Fitting assembly for deformably sealing corrugated tubing and a method for using the same

Abstract

A fitting assembly for corrugated tubing comprising a body having first connecting means; an insert; locking means having second connecting means; and a resilient ring. The insert is sealingly engaged with the body and includes a transition area of increased outside diameter. The locking means includes an internally directed lip; a substantially conical section; and a retainer disposed between the second connecting means and the conical section. The first and second connecting means engage to removably secure the body to the locking means and to slide the ring within the conical section towards the lip forcing the ring to radially contract into a trough of a corrugated tube and sliding the corrugated tube onto the transition area. Further engagement of the first and second connecting means causes the ring to push on and collapse a ridge of the corrugated tube against the transition area creating a seal therebetween.

1 . A fitting assembly for a corrugated tube, said fitting assembly comprising: 
 a body having first connecting means, a bore, and a first shoulder positioned within said bore;    an insert having a first external surface, a second external surface of increased outside diameter, and a transition area intermediate said first external surface and said second external surface, said insert being receivable in said bore;    locking means having a through bore defining an internal surface, a second shoulder on said internal surface, a section of said internal surface further defining a substantially conical section, a retainer inwardly projecting from said internal surface, and a second connecting means cooperable with said first connecting means; and    a resilient ring having a radially directed split therethrough for allowing said resilient ring to radially flex in response to forces acting thereon, said resilient ring being movably retained between said second shoulder and said retainer;    wherein said insert is sealingly engaged with said body.    
   
   
       2 . The fitting assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of one end of said insert abuts at least a portion of said first shoulder to effect said sealing engagement of said insert and said body.  
   
   
       3 . The fitting assembly of  claim 1 , wherein an opposing end of said insert is positioned to receive said corrugated tube thereon.  
   
   
       4 . The fitting assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said retainer is disposed between said second connecting means and said conical section.  
   
   
       5 . The fitting assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said resilient ring is radially expandable to fit over at least one ridge of said corrugated tube.  
   
   
       6 . The fitting assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said ring is radially contractable so that an inside surface of said resilient ring fits into a trough of said corrugated tube;  
   
   
       7 . The fitting assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second connecting means engage to releasably secure said body to said locking means and to slide said resilient ring within said conical section towards said second shoulder, thereby forcing said resilient ring to radially contract into said trough and sliding said corrugated tube onto said transition area.  
   
   
       8 . The fitting assembly of  claim 7 , wherein further engagement of said first and second connecting means causes said resilient ring to collapse a ridge of said corrugated tube against a trough of said corrugated tube and holds said collapsed ridge against said transition area, the collapsing and holding of said ridge creating a seal between said transition area and said corrugated tube.  
   
   
       9 . The fitting assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said insert is integral with said body at least at said first shoulder.  
   
   
       10 . The fitting assembly for corrugated tubing of  claim 1  wherein said insert is made from a material that is harder than said corrugated tube.  
   
   
       11 . The fitting assembly for corrugated tubing of  claim 1  wherein said insert is made from a material that is softer than said corrugated tube.  
   
   
       12 . The fitting assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said first connecting means comprises male threads and wherein said second connecting means comprises female threads.  
   
   
       13 . The fitting assembly of  claim 1  wherein said ring includes an inside surface contoured to mate with said trough and an outside angled surface matches said conical section.  
   
   
       14 . An assembly for a fitting, said assembly comprising: 
 an adapter having a first bore and first connector;    an insert having a second bore and being sealingly engaged with said adapter;    a nut having a third bore, said nut having a second connector engaged with said first connector; and    a split ring positioned over said insert and between said nut and said adapter;    wherein when said first connector and said second connector are engaged and tightened, said split ring is urged against an outer surface of said insert.    
   
   
       15 . The assembly of  claim 14 , further comprising a corrugated tube inserted through said third bore in said nut and between said outer surface of said insert and said split ring.  
   
   
       16 . The assembly of  claim 14 , wherein said nut comprises a conical inner surface against which said split ring is positioned.  
   
   
       17 . The assembly of  claim 16 , wherein said conical inner surface is bounded at one end by a shoulder and bounded at a second end by a retaining ring.  
   
   
       18 . The assembly of  claim 16 , wherein said first connector and said second connector are engaged and tightened to cause said split ring to translate along said conical inner surface and to deform said corrugated tube to provide a sealed connection.  
   
   
       19 . The assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the deformation of said corrugated tube to provide said sealed connection comprises urging said split ring along said insert and over an area of said insert having an increased diameter.  
   
   
       20 . A method of using a fitting assembly on a corrugated tube, said method including the steps of: 
 providing a fitting assembly for corrugated tubing, said fitting assembly comprising a body having first connecting means, a bore, and a shoulder; an insert having a transition area of increased outside diameter, locking means having an internal surface and a second shoulder, a section of said internal surface further defining a substantially conical section, said locking means further having second connecting means and a retainer inwardly projecting from said internal surface, wherein said retainer is disposed between said second connecting means and said conical section; and a resilient ring having a radially directed split therethrough for allowing said ring to radially flex in response to forces acting thereon;    abutting said insert against said shoulder to sealingly engage said insert with said body;    contracting said ring radially;    inserting said ring through said retainer into a cavity defined by said conical section, said second shoulder, and said retainer;    releasing the ring into an expanded and relaxed state;    sliding said corrugated tube through said locking means and through said ring thereby abutting said ring against said retainer and expanding said ring radially over at least one ridge of said corrugated tube;    positioning an inside surface of said ring in a trough of said corrugated tube;    engaging said first and second connecting means to removably secure said body to said locking means and to slide said ring within said cavity toward said second shoulder forcing said ring to radially contract into said trough and sliding said corrugated tube onto said transition area;    tightening said first and second connecting means to abut said ring against said a second ridge; and    collapsing said second ridge against said transition area to seal said second ridge against said transition area.