Fitting assembly for internally sealing a corrugated tube and a method for using the same

Abstract

A fitting assembly for corrugated tubing is provided including a body, an insert, locking means and a bushing. The body includes first connecting means. The locking means includes second connecting means. The insert is sealingly engaged with the body and includes a transition area of increased outside diameter. The bushing includes an inwardly projecting protrusion for engagement with a trough disposed on an external surface of a corrugated tube. The first and second connecting means engage to removably secure the bushing, an end of the corrugated tube and at least a portion of the insert within the body and the locking means to pinch a circumferential section of the corrugated tube between the protrusion and the transition area, and to seal an internal surface of the circumferential section with the transition area.

1 . A fitting assembly for a corrugated tube comprising: 
 a body having first connecting means, a first bore, a first shoulder in said first bore, and a second shoulder in said first bore;    an insert having a second bore, 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 first bore;    locking means having a through bore, a receiving shoulder in said through bore, and second connecting means selectively receivable on said first connecting means; and    a bushing slidable over said insert and securable in said body and said locking means, a first end of said bushing having an inwardly projecting protrusion for engagement with a trough disposed on an external surface of a corrugated tube.    
   
   
       2 . The fitting assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said first bore transitions to a reduced cross section at said first shoulder and wherein said reduced cross section transitions to a further reduced cross section at said second shoulder.  
   
   
       3 . The fitting assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of one end of said insert abuts at least a portion of said second shoulder, and wherein said insert is sealingly engaged with said body.  
   
   
       4 . The fitting assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a second end of said bushing seats on said receiving shoulder for urging said bushing and an end of said corrugated tube over said insert towards said body.  
   
   
       5 . The fitting assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said first connecting means and said second connecting means engage to releasably secure said bushing, said end of said corrugated tube, and at least a portion of said insert within said body and said locking means.  
   
   
       6 . The fitting assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the engagement of said first connecting means and said second connecting means clamps a circumferential section of said corrugated tube between said protrusion and said transition area to seal an internal surface of said circumferential section with said transition area.  
   
   
       7 . The fitting assembly of  claim 1  wherein said bushing has a plurality of splits axially extending though said protrusion, said splits terminating between said first end and a second end of said bushing, wherein said splits are circumferentially disposed around said bushing to allow said bushing to flex when sliding said bushing along said corrugated tube.  
   
   
       8 . The fitting assembly of  claim 1  wherein said insert is integral with said body.  
   
   
       9 . The fitting assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said bushing is integral with said locking means.  
   
   
       10 . The fitting assembly of  claim 1  wherein said insert is made from a material that is harder than said corrugated tube.  
   
   
       11 . The fitting assembly 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 body is made from a material that is harder than said corrugated tube.  
   
   
       13 . The fitting assembly of  claim 1  wherein said body is made from a material that is softer than said corrugated tube.  
   
   
       14 . The fitting assembly of  claim 1  wherein said first connecting means comprises male threads and wherein said second connecting means comprises female threads.  
   
   
       15 . An internally sealable fitting assembly, comprising: 
 a body having a bore;    an insert coaxially positioned in said bore, said insert being dimensioned to receive a corrugated tube thereon;    a castellated bushing receivable over said insert and said corrugated tube; and    a locking device selectively receivable on said body;    wherein receiving said locking device on said body urges said bushing against said corrugated tube to clamp said corrugated tube against said insert.    
   
   
       16 . The internally sealable fitting assembly of  claim 15 , wherein said bushing comprises a protrusion disposed at the castellated end.  
   
   
       17 . The internally sealable fitting assembly of  claim 16 , wherein said protrusion is receivable in a trough of said corrugated tube to clamp said corrugated tube against said insert.  
   
   
       18 . The internally sealable fitting assembly of  claim 15 , wherein said insert is integral with said body.  
   
   
       19 . The internally sealable fitting assembly of  claim 15 , wherein said bushing is integral with said locking device.  
   
   
       20 . The internally sealable fitting assembly of  claim 15 , wherein said insert comprises a radially-extending curved surface against which said corrugated tube can be clamped.  
   
   
       21 . A method of installing a fitting assembly for a corrugated tube, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a fitting assembly for said corrugated tube comprising a body having first connecting means, a first bore, a first shoulder, and a second shoulder; wherein said first bore transitions to a reduced cross section at said first shoulder, and wherein said reduced cross section transitions to a further reduced cross section at said second shoulder; an insert having a second bore and a transition area of increased outside diameter; locking means having second connecting means disposed therein and an internally directed receiving shoulder; a bushing, a first end thereof having an inwardly projecting protrusion for engagement with a trough disposed on an external surface of said corrugated tube; wherein an opposing end of said bushing seats on said receiving shoulder;    sliding said locking means onto said corrugated tube,    sliding said bushing onto said corrugated tube,    positioning said protrusion into said trough,    abutting said insert against said second shoulder to sealingly engage said insert with said body,    sliding said locking means, said bushing, and said corrugated tube over said insert towards said first shoulder; and    engaging said first and second connecting means to removably secure said bushing, an end of said corrugated tube, and at least a portion of said insert within said body and said locking means, to clamp a circumferential section of said corrugated tube between said transition area and said protrusion and to seal an internal surface of said circumferential section with said transition area.