System and method for attaching tubing
AssigneeCarleton Life Support Systems, Inc.
InventorRussell F. Hart
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An attachment system (601) for maintaining a passageway (603) of a tube (605) in axial alignment with a passageway (607) through a housing (609) includes a spring (611) having an exterior edge (613) and an interior area (615) passing the tube (605). The housing (609) has an exterior mating surface (404) around the passageway (607). A mating end (402) of the tube (605) abuts against the mating surface (404). A spring retainer (617) apart from mating surface (404) restrains the movement of the spring (611) away from the mating surface (404). A tubular coupler (619) in proximity to the mating end (402) restricts the movement of the mating end (402) toward the interior area (615) of the spring (605).
Claims36
An attachment system for maintaining a passageway of a tube in axial alignment with a passageway through a housing, comprising:
- a flat spring having an exterior edge and having an interior area through which the tube passes;
- the housing having an exterior mating surface around the passageway through the housing against which mating surface a mating end of the tube abuts;
- a spring retainer means spaced apart from the exterior mating surface of the housing for restraining movement of the flat spring away from the exterior mating surface of the housing;
- and
- tubular coupling means in proximity to the mating end of the tube for restricting the movement of the mating end of the tube toward the interior area of the flat spring.
An attachment system for maintaining a passageway of a tube in axial alignment with a passageway through a housing, comprising:
- a spring having an exterior edge and having an interior area through which the tube passes;
- the housing having an exterior mating surface around the passageway through the housing against which mating surface a mating end of the tube abuts;
- a spring retainer means spaced apart from the exterior mating surface of the housing for restraining movement of the spring away from the exterior mating surface of the housing;
- and
- tubular coupling means in proximity to the mating end of the tube for restricting the movement of the mating end of the tube toward the interior area of the spring.
A method for maintaining a passageway of a tube in axial alignment with a passageway through a housing, comprising the steps of:
- attaching a spring to the tube with a tubular coupling means for restricting the movement of a mating end of the tube toward an interior area of the spring;
- the tubular coupling formed in proximity to the mating end of the tube;
- the spring having an exterior edge and having the interior area through which the tube passes;
- forming an exterior mating surface in the housing around the passageway through the housing against which mating surface the mating end of the tube abuts;
- and
- mounting the spring with a spring retainer means spaced apart from the exterior mating surface of the housing for restraining movement of the spring away from the exterior mating surface of the housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.