Coupling device for tube with annular corrugations

Abstract

The disclosure includes the combination of a flexible rubber tube with annular corrugations and a coupling device for connecting the tube to a fitting. The device includes a latch secured to an end of the tube and a catch associated with the fitting. When the latch is engaged with the catch, the device forces the specially shaped flat annular side wall of the forward most corrugation into surface-to-surface contact with an annular end face of the fitting.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for making a device adapted to couple to a fitting having a tubular portion that defines a passage and a catch, the catch including a frustoconical surface portion forward of the tubular portion that extends from a smaller diameter annular end face to a larger diameter base wall, the base wall and the frustoconical surface portion intersecting at an edge, the method comprising:
 placing a sleeve of uncured rubber having preliminary annular impressions formed thereon on a mandrel in an axially foreshortened condition to define preliminary annular corrugations including a forward most preliminary annular corrugation having a preliminary initial ridge with a preliminary forward side wall and a preliminary initial groove;   providing a latch formed of thermoplastic material and having a relatively flat body defining an opening and at least two arms attached to and symmetrically spaced around said body, wherein each of said arms having a latching tooth on its outer end and extending radially inward therefrom, said arms being adapted to move between a radially inward relaxed position and a radially outward flexed position;   mounting the latch on the sleeve of uncured rubber such that the forward most preliminary annular corrugation passes through the opening, the body is received in said preliminary initial groove, and the at least two arms extend forward beyond said preliminary annular corrugation;   placing said fitting on said mandrel with said catch in position for engagement with said latch;   pressing the latch onto the fitting to connect said latch to said catch, wherein when the latch is pressed onto the fitting said arms are forced radially outward by the frustoconical surface portion of said catch until said latch and said catch reach a limit position whereupon said arms move radially inward to bring said latching teeth past the edge and into latching engagement with said catch, and wherein when said latch is connected to said catch, said preliminary initial ridge is captured between the end face of said fitting and the body of the latch with said preliminary forward side wall of said preliminary initial ridge being tightly pressed against said end face of said fitting and thereby forming an annular seal;   heating said mandrel and sleeve with said latch connected to said catch until the sleeve of uncured rubber has cured; and   disconnecting said latch from said catch to obtain said device, said device comprising a flexible tube formed of cured rubber having annular corrugations defined by alternating ridges and grooves including a forward end with the latch mounted thereon.