the fitting (1). Use of a springed friction member (54) and sliding cam (21) act to achieve the rectilinear motion. The fitting (1) is supported along its length and the entire device is operable from one lever (7) which has only one degree of freedom and thus lends itself to assembly line automated uses. Additionally, multiple axis fittings can be accommodated through simple reconfiguration of the modular design. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A combination of a fitting, elastic tubing to which the fitting is inserted and attached, and an assembly device for attaching the tubing to the fitting, comprising: a. an assembly device comprising: a base plate; a fitting support; and movable jaws supported by said base plate and which clamp a length of elastic tubing, wherein at least one of said movable jaws has at least one relatively flexible jaw portion; b. a fitting supported by said fitting support and having a width; and c. a length of elastic tubing clamped by said movable jaws and having an inside diameter which is less than the maximum width of said fitting; said assembly device further comprising an axial force means which generates an axial force which moves said movable jaws and said fitting support toward one another such that said tubing becomes attached to said fitting over its width, wherein said length of tubing and said movable jaws overlap said fitting during attachment of said fitting with said tubing, and wherein said at least one relatively flexible jaw portion bends along its length as the tubing is attached to the fitting in response to said width of said fitting, and wherein said fitting support resists said axial force. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The combination as described in claim 1 wherein said at least one relatively flexible jaw portion varies the amount of bending along the length as the tubing is attached to the fitting. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The combination as described in claim 1 wherein said at least one of said movable jaws comprises a relatively inflexible portion and wherein said relatively inflexible portion does not significantly overlap said fitting during attachment of said fitting with said tubing. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The combination as described in claim 1 wherein said jaws have diameters which vary over their length. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The combination as described in claim 1 wherein said movable jaws have length and wherein said movable jaws, vary their degree of engagement with said tubing along said length during attachment of said fitting with said tubing. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The combination as described in claim 5 wherein said degree of engagement with said tubing is varied by said at least one relatively flexible jaw portion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The combination as described in claim 5 wherein said degree of engagement with said tubing is varied by the inner surface of said jaws. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The combination as described in claim 5 wherein said degree of engagement with said tubing is varied by the shape of said jaws. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The combination as described in claim 5 wherein said degree of engagement with said tubing along said length is varied by a textured inner surface of at least one of said jaws. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The combination as described in claim 9 wherein said texturing varies along the length of said inner surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The combination as described in claim 1 wherein said movable jaws minimize deformation of the tubing when clamped by the movable jaws. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The combination as described in claim 11 wherein said movable jaws generate a clamping force and wherein said movable jaws comprise a means for limiting said clamping force. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The combination as described in claim 12 wherein said means for limiting said clamping force comprises a stop. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The combination as described in claim 11 wherein said deformation of the tubing is minimized by said jaws being curved. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The combination as described in claim 1 wherein said movable jaws comprise: a. at least two curved members each having a top and a bottom portion and capable of movement relative to each other from an open to a closed position; b. a stop on each of said bottom portions such that said stops abut in the closed position; and c. a truncated edge on each top portion such that said truncated edges do not abut when in the closed position. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The combination as described in claim 15 wherein said curved members move from a rearward to a forward position and wherein said curved members overlap the fitting when in said forward position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The combination as described in claim 1 and further comprising an adjustment means which varies the mount said movable jaws and said length of tubing overlap said fitting during attachment of said fitting with said tubing. ### Claim 18 A device for assembling a fitting having a stem and elastic tubing comprising: a. a base plate; b. an axial force means to engage said tubing with said fitting; c. an axial force resistance means to which said fitting is responsive, spaced from said axial force means; and d. an adjustment means which varies the spacing between said axial force means and said axial force resistance means; wherein said adjustment means varies said spacing separately from the exertion of an axial force by said axial force means. ### Claim 19 A device for assembling a fitting and elastic tubing comprising: a. base plate; b. an axial force means to engage said tubing and said fitting; c. an axial force resistance means to which said fitting is responsive; and d. a means for accomplishing insertions in multiple axes; wherein said axial force means comprises at least one lever arm assembly and wherein said lever arm assembly comprises a means for accomplishing pure rectilinear motion and wherein said means for accomplishing pure rectilinear motion comprises: i. a lever arm which supplies an insertion force from a rearward to a forward position to engage said tubing and said fitting wherein said lever arm has only one degree of freedom; ii. a clamp means wherein said clamp means is responsive to said lever arm; iii. a means for activating the damp means without applying any axial force to the tubing; iv. a means for applying said axial force to the tubing by moving said clamp means from said rearward position to said forward position; v. a means for releasing the clamp means; and vi. a means for returning the clamp means to the rearward position. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The device as described in claim 19 wherein said lever arm causes activation of said means for activating, said means for releasing, and said means for returning. ### Claim 21 A method of assembling a fitting to elastic tubing to create a tubing assembly, comprising the steps of: a. providing a device including a lever arm and clamping members; b. placing tubing in approximately an axial position on said device, wherein said tubing has an exterior surface; and c. placing a fitting in approximately an axial position relative to said tubing on said device; then d. moving the lever arm forward, thereby bringing said clamping members toward one another such that the tubing becomes clamped between said clamping members prior to applying any axial force to said tubing, and then moving said lever arm further forward, thereby causing said clamping members with said tubing and said fitting to move axially toward one another, thereby bringing said clamping members and the tubing axially into engagement with the fitting; then e. removing said tubing assembly from said device. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method of assembling a fitting and elastic tubing to create a tubing assembly as described in claim 21 and further comprising the step of moving said lever arm backward thereby a. releasing said clamping members from said tubing; and then moving said clamping member axially away from said fitting. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The method of assembling a fitting and elastic tubing to create a tubing assembly as described in claim 21 and further comprising the step of expanding said clamping members over the fitting. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The method of assembling a fitting and elastic tubing to create a tubing assembly as described in claim 23 wherein the step of expanding said clamping members over the fitting comprises the step of allowing said clamping members to bend in response to said fitting being inserted into said elastic tubing. ### Claim 25 (depends on 21) The method of assembling a fitting and elastic tubing to create a tubing assembly as described in claim 21 and further comprising the step of varying the force applied by said clamping member along the length of the exterior of the tubing from the front of the tubing to the back of the tubing while accomplishing the step of moving said lever arm forward. ### Claim 26 (depends on 21) The method of assembling a fitting and elastic tubing to create a tubing assembly as described in claim 21 and further comprising the step of allowing a portion of the tubing to slide within said clamping members, to accommodate a relative length change of said tubing, while accomplishing the step of moving said lever arm forward. ### Claim 27 (depends on 21) The method of assembling a fitting and elastic tubing to create a tubing assembly as described in claim 21 including the step of not substantially deforming the tubing when it becomes clamped between said clamping members. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The method of assembling a fitting and elastic tubing to create a tubing assembly as described in claim 27 wherein the step of clamping applies a clamping force and including the step of clamping further comprises the step of automatically limiting the clamping force applied to the tubing by said clamping members. ### Claim 29 (depends on 21) The method of assembling a fitting and elastic tubing to create a tubing assembly as described in claim 21 and further comprising the step of again moving said lever arm forward to apply additional force to the exterior of the tubing without manually readjusting the tubing before removing the tubing assembly. ### Claim 30 (depends on 21, 25) The method of assembling a fitting and elastic tubing to create a tubing assembly as described in claim 21 or 25 and further comprising the step of supporting the fitting along its length while accomplishing the step of moving said lever arm forward. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The method of assembling a fitting and elastic tubing to create a tubing assembly as described in claim 30 wherein said step of supporting the fitting along its length comprises the step of laterally supporting said fitting along its length. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The method of assembling a fitting and elastic tubing to create a tubing assembly as described in claim 31 wherein said step of supporting the fitting along its length further comprises the step of axially supporting said fitting along its length. ### Claim 33 (depends on 21, 24, 26) The method of assembling a fitting and elastic tubing to create a tubing assembly as described in claims 21, 24, 26, or 27 and further comprising the step of automatically inserting another fitting in approximately an axial position after accomplishing said step of removing said tubing assembly.