Tube fitting

Abstract

A tube fitting capable of absorbing vibration and shock resulting from a high pressure fluid passing through the tube fitting while it is used includes a connection head, a connection nipple, and an intermediate connection member. The connection head and the connection nipple are provided with an annular collar projecting from an end surface of the connection head and the connection nipple. The connection head, the connection nipple and the intermediate connection member are joined by inserting the annular collars into both ends of the intermediate connection member.

1 . A tube fitting comprising: 
 a connection head adapted for connection to an object at one end, said connection head including an annular collar projecting axially from another end of said connection head and a first axial flow passage;    a connection nipple having a connection portion adapted for connection to another object at one end, said connection nipple including an annular collar projecting axially from another end of said connection nipple toward said connection head and a second axial flow passage; and    an intermediate connection member interposed between said connection head and said connection nipple and having a third axial flow passage for communicating with said first and second axial flow passages, said annular collars projecting from said connection head and said connection nipple engaging said intermediate connection member and fixing said connection head and said connection nipple relative to said intermediate connection member.    
   
   
       2 . A tube fitting as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said intermediate connection member is provided with annular grooves corresponding to each of said annular collars projecting from said connection head and said connection nipple, each of said annular grooves engaging one of said annular collars to join said connection head, said connection nipple and said intermediate connection member.  
   
   
       3 . A tube fitting as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said intermediate connection member is integrally molded onto said annular collars.  
   
   
       4 . A tube fitting as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said annular collars are held in said annular groove by an adhesive.  
   
   
       5 . A tube fitting as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said annular collars are provided with at least one through-hole.  
   
   
       6 . A tube fitting as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each of said annular collars of said connection head and said connection nipple is provided with a protrusion around a circumferential surface thereof and said intermediate connection member is provided with channels corresponding to each of said protrusions for permitting said protrusions to press to fit in said channels to join said connection head, said connection nipple and said intermediate connection member.  
   
   
       7 . A tube fitting as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said intermediate connection member has vibration absorption characteristics different from at least one of said connection head and said connection nipple.  
   
   
       8 . A tube fitting as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said connection head is rotatable.  
   
   
       9 . A tube fitting as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said connection nipple is rotatable.  
   
   
       10 . A tube fitting comprising: 
 a connection head adapted for connection to an object at one end, said connection head including an annular collar projecting axially from another end of said connection head and a first axial flow passage;    a connection nipple having a connection portion adapted for connection to another object at one end, said connection nipple including an annular collar projecting axially from another end of said connection nipple toward said connection head and a second axial flow passage; and    an intermediate connection member engaging said annular collars projecting from said connection head and said connection nipple to fix said connection head and said connection nipple relative to said intermediate connection member formed interposed between said connection head, said intermediate connection member having a third axial flow passage for communicating with said first and second axial flow passages.    
   
   
       11 . A tube fitting as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said intermediate connection member is provided with annular grooves corresponding to each of said annular collars projecting from said connection head and said connection nipple, each of said annular collars engaging said annular grooves to join said connection head, said connection nipple and said intermediate connection member.  
   
   
       12 . A tube fitting as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said intermediate connection member is integrally molded onto said annular collars.  
   
   
       13 . A tube fitting as defined in  claim 11 , wherein said annular collars are held in said annular groove by an adhesive.  
   
   
       14 . A tube fitting as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said annular collars are provided with at least one through-holes.  
   
   
       15 . A tube fitting as defined in  claim 10 , wherein each of said annular collars projecting from said connection head and connection nipple is provided with a protrusion around a circumferential surface thereof and said intermediate connection member is provided with channels corresponding to each of said protrusions for permitting said protrusions to press to fit in said channels and join said connection head, said connection nipple and said intermediate connection member.  
   
   
       16 . A tube fitting as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said intermediate connection member has vibration absorption characteristics different from at least one of said connection head and said connection nipple.  
   
   
       17 . A tube fitting as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said connection head is rotatable.  
   
   
       18 . A tube fitting as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said connection nipple is rotatable.  
   
   
       19 . A method of making a tube fitting, said method comprising: 
 providing a connection head adapted for connection to an object at one end, said connection head including an annular collar projecting axially from another end of said connection head and a first axial flow passage;    providing a connection nipple having a connection portion adapted for connection to another object at one end, said connection nipple including an annular collar projecting axially from another end of said connection nipple toward said connection head and a second axial flow passage; and    forming an intermediate connection member onto said annular collars projecting from said connection head and said connection nipple to axially fix said connection head relative to said connection nipple, said intermediate connection member having a third axial flow passage for communicating with said first and second axial flow passages.    
   
   
       20 . The method as defined in  claim 19 , in which said intermediate connection member extends into at least one through-hole formed in at least one of said collars.