Connector for tube of small diameter

Claim 1

A connector for a tube having a small diameter and opposed first and second ends, said tube further including an outwardly swelling annular portion in proximity to the first end of the tube, said connector comprising: a body defining a generally tubular wall having opposed front and rear axial ends, an axially extending communication hole formed in the front axial end of the tubular wall, a large stepped chamber formed in the rear axial end of the tubular wall of the body and communicating with the communication hole at the front end of the body, said chamber being dimensioned to receive the outwardly swelling annular portion of the tube, a jaw wall protruding outwardly from the rear end of the tubular wall, and annular seal means mounted in the chamber for providing sealing between the tube and the body, the seal means including a central aperture for receiving the first end of the tube and being dimensioned to be abutted by the outwardly swelling annular portion of the tube spaced from the first end thereof; at least one socket member for engaging a side of the outwardly swelling annular portion of the tube facing the second end of the tube and thereby retaining the first end of the tube in the socket, said socket member including a base mounted against the rear axial end of the body and at least one resilient claw wall having a front end protruding forwardly from the base of the socket member such that the front end of the resilient claw wall extends into the chamber of the body, the length of each said claw wall being selected such that the front end thereof engages the outwardly swelling annular portion of the tube and retains the outwardly swelling annular portion of the tube against the annular sealing means; and a retaining member comprising an annular wall engaging a face of the base of the socket member opposite the body and a plurality of axially extending claw walls extending axially over the outer periphery of the socket member and the jaw wall of the base, each said engaging claw wall including a forward end portion bent radially inwardly into tight engagement with a forwardly facing portion of the jaw wall for securely retaining the socket member against the rear axial end of the body.