Fitting for externally grooved end portions of tubular bodies

Claim 2

A fitting for attachment to an end portion of a tube having circumferentially extending external ribs alternating with circumferentially extending external grooves, comprising a sleeve including a tubular section having a tube-receiving end arranged to receive the end portion of a tube; and a substantially circumferentially extending elastic prong having a first end integral with said section and a free second end, said section having a slot surrounding said prong and said prong having an inner side provided with a protuberance arranged to enter a groove of the end portion which is introduced into said section, said section further having an internal surface, an external surface and lateral surfaces bounding a portion of said slot and extending substantially circumferentially of said section, one of said lateral surfaces being disposed between said tube-receiving end and the other of said lateral surfaces and being inclined from said external surface toward said internal surface in a direction toward said tube-receiving end, said prong having a lateral surface adjacent and complementary to the one lateral surface of said section.

Claim 3

The fitting of claim 1, wherein said section and the first end of said prong define an elastic hinge which is constructed and arranged to permit outward flexing of said prong in a direction to extract said protuberance from a groove of the end portion in said section.

Claim 4

The fitting of claim 1, wherein said protuberance extends in the circumferential direction of said section and said prong has a plurality of substantially circumferentially extending lateral surfaces at least one of which is at least substantially parallel with said protuberance.

Claim 5

The fitting of claim 1, wherein said protuberance has a flank facing said tube-receiving end and at least a portion of said flank slopes from said internal surface toward the axis of said section in a direction away from said tube-receiving end.

Claim 6

The fitting of claim 1, wherein the height of said protuberance in the radial direction of said section varies in a direction from one of said first and second ends toward the other of said first and second ends.

Claim 7

The fitting of claim 1, wherein said protuberance is spaced apart from the first end of said prong.

Claim 8

The fitting of claim 1, wherein said section and said first end of said prong define an elastic hinge which is constructed and arranged to permit flexing of said prong in the radial and axial directions of said section.

Claim 9

The fitting of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of one of said lateral surfaces is at least substantially parallel to at least a portion of the other of said lateral surfaces.

Claim 10

The fitting of claim 1, wherein said protuberance has a first flank facing toward and a second flank facing away from said tube-receiving end, said flanks extending substantially circumferentially of said section and said second flank being steeper relative to the axis of said section than said first flank.

Claim 11

The fitting of claim 9, wherein said second flank is substantially normal to the axis of said section.

Claim 12

The fitting of claim 9, wherein said second flank makes an acute angle with a plane which is normal to the axis of said section.

Claim 13

The fitting of claim 1, wherein said protuberance has an end face adjacent one of said first and second ends and said end face extends substantially radially of said section.

Claim 14

The fitting of claim 1, wherein said protuberance has an end face adjacent one of said first and second ends and located in a plane which is substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the axis of said section.

Claim 15

The fitting of claim 1, wherein said slot has two substantially parallel portions flanking said prong and extending circumferentially as well as axially of said section.

Claim 16

The fitting of claim 1, wherein said prong has an arcuate shape and extends axially as well as circumferentially of said section.

Claim 17

The fitting of claim 1, wherein said inner side of said prong has a second protuberance extending circumferentially of said section.

Claim 18

The fitting of claim 16, wherein said protuberances are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction of said section.

Claim 19

The fitting of claim 1, wherein said protuberance extends circumferentially of said section along an arc of between approximately 1/3d and 1/5d wherein d is the inner diameter of said section.

Claim 20

The fitting of claim 1, wherein said protuberance extends circumferentially of said section along an arc of at least 100 degrees.

Claim 21

The fitting of claim 1, wherein said protuberance extends circumferentially of said section along an arc of at least 180 degrees.

Claim 22

The fitting of claim 1, wherein said section has at least one additional slot and said sleeve comprises an additional prong in said at least one additional slot.

Claim 23

The fitting of claim 1, wherein said prong has an end face at said second end thereof and said internal surface includes a portion adjacent and making an acute angle with said end face.

Claim 24

The fitting of claim 1, wherein said section has an internal stop for the end portion of a tube therein.

Claim 25

The fitting of claim 23 for attachment to an end portion of a tube wherein a rib and a groove have a predetermined combined width in the axial direction of the tube, said prong being disposed between said stop and said tube-receiving end at a distance from said stop which at least equals said predetermined width.

Claim 26

The fitting of claim 23, wherein said stop has an annular pocket extending substantially axially of said section in a direction away from said tube-receiving end.

Claim 27

The fitting of claim 25, wherein said stop includes a tubular extension which is surrounded by said pocket and extends axially of said section toward said tube-receiving end at least close to said slot.

Claim 28

The fitting of claim 26 for attachment to an end portion of a tube having a predetermined outer diameter and a predetermined inner diameter, wherein said stop has an annular inner surface surrounding said extension in said pocket, and having a first portion nearer to and a second portion more distant from said tube-receiving end, said first portion having a diameter smaller and said second portion having a diameter greater than said inner diameter, said stop further having an outer surface surrounding said pocket and at least a portion of said outer surface having a diameter at least equal said outer diameter.

Claim 29

The fitting of claim 26 for attachment to an end portion of a tube having a predetermined inner diameter and a predetermined outer diameter, wherein said stop has an annular inner surface surrounding said extension and an annular outer surface bounding said pocket, said pocket having a bottom end remote from said tube-receiving end and said inner surface having a portion adjacent said bottom end and having a diameter greater than said inner diameter, said outer surface having a portion adjacent said bottom end and having a diameter at most equal to said outer diameter.

Claim 30

The fitting of claim 26 for attachment to an end portion of a tube having a predetermined inner diameter and a predetermined outer diameter, wherein said stop has an annular inner surface surrounding said extension and an annular outer surface surrounding said pocket, said inner surface having a maximum-diameter portion with a diameter at least equal to said inner diameter and said outer surface having a minimum-diameter portion at most equal to said outer diameter.

Claim 31

A fitting for attachment to an end portion of a tube having circumferentially extending external ribs alternating with circumferentially extending external grooves, comprising a sleeve including a tubular section having a tube-receiving end arranged to receive the end portion of a tube; and a substantially circumferentially extending elastic prong having a first end integral with said section and a free second end, said section having a slot surrounding said prong and said prong having an inner side provided with a protuberance arranged to enter a groove of the end portion which is introduced into said section, said section further, an external surface and an internal surface, said slot having a first substantially circumferentially extending portion nearer to and a second substantially circumferentially extending portion more distant from said tube-receiving end, at least the first portion of said slot sloping in a direction toward said tube-receiving end, said protuberance being spaced apart from one end of said prong and said part of the first portion of said slot being adjacent said protuberance.

Claim 32

A fitting for attachment to an end portion of a tube having circumferentially extending external ribs alternating with circumferentially extending external grooves, comprising a sleeve including a tubular section having a tube-receiving end arranged to receive the end portion of a tube; and a substantially circumferentially extending elastic prong having a first end integral with said section and a free second end, said section having a slot surrounding said prong and said prong having an inner side provided with a protuberance arranged to enter a groove of the end portion which is introduced into said section, said section further, an external surface and an internal surface, said slot having a first substantially circumferentially extending portion nearer to and a second substantially circumferentially extending portion more distant from said tube-receiving end, at least the first portion of said slot sloping in a direction toward said tube-receiving end, said protuberance being spaced apart from one end of said prong and said part of the first portion of said slot being adjacent said protuberance.

Claim 33

A fitting for attachment to an end portion of a tube having circumferentially extending external ribs alternating with circumferentially extending external grooves, comprising a sleeve including a tubular section having a tube-receiving end arranged to receive the end portion of a tube; and a substantially circumferentially extending elastic prong having a first end integral with said section and a free second end, said section having a slot surrounding said prong and said prong having an inner side provided with a protuberance arranged to enter a groove of the end portion which is introduced into said section, said section further having an external surface and an internal surface, said slot having a first substantially circumferentially extending portion nearer to and a second substantially circumferentially extending portion more distant from said tube-receiving end, at least the first portion of said slot sloping at least in part from said external surface toward said internal surface in a direction toward said tube-receiving end, said second end of said prong being movable within said slot in the axial direction of said section toward and away from said tube-receiving end as the tube engages with or disengages from the protuberance.

Claim 34

A fitting for attachment to an end portion of a tube having circumferentially extending external ribs alternating with circumferentially extending external grooves, comprising a sleeve including a tubular section having a tube-receiving end arranged to receive the end portion of a tube; and a substantially circumferentially extending elastic prong having a first end integral with said section and a free second end, said section having a slot surrounding said prong and said prong having an inner side provided with a protuberance arranged to enter a groove of the end portion which is introduced into said section, said section further having an external surface and an internal surface, said slot having a first substantially circumferentially extending portion nearer to and a second substantially circumferentially extending portion more distant from said tube-receiving end, at least the first portion of said slot sloping at least in part from said external surface toward said internal surface in a direction toward said tube-receiving end, said second end of said prong being movable within said slot in the axial direction of said section toward and away from said tube-receiving end as the tube engages with or disengages from the protuberance.

Claim 35

A fitting for attachment to an end portion of a tube having circumferentially extending external ribs alternating with circumferentially extending external grooves, comprising a sleeve including a tubular section arranged to receive the end portion of a tube; and a substantially circumferentially extending elastic prong having a first end integral with said section and a free second end, said section having a slot surrounding said prong and said prong having an inner side provided with a protuberance arranged to enter a groove of the end portion which is introduced into said section, said section further having an internal surface and a projection remote from said prong and receivable in a groove of the end portion in said section and disposed substantially diametrically opposite said protuberance.

Claim 36

A fitting for attachment to an end portion of a tube having circumferentially extending external ribs alternating with circumferentially extending external grooves, comprising a sleeve including a tubular section arranged to receive the end portion of a tube; and a substantially circumferentially extending elastic prong having a first end integral with said section and a free second end, said section having a slot surrounding said prong and said prong having an inner side provided with a protuberance arranged to enter a groove of the end portion which is introduced into said section, said section further having an internal surface and a projection remote from said prong and receivable in a groove of the end portion in said section and disposed substantially diametrically opposite said protuberance.

Claim 37

The fitting of claim 32, wherein said projection extends substantially circumferentially of said section and has two ends and an intermediate portion, said intermediate portion being nearer to the axis of said section than at least one end of said projection.

Claim 38

A fitting for attachment to an end portion of a tube having circumferentially extending external ribs alternating with circumferentially extending external grooves, comprising a sleeve including a tubular section arranged to receive the end portion of a tube; and a substantially circumferentially extending elastic prong having a first end integral with said section and a free second end, said section having a slot surrounding said prong and said prong having an inner side provided with a first protuberance arranged to enter a groove of the end portion which is introduced into said section, and a second protuberance extending circumferentially of said section, said protuberances being spaced apart from each other in the axial direction of said section, one of said protuberances having a gap and the other of said protuberances being in line with said gap in the axial direction of said section.

Claim 39

A fitting for attachment to an end portion of a tube having circumferentially extending external ribs alternating with circumferentially extending external grooves, comprising a sleeve including a tubular section arranged to receive the end portion of a tube; and a substantially circumferentially extending elastic prong having a first end integral with said section and a free second end, said section having a slot surrounding said prong and said prong having an inner side provided with a first protuberance arranged to enter a groove of the end portion which is introduced into said section, and a second protuberance extending circumferentially of said section, said protuberances being spaced apart from each other in the axial direction of said section, one of said protuberances having a gap and the other of said protuberances being in line with said gap in the axial direction of said section.

Claim 40

A fitting for attachment to an end portion of a tube having circumferentially extending external ribs alternating with circumferentially extending external grooves, comprising a sleeve including a tubular section arranged to receive the end portion of a tube; and a substantially circumferentially extending elastic prong having a first end integral with said section and a free second end, said section having a slot surrounding said prong and said prong having an inner side provided with a protuberance arranged to enter a groove of the end portion which is introduced into said section, said protuberance including a plurality of portions which are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of said section.

Claim 41

A fitting for attachment to an end portion of a tube having circumferentially extending external ribs alternating with circumferentially extending external grooves, comprising a sleeve including a tubular section arranged to receive the end portion of a tube; and a substantially circumferentially extending elastic prong having a first end integral with said section and a free second end, said section having a slot surrounding said prong and said prong having an inner side provided with a protuberance arranged to enter a groove of the end portion which is introduced into said section, said protuberance including a plurality of portions which are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of said section.

Claim 42

A fitting for attachment to an end portion of a tube having circumferentially extending external ribs alternating with circumferentially extending external grooves, comprising a sleeve including a tubular section arranged to receive the end portion of a tube; and a substantially circumferentially extending elastic first prong having a first end integral with said section and a free second end, said section having a first slot surrounding said first prong and said first prong having an inner side provided with a protuberance arranged to enter a groove of the end portion which is introduced into said section, said section having at least one additional slot and said sleeve comprising an additional prong in said at least one additional slot, the first end of one of said prongs being nearer to the first end than to the second end of the other of said prongs and said first end of said one prong being more distant from the second end than from the first end of said other prong.

Claim 43

A fitting for attachment to an end portion of a tube having circumferentially extending external ribs alternating with circumferentially extending external grooves, comprising a sleeve including a tubular section arranged to receive the end portion of a tube; and a substantially circumferentially extending elastic first prong having a first end integral with said section and a free second end, said section having a first slot surrounding said first prong and said first prong having an inner side provided with a protuberance arranged to enter a groove of the end portion which is introduced into said section, said section having at least one additional slot and said sleeve comprising an additional prong in said at least one additional slot, the first end of one of said prongs being nearer to the first end than to the second end of the other of said prongs and said first end of said one prong being more distant from the second end than from the first end of said other prong.

Claim 44

A fitting for attachment to an end portion of a tube having circumferentially extending external ribs alternating with circumferentially extending external grooves, comprising a sleeve including a tubular section arranged to receive the end portion of a tube; and a substantially circumferentially extending elastic prong having a first end integral with said section and a free second end, said section having a slot surrounding said prong and said prong having an inner side provided with a protuberance arranged to enter a groove of the end portion which is introduced into said section, said section further having a tube-receiving end and an internal stop for the end portion of a tube therein, said stop having an annular pocket extending substantially axially of said section in a direction away from said tube-receiving end, said stop further having confronting annular inner and outer surfaces bounding said pocket and at least a portion of at least one of said inner and outer surfaces being inclined toward the other of said inner and outer surfaces in a direction away from said tube-receiving end so as to reduce the radial width of the corresponding portion of said pocket.

Claim 45

A fitting for attachment to an end portion of a tube having circumferentially extending external ribs alternating with circumferentially extending external grooves, comprising a sleeve including a tubular section arranged to receive the end portion of a tube; and a substantially circumferentially extending elastic prong having a first end integral with said section and a free second end, said section having a slot surrounding said prong and said prong having an inner side provided with a protuberance arranged to enter a groove of the end portion which is introduced into said section, said section further having a tube-receiving end and an internal stop for the end portion of a tube therein, said stop having an annular pocket extending substantially axially of said section in a direction away from said tube-receiving end, said stop further having confronting annular inner and outer surfaces bounding said pocket and at least a portion of at least one of said inner and outer surfaces being inclined toward the other of said inner and outer surfaces in a direction away from said tube-receiving end so as to reduce the radial width of the corresponding portion of said pocket.

Claim 46

The fitting of claim 37, wherein the width of said pocket is such that at least one of said inner and outer surfaces is contacted by the end portion which is inserted into said section by way of said tube-receiving end and extends into said pocket.

Claim 47

A fitting for attachment to an end portion of a tube having circumferentially extending external ribs alternating with circumferentially extending external grooves, comprising a sleeve including a tubular section arranged to receive the end portion of a tube; and a substantially circumferentially extending elastic prong having a first end integral with said section and a free second end, said section having a slot surrounding said prong and said prong having an inner side provided with a protuberance arranged to enter a groove of the end portion which is introduced into said section, said section having an internal stop for the end portion of a tube therein and said section further having a tube-receiving end, said stop having an annular pocket extending substantially axially of said section in a direction away from said tube-receiving end and said stop including a tubular extension which is surrounded by said pocket, the thickness of said extension increasing radially of said section in a direction away from said tube-receiving end.

Claim 48

A fitting for attachment to an end portion of a tube having circumferentially extending external ribs alternating with circumferentially extending external grooves, comprising a sleeve including a tubular section arranged to receive the end portion of a tube; and a substantially circumferentially extending elastic prong having a first end integral with said section and a free second end, said section having a slot surrounding said prong and said prong having an inner side provided with a protuberance arranged to enter a groove of the end portion which is introduced into said section, said section having an internal stop for the end portion of a tube therein and said section further having a tube-receiving end, said stop having an annular pocket extending substantially axially of said section in a direction away from said tube-receiving end and said stop including a tubular extension which is surrounded by said pocket, the thickness of said extension increasing radially of said section in a direction away from said tube-receiving end.