Connector for connecting small diameter pipe

Claim 1

A connector for connecting a small diameter conduit, said conduit having an end, an outer peripheral surface and an annular protrudent wall spaced from the end, said connector comprising: a joint body having an insertion bore extending axially therethrough for receiving the conduit, said insertion bore including a large diameter portion defining an inlet at one axial end of the joint body, a small diameter portion spaced from the large diameter portion and an intermediate diameter portion disposed intermediate the large and small diameter portions, at least one opening extending through the large diameter portion; sealing means disposed in the intermediate diameter portion of the insertion bore for sealing engagement with the outer peripheral surface of a conduit inserted therein; a holder having opposed ends, with a ring at one said end for engagement around the conduit and at least one elastically deflectable holder pawl at the opposed end, said holder pawl including a surface facing the ring for engaging the opening in the joint body and a tip facing away from the ring for engaging the annular protrudent wall of the conduit and retaining the conduit in the insertion bore of the joint body; and a confirmative member movable in the axial direction from the outside of the joint body and having at least one elastic confirmative pawl axially movable relative to the opening in the large diameter portion of the joint body and selectively engageable with the tip of the holder pawl, whereby the confirmative member is axially retained by the tip of the holder pawl prior to complete insertion of the conduit into the insertion bore of the joint body, and whereby the annular protrudent wall of the conduit urges the confirmative pawl out of engagement with the tip of the holder pawl to permit axial movement of the confirmative member upon complete insertion of the conduit into the joint body.