Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
228 words
A releasable coupling device for a tube, said releasable coupling device comprising: a fitting having a bore therein and an opening into the bore through which the tube is to be inserted, the internal diameter of said opening being greater than the diameter of said bore; a retaining ring in said opening having a plurality of axially extending, inwardly biased fingers adapted to engage said tube when said tube is inserted into said fitting towards said bore so that said tube is restrained against axial movement out of said fitting; unlocking means for forcing said plurality of fingers radially outward to cause disengagement of said fingers from said tube; and wherein said retaining ring comprises a multi-sided web portion having said plurality of fingers depending therefrom, adjacent sides of said web portion defining a plurality of conrners, the diameter of an imaginary circle passing through said corners being greater than the diameter of said opening before said retaining ring is inserted in said opening and the diameter of an imaginary circle passing through the mid-point of said sides being less than the diameter of said opening before said retaining ring is inserted in said opening whereby said retaining ring may be support solely within said opening by the engagement of said corners against the side wall of said opening when said retaining ring is inserted into said opening.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
228 words
A releasable coupling device for a tube, said releasable coupling device comprising: a fitting having a bore therein and an opening into the bore through which the tube is to be inserted, the internal diameter of said opening being greater than the diameter of said bore; a retaining ring in said opening having a plurality of axially extending, inwardly biased fingers adapted to engage said tube when said tube is inserted into said fitting towards said bore so that said tube is restrained against axial movement out of said fitting; unlocking means for forcing said plurality of fingers radially outward to cause disengagement of said fingers from said tube; and wherein said retaining ring comprises a multi-sided web portion having said plurality of fingers depending therefrom, adjacent sides of said web portion defining a plurality of conrners, the diameter of an imaginary circle passing through said corners being greater than the diameter of said opening before said retaining ring is inserted in said opening and the diameter of an imaginary circle passing through the mid-point of said sides being less than the diameter of said opening before said retaining ring is inserted in said opening whereby said retaining ring may be support solely within said opening by the engagement of said corners against the side wall of said opening when said retaining ring is inserted into said opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The releasable coupling device of claim 1 wherein the number of sides of said multi-sided web portion corresponds to the number of fingers depending therefrom.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The releasable coupling device of claim 2 wherein the number of sides of said multi-sided web portion is at least 8.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The releasable coupling device of claim 3 wherein the number of sides of said multi-sided web portion is at least 16.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The coupling device of claim 1 wherein each of said fingers depending from said web portion is inclined relative to said web portion so that the ends of said fingers remote from said web portion are directed inwardly of said web portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The releasable coupling device of claim 1 wherein the difference between said diameter of said circle passing through said corners and said diameter of said opening is between 0.001-0.004 inches.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The releasable coupling device of claim 1 wherein said multi-side web portion is discontinuous.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The releasable coupling device of claim 1 wherein said plurality of fingers depend longitudinally from said web portion and wherein at least a longitudinal portion of each of said depending fingers is substantially flat along the longitudinal length of said longitudinal portion.