Tube-end fitting

US6846021B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• TI Automotive (Fuldabrück) GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Reiner Rohde · Malsfeld, DE
• Andreas Rose · Vellmar, DE
• Torsten Thomke · Kassel, DE
• Andreas Szczepaniak · Vollmarshausen, DE
• Kurt Apel · Neuenstein, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 25, 2003
• Grant date: Jan 25, 2005
• Expiry date: Apr 25, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16L2201/10
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A tube end having an outwardly projecting ridge is secured in a fitting having a body formed with a seat centered on an axis and open axially rearwardly. The tube end is coaxially engageable in the seat, and a retaining clip on the body extends secantally across the seat and can move between an outer spread position engaging a respective inner surface of the seat and an inner retaining position spaced radially inward from the respective inner surface. The tube end when fully axially inserted in the seat is engaged axially outward of the ridge by the clip. A latch element can move between an outer freeing position generally clear of the clip and an inner locking position engaged outward of the clip between same and the respective inner surface and preventing the clip from moving from the inner retaining position to the outer spread position.