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 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 clamp the tube against an extended groove portion of the mandrel. Movement of the forming member about the bending axis is effected by manipulation of a pair of handles which are arranged in offset manner to permit crossover of the handles and avoid interference between the user's hands thereon in the tube bending operation. The mandrel further defines an extension adapted for mounting thereof in a vise or the like. The handle connected to the mandrel is removably connected thereto as for removal when the mandrel is vise-mounted.

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 clamp the tube against an extended groove portion of the mandrel. Movement of the forming member about the bending axis is effected by manipulation of a pair of handles which are arranged in offset manner to permit crossover of the handles and avoid interference between the user's hands thereon in the tube bending operation.

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 clamp the tube against an extended groove portion of the mandrel. Movement of the forming member about the bending axis is effected by manipulation of a pair of handles. Indicia are provided on the mandrel and forming member for indicating the angular extent of a bend provided in the tube as a result of the swinging movement of the forming member about the bending axis. At least one of the first and second indicia are adjustably mounted to provide accurate correlation between the indicia in indicating the bend angular extent.

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 and rotational movement during the bending operation by tube holding structure arranged to clamp the tube against an extended groove portion of the mandrel. Movement of the forming member about the bending axis is effected by manipulation of a pair of handles. The tube clamping structure includes a hook which is swingably mounted to the mandrel and adjusting structure is provided for adjusting the disposition of the swingable hook to provide a desired clamping force of the hook against the tube. The illustrated adjusting structure includes an eccentric pin and structure for locking the pin in adjusted positions.

Abstract: A manually operable tube flaring tool for providing a partial flare in the end of a deformable tube. The tool includes a flaring head defining an annular flaring surface and a cylindrical pilot portion projecting axially from the flaring surface to be received in the tube end for guiding the flaring surface axially against the distal end of the tube during the flaring operation. The tool further includes a support for fixedly positioning the tube end coaxially adjacent the flaring surface of the flaring head. The support defines an improved recess configuration providing a controlled buckling of the tube end by the forceful engagement therewith of the flaring surface wherein the buckled tube end defines preselected frustoconical inner and outer portions. The support may further define a conventional single flare recess opposite the partial flare recess whereby the tube may be used selectively to provide either of the partial or single flare flaring operations.

Abstract: A clamp-on valve structure for use in dispensing pressurized fluid from a can having an annular projecting lip. The valve structure includes mounting structure having a manipulatable portion which is effectively locked to prevent removal of the valve structure from the can with the valve installed on the mounting structure.

Abstract: A manually operable tube flaring tool for providing a partial flare in the end of a deformable tube. The tool includes a flaring head defining an annular flaring surface and a cylindrical pilot portion projecting axially from the flaring surface to be received in the tube end for guiding the flaring surface axially against the distal end of the tube during the flaring operation. The tool further includes a support for fixedly positioning the tube end coaxially adjacent the flaring surface of the flaring head. The support defines an improved recess configuration providing a controlled buckling of the tube end by the forceful engagement therewith of the flaring surface wherein the buckled tube end defines preselected frustoconical inner and outer portions. The support may further define a conventional single flare recess opposite the partial flare recess whereby the tube may be used selectively to provide either of the partial or single flare flaring operations.