Push To Connect Coupling

Abstract

There is provided a quick coupling system where the conduit is pushed into the coupling to secure and seal the conduit with the coupling. The coupling system includes a gripping ring and a seal. The seal is located outboard of the gripping ring so that the gripping ring does not damage the outer surface of the conduit engaged by the seal. This improves the sealing effectiveness. The coupling system also may include a wiper outboard of the seal to clean the outer surface of the conduit as the conduit is inserted into the coupling system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A coupling comprising:
 a body defining at least one coupling opening;   a gripping ring fitted into the opening;   a cap secured in the opening outboard of the gripping ring; and   a seal held by the cap outboard of the gripping ring.   
     
     
         2 . The coupling of  claim 1 , wherein the cap is configured to engage the seal so that the seal can deform during engagement by a conduit inserted into the at least one coupling opening. 
     
     
         3 . The coupling of  claim 2 , wherein the cap defines an annular pocket to hold the seal. 
     
     
         4 . The coupling of  claim 3 , wherein the annular pocket has clearance about at least a portion of the seal so that the seal can deform during engagement by a conduit inserted into the at least one coupling opening. 
     
     
         5 . The coupling of  claim 4 , wherein the seal is an o-ring and the annular pocket has a rectangular cross-section. 
     
     
         6 . The coupling of  claim 3 , wherein the seal is an annular seal with a u-shaped configuration, the u-shaped configuration having a base portion and two arm portions extending from the base portion, the base portion and one arm portion configured to be received in the annular pocket and the other arm portion configured to engage and deflect radially during engagement by a conduit inserted into the at least one coupling opening. 
     
     
         7 . The coupling of  claim 6 , wherein the two arm portions define a volume therebetween to received pressurized fluid to force the arm portion configured to engage a conduit inserted into the at least one coupling into a stronger sealing engagement therewith. 
     
     
         8 . The coupling of  claim 1  further comprising a wiper outboard of the seal to engage a conduit inserted into the at least one coupling opening. 
     
     
         9 . The coupling of  claim 8 , wherein the wiper comprises an annular configuration. 
     
     
         10 . The coupling of  claim 9 , wherein the wiper attaches to the cap. 
     
     
         11 . The coupling of  claim 9 , wherein the wiper is a portion of the seal. 
     
     
         12 . The coupling of  claim 9 , wherein the seal includes a third arm portion that is spaced outboard of the first two arm portions and acts as a wiper that engages a conduit inserted into the at least one coupling opening. 
     
     
         13 . The coupling of  claim 1 , wherein the body and the cap captivate the gripping ring against axial movement. 
     
     
         14 . The coupling of  claim 13 , wherein enough space exists between the body and the cap captivating the gripping ring so that the gripping ring is free to rotate relative to the body. 
     
     
         15 . A coupling comprising:
 a body having a first welding portion and a second welding portion in a preassembled configuration;   a cap having a third welding portion and a fourth welding portion in a preassembled configuration; and   wherein the first and third welding portions and the second and fourth welding portion form two weld interfaces in the assembled configuration.   
     
     
         16 . The coupling of  claim 15  wherein the fourth welding portion is configured to increase the weld generation. 
     
     
         17 . The coupling of  claim 16  wherein the fourth welding portion has an annular shape with a tapering cross-section.