Conduit fitting with components adapted for facilitating assembly

Abstract

A subassembly for a conduit fitting includes a first ferrule and a second ferrule alignable relative to an axis. The first ferrule includes a camming surface at a back portion thereof, and the second ferrule includes a surface that contacts the camming surface when the first ferrule and the second ferrule are axially moved together along the axis. A retaining structure retains the first ferrule and the second ferrule together as a subassembly, and includes a flange extending radially outward and axially rearward from the back portion of the first ferrule to define an outer diameter recess. The flange includes an end portion that extends radially inward to define an inner diameter recess retaining a forward portion of the second ferrule. The outer diameter recess and the inner diameter recess together define a hinge portion of the flange.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A subassembly for a conduit fitting, comprising:
 a first ferrule and a second ferrule being alignable relative to an axis, the first ferrule comprising a camming surface at a back portion thereof, the second ferrule comprising a surface that contacts the camming surface when the first ferrule and the second ferrule are axially moved together along the axis; and   a retaining structure that retains the first ferrule and the second ferrule together as a subassembly, the retaining structure comprising a flange extending radially outward and axially rearward from the back portion of the first ferrule to define an outer diameter recess;   wherein the flange includes an end portion that extends radially inward to define an inner diameter recess retaining a forward portion of the second ferrule; and   wherein the outer diameter recess and the inner diameter recess together define a hinge portion of the flange.   
     
     
         2 . The subassembly of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge portion comprises an annular web. 
     
     
         3 . The subassembly of  claim 2 , wherein the annular web extends radially outward and axially rearward from the back portion of the first ferrule. 
     
     
         4 . The subassembly of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge portion has a thickness smaller than a thickness of the flange end portion. 
     
     
         5 . The subassembly of  claim 1  wherein the hinge portion comprises a flexible geometry that elastically deforms when the forward portion of the second ferrule portion is inserted into the inner diameter recess. 
     
     
         6 . The subassembly of  claim 1  wherein the first ferrule and the second ferrule are circumferentially continuous and comprise metal. 
     
     
         7 . The subassembly of  claim 1 , wherein the forward portion of the second ferrule is loosely retained in the inner diameter recess to permit free rotation of the second ferrule with respect to the first ferrule, 
     
     
         8 . The subassembly of  claim 1 , wherein the forward portion of the second ferrule engages the flange end portion to apply at least one of an axial load and a radial load to the forward portion of the second ferrule to hold the second ferrule together with the first ferrule. 
     
     
         9 . The subassembly of  claim 1 , wherein the flange comprises a first flange, and wherein the back portion of the body comprises a second radially outward extending flange separated from the first flange by the web. 
     
     
         10 . The subassembly of  claim 1 , wherein the forward portion of the second ferrule comprises a radially extending crown. 
     
     
         11 . The subassembly of  claim 1 , wherein when the subassembly is assembled with a conduit fitting and pulled up on a conduit, the second ferrule releases from the retaining structure. 
     
     
         12 . A ferrule comprising:
 a unitary body with a bore therethrough along an axis and a camming surface at a back portion thereof; and   a flange extending radially outward and axially rearward from the back portion of the body to define an outer diameter recess, wherein the flange includes an end portion that extends radially inward to define an inner diameter recess, and wherein the outer diameter recess and the inner diameter recess together define a hinge portion of the flange.   
     
     
         13 . The ferrule of  claim 12 , wherein the hinge portion comprises an annular web. 
     
     
         14 . The ferrule of  claim 13 , wherein the annular web extends radially outward and axially rearward from the back portion of the ferrule body. 
     
     
         15 . The ferrule of  claim 12 , wherein the hinge portion has a thickness smaller than a thickness of the flange end portion. 
     
     
         16 . The ferrule of  claim 12 , wherein the hinge portion comprises a flexible geometry that elastically deforms when a forward portion of a second ferrule portion is inserted into the inner diameter recess. 
     
     
         17 . The ferrule of  claim 12 , wherein the ferrule is circumferentially continuous and comprises metal. 
     
     
         18 . The ferrule of  claim 12 , wherein the flange comprises a first flange, and wherein the back portion of the body comprises a second radially outward extending flange separated from the first flange by the web. 
     
     
         19 . A conduit fitting comprising:
 first and second fitting components that can be joined to define an internal cavity;   a first ferrule and a second ferrule disposed in the internal cavity and aligned relative to an axis, the first ferrule comprising a camming surface at a back portion thereof, the second ferrule comprising a surface that contacts the camming surface when the first ferrule and the second ferrule are axially moved together along the axis; and   a retaining structure that retains the first ferrule and the second ferrule together as a subassembly, the retaining structure comprising a flange extending radially outward and axially rearward from the back portion of the first ferrule to define an outer diameter recess;   wherein the flange includes an end portion that extends radially inward to define an inner diameter recess retaining a forward portion of the second ferrule; and   wherein the outer diameter recess and the inner diameter recess together define a hinge portion of the flange.   
     
     
         20 . The conduit fitting of  claim 19 , wherein when the conduit fitting is pulled up on a conduit, the second ferrule releases from the retaining structure.