Quick connect tube coupling and method of assembling the same

A coupling assembly for coupling flexible tubing having an inner diameter and an outer diameter to a plumbing fixture, said coupling assembly comprising:

• a) a unitary plumbing fixture defining a tubular port provided with a circumferential barb at a port end thereof and a catch, said barb tapering in outer diameter from a maximum outer diameter to said port end;
• and
• b) a clamping member having a first end, a second end, and an axial channel therethrough, said first end of said clamping member being formed as a plurality of axially extending fingers each having a radially inwardly directed barb and a ramped portion at an end of said finger, said fingers defining a first inner diameter measured at said barbs, said second end having a second inner diameter, and a portion between said first and second end having a third inner diameter larger than said first inner diameter and said maximum outer diameter of said circumferential barb,
• wherein when said tubular port of said plumbing fixture is inserted into the tubing and said clamping member is provided over the tubing and said tubular port, said barbs of said clamping member engage in said catch and secure said clamping member and the tubing to said port.

A tubing coupling assembly, comprising:

• a) flexible tubing having an end with an inner diameter and an outer diameter;
• b) a plumbing fixture having a tubular port provided with a circumferential barb at a port end thereof and a catch, said circumferential barb tapering in outer diameter from a maximum outer diameter to said port end;
• and
• c) a first clamping member having a first end, a second end, a clamping portion between said first and second end, and an axial channel therethrough, said first end of said clamping member being formed as a plurality of axially extending fingers each having an radially inwardly directed barb,
• wherein said end of said flexible tubing is provided over said circumferential barb of said port, and said first clamping member is provided over said tubing and said port such that said barbs on said fingers engage said catch of said port and said clamp clamps said tubing between said clamping portion and said circumferential barb of said port of said plumbing fixture;
• and
• d) a second clamping member substantially the same as said first clamping member each of said first and second clamping members includes detachable coupling means for detachably coupling said second ends of said first and second clamping members to each other.

An apparatus for clamping a flexible tubing which is coupled to a port of a plumbing fixture, the port having a barb with a larger diameter than an inner diameter of the flexible tubing, said apparatus comprising:

• a clamping member having a first end, a second end, a clamping portion between said first and second ends, and an axial channel therethrough,
• said first end of said clamping member being formed as a plurality of axially extending fingers, each tapering inward toward a center of said channel, and having an radially inwardly directed catch, said fingers defining a first interior diameter measured at said catch,
• said second end having a second interior diameter and being provided with detachable coupling means for detachably coupling said second end of said clamping member to another clamping member, and
• said clamping portion having a third interior diameter larger than said first interior diameter and smaller than said second interior diameter.

An apparatus for clamping a flexible tubing which is coupled to a port of a plumbing fixture, the port having a barb with a larger diameter than an inner diameter of the flexible tubing, said apparatus comprising:

• a) a first clamping member having a first end, a second end, a clamping portion between said first and second ends, and an axial channel therethrough, said first end of said clamping member being formed as a plurality of axially extending fingers, each tapering inward toward a center of said channel and having an radially inwardly directed catch, said fingers defining a first interior diameter measured at said catch, said second end having a second interior diameter, and said clamping portion having a third interior diameter larger than said first interior diameter, and smaller than said second interior diameter;
• and
• b) a second clamping member having a first end, a second end, and an axial channel therethrough, said first end of said second clamping member being formed as a plurality of axially extending fingers,
• wherein said second ends of each of said first and second clamping members include detachable coupling means, for detachably coupling said second ends of said first and second clamping members to each other.

A coupling assembly for coupling flexible tubing having an inner diameter and an outer diameter to a plumbing fixture, said coupling assembly comprising:

• a) a unitary plumbing fixture defining a tubular port provided with a circumferential barb at a port end thereof and a catch, said barb tapering in outer diameter from a maximum outer diameter to said port end;
• and
• b) a clamping member having a first end, a second end, and an axial channel therethrough, said first end of said clamping member being formed as a plurality of axially extending fingers each having a radially inwardly directed barb and a blunt inner portion, said fingers defining a first inner diameter measured at said barbs, said second end having a second inner diameter, and a portion between said first and second end having a third inner diameter larger than said first inner diameter and said maximum outer diameter of said circumferential barb,
• wherein when said tubular port of said plumbing fixture is inserted into the tubing and said clamping member is provided over the tubing and said tubular port, said barbs of said clamping member engage in said catch and secure said clamping member and the tubing to said port.

A coupling assembly for coupling flexible tubing having an inner diameter and an outer diameter to a plumbing fixture, said coupling assembly comprising:

• a) a unitary plumbing fixture defining a tubular port provided with a circumferential barb at a port end thereof and a catch, said barb tapering in outer diameter from a maximum outer diameter to said port end, and said catch being at least partially defined by a groove, said groove being at least partially defined by a lip, and said lip being tapered towards said barb;
• and
• b) a clamping member having a first end, a second end, and an axial channel therethrough, said first end of said clamping member being formed as a plurality of axially extending fingers each having a radially inwardly directed barb, said fingers defining a first inner diameter measured at said barbs, said second end having a second inner diameter, and a portion between said first and second end having a third inner diameter larger than said first inner diameter and said maximum outer diameter of said circumferential barb,
• wherein when said tubular port of said plumbing fixture is inserted into the tubing and said clamping member is provided over the tubing and said tubular port, said barbs of said clamping member engage in said catch and secure said clamping member and the tubing to said port.

A coupling assembly for coupling flexible tubing having an inner diameter and an outer diameter to a plumbing fixture, said coupling assembly comprising:

• a) a unitary plumbing fixture defining a tubular port provided with a circumferential barb at a port end thereof and a catch, said barb tapering in outer diameter from a maximum outer diameter to said port end;
• and
• b) a clamping member having a first end, a second end, and an axial channel therethrough,
• said first end of said clamping member being formed as a plurality of axially extending fingers each having a radially inwardly directed barb, said fingers defining a first inner diameter measured at said barbs,
• said second end having a second inner diameter and including a detachable coupling means for detachably coupling said second end of said clamping member to another clamping member, and
• a portion between said first and second end having a third inner diameter larger than said first inner diameter and said maximum outer diameter of said circumferential barb,
• wherein when said tubular port of said plumbing fixture is inserted into the tubing and said clamping member is provided over the tubing and said tubular port, said barbs of said clamping member engage in said catch and secure said clamping member and the tubing to said port.

A coupling assembly for coupling flexible tubing having an inner diameter and an outer diameter to a plumbing fixture, said coupling assembly comprising:

• a) a unitary plumbing fixture defining a tubular port provided with a circumferential barb at a port end thereof and a catch, said barb tapering in outer diameter from a maximum outer diameter to said port end;
• b) a first clamping member having a first end, a second end, and an axial channel therethrough, said first end of said clamping member being formed as a plurality of axially extending fingers each having a radially inwardly directed barb, said fingers defining a first inner diameter measured at said barbs, said second end having a second inner diameter, and a portion between said first and second end having a third inner diameter larger than said first inner diameter and said maximum outer diameter of said circumferential barb,
• wherein when said tubular port of said plumbing fixture is inserted into the tubing and said clamping member is provided over the tubing and said tubular port, said barbs of said clamping member engage in said catch and secure said clamping member and the tubing to said port;
• and
• c) a second clamping member, wherein said clamping members each include detachable coupling means for detachably coupling said clamping members to each other.