Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
A coupling for connecting an end of a first tubular component with a second tubular component having an end provided with an external retaining part, comprising a tubular member including a first end portion connectable with the end of the first component and a second end portion arranged to receive the end of the second component and substantially axially extending radially flexible elastic arms yieldably engaging the retaining part when the second end portion receives the end of the second component, said arms being of one piece with said second end portion; at least one annular sealing element receivable between the second end portion of said member and the end of the second component; an annular locking element surrounding and movable relative to said member between first and second positions; and elastic prongs of one piece with and extending substantially axially of and beyond said locking element, each of said prongs overlying and yieldably bearing against one of said arms in the first position but permitting radially outward movement of the respective arm in the second position of said locking element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
A coupling for connecting an end of a first tubular component with a second tubular component having an end provided with an external retaining part, comprising a tubular member including a first end portion connectable with the end of the first component and a second end portion arranged to receive the end of the second component and substantially axially extending radially flexible elastic arms yieldably engaging the retaining part when the second end portion receives the end of the second component, said arms being of one piece with said second end portion; at least one annular sealing element receivable between the second end portion of said member and the end of the second component; an annular locking element surrounding and movable relative to said member between first and second positions; and elastic prongs of one piece with and extending substantially axially of and beyond said locking element, each of said prongs overlying and yieldably bearing against one of said arms in the first position but permitting radially outward movement of the respective arm in the second position of said locking element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The coupling of claim 1, wherein at least one of said prongs has an internal projection and at least one of said arms has an external hurdle over which the at least one projection is caused to advance during movement of said locking element between said first and second positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The coupling of claim 1, further comprising means for preventing movements of said locking element beyond said first position in a direction away from said second position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The coupling of claim 3, wherein said preventing means comprises a stop on at least one of said arms.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The coupling of claim 1 wherein the external retaining part includes a circumferentially extending rib, wherein said arms have inner sides provided with grooves which receive portions of the rib when the end of the second component is received in the second end portion of said member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
The coupling of claim 1, wherein said member has a window and a tongue in said window, said tongue being movable relative to said window between a radially outer position to block the movement of said locking element to said second position and a radially inner position in which said locking element is free to move to said second position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The coupling of claim 6, wherein said tongue is elastic and is of one piece with the end portions of said member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The coupling of claim 6, wherein said tongue is elastic and tends to assume said radially outer position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The coupling of claim 6, wherein said locking element at least partially conceals said tongue from view in one of said first and second positions thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The coupling of claim 6, wherein said locking element at least partially conceals said tongue from view in the second position thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
The coupling of claim 1, wherein said locking element has at least one follower and said member has means for guiding said at least one follower so that the at least one follower and the guiding means confine said locking element to movements along a predetermined path between said first and second positions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The coupling of claim 11, wherein said at least one follower includes a projection and said guiding means comprises a track for said projection.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The coupling of claim 12, wherein said projection is provided on one of said prongs.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The coupling of claim 1, wherein said locking element is rotatable relative to said member between said first and second positions thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The coupling of claim 1, wherein said locking element is reciprocable relative to said member between said first and second positions thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
The coupling of claim 1, wherein said member has at least one socket and further comprising means for deforming a portion of the end of the first component into said at least one socket to thus establish a form-locking connection between said member and the first component.