Method of making an improved hose and tube coupling

Claim 1

In a method of making an improved permanently attachable coupling member for the end of a hose or tube for use in the conveyance of fluids under pressure, said coupling member comprising a body member comprised of a coupling attachment means end, a nipple extending from said attachment means end, an external annular protruding member and external recessed securement means disposed intermediate said attachment means end and said nipple, a shell member disposed concentrically about the nipple and secured at one end thereof to the body member, the method including the steps of: a. Forming a plurality of longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced ribs on the inner wall of an elongate member having a longitudinal central axis therethrough, said ribs extending inwardly towards the said central longitudinal axis from a base thereof integral with the inner wall of the said elongate member; b. Providing a length of the elongate member suitable for use as a shell for the coupling member; c. Inserting a shaped forming tool into the formed elongate member and removing a portion of the ribs by rotational means so as to provide an elongate member defining an intermediate portion, a first portion axially extending from an end of the intermediate portion to a first end thereof, and a second portion axially extending from the opposite end of the intermediate portion to a second end thereof, said intermediate portion having disposed on the inner wall thereof, a plurality of solid, substantially symmetrical, three-dimensional circumferentially spaced barbs having a base thereof integral with the inner wall and extending radially inwardly from the base towards the central longitudinal axis of the elongate member and ending in a substantially pointed apex; d. Forming said first portion of the elongate member into a substantially frusto-conical shape terminating at the first end of the elongate member; e. Inserting said coupling member nipple into the elongate member from the first end thereof so that the elongate member is disposed concentrically about the nipple and said first end is axially aligned radially outwardly from the coupling body member securement means; and f. Compressing said first end into the coupling body member securement means to provide a shell in secured relationship therewith.