Abstract: A flareless fitting includes a coupling body, a coupling nut and a ferrule. A tube is inserted so that it may extend axially inwardly a variable insertion length beyond the ferrule, through the length of a counterbore which is slip fit about the tube. Tightening of the coupling nut and the tapered arrangement causes the ferrule to be sealed between the tube outer wall and the internal cylindrical surface of the coupling body. Specifically, a single tube fitting system is provided which offers substantial tube penetration, or shallow tube penetration, without using two different kinds of fittings.

Abstract: A quarter-turn, on-off plug valve having a valve body provided with a recess opening through a first portion of the body and closed at the opposite end by an integral portion of the body. A pair of stops are provided on a stem portion of the plug for accurately limiting the rotation of the plug to the 90.degree. different open and closed positions of the valve. The stops are defined by flat surfaces engaging a cylindrical retaining pin extending chordally through an upstanding annular wall portion of the body so as to provide improved accurate positioning of the plug in the open and closed positions of the valve.

Abstract: A releasable push-to-connect tube fitting wherein a collet receiving the tube end is provided with longitudinally extending inner slots sized so as to limit constriction of the collet to maintain the outer diameter of the inner end of the collet greater than the minimum diameter of a confronting camming surface of a fitting body member for effectively positively retaining the collet in the body member upon assembly of the fitting elements. The collet includes an enlarged outer end exposed exteriorly of the fitting body for use in releasing the tube from the fitting when desired. The collet is retained in the body by constrictive deformation of the body outer end portion after installation of the collet therein. The constrictive deformation is effected by a suitable tool. In one embodiment, the fitting body is adapted to be secured in a port element. An eyelet may be provided for reception within the tube end to be connected to the fitting.

Abstract: A releasable push-to-connect tube fitting wherein a collet receiving the tube end is provided with longitudinally extending inner slots permitting constriction of the inner end of the collet about the tube end in the made-up condition of the fitting. The slots are sized so as to limit the constriction so as to maintain the outer diameter of the inner end of the collet greater than the minimum diameter of the confronting camming surface of the fitting body member, thereby effectively positively retaining the collet in the body member upon assembly of the fitting elements. The collet further includes an enlarged outer end exposed exteriorly of the fitting body in the made-up arrangement of the fitting for facilitated fingertip manipulation of the collet in releasing the tube from the fitting when desired. The collet is retained in the outer end of the body by constrictive deformation of the body outer end portion after installation of the inner portion of the collet therein.

Abstract: An insulative coupling for coupling a first tube to a second tube for fluid flow therebetween. The coupling includes an insulative washer and an insulative bushing cooperating with a flange connector associated with one of the coupling body elements to provide an electrically insulative connection between the coupled tubes. An O-ring is utilized in conjunction with a face seal radially inwardly of the washer to provide a high pressure seal between the coupling elements. The washer and bushing include axially extending flange portions having snug fits with associated components of the coupling to provide for facilitated and accurate assembly.

Abstract: A flareless tube fitting having a nose portion defining a sharp biting edge for sealingly retaining a tube end with a body member 11 of the fitting. Vibration forces acting on the tube end outwardly of the fitting are blocked from passing to the biting edge by a rounded support outwardly of the sleeve nose portion. The rounded support is formed by a tilting of a deflectible portion of the ferrule extending outwardly from the deformable ring portion and caused to be tilted so as to urge the ring portion radially inwardly into the tube end by the threaded advance of the nut member on the body member in the makeup of the fitting.

Abstract: A tube connection having a resilient seal ring captured between a support structure at the inner end thereof and a retaining structure at the outer end thereof within an outwardly opening recess of a fitting body. The support structure is retained to the distal end of the tube to be connected against axially inward displacement therefrom. Close fits are provided between the elements of the fitting so as to effectively preclude extrusion of the seal material therebetween from the sealing space. The retaining structure in certain embodiments is defined by an annular projection on the nut member extending into the recess. In certain embodiments, the retaining structure is disposed outwardly of the recess and the sealing sleeve extends outwardly into engagement therewith. In one illustrated embodiment, the sealing sleeve is defined by an O-ring. In a number of the embodiments, the support structure is formed integrally with the tube end.

Abstract: A tube bender construction wherein the forming member is swingably mounted to the form wheel to be adjustable toward and from the form wheel groove to accommodate variations in tube diameter and normal wear of portions of the tube bender during the life thereof. The form wheel defines a concave force transfer surface having an improved engagement with the tube to be bent so as to effectively improve maintained tube roundness for effectively minimized stress formation in the bent tube.

Abstract: A tube bender construction for manual operation in bending a tube. The tube bender includes a mandrel defining a bending groove into which the tube is urged by a forming member mounted to the mandrel to swing about a bending axis of the bending groove. The tube to be bent is held against longitudinal movement during the bending operation by tube holding structure arranged to retain the tube against such movement. Movement of the forming member about the bending axis is effected by manipulation of a pair of handles. The mandrel defines an extension adapted for adjustably mounting the tube holding hook to further define structure for adjusting the disposition of the tube to be bent to be accurately tangential to the bending groove at a bend start position thereof.

Abstract: A conduit coupling is provided having a body member with an axial bore which is adapted to receive the end of a conduit. A fastening member also includes an axial bore and is adapted to surround the conduit and be secured to the body member. A sleeve having an axial bore is also adapted to surround the conduit and is axially positioned between the fastening member and the body member. The sleeve includes a frangible web for separating the sleeve into a plurality of elements in response to the application of an axially compressive force on the sleeve. Once the sleeve is separated, the plurality of sleeve elements cooperate with the fastening member and the body member to create a mechanically strong fluid-tight joint between the body member and the conduit.

Abstract: A tube fitting of the push-pull type wherein the tube end is connected to the fitting by a simple inward insertion thereof, and withdrawal of the tube is effected by a simple withdrawal movement thereof upon manual rearrangement of the fitting components. The fitting includes a spring finger locking element adapted to engage the tube end when inserted and effectively prevent outward axial withdrawal movement of the tube end. A manipulating device is provided for selectively disengaging the spring finger from the tube end to permit axial withdrawal of the tube end when desired. The disengaging device is a one-piece element and is associated with suitable seals for providing an accurately preselected prestressing thereof against the tube end and body to provide an improved seal of the tube end to the body. The spring fingers are defined by an annular element.