Method of forming an extension tube assembly

Claim 1

A method of assembling a coupling for use in adjustably-removably attaching an inlet end of a tube to an externally threaded fluid discharge nipple, which comprises: providing a swivel cap having a base portion provided with a through opening threaded to receive said nipple and an integrally formed sleeve portion extending coaxially forwardly of said base portion and having an internal diameter in excess of the diameter of said through opening thereby to define a forwardly facing annular first stop surface; forming an annular groove in the inner surface of said sleeve portion whereby to divide said inner surface into relatively rear and forward bearing surfaces and to define within said groove a rearwardly facing and essentially radially extending annular second stop surface; providing a swivel cap adapter having a base and integral formed sleeve extending co-axially forwardly of said base, said base having a centrally disposed flow opening therethrough and an annular flange extending radially outwardly of said sleeve and defining a rearwardly facing sealing surface and a forwardly facing annular bearing surface, said flange having a diameter in excess of said threaded opening and dimensioned to be slidably and rotatably accommodated within said sleeve portion; providing a sealing ring having a diameter corresponding essentially to said flange diameter and a centrally disposed through flow opening; successively inserting said sealing ring and said swivel cap adapter into said sleeve portion to position said sealing ring adjacent said first stop surface and said flange sealing surface adjacent said sealing ring with said sealing ring and said flange in essential radial alignment with said rear bearing surface of said inner surface; deforming said sleeve portion to radially inwardly displace portions thereof forwardly of said groove for positioning said second stop surface in facing juxtaposed relationship to said flange bearing surface and for positioning said forward bearing surface of said inner surface to slidably and rotatably receive said sleeve, thereby to permanently retain said sealing ring and said swivel cap adapter within said sleeve portion axially intermediate said first and second stop surfaces with said flow openings in essential alignment with said threaded opening; and permanently affixing said sleeve in fluid seal relationship to said tube inlet end to position said base flow opening in flow communication with said tube.

Claim 2

A method of assembling a coupling for use in adjustably-removably attaching an inlet end of a tube to an externally threaded fluid discharge nipple, which comprises: providing a swivel cap having a base portion provided with a through opening threaded to receive said nipple and an integrally formed sleeve portion extending coaxially forwardly of said base portion and having an internal diameter in excess of the diameter of said through opening thereby to define a forwardly facing annular first stop surface; forming an annular groove in the inner surface of said sleeve portion whereby to divide said inner surface into relatively rear and forward bearing surfaces and to define within said groove a rearwardly facing and essentially radially extending annular second stop surface; providing a swivel cap adapter having a base and integral formed sleeve extending co-axially forwardly of said base, said base having a centrally disposed flow opening therethrough and an annular flange extending radially outwardly of said sleeve and defining a rearwardly facing sealing surface and a forwardly facing annular bearing surface, said flange having a diameter in excess of said threaded opening and dimensioned to be slidably and rotatably accommodated within said sleeve portion; providing a sealing ring having a diameter corresponding essentially to said flange diameter and a centrally disposed through flow opening; successively inserting said sealing ring and said swivel cap adapter into said sleeve portion to position said sealing ring adjacent said first stop surface and said flange sealing surface adjacent said sealing ring with said sealing ring and said flange in essential radial alignment with said rear bearing surface of said inner surface; deforming said sleeve portion to radially inwardly displace portions thereof forwardly of said groove for positioning said second stop surface in facing juxtaposed relationship to said flange bearing surface and for positioning said forward bearing surface of said inner surface to slidably and rotatably receive said sleeve, thereby to permanently retain said sealing ring and said swivel cap adapter within said sleeve portion axially intermediate said first and second stop surfaces with said flow openings in essential alignment with said threaded opening; and permanently affixing said sleeve in fluid seal relationship to said tube inlet end to position said base flow opening in flow communication with said tube.