FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to tube connectors, and, more particularly, to a tube connector mostly interior to connected piping with external locking capture fingers.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Tube connector systems can be both larger and more cumbersome than desirable in an environment having fluid carrying pipes, particularly those connectors that are primarily exterior to connected piping. Current systems may further limit use of smart systems, smart tools, torque-sensing connection verification, and hands-free tightening. Systems may also lack double redundancy if clamps fail or a way to verify that a connection is successful before putting the tube connector system into use. Therefore, there is a need in the market for an improved tube connector to connect piping and allow fluid to travel from one pipe to the other.

SUMMARY

[0003] Disclosed is a tube connector system that has a connector body with a proximal end and a distal end. A through-passage is open through the connector body from the proximal end to the distal end and circumscribes a longitudinal center of the connector body. Present is a stepped outer surface of the connector body wherein a center step defines the functional transverse center and the greatest diameter of the connector body, at least one proximal step and at least one distal step of lesser diameter extending longitudinally from the center step and terminating respectively at the proximal and distal ends. The center step is designed to be abutted by the open ends of two connected pipes, the connected pipes of a lesser diameter than the center step, one pipe circumscribing the at least one proximal step and the other pipe circumscribing the at least one distal step, the through-passage of the connector body creating a pathway for liquid from one pipe to the other.

[0004] At least one proximal O-ring seal member and at least one distal O-ring seal member are disposed partially within connector grooved portions circumscribing the outer surface of the connector body on, respectively, at least one proximal step and at least one distal step extended from the center step, the O-ring seal members designed to abut, be circumscribed by, and be partially compressed toward the longitudinal center by the inner surface of connected piping to create 360-degree seals.

[0005] Parallelly oriented proximal and distal capture fingers circumscribe the center step longitudinally apart from the functional transverse center of the connector body. The capture fingers are designed to be rolled outward from the transverse center of the connector body over a flared lip portion of the connected piping abutted to the center step and a compressible colored ring tube portion circumscribing each pipe and abutted to the outer surface of the flared lip portions of the connected piping. A polymer clamp structure is designed to circumscribe the center step. An interior wedge portion of the clamp structure is designed to wedge between and abut the parallelly oriented proximal and distal capture fingers and to sustain transversely inward vectored force against the center step and longitudinally outward vectored force against the capture fingers from force exerted by a clamp member tightened around the diameter of the clamp structure.

[0006] In one embodiment of the disclosed tube connector, at least one cutaway portion of each capture finger is designed to permit viewing the colored ring within an interior portion of the given capture finger when the given capture finger has been rolled outward over its section of the lip portion of connected piping and colored ring. The compressible colored ring tube portion, when viewable through the cutaway portion of each capture finger, indicates a successful closure. In some embodiments of the disclosed tube connector, the compressible colored ring tube portion is a contrasting color from one or more of a group of green, yellow, orange, turquoise, light blue, and white.

[0007] In some embodiments of the disclosed tube connector, the proximal end and the distal end of the connector body are substantially equidistant from the actual transverse center of the connector body.

[0008] In some embodiments of the disclosed tube connector, the connecter body has the center step, a first proximal step of the at least one proximal step circumscribed by two parallelly oriented O-rings, and a first distal step of the at least one distal step circumscribed by two parallelly oriented O-rings.

[0009] In some embodiments of the disclosed tube connector, the connecter body has the center step, a second proximal step extending from the first proximal step and having the proximal end of the connector body, and a second distal step extending from the first distal step and having the distal end of the connector body.

[0010] In some embodiments of the disclosed tube connector, an outer groove portion of the polymer and radially collapsible clamp structure is designed to be circumscribed by and secured by a screw clamp.

[0011] In some embodiments of the disclosed tube connector, the tube connector is designed to be, upon installation, more than 85% interior to the connected pipe members.

[0012] In some embodiment of the disclosed tube connector, the center step defines the functional transverse center and the actual transverse center of the tube connector.

[0013] In inventive concept, to include the system and its corresponding method, now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read in conjunction with both this summary, the detailed description, and any preferred and/or particular embodiments specifically discussed or otherwise disclosed. Inventive concepts may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete, and will fully convey the full scope of the inventive concepts to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0001] Various embodiments are disclosed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, in which:

Figure 1 is a side cutaway view of the representative tube connector system;

Figure 2 is a side cutaway view of the tube connector system illustrated in Figure 1 installed within a representative pipe system;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the tube connector system illustrated in Figure 1 installed within the representative pipe system;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of connector fingers of the tube connector system illustrated in Figure 1 installed within the representative pipe system;

Figure 5 is a side view of the tube connector system illustrated in Figure 1 installed within the representative pipe system and secured by a clamp structure and clamp member; Figure 6 is a partial cutaway side view of the tube connector system illustrated in Figure 1 installed within the representative pipe system and secured by the clamp structure and clamp member;

Figure 7 is a complete cutaway side view of the tube connector system illustrated in Figure 1 installed within the representative pipe system and secured by the clamp structure and clamp member;

Figure 8 is a partial cutaway perspective view of the tube connector system illustrated in Figure 1 installed within the representative pipe system and secured by the clamp structure and clamp member;

Figure 9 is another partial cutaway perspective view of the tube connector system illustrated in Figure 1 installed within the representative pipe system and secured by the clamp structure and clamp member;

Figure 10 is a back perspective view of the tube connector system illustrated in Figure 1 installed within the representative pipe system and secured by the clamp structure and clamp member;

Figure 11 is a top perspective view of the tube connector system illustrated in Figure 1 installed within the representative pipe system and secured by the clamp structure and clamp member;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the tube connector system illustrated in Figure 1 installed within the representative pipe system before securing by the clamp structure and clamp member;

Figure 13 is an axial view of a polymer clamp member;

Figure 14 is a perspective view of the polymer clamp member;

Figure 15 is a side view of the tube connector system illustrated in Figure 1 installed within one side of the representative pipe system;

Figure 16 is a cutaway side view of the tube connector system illustrated in Figure 1 installed within one side of the representative pipe system;

Figure 17 is a cutaway side view of the tube connector system illustrated in Figure 1 installed within one side of the representative pipe system secured by the clamp structure and clamp member;

Figure 18 is a back perspective view of the representative pipe system illustrating the compressible colored ring tube portion; Figure 19 is a side view of the representative pipe system illustrating the compressible colored ring tube portion; and,

Figure 20 is a side cutaway perspective view of the representative pipe system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0002] Following are more detailed descriptions of various related concepts related to, and embodiments of, methods and apparatus according to the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that various aspects of the subject matter introduced above and discussed in greater detail below may be implemented in any of numerous ways, as the subject matter is not limited to any particular manner of implementation. Examples of specific implementations and applications are provided primarily for illustrative purposes.

[0003] FIGS. 1-20 illustrate a disclosed representative tube connector system 10 that has a substantially cylindrical connector body 100 with a proximal end 101 and a distal end 109. Further, the tube connector 10 may be made through injection molding, though other manufacturing methods may be used. A through-passage 120 is open through the connector body 100 from the proximal end 101 to the distal end 109 and circumscribing a longitudinal center 105 of the connector body 100. Present is a stepped outer surface 110 of the connector body 100 wherein a center step 115 defines the functional transverse center 125 and the greatest diameter of the connector body 100. At least one proximal step 111 and at least one distal step 119 of lesser diameter extend longitudinally from the center step 115 and terminate respectively at the proximal end 101 and distal end 109. The functional transverse center 125 of the connector body 100 is a portion of the connector body 100 that is between connected pipes and may also be the actual transverse center 125 of the connector body 100 between the proximal end 101 and the distal end 109 of the connector body 100. The center step 115 is designed to be abutted by the open ends of two connected pipes, the connected pipes of a lesser diameter than the center step 115, one pipe circumscribing the at least one proximal step 111 and the other pipe circumscribing the at least one distal step 119, the through-passage 120 of the connector body 100 creating a pathway for liquid from one pipe to the other.

[0004] FIGS. 1-20 further illustrate at least one each O-ring seal member 130 disposed partially within connector grooved portions 135 circumscribing the outer surface 103 of the connector body 100 on at least one proximal step 111 and at least one distal step 119 extended from the center step 115, the O-ring seal members 130 designed to abut, be circumscribed by, and be partially compressed toward the longitudinal center 105 by the inner surface of connected piping to create 360-degree seals. Parallelly oriented proximal capture fingers 141 and distal capture fingers 149 circumscribe the center step 115 longitudinally apart from the functional transverse center 125 of the connector body 100, the capture fingers 141, 149 designed to be operably malleable enough to be rolled outward from the transverse center 125 of the connector body 100 over a flared lip portion 152 of the connected piping, the flared lip portion 152 of the connected piping labeled in this disclosure for illustration though apart from the inventive concept as a portion of the connecting piping, abutted to the center step 115 and a compressible colored ring tube portion 350, as initially illustrated in FIG. 3, circumscribing each pipe and abutted to the outer surface of the flared lip portions 152 of the connected piping. [0005] FIGS. 1-20 further illustrate views of the tube connector system 10 with the addition of, as initially illustrated in FIGS. 5-14 and 17, a polymer clamp structure 560 designed to circumscribe the center step 115. An interior wedge portion 565 of the clamp structure 560 is designed to wedge between and abut the parallelly oriented proximal capture fingers 141 and distal capture fingers 149 and to sustain transversely inward vectored force against the center step 115 and longitudinally outward vectored force against the capture fingers 141, 149 from force exerted by a clamp member 568 tightened around the diameter of the clamp structure 560.

[0006] FIGS. 1-20 further illustrate that in one representative embodiment of the disclosed tube connector system 10, at least one cutaway portion 145 of each capture finger 141, 149 is designed to permit viewing the colored ring tube portion 350 within an interior portion of the given capture finger 141, 149 when the given capture finger 141, 149 has been rolled outward over its section of the lip portion 152 of connected piping and colored ring tube portion 350. The compressible colored ring tube portion 350, when viewable through the cutaway portion 145 of each capture finger 141, 149 indicates a successful closure. In the representative embodiment of the disclosed tube connector system 10, the compressible colored ring tube portion 350 is a contrasting color from one or more of a group of green, yellow, orange, turquoise, light blue and white. A contrasting color is a color that makes it easy for a person to see that color because of at least one or more of its differences, such as white against black, and brightness, such as viewing fluorescent green.

[0007] FIGS. 1-20 further illustrate that in one representative embodiment of the disclosed tube connector system 10, the proximal end 101 and the distal end 109 of the connector body 100 are substantially equidistant from the actual transverse center 125 of the connector body 100. Some other embodiments of the tube connector system 10 may be asymmetrical where the transverse center 125 is functional instead of actual. In the representative embodiment, the transverse center 125 is both actual and functional.

[0008] FIGS. 1-20 further illustrate that in one representative embodiment of the disclosed tube connector 10, the connecter body 100 has the center step 115, a first proximal step 111A of the at least one proximal step 111 circumscribed by two parallelly oriented O- rings, and a first distal step 119A of the at least one first distal step 119 circumscribed by two parallelly oriented O-rings 130. The disclosed tube connector system 10, inclusive of the connector fingers 141, 149, may be at least one or more of polymer and metal, and may have components where some are polymer and some are metal.

[0009] FIGS. 1-20 further illustrate that in one representative embodiment of the disclosed tube connector system 10, the connecter body has the center step 105, a second proximal step 11 IB extending from the first proximal step 111 A and having the proximal end 101 of the connector body 100 and a second distal step 119B extending from the first distal step 119A and having the distal end 109 of the connector body 100.

[0010] FIGS. 1-20 further illustrate that in one representative embodiment of the disclosed tube connector system 10, the polymer clamp structure 560 has radially collapsible flexible extenders 563. In one representative embodiment of the disclosed tube connector system 10, an outer groove portion 567 of the polymer and radially collapsible clamp structure 560 is adapted to be circumscribed by and secured by a screw clamp 569. Other clamp types may be used, to include universal locking systems, lock clamps, finger locks, ties such as zip ties, crimping locks, and other locks known to those skilled in the art to secure tubes to piping. [0011] FIGS. 1-20 further illustrate that in one representative embodiment of the disclosed tube connector system 10, the connector body 100 is adapted to be, upon installation, more than 85% interior to the connected pipe members, thereby affording further compactness, burst resistance, and less chance for debris collection. One embodiment of the tube connector 10 is substantially 86% interior to the connecting pipe members once installed.

[0012] FIGS. 21A-21C disclosed a representative tube connector method, the method including 2100 installing within the open proximal end 101 of the first pipe member to the distal end 109 of the connector body 100, the connector body 100 having the proximal end 101 and the distal end 109, the through-passage 120 through the connector body 100 from the proximal end 101 to the distal end 109 of the connector body 100 designed to allow passage of material flowing from the first pipe member to and through the second pipe member. The method includes 2105 abutting the first pipe member to the center step 115 defining the functional transverse center 125 and the greatest diameter of the connector body 100, the first pipe member circumscribing an at least one distal step 119 of lesser diameter than the center step 115 extending longitudinally from the center step 115 to the distal end 109 of the connector body 100. The method includes 2110 placing the clamp member 568 and clamp structure 560 over the connector body 100 to circumscribe the connector body 100 and abutting the second pipe member to the center step 115 defining the functional transverse center 125 and the greatest diameter of the connector body 100, the second pipe member circumscribing an at least one proximal step 111 of lesser diameter than the center step 115 extending longitudinally from the center step 115 to the proximal end 101 of the connector body 100. The method including 2115 compressing partially, therefore, toward the longitudinal center 105 with respective interior surfaces of the pipe members at least one proximal O-ring seal member 130 and at least one distal O-ring seal member 130 disposed partially within connector grooved portions 135 circumscribing the outer surface of the connector body 100 on, respectively, at least one proximal step 111 and at least one distal step 119 extended from the center step 115, creating a 360-degree seal, therefore, with the O-ring seal members 130 by way of the inner surface of connected piping.

[0013] FIGS. 21A-21C further illustrates that the tube connector method includes 2120 rolling outward from the functional transverse center 125 of the connector body 100 parallelly oriented proximal capture fingers 141 and distal capture fingers 149 circumscribing the center step 115 longitudinally apart from the functional transverse center 125 of the connector body 100, the capture fingers 141, 149 rolling over the flared lip portion 152 of the connected piping abutted to the center step 115 and the compressible colored ring tube portion 350 circumscribing each pipe and abutted to the outer surface of the flared lip portions 152 of the connected piping. The method includes 2125 clamping the polymer clamp structure 560 designed to circumscribe the center step 115, wedging an interior wedge portion 565 of the clamp structure 560 between and abutting the parallelly oriented proximal capture fingers 141 and distal capture fingers 149, creating and sustaining transversely inward vectored force against the center step 115 and longitudinally outward vectored force against the capture fingers 141, 149, the longitudinally outward vectored force preventing release of the capture fingers 141, 149.

[0014] FIGS. 21A-21C further illustrate that the tube connector method may further include 2130, viewing the colored ring through at least one cutaway portion 145 of each capture finger 141, 149, confirming the given capture finger 141, 149 has been rolled outward as designed over its section of the flared lip portion 152 of connected piping and compressible colored ring tube portion 350.

[0015] FIGS. 21A-21C further illustrate that the tube connector method may further include 2135, collapsing radially collapsible polymer clamp structures 560 having flexible extenders 563 around the center step 115 of the connector body 100.

[0016] FIGS. 21A-21C further illustrate that the tube connector method may further include 2140, circumscribing and securing with the screw clamp 569 the collapsible clamp structure 560.

[0017] The following patents are incorporated by reference in their entireties: US6773039B2, US10072783B2, US10203058, US10627030B2, US10823321,

US3475793B2, US5226680, US2004/0255432A1, US20220065375, DE202008016177, EP3159590, KR101340284, and KR2001009544.

[0018] While inventive concepts have been described above in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts are not limited to these disclosed embodiments. Upon reading the teachings of this disclosure, many modifications and other embodiments of the inventive concepts will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which these inventive concepts pertain, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure and the appended claims. It is indeed intended that the scope of the inventive concepts should be determined by proper interpretation and construction of the appended claims and their legal equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the disclosure in this specification and the attached drawings.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

10 Tube Connector System

100 Connector Body

101 Proximal End

105 Longitudinal Center

109 Distal End

110 Stepped Outer Surface

111 Proximal Step

111A First Proximal Step

111B Second Proximal Step

115 Center Step

119 Distal Step

119A First Distal Step

119B Second Distal Step

120 Through-Passage

125 Transverse Center

130 O-Ring Seal Member

135 Connector Grooved Portions

141 Proximal Capture Fingers

149 Distal Capture Fingers

145 Cutaway Portion

152 Flared Lip Portion

350 Compressible Colored Ring Tube Portion

560 Clamp Structure

565 Interior Wedge Portion

567 Outer Groove Portion

568 Clamp Member

569 Screw Clamp Member

2100-2140 Associated Method.