Quick connect fluid coupling with a self-contained releasable collet retainer

A quick connect coupling comprising:

• a housing defining an axial bore extending inwardly into said housing from an entrance, said axial bore increasing in diameter axially into said housing from said entrance;
• a tube having a bead, said tube insertable into said bore;
• a radially expandable collet, said collet including an axially inner surface inclined radially outwardly moving axially into said housing, said collet disposed within said bore, said collet having at least one release member extending axially outwardly from said housing;
• a spring within said housing, said spring biasing said collet axially outwardly;
• a generally annular pilot disposed within said axial bore, said pilot having an axially outer surface inclined radially outwardly moving axially into said housing and being complementary to said inner surface of said collet such that said inner surface of said collet rides up said outer surface of said pilot upon inward axial movement of said collet, thereby expanding said collet radially outwardly to release said tube.

A method for assembling a quick connect coupling including the steps of:

• providing a housing defining an axial bore extending inwardly into said housing from an entrance;
• forming a bead of relatively large diameter on a tube;
• said tube insertable into said bore;
• inserting a radially expandable, generally annular collet into said bore;
• inserting said tube into said bore of said housing, said collet being expanded radially outward by said bead and retracting radially inwardly on said tube axially outward of said bead upon insertion of said tube into said bore, thereby retaining said tube in said housing;
• selectively expanding said collet radially outward to release said tube from said housing;
• wherein said collet is provided with attached release structure extending from said housing to allow said collet to be inserted into said housing and expand to allow release of said tube;
• and
• wherein the step of selectively expanding further includes the step of moving said collet axially relative to said housing by imparting a force on the attached release structure.

A quick connect coupling comprising:

• a housing defining an axial bore extending into said housing from an entrance;
• a tube having a bead of increased diameter formed on said tube, said tube insertable into said bore;
• a radially expandable, generally annular collet disposed within said bore, said collet contracting radially inward onto said tube axially outward of said bead, thereby retaining said tube in said housing;
• a generally annular pilot disposed within said axial bore, said pilot having an axially outer surface, said collet including an axially inner surface inclined radially outward moving axially into said housing, said inner surface of said collet engaging said outer surface of said pilot upon inward axial movement of said collet, and expanding said collet radially outward.