Tool for preparing fitting and conduit connection

Abstract

A tool is provided to retain a fitting component and a tube gripping device prior to assembly of the fitting and tube gripping device to a conduit end. The tool has a retaining portion that is adapted to retain the fitting component and the tube gripping device on the tool as a single assembly. The tool also protects the fitting component, the tube gripping device, and the conduit end after the fitting component and the tube gripping device are assembled to the conduit end. The tool has a protective portion that is adapted to at least partially cover at least one of the fitting component and tube gripping device after the fitting component and tube gripping device have been assembled to the conduit end.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/255,499 filed on Oct. 20, 2005 for FITTING FOR TUBE AND PIPE WITH CARTRIDGE, which is a continuation in part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/112,800 filed on Apr. 22, 2005 for FITTING FOR TUBE AND PIPE, all of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Flareless fittings have been in use for decades for conduits such as tubes and pipes. A flareless fitting is used to connect or join two tube or pipe ends or to connect a conduit end to another assembly such as a tank, a valve, a manifold and so on. The applications are as varied as the types of assemblies with which the fittings are used. One very common type of flareless fitting is a ferrule type fitting. In a ferrule type fitting, one or more ferrules are used to join or connect a conduit end to a fitting member, typically called a fitting body. The fitting body may then be joined to (or be part of) another assembly. In a ferrule type fitting, the ferrule or ferrules must establish a fluid tight seal, particularly under pressure, as well as adequately grip the conduit and protect against vibration fatigue. High performance fittings, such as are available from Swagelok Company, Solon, Ohio, are capable of withstanding pressures many times the rated pressure of the fitting without leaking, without vibration fatigue and without conduit blow out to the point that the conduit will burst before a seal is compromised or the ferrule(s) can lose their grip on the conduit.

Ferrule style fittings have an advantage over other end connections in that they do not rely on any special preparation of the tube or pipe end, other than low cost squaring and deburring. This is because the ferrules create the seals and tube grip.

Flareless fittings that use ferrules are commonly used in sophisticated chemical processing apparatus because of their high reliability. For example, in the semiconductor industry, such fittings assure containment of expensive or toxic chemicals. Typically, these applications are high purity and therefore, rely on conduits made of stainless steel or other low corrosion, high strength alloys.

Lower cost markets, such as the automotive industry, have their own performance requirements for fluid connections. Most notably, automotive assembly requires simpler assembly procedures. The automotive industry has resisted using ferrule type fittings not only for cost reasons, but also for assembly needs. Ferrules are fairly small annular members that can be dropped or lost in low cost, high throughput facilities. Typical ferrule type fittings are also assembled by what is commonly known as pull-up by turns. Two threaded components, such as a nut and body, enclose the conduit end and one or more ferrules. The assembly is first tightened to a finger tight condition and then a prescribed number of turns, such as one and a quarter or one and a half turns, are used to pull-up the fitting to its final assembled condition. The number of turns is carefully prescribed to prevent over torque or inadequate pull-up. The automotive industry on the other hand typically wants to assemble parts by torque. This allows a simple torque wrench or tool to be used to make the final assembly with the assurance that the fitting has been properly assembled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention pertains generally to retaining one or more fitting components for assembly to a conduit end, and subsequently covering or protecting one or more of the fitting components and/or the conduit end after the fitting components have been assembled to the conduit end. In one aspect of the invention, a tool provides a portion for retaining one or more components of a fitting assembly prior to assembly to a conduit end, and a portion for protecting or at least partially covering at least one of the fitting component or the conduit end after the fitting component has been assembled to the conduit end.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a tool is provided to retain a fitting component and a tube gripping device prior to assembly of the fitting and tube gripping device to a conduit end. The tool also protects at least one of the fitting component, the tube gripping device, and the conduit end after the fitting component and the tube gripping device are assembled to the conduit end. In one embodiment, the tool has a retaining portion that is adapted to retain the fitting component and the tube gripping device on the tool as a single assembly. The tool has a protective portion that is adapted to receive and at least partially enclose the fitting component and tube gripping device after the fitting component and tube gripping device have been assembled to the conduit end.

In another aspect of the invention, a system for installing one or more fitting components on a conduit end provides for retention of one or more fitting components together prior to assembly to the conduit and protection of at least one of one or more of the fitting components and the conduit after assembly of the one or more fitting components to the conduit end. In one embodiment the system includes a first fitting component having a bore for receiving the conduit end, a tube gripping device, a second fitting component having a socket for receiving the tube gripping device and at least part of the first fitting component, and a tool having a retaining portion and a protective portion. The retaining portion of the tool retains the first fitting component and the tube gripping device, and may be used to insert the first fitting component and tube gripping device into the socket of the second fitting component. The second fitting component may be used to secure the first fitting component and the tube gripping device to the conduit end, by inserting the conduit end into the bore of the first fitting component and tightening the first fitting component into the second fitting component. The protective portion of the tool may receive and at least partially enclose the first fitting component and the tube gripping device after the first fitting component and tube gripping device have been secured to the conduit end.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a method of preparing a conduit end for installation in a fitting includes retaining one or more fitting components prior to assembling the one or more fitting components to the conduit end, and protecting at least one of the one or more fitting components and the conduit end after assembly of the one or more fitting components to the conduit end. In one embodiment, the method includes retaining a first fitting component and a tube gripping device together. The first fitting component and the tube gripping device are engaged with the second fitting component, and the conduit end is inserted through the first fitting component and the tube gripping device and into the second fitting component. After the first fitting component is tightened with the second fitting component to secure the tube gripping device to the conduit end, and the second fitting component is disassembled from the first fitting component, the tube gripping device, and the conduit end, at least one of the conduit end, the tube gripping device, and the first fitting component is covered.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-section of a fitting;

FIGS. 1A, B, and C illustrate different thread options for the fitting components of the exemplary fitting shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross section of a first ferrule of the exemplary fitting shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross section of a second ferrule of the exemplary fitting shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross section of a nut of the exemplary fitting shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross section of the nut of FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross section of the nut and two ferrules of the exemplary fitting shown in FIG. 1 where nut and two ferrules are installed on a tool;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the tool shown in FIG. 6;

FIGS. 8A-B are side cross-sectional views of the exemplary fitting shown in FIG. 1 illustrating various steps in the use of the tool for making-up the fitting;

FIG. 9 is a half longitudinal cross-section of a fitting shown in the finger tight condition;

FIG. 10A is a top view of a drive tool for use with the exemplary fitting shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 10B is a side view of the drive tool of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 10C is a perspective view of another drive tool for use with the exemplary fitting shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 10D is a perspective view of the drive tool of FIG. 10C in an assembled condition;

FIG. 11 illustrates a nut and ferrules assembled to a tool;

FIG. 12A is a perspective view of a tool for retaining one or more components of a fitting assembly;

FIG. 12B is a perspective view of another tool for retaining one or more components of a fitting assembly;

FIG. 12C is a perspective view of another tool for retaining one or more components of a fitting assembly;

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of a nut and ferrules assembled to an exemplary tool similar to the tool of FIG. 12A;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a nut, ferrules, and tube end assembled to the exemplary tool of FIG. 12A;

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view of the exemplary tool and fitting assembly of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view of a nut and ferrules assembled to a tool;

FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view of a nut, ferrules and tube end assembled to the exemplary tool of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a cross sectional view of a nut and ferrules assembled to a tool;

FIG. 19 is a cross sectional view of a nut, ferrules and tube end assembled to the exemplary tool of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a nut and ferrules assembled to a two piece tool;

FIG. 21 is a cross sectional view of the exemplary tool and nut and ferrules of FIG. 20; and

FIG. 22 is a cross sectional view of a nut, ferrules, and tube end assembled to one piece of the two piece tool of FIG. 20.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the invention is described herein with specific reference to a variety of structural and material features, such descriptions are intended to be exemplary in nature and should not be construed in a limiting sense. A tool in accordance with the invention can be used with any fitting that includes fitting components to be held together for assembly, including but not limited to the fittings disclosed in the present application, such as, for example, single ferrule tube fittings, two ferrule tube fittings, male threaded tube fittings with female threaded nuts, and female threaded tube fittings with male threaded nuts. For example, the exemplary embodiments are described primarily in terms of a stainless steel tube fitting for automotive applications. Those skilled in the art, however, will readily appreciate that any one or more of the aspects and features of the invention may be used outside of the automotive industry, can be used with materials other than stainless steel and can be used with many conduits including, but not limited to, tube or pipe. Moreover, many of the aspects of the invention may be used for lower pressure fittings, or the higher rated pressure concepts disclosed herein may be used in a fitting even when the fitting itself will be used in a lower pressure application. Still further, the exemplary embodiments herein illustrate what is commonly known as a female-style fitting, meaning that a female (i.e. internally) threaded component receives and abuts the conduit end. Many aspects of the invention will find application in male-style fittings as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The invention will also find application for fitting assemblies that do not require threaded connections between the fitting components, for example clamped or bolted fittings may be used. The invention will also find application far beyond the exemplary embodiments herein as to connections that can be made to a wide and ever expansive variety of fluid components including, but not limited to, other conduits, flow control devices, containers, manifolds and so on. As such, the terms “tube” and “conduit” are used broadly herein and are intended to encompass all fluid components to which such fitting connections described herein may be assembled, including, but not limited to, metal tubing and pipe, plastic tubing and pipe, valve, fitting, and manifold end connections, and clamp ends.

While various aspects of the invention are described and illustrated herein as embodied in combination in the exemplary embodiments, these various aspects may be realized in many alternative embodiments, either individually or in various combinations and sub-combinations thereof. Unless expressly excluded herein all such combinations and sub-combinations are intended to be within the scope of the present invention. Still further, while various alternative embodiments as to the various aspects and features of the invention, such as alternative materials, structures, configurations, methods, devices, software, hardware, control logic and so on may be described herein, such descriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, whether presently known or later developed. Those skilled in the art may readily adopt one or more of the aspects, concepts or features of the invention into additional embodiments within the scope of the present invention even if such embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein. Additionally, even though some features, concepts or aspects of the invention may be described herein as being a preferred arrangement or method, such description is not intended to suggest that such feature is required or necessary unless expressly so stated. Still further, exemplary or representative values and ranges may be included to assist in understanding the present invention however, such values and ranges are not to be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to be critical values or ranges only if so expressly stated.

Although various embodiments are described herein with specific reference to the fitting components being made of stainless steel, such description is intended to be exemplary in nature and should not be construed in a limiting sense. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the invention may be realized using any number of different types of metals material for the fitting components, as well as metal tubing materials, including but not limited to 316, 316L, 304, 304L, any austenitic or ferritic stainless steel, any duplex stainless steel, any nickel alloy such as HASTALLOY, INCONEL, MONEL, alloy 825, alloy 625, any precipitation hardened stainless steel such as 17-4 PH for example, brass, copper alloys, any carbon or low allow steel such as 12L14 steel for example. An important aspect of the choice of materials is that the tube gripping device preferably should be case or through hardened to a ratio of at least 3.3 and preferably 4 or more times harder that the hardest tubing material that the fitting will be used with. Therefore, the tube gripping device need not be made of the same material as the tubing itself. For example, the tube gripping device may be selected from the stainless steel material noted above, or other suitable materials that can be case hardened, such as magnesium, titanium and aluminum, to name some additional examples.

To facilitate proper assembly and installation of a fitting including multiple components, such as, for example, a ferrule style fitting connection, it may be advantageous to store one or more fitting components together as an assembly, such as, for example a cartridge nut and ferrule set as a cartridge nut assembly, thereby enabling quicker assembly of the nut and ferrules to a fitting body and ensuring inclusion of and proper orientation of the ferrule or ferrules. In some applications, it may be desirable to pre-assemble one or more fitting components to a tube or conduit end, thereby preparing a conduit assembly to allow for quicker and/or easier pull-up of a fluid connection at the conduit end in the future. For example, in preparing a conduit for assembly to a ferrule style fitting connection, a corresponding fitting body or threaded tool may be tightened with the nut to partially or fully tighten the ferrules to the conduit, thereby retaining the nut and ferrules on the conduit as a conduit assembly. By preparing this conduit assembly in advance, the future assembly of a fitting body to the conduit, nut, and ferrules may be performed more quickly and with less torque applied. This pre-tightened conduit assembly, with nut and ferrules assembled to the tube end, may be stored or transported for future installation in a fluid system. Additionally, the conduit may be removed from a fluid system by disassembling the nut from the fitting body, with the nut and ferrules being retained on the conduit end. The removed conduit assembly may be stored or transported for future installation in the same fluid system or in a different fluid system. In either circumstance, it may be desirable to cover or protect at least a portion of the conduit assembly, either to protect the exposed surfaces from damage or contamination, or, in the case of a conduit assembly removed from service, to prevent fluid residue or other contaminants from leaking out of the conduit assembly.

With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary fitting 10 includes a first fitting component 12 that can be realized in the form of a female threaded body having internal threads 14. The first fitting component 12 joins or connects with a second fitting component 16 that can be realized in the form of a male threaded nut having external threads 18 that threadably mate with the threads 14 of the first component 12 when the fitting 10 is made-up or assembled. Different thread options and non-threaded coupling designs may be used for the first and second fitting components.

FIGS. 1A, B and C illustrate different thread options for a threaded coupling between the body 12 and nut 16. FIG. 1A illustrates 30° from normal (i.e. 60 degrees included angle) symmetrical thread flanks 19a and 19b. FIG. 1B illustrates the optional use of a buttress thread design in which the thread flanks are asymmetrical with one flank 19a typically in the range of about 45 degrees and the adjacent flank in the range of about 3 degrees to about 7 degrees from normal. The buttress thread design provides high strength loading on one side to help reduce flaring of the nut during high torque assembly and in high pressure applications. FIG. 1C illustrates the use of acme threads wherein the flanks again are symmetrical but of a steeper angle such as about 3 degrees to about 7 degrees from normal. The acme thread design provides higher strength loading uniformly compared to the 60 degrees threads.

The fitting 10 further includes a tube gripping device. Ferrules are an example of a tube gripping device and, in this example, two ferrules are included; a front or first ferrule 20 and a back or second ferrule 22. The fitting, however, can be designed for using a single ferrule or alternative tube gripping device. The nut 16 and ferrules 20, 22 fit onto a conduit end T that is received by the body 12.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross section of a first or front ferrule of the exemplary fitting shown in FIG. 1. The first ferrule 20 is a generally annular part with a generally cylindrical interior wall 24 that slips over the outer surface S of the tube end T (see FIG. 1). The first ferrule 20 has an outer surface 26 that tapers outwardly in a generally conical manner from a forward portion 28 to a rearward portion 30. The forward portion 28 may include a sharp front edge 32 and a rounded nose portion 34. The rearward portion 30 includes a frusto-conical recess 36 that forms a camming surface 38. The tapered outer surface 26 may converge to an axially aligned flange 40 (wherein the axis X is the central longitudinal axis of the conduit and the fitting 10).

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross section of a second or back ferrule of the exemplary fitting shown in FIG. 1. The second ferrule 22 is a generally annular part with a generally cylindrical interior wall 42 that slips over the outer surface S of the tube end T (see FIG. 1). The second ferrule 22 further includes a nose portion 46 and an axially extending outer surface 44 that extends about a rearward portion 48 of the ferrule. The nose portion 46 includes a sharp front edge 50 and a first tapered portion 52 that extends toward the rear portion 48 from the sharp edge 50 at a rake angle α of about fifteen degrees, for example. The first tapered portion 52 merges or blends to a second tapered portion 54 along a first curved portion 56 such as a radius, for example. The second tapered portion 54 merges or blends to the axial portion 44 at a corner or edge 58 which may alternatively be a radius. The second tapered portion 54 extends at an angle β, such as about thirty-five degrees, for example.

The second ferrule 22 further includes a back end portion 60 that has a driven surface 62. The driven surface 62 extends radially outwardly at an angle δ, such as about five degrees (referenced from normal to the axis X), for example. The driven surface 62 merges or blends with the axial portion 44 along a second curved portion 64.

FIGS. 4-5 illustrate a cross section of a nut of the exemplary fitting shown in FIG. 1. The nut 16 has an overall cylindrical configuration defining a central bore 66 that receives the tube end T during assembly. The nut 16 has a front end 68 that defines a socket, recess or cage 70. The socket 70 is defined by a cylindrical first portion 72 and a frusto-conical portion 74 that tapers radially inwardly towards a back end 75 of the nut 16. The frusto-conical portion 74 forms a drive surface that contacts the driven surface 62 of the second or back ferrule during pull-up. The drive surface 74 is formed at an angle τ, such as about fifteen degrees, for example.

The socket 70 is formed within an axially extending and generally cylindrical wall or cartridge 76. The cartridge 76 is sized to retain the back ferrule 22 and at least a portion of the rearward portion 30 of the front ferrule 20 therein, to form a nut and ferrule assembly or cartridge nut assembly 78 (see FIG. 6). The term cartridge as used herein is a shorthand reference to the concept of a fitting component, in this example a male threaded nut 16 having a structure that can retain one or more ferrules therewith even when the assembly is uninstalled with the mating fitting component. Thus, the cartridge nut assembly 78, which includes the cartridge nut 16 and one or more ferrules 20, 22, may be used to retain the ferrules and nut together when the assembly is either uninstalled or only installed in the body 12 in a finger tight condition.

Many different techniques may be used to retain the ferrule or ferrules 20, 22 within the cartridge nut 16 prior to final pull-up or even initial assembly into the mating fitting component. For example, a non-contaminating glue or adhesive may be used to hold the ferrules 20, 22 in place, with the glue releasing its grip under the force of pull-up. Alternatively, the cartridge wall 76 may be slightly crimped radially inwardly to retain the ferrules 20, 22 therein. Still further, an adhesive may be used that breaks down into a lubricant upon pull-up to help reduce pull-up torque. In an embodiment disclosed herein, a tool is used to hold the parts together as a cartridge nut assembly 78 (see FIG. 6).

With reference to FIG. 5, the cartridge 76 may include a tapered portion 82 that tapers radially outwardly towards the back end 75 of the nut 16. The tapered portion 82 extends at an angle θ, such as for example about forty-five degrees.

The nut 16 further includes a tool engagement portion 80 that allows a torque wrench or other tool to be used to tighten and pull-up the fitting 10. The tool engagement portion 80 in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 is realized as a hex portion 80. The tool engagement portion 80 can be formed in variety of ways. For example, the nut 16 may include a key hole that allows a corresponding keyed wrench to be used to tighten and pull-up the fitting, as described in relation to FIGS. 9-10D.

The nut 16 may further include a neck 77 of somewhat reduced outer diameter between the threads 18 and the tool engagement portion 80. The neck 77 may be used to provide an intrinsic gauging function to verify proper pull-up for both pull-up by torque and pull-up by turns. By intrinsic gauging is meant a structure or feature associated with the fitting itself (as contrasted with a separate tool or gauge) that provides an indication to the assembler that the fitting has been properly assembled and pulled up. A large variety of structures or features can perform the intrinsic gauging function, some examples of which are disclosed in International Application No. 03/07739 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/711,353, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,640,457 B2, the entire disclosures of which are fully incorporated herein by reference. A gap gauge may also be used in a known manner to confirm proper pull-up of the fitting 10.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross section of the nut 16 and two ferrules 20, 22 of the exemplary fitting shown in FIG. 1 where nut and two ferrules are installed on a tool 103. The tool 103 provides a convenient way to hold the cartridge nut 16 and one or more ferrules 20, 22 together as a single assembly 78 prior to make-up of a fitting 10. Thus, the assembly 78 and tool 103 together provide a single unit 104 that can be installed in a mating fitting component, such as for example the female fitting component 12, so that an assembler only needs to handle two fitting parts. As a result, there are no loose ferrules to assemble, and the ferrules can be installed at the manufacturer to avoid installation errors. Other techniques for providing a cartridge nut assembly such as the use of an adhesive have been described hereinabove.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective of an exemplary embodiment of the tool 103. With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the tool 103 includes a head 105 that can be manually gripped or can be gripped by a simple tool such as pliers. The tool 103 is a single plastic element but other materials may be used as required. Flexible fingers 106a and 106b extend from the head 105 and include at their respective distal end, a raised lip 107a and 107b. The lips 107a,b and head 105 define a slot or carriage 108 onto which the cartridge nut 16 and the ferrules 20, 22 can be installed. The flexible fingers 106a,b radially compress enough to allow the nut 16 and then the ferrules 20, 22 to move over the lips 107a,b toward the head 105. Once past the lips 107a,b, the fingers 106a,b snap back outward, thus retaining the ferrules 20, 22 and nut 16 together on the tool 103 as a single assembly 78.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate various steps in the use of the tool 103 to make up the fitting 10. To make up the fitting 10, the assembly 78 is inserted into the female body 12 and the assembler can easily use finger pressure to rotate and threadably engage the nut 16 and the body 12 (or rotate the nut into a female port in another body). As the nut 16 is threaded into the body 12, the lips 107a,b will engage a surface inside the body 12, in this case the first camming surface 92. Further axial displacement of the assembly 78 and tool 103 into the body 12 causes the fingers 106a,b to be radially compressed due to a camming action against the body 12.

The continued axial displacement of the assembly 78 and tool 103 causes the fingers 106a,b to compress sufficiently for the lips 107a,b to be dimensionally smaller than the inside diameter of the ferrules 20, 22 and the nut 16. The tool 103 thus self disengages from the ferrules. When this occurs, the tool 103 can be easily extracted from the assembly 78 and body 12. Note that the tool 103 can be easily adapted to any size fitting, and also can be color coded or provided with other indicia to indicate information about the assembly 78, such as the size, materials, pull-up torque and so on. For example, a groove 109 or other suitable marking, indicia or structure may be provided on the tool 103 to provide a visual indication to the user that the fitting has been adequately made up in the finger tight position to allow easy removal of the tool. As illustrated in FIG. 8B, the forward ends of the lips 107a and 107b of the tool may optionally engage a surface of the body 12 to retard further axial advancement of the tool into the body 12. This event will be readily identified by the operator as a significant increase in torque so that the operator tactually knows that the tool can be removed.

FIG. 9 is a half longitudinal cross-section of another exemplary fitting of the present invention. In this embodiment, the fitting 180 includes a body 182 and ferrules 184, 186 that may be similar in design to the embodiments described hereinabove. In this embodiment, however, fitting 180 includes a different nut 188. The nut 188 has a generally cylindrical configuration that defines a passage 190 for receiving a tube end T. The nut 188 has an external thread 192 for engagement with the internal thread 194 of a female fitting component, such as the fitting body 182, for example. The nut 188 has a rear face or outer face 196 that includes one or more key holes 198. Each key hole 198 is adapted to receive and be driven by a key tab 200 of a keyed drive tool 202, 202′.

The keyed drive tool 202, 202′ may take a wide variety of different forms. Examples of suitable drive tools include, but are not limited to, the drive tools 202, 202′ shown in FIGS. 10A-10D. Any drive tool that includes a keyed tab or tabs configured to engage the hole or holes 198 in a nut 188 may be used.

In the embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 10A and 10B, the drive tool 202 is a keyed wrench having an elongated handle portion 203 with a generally rectangular cross-section. The cross-sectional shape of the handle portion 203 can be other than rectangular. For example, the handle portion 203 could have an oval or circular cross section. The key tab 200 extends from the handle portion 203 at about a right angle. The key tab 200 may extend from the handle portion 203 at an angle other than a right angle, though a right angle is preferred. The key tab 200 is adapted to mate with the key hole 198 to allow the keyed wrench 202 to rotate the nut 188 sufficiently to pull up the fitting 180.

The key wrench 202 also includes a clearance opening 204 extending along a central axis 206 of the handle portion 203. The clearance opening 204 is sized and positioned to allow the key wrench 202 to straddle the conduit and engage the nut 188 without the tube interfering.

In an embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 10C and 10D, the drive tool 202′ is a hex tool adapted to engage with the key holes 198 on the nut 188. The hex tool 202′ allows the nut 188 to be tightened or loosened with a more conventional hex wrench. The hex tool 202′ of the illustrated embodiment includes two body halves 243a, 243b provided with corresponding alignment pins 246a, 246b and mating holes 245a, 245b for joining the two body halves 243a, 243b. When joined, the two body halves 243a, 243b define an internal bore or clearance opening 244 for receiving the tube T (see FIG. 9). The two-piece construction of the hex tool 202′ allows the tool to be assembled around tubing for which a free tube end is not accessible, such as tubing that has already been installed in a fluid system. The alignment pins 246a, 246b and mating holes 245a, 245b may, but need not, be provided with a slight interference fit to allow the body halves 243a, 243b to remain joined once assembled around the circumference of the tube T. Both body halves are provided with protruding key tabs 240a, 240b that are adapted to align with and be inserted into corresponding key holes 198 in the nut 188, shown in FIG. 9.

To tighten or loosen the cylindrical nut 188, the body halves 243a, 243b are joined around the tube T and the tangs 240a, 240b are inserted into the key holes 198. A hex wrench (not shown) is then applied to the hex flats of the hex tool and turned in a tightening or loosening direction to adjust the nut 188 accordingly. Upon completing the adjustment, the hex tool 202′ is removed from the fitting assembly to prevent subsequent adjustments of the nut 188.

The length of the nut 188 is selected so that, when the nut is fully screwed into the fitting body 182, the rear face 196 of the nut 96 is flush with the end of the body 182, or is recessed. There is no standard hex configuration projecting from the fitting body 182. As a result, the chance of inadvertent loosening or removal of the nut 188 is reduced since the ability to disassemble the fitting 180 is restricted to only those personnel that have the specific keyed wrench 202. In addition, providing different positions for the key hole 198 on the nut 188 may allow specific products (sizes, etc.) to be manufactured in combination with specific wrenches.

Further, because the nut 188 does not project from the fitting body 182, the assembled fitting 180 is smaller. This can be beneficial in applications in which space is at a premium, for example, automotive applications. Finally, the nut 188 is also beneficial as it may allow for cost reduction, since the complete nut can be silver plated (for lubrication of the threads 192) without the need to selectively plate the threads or to strip plating off of the hex area (as is done for standard female nuts) for cosmetic effect. Thus, silver platting can be accomplished by dipping the entire nut 188.

FIG. 11 illustrates another embodiment of use of the tool or arbor 103. In this embodiment, the tool 400 is sized so as to receive and retain a female threaded nut 402 and associated front and back ferrules 404 and 406. The arrangement may also be used with a single ferrule design. The operation and use of the tool 400 may be as described herein before with the embodiment of FIG. 6. Use of the tool 400 allows the manufacturer to provide the end user with a nut and ferrule assembly with the ferrules and nut already combined properly in a single subassembly 410 of parts for installation onto a tube end having an associated male threaded body (not shown). The tool 400 may include a grip 408 to allow easier manual grasping of the tool for removing the tool after the nut 402 and ferrules have been assembled onto an associated body.

FIGS. 12A-C and 14-20 illustrate additional embodiments of a tool of the type shown in FIG. 6, in which the tool is adapted to provide a protective device for protecting the nut, ferrules, and/or tube end after the ferrules have been at least partially tightened on the tube end. Often the nut and ferrules of a fitting assembly are pre-assembled with a tube end using a corresponding fitting body or a pre-tightening tool having threads for assembly with the nut, in order to facilitate future installation of the tube end in a fitting, as illustrated in FIG. 15. The protective device, such as, for example, a cap or protective cover, may at least partially cover the nut, the ferrules, and/or the tube end of this assembly, which may prevent damage to or contamination of the surfaces of these components during storage or transportation of the assembly prior to installation in a fluid system.

The tool contemplated by the invention may be used with any fitting that includes fitting components to be held together for assembly with a conduit or other connection, including but not limited to the fittings disclosed in the present application, such as single ferrule tube fittings, two ferrule tube fittings, male threaded tube fittings with female threaded nuts, and female threaded tube fittings with male threaded nuts.

In the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, and 13, a tool 500 includes a head 505 that can be manually gripped or can be gripped by a tool such as, for example, pliers. The tool 500 may be a single plastic element, but other materials or combinations of components may be used as required. A retaining portion of the tool may be in any configuration that holds the nut and ferrules for future assembly to a tube end. In the examples, flexible fingers 506a and 506b extend from the head 505 to form a retaining portion or arbor 506. The fingers 506a, 506b may include at their respective distal ends, raised lips 507a, 507b. The lips 507a, 507b and head 505 define a slot or carriage 508 onto which the cartridge nut 16 and the ferrules 20, 22 can be installed, as shown in FIG. 13. The flexible fingers 506a, 506b radially compress enough to allow the nut 16 and then the ferrules 20, 22 to move over the lips 507a, 507b toward the head 505. Once past the lips 507a, 507b, the fingers 506a, 506b snap back outward, thus retaining the ferrules 20, 22 and nut 16 together on the tool.

In the exemplary embodiment, there is a protective portion. The protective portion may take a wide variety of different configurations. For example, the protective portion may be adapted to completely cover one or more of the nut, ferrules, and conduit end, or the protective portion may be adapted to partially cover one or more of the nut, ferrules and conduit end, which may provide sufficient protection for the fitting components by preventing damage or contamination resulting from contact with another surface. The tool 500 of the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 12A, 13, 14, and 15 includes a pair of prongs 510a, 510b which extend from the head 505 to form a protective portion 510. The prongs 510a, 510b may include at their respective distal ends, inward protrusions or tangs 512a, 512b. The tangs 512a, 512b may be positioned and dimensioned to align with a recess in the external surface of the nut 16, such as the thread relief 17, or the space between the male threads and the nut hex, thereby preventing the protective portion from falling off when assembled to the nut 16, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. The prongs 510a, 510b may be in any orientation with respect to the retaining portion 506. For example, in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 12A and 14, the prongs 510a, 510b are oriented perpendicular to the fingers 506a, 506b, while in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 13, the prongs 510a, 510b are oriented parallel with the fingers 506a, 506b. The head 505 of the tool 500 may form an upper or covering surface of the protective portion 510. In the example illustrated by FIG. 12A, the head 505 may be provided with a bore 515 positioned to receive the tube end T when the protective portion 510 is assembled over the nut 16, ferrules 20, 22, and tube end T, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. It should be noted that the protective portion may comprise any structure that at least partially encloses, covers, or protects the nut 16, ferrules 20, 22, or tube end T, such as a cup-shaped extension 510′ or plug 510″, as shown in FIGS. 12B and 12C, respectively. The cup-shaped extension 510′ of the tool 500′ of FIG. 12B may be adapted to completely cover a nut 16 and ferrules 20, 22 assembled to a tube end T, and may be provided with female threads on an internal surface (not shown) for engaging the male threads of the nut 16. The plug 510″ of the tool 500″ of FIG. 12C may be sized to fit snugly in the tube bore, and/or may be surrounded by a lip or ridge 512″ adapted to engage or grip the outer diameter of the tube end T.

As with the tool 103 shown in FIGS. 6, 7, 8A, and 8B and described above, the assembly 78 may be inserted into the socket of a corresponding female fitting body 12, with the tool 500 self-disengaging from the assembly 78 upon finger-tight installation of the assembly 78 in the fitting body 12, allowing the tool 500 to be removed and the tube end T to be inserted into the assembly 78. By tightening the nut 16 into the fitting body 12, the ferrules are secured to the tube end T, as shown, for example, in FIG. 9. To assemble the nut and ferrules to the tube end T, the nut may be fully tightened to the fitting body, as if a fitting connection were being made up with the fitting body, or the nut may be only partially tightened to the fitting body, or not fully pulled up, with sufficient torque applied to deform the ferrules enough to grasp the tube end T. The fitting body 12 may then be disassembled from the pre-tightened conduit assembly 79, which includes the nut 16, ferrules 20, 22, and tube end T. In a method of preparing a conduit end for installation in a fitting according to exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, and 13-15, a first fitting component or nut 16 and one or more tube gripping devices or ferrules 20, 22 are retained on a retaining portion or arbor 506 of the tool 500. The nut 16, ferrules 20, 22 and the retaining portion 506 are engaged with a second fitting component or fitting body 12 by threading the nut 16 and body 12 together, thus creating a single fitting assembly. As the nut 16 is threaded into the body 12, the lips 507a, 507b will engage a surface inside the body 12, in this case the first camming surface 92. Further axial displacement of the assembly 78 and tool 500 into the body 12 causes the fingers 506a, 506b to be radially compressed due to a camming action against the body 12. The continued axial displacement of the cartridge nut assembly 78 and tool 500 causes the fingers 506a, 506b to compress sufficiently for the lips 507a, 507b to be dimensionally smaller than the inside diameter of the ferrules 20, 22 and the nut 16. The tool 500 thus self disengages from the ferrules. When this occurs, the tool 500 can be easily extracted from the cartridge nut assembly 78 and body 12 while the ferrules are retained by the fitting body 12 and the nut 16.

Once the tool has been extracted from the single fitting assembly, a conduit end may be inserted through the nut 16 and into the body 12 for assembly with the nut 16 and ferrules 20, 22. By tightening the nut 16 and fitting body 12, the ferrules 20, 22 are deformed to grip the conduit end T, forming a conduit assembly 79 including the nut 16, ferrules 20, 22, and tube end T. This tightening may prepare the conduit end T, ferrules 20, 22, and nut 16 for future assembly to a fitting body 12, either the same body 12 used to secure the nut and ferrules to the conduit end T or a different body 12, such as a fitting body 12 already installed in a fluid system.

To protect this conduit assembly 79, the protective portion 510 of the tool 500 may be assembled over the tube end T, ferrules 20, 22, and/or nut 16, as shown in FIG. 14. The protective portion 510 may cover only portions of one or more of the conduit end T, ferrules 20, 22, and nut 16, as is shown in FIG. 12A. Alternatively, the protective portion may completely cover one or more of the conduit end T, ferrules 20, 22, and nut 16, as is shown in FIG. 12B. Also, the protective portion may serve to plug the tube end T to prevent contaminants from entering the conduit, as is shown in FIG. 12C. The tangs 512a, 512b of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 14 align with the thread relief of the nut 16, holding the prongs 510a, 510b to the sides of the nut 16. The conduit end T is inserted in the bore 515, further aligning and securing the protective portion 510 on the conduit assembly 79. Additionally, the tool 500 may be provided with any type of separable connection between the protective portion and the retaining portion to allow the retaining portion to be separated from the protective portion by separating or dividing the tool at the separable connection. In the exemplary embodiment, the separable connection is a necked-down portion or groove 518 between the protective portion 510 and the retaining portion 506, which allows the retaining portion 506 to be separated or broken off from the protective portion 510 by fracturing the tool at the groove 518. In other embodiments (not shown), this separable connection may include any type of a pinched, necked-down, or perforated cross-section, an adhesive or similar breakable joint, by fasteners, or a threaded connection (not shown). By separating the retaining portion 506 from the protective portion 510 after the nut 16 and ferrules 20, 22 have been assembled to the tube end T, the capped assembly may take up less space, making it easier to store and transport the conduit assembly 79. FIG. 15 shows a cross section of the capped conduit assembly 79 after the retaining portion 506 has been separated from the protective portion 510.

FIGS. 16-19 illustrate exemplary embodiments of a retaining tool configured to be used with a fitting assembly having a male threaded fitting body and a female threaded nut. However, it should be noted that the tool contemplated by the invention can be used with any fitting that includes fitting components to be held together for assembly, including but not limited to the fittings disclosed in the present application, such as single ferrule tube fittings, two ferrule tube fittings, male threaded tube fittings with female threaded nuts, and female threaded tube fittings with male threaded nuts.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 16 and 17, a tool 600 includes a head 605 that can be manually gripped or can be gripped by a simple tool such as pliers. The tool 600 may be a single plastic element, but other materials or combinations of components may be used as required. A retaining portion of the tool may be in any configuration that holds the nut and ferrules in a pre-assembled arrangement. In the example, flexible fingers 606a and 606b extend from the head 605 to form a retaining portion or arbor 606. The fingers 606a, 606b may include at their respective distal ends, raised lips 607a, 607b. The lips 607a, 607b and head 605 define a slot or carriage 608 onto which the female nut 402 and the ferrules 404, 406 can be installed, as shown in FIG. 16. The flexible fingers 606a, 606b radially compress enough to allow the nut 402 and then the ferrules 404, 406 to move over the lips 607a, 607b toward the head 605. Once past the lips 607a, 607b, the fingers 606a, 606b snap back outward, thus retaining the ferrules 404, 406 and nut 402 together on the tool 500 as a single assembly 678.

In the exemplary embodiment, there is a protective portion, which may be used to protect one or more of the nut, ferrules, and conduit end after the nut and ferrules have been secured to the conduit end to form a conduit assembly. The protective portion can take a wide variety of different configurations. For example, the protective portion can completely cover one or more of the nut, ferrules, and conduit end, or the cap can partially cover one or more of the nut, ferrules and conduit end, which may provide sufficient protection for the fitting components by preventing damage or contamination resulting from contact with another surface. The tool of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 includes a pair of prongs 610a, 610b which extend from the head 605 to form a protective portion 610. The prongs 610a, 610b may include at their respective distal ends, inward protrusions or tangs 612a, 612b. The tangs 612a, 612b may be positioned and dimensioned to align with a recess or shoulder in the external surface of the nut 402, such as the edge of the female nut hex 417, thereby preventing the protective portion from falling off when assembled to the nut 402, as shown in FIG. 17. The head 605 of the tool 600 may form an upper or covering surface of the protective portion 610. As such, the head 605 may be provided with a bore 615 positioned to receive the tube end T when the protective portion 610 is assembled over the nut 402, ferrules 404, 406, and tube end T.

It should be noted that the protective portion may comprise any structure that at least partially encloses, covers, or protects the nut 402, ferrules 404, 406, or tube end T. One such alternative exemplary embodiment is the tool 600′ illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19. While the exemplary retaining portion 606′ functions in the same manner as the exemplary retaining portion 606 of the exemplary tool 600 of FIGS. 16 and 17, the exemplary protective portion 610′ is a plug type configuration provided with a male threaded portion 612′ adapted to threadably engage with the female threads of the nut 402. A socket 614′ in the protective portion 610′ provides clearance for the ferrule 404, while a bore 615′ in the head 605′ at the base of the socket 614′ is positioned to receive the tube end T.

As with the tool 500 of FIGS. 12A-15, the tools 600, 600′ of FIGS. 16-17 and 18-19, respectively, may be provided with a necked-down portion or groove 618, 618′ between the respective protective portions 610, 610′ and the retaining portions 606, 606′, which allows the retaining portion 606, 606′ to be separated or broken off from the protective portion 610, 610′ by fracturing the tool at the groove 618, 618′. This groove 618, 618′ may include any type of a pinched, necked-down, or perforated cross-section of the tool 600, 600′ as would facilitate such a fracture. Alternatively, the protective portion and retaining portion of the tool may be separably attached by other separable connections, such as, for example, by fasteners, adhesive, break-away tabs, or a threaded connection (not shown). By breaking the retaining portion 606, 606′ from the protective portion 610, 610′ after the nut 402 and ferrules 404, 406 have been assembled to the tube end T, the capped conduit assembly may take up less space, as shown in FIG. 17 for tool 600 and in FIG. 19 for tool 600′, making it easier to store and transport the conduit assembly.

FIGS. 20-22 illustrate yet another embodiment of a fitting assembly and retaining tool. This exemplary embodiment employs a two piece arrangement in which the retaining portion is provided on a separate retaining piece 700A and the protective portion is provided on a separate protective piece 700B. The retaining piece 700A and the protective piece 700B may each be provided with flush end surfaces 701A, 701B for easier storage and stacking of the nut 16 and ferrule 20, 22 sets. A retaining portion of the retaining piece 700A may be in any configuration that holds the nut 16 and ferrules 20, 22 in a pre-assembled arrangement. In the example, as shown in FIG. 21, flexible fingers 706a and 706b extend from a head 705A to form a retaining portion or arbor 706. The fingers 706a, 706b may include at their respective distal ends, raised lips 707a, 707b. The lips 707a, 707b and head 705 define a slot or carriage 708 onto which the cartridge nut 16 and the ferrules 20, 22 can be installed, as shown in FIG. 21. The flexible fingers 706a, 706b radially compress enough to allow the nut 16 and then the ferrules 20, 22 to move over the lips 707a, 707b toward the head 705. Once past the lips 707a, 707b, the fingers 706a, 706b snap back outward, thus retaining the ferrules 20, 22 and nut 16 together on the retaining piece as a single assembly 78.

The protective piece of the exemplary embodiment of the invention can take a wide variety of different configurations. For example, the protective portion can completely cover one or more of the nut, ferrules, and conduit end, or the cap can partially cover one or more of the nut, ferrules and conduit end, which may provide sufficient protection for the fitting components by preventing damage or contamination resulting from contact with another surface. The protective piece 700B of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 20-22 includes a pair of prongs 710a, 710b which extend from the head 705B to form a protective portion 710. The prongs 710a, 710b may include at their respective distal ends, inward protrusions or tangs 712a, 712b. The tangs 712a, 712b may be positioned and dimensioned to align with a recess in the external surface of the nut 16, such as the thread relief 17, or the space between the male threads and the nut hex, thereby preventing the protective portion from falling off when assembled to the nut 16, as shown in FIGS. 20-22. The head 705B of the protective piece 700B may form an upper or covering surface of the protective portion 710. As such, the head 705B may be provided with a bore 715 positioned to receive the conduit end T when the protective portion 710 is assembled over the nut 16, ferrules 20, 22, and tube end T, as shown in FIG. 22. It should be noted that the protective portion may comprise any structure that at least partially encloses, covers, or protects the nut 16, ferrules 20, 22, or tube end T, such as a cup-shaped extension or plug (not shown). As with the tool 500 of FIGS. 12A-15, the retaining piece 700A may be discarded after the nut 16 and ferrules 20, 22 have been assembled to the tube end and the protective piece 700B has been assembled to the conduit assembly, as shown in FIG. 22. In an alternative embodiment, the retaining piece 700A and the protective piece 700B may be provided as an integral plastic component with adjoining flush breakaway ends to maintain a reduced size for either the retained cartridge nut assembly 78 or the capped conduit assembly 79.

The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Modification and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this specification. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A tool for holding one or more fitting components together prior to assembly of the fitting components to a conduit end and for protecting at least one of the one or more fitting components and the conduit end after assembly of the one or more fitting components to the conduit end, the tool comprising:

a retaining portion adapted to retain the one or more fitting components on the tool; and

a protective portion adapted to at least partially cover at least one of the one or more fitting components and the conduit end after the fitting components have been assembled to the conduit end.

2. The tool of claim 1, wherein the retaining portion and the protective portion extend in opposite directions.

3. The tool of claim 1, wherein the protective portion further comprises a bore adapted to receive the conduit end.

4. The tool of claim 1, wherein the tool is adapted such that the retaining portion may be separated from the protective portion.

5. The tool of claim 4, further comprising a groove between the retaining portion and the protective portion, wherein the retaining portion may be separated from the protective portion by fracturing the tool at the groove.

6. The tool of claim 1, wherein the cap comprises a plurality of prongs, adapted to engage an external surface of the fitting component.

7. The tool of claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of prongs comprises a tang for gripping the external surface of the fitting component.

8. The tool of claim 1, wherein the protective portion comprises a cup adapted to completely cover at least one of the fitting component and the tube gripping device.

9. The tool of claim 1, wherein the protective portion is adapted to at least partially cover male threads on the fitting component.

10. The tool of claim 1, wherein the protective portion is adapted to at least partially cover female threads on the fitting component.

11. A tool for holding a fitting component having a central through bore together with a tube gripping device as a single assembly prior to assembly of the fitting component and tube gripping device to a conduit end, and for at least partially covering at least one of the fitting component, tube gripping device, and conduit end after assembly of the fitting component and tube gripping device to the conduit end, the tool comprising:

retaining means for retaining the fitting component and the tube gripping device on the tool as a single assembly; and

covering means for receiving and at least partially covering at least one of the fitting component and the tube gripping device after the fitting component and tube gripping device have been assembled to the conduit end.

12. A system for installing a fitting on a conduit end, the system comprising:

a first fitting component having a bore for receiving the conduit end;

a tube gripping device;

a second fitting component having a socket for receiving the tube gripping device and at least part of the first fitting component, the first and second fitting components being adapted to secure the tube gripping device to the conduit end when the conduit end is inserted in the bore of the first fitting component and the first fitting component is tightened into the second fitting component; and

a tool, comprising a retaining portion and a protective portion;

wherein the retaining portion is adapted to retain the first fitting component and the tube gripping device;

the retaining portion is further adapted to insert the first fitting component and the tube gripping device into the socket; and

the protective portion is adapted to at least partially cover at least one of the first fitting component and the tube gripping device after the first fitting component and the tube gripping device have been assembled to the conduit end.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the retaining portion and the protective portion extend in opposite directions.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the protective portion further comprises a bore adapted to receive the conduit end.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the tool is adapted such that the retaining portion may be separated from the protective portion.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the tool further comprises a groove between the retaining portion and the protective portion, wherein the retaining portion may be separated from the protective portion by fracturing the tool at the groove.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the protective portion of the tool comprises a plurality of prongs.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein each of the plurality of prongs comprises a tang for gripping the fitting component.

19. A system for installing a fitting on a conduit end, the system comprising:

a first fitting component having a bore for receiving the conduit end;

a tube gripping device;

a second fitting component having a socket for receiving at least a portion of the tube gripping device and the conduit end, the first and second fitting components being adapted to secure the tube gripping device to the conduit end when the conduit end is inserted in the bore of the first fitting component and the first fitting component is tightened onto the second fitting component; and

a tool, comprising a retaining portion and a protective portion;

wherein the retaining portion is adapted to retain the first fitting component and the tube gripping device;

the retaining portion is further adapted to insert the tube gripping device into the socket when the first fitting component is assembled to the second fitting component; and

the protective portion is adapted to at least partially cover at least one of the first fitting component and the tube gripping device after the first fitting component and the tube gripping device have been assembled to the conduit end.

20. A method of preparing a conduit end for installation in a fitting having a tube gripping device, a first fitting component, and a second fitting component, the method comprising:

retaining the first fitting component and the tube gripping device together;

engaging the first fitting component and the tube gripping device with the second fitting component;

inserting the conduit end through the first fitting component and the tube gripping device and into the second fitting component;

tightening the first fitting component with the second fitting component to secure the tube gripping device to the conduit end;

disassembling the second fitting component from the first fitting component, the tube gripping device, and the conduit end; and

covering at least one of the conduit end, the tube gripping device, and the first fitting component.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising providing a tool with a retaining portion for retaining the first fitting component and the tube gripping device together.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising providing a protective portion on the tool, wherein covering at least one of the conduit end, the tube gripping device, and the first fitting component comprises assembling the protective portion over at least one of the conduit end, the tube gripping device, and the first fitting component.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising separating the retaining portion from the protective portion after the first fitting component and the tube gripping device have been engaged with the second fitting component.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising providing a separable connection between the retaining portion and the protective portion of the tool, wherein separating the retaining portion from the protective portion comprises separating the tool at the separable connection.

25. The method of claim 22, further comprising providing a bore in the protective portion of the tool, wherein assembling the protective portion over at least one of the conduit end, the tube gripping device, and the first fitting component comprises receiving the conduit end in the bore.

26. The method of claim 22, further comprising providing a plurality of prongs in the protective portion of the tool, wherein assembling the protective portion over at least one of the conduit end, the tube gripping device, and the first fitting component comprises engaging the prongs with an external surface of the first fitting component.