Tube joint assembly

Abstract

To provide a tube coupling assembly that fluidly connects a tube to another device in a medical system using a mechanical coupling without requiring adhesives, welding, or similar joining methods. [Solution] According to the present invention, a tube joint assembly that can be connected to a portion of a tube may have a locking structure to resist unintended disassembly of the joint, and may have an assembly assist structure to provide leverage when assembling a collar using the body of the tube joint assembly, and the collar and body may be assembled together such that a portion of the tube is placed between them, and as a result the tube may be compressed between the inner surface of the collar and the outer surface of the body to fluidly connect the tube to a hole through the body, provide a liquid-tight seal between the tube and the body, and resist the tube separating from the body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 072,785, filed Aug. 31, 2020, entitled “TUBING JUNCTION ASSEMBLY,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to connecting a tube to another device in a medical system, and more particularly to fluidly connecting a tube to another device in a medical system using a mechanical coupling without the need for adhesives, welding, or similar joining methods.

Background Art

[0003] In the medical field, and more generally in other fields and applications, tubes can be connected to devices or fittings and used to transfer fluids. In the medical field, patients can often receive the delivery of medical fluids administered via intravenous (IV) infusion using an assembly of tubing and fittings commonly referred to as an “IV set.” An IV set is made in a variety of configurations using various types of access ports, manifolds, valves, drip chambers, and other fittings connected by multiple lengths of medical tubing.

[0004] The connection between a tube and a fitting can be referred to as a “joint” or “junction.” When an assembly of a tube and a fitting is used in a medical application or other applications requiring a high degree of integrity or performance, it is important to prevent failures at the joint between the tube and the fitting. It is also important to reduce the steps required for creating and assembling the joint in manufacturing.

[0005] Malfunctions at the joint between the tube and the fitting can create a leak path between the fluid passage of the assembly and the environment outside the fluid path. This leak path may allow medical fluid to escape the assembly or allow air to enter the assembly, which may result in improper delivery of fluid and / or medication to the patient, interaction between gases and the assembly, and / or compromise the sterility of the assembly or medication.

[0006] The joint can be obtained by integrally joining the tube and fitting using solvents, adhesives, or welding. Alternatively, the joint can be obtained by using mechanical couplings such as interlocking fits or clamps. However, various factors must be considered for integrally connecting the tube and fitting to prevent the formation of defects at the joint. [Overview of the project]

[0007] The joint between the tube and the fitting may fail to meet integrity or performance requirements if the joint is defective. Several factors that may result in a defective joint include the volume of solvent added, the suitability of the tube and fitting materials to the solvent, the amount of time required or provided to cure the bond, the homogeneity of the solvent added, or the tolerances of the tube and fitting relative to each other. In some cases, manufacturing and assembly constraints may not allow for the time required to perform all the steps necessary to connect the tube and the joint, which may include verifying and adjusting the tolerances of the components relative to each other.

[0008] Aspects of the present disclosure provide a tube joint assembly having a body, the body having an outer surface, an inner surface, a proximal end portion, and a distal end portion, the inner surface defining a hole extending between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion, the outer surface having body threads (or screw threads) extending from the outer surface in a radially outward direction away from the hole, the outer surface of the body defining a cross-sectional width that decreases from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion of the body, the tube joint assembly having a collar, the collar having a first end, a second end, and an inner surface defining a passage extending between the first end and the second end, the inner surface of the collar having collar threads extending radially inward into the passage, the collar threads extending along the inner surface of the collar from the first end to the second end of the collar.

[0009] The disclosure provides a tube joint assembly having a body, the body having an outer surface, an inner surface, a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a transverse wall between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion, the transverse wall having a cavity extending through the wall toward the proximal end portion, the tube joint assembly having a collar having a first end, a second end, and an inner surface defining a passage extending between the first end and the second end, the collar having a lock tab extending from the first end in a first direction away from the second end of the collar, and when the collar is coupled to the body, the lock tab is configured to be inserted into the cavity of the body to resist the movement of the collar away from the body.

[0010] Additional features and advantages of the subject art are described below, and may be partially evident from the following description or understood by carrying out the subject art. The advantages of the subject art are realized and achieved by the descriptions and embodiments described herein, as well as the structures specifically illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0011] Please understand that both the general description above and the detailed description below are illustrative and explanatory, and are intended to provide further explanation of the technology of this subject.

[0012] The following describes various features of exemplary embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. The embodiments shown are intended to illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit it. The drawings include the following figures. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This figure shows a tube coupling assembly incorporated into an IV set connected to a patient, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing a tube joint assembly according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the tube joint assembly according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional exploded view showing the tube joint assembly of Figure 2 according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view showing the tube joint assembly of Figure 2 according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing a tube joint assembly according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view showing a tube coupling assembly and socket according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] This is a top view showing a tube coupling assembly and the socket shown in Figure 8, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] This is a cross-sectional view showing a tube coupling assembly and the socket shown in Figure 8, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] This is a perspective view showing a tube coupling assembly and socket according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the tube joint assembly according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 12] This is a cross-sectional exploded view showing the tube joint assembly of Figure 11 according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] This is a cross-sectional exploded view showing the tube joint assembly of Figure 10 according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] This is a cross-sectional view showing the tube joint assembly of Figure 10 according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] The following detailed explanation includes numerous specific details to enable a complete understanding of the subject matter. It should be understood that the subject matter may be implemented without some of these specific details. In other examples, well-known structures and techniques are not shown in detail to avoid obscuring the subject matter.

[0015] Furthermore, while this description details various embodiments, it should be recognized that this description is merely illustrative and should not be construed in any way as limiting. In addition, while specific embodiments of the present invention may be disclosed or shown in the context of devices within medical systems, such embodiments are intended to be used for other fluid transfer applications (such as the transfer of food, beverages, fuels, lubricants, etc.). Moreover, such embodiments, and various applications of modifications thereto that can be conceived by those skilled in the art, are also encompassed within the general concepts described herein.

[0016] Through several embodiments, this application discloses various features and advantages of tube coupling assemblies. Tube coupling assemblies can be used to reliably and easily connect the ends of tubes to another apparatus or device and to enable the transfer of fluids between them. Furthermore, tube coupling assemblies can achieve effective and highly reliable coupling between tubes and apparatuses, comparable to or superior to other methods such as solvent bonding. The tube coupling assemblies of this disclosure further minimize and / or eliminate factors that may reduce the reliability and performance of the coupling and reduce the complexity of assembling the coupling.

[0017] For example, the tube coupling assembly of the present disclosure provides a coupling between the tube and the device without requiring a specific volume of adhesive or solvent to be applied for a specific length of the tube. Further, this tube coupling assembly does not require chemical compatibility of the materials in each of the adhesive or solvent, the tube, and the device in order to make the coupling effective and highly reliable. In addition, the tube coupling assembly can achieve an effective and highly reliable coupling with a high tolerance between the tube and the device. The simple and effective features of the present disclosure provide a tube coupling assembly that can be easily adapted to an automated manufacturing or assembly operation. In some embodiments, the tube coupling assembly provides a structure, such as one or more locking structures, that resists unintentional disassembly of the coupling.

[0018] The tube coupling assembly of the present disclosure has, without limitation, a body and a collar, and the collar and the body can be integrally connected to engage a portion of the tube positioned between the body and the collar. Although the body and the collar are described or illustrated separately, it should be understood that any of the body and / or the collar can be configured as part of another device or apparatus. For example, the body can be part of an IV bag, a drip chamber, a check valve, a flow control device, a fluid filter, a pump, or another apparatus or device.

[0019] To fluidly connect the end portion of the tube to the body, the end of the tube is inserted over the body, such that the distal portion of the body extends into the fluid passage of the tube. Then, the collar is inserted over the body and the end tube, such that when the collar is connected to the body, the tube is compressed between the body and the collar.

[0020] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a tube joint assembly may have one or more locking structures and / or assembly auxiliary structures. The locking structures may include any of the following: a self-locking screw, ratchet teeth, or a locking tab. A self-locking screw can provide an interlocking fit between the body and the collar, thereby preventing rotation that would otherwise unscrew the collar and body or separate the collar and body. A portion of the collar or body may have ratchet teeth configured to engage with the other ridge or pawl of the collar or body, thereby preventing rotation that would otherwise unscrew the collar and body or separate the collar and body. A locking tab may extend from either the body or the collar and may be configured to engage with the other protruding shelf portion of the collar or body, thereby engaging with the protruding shelf portion when the collar and body are joined together, thereby resisting separation of the collar and body and / or rotation of the collar relative to the body.

[0021] Referring next to the figures, Figure 1 shows an example of a tube coupling assembly 100 used according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The tube coupling assembly 100 is fluidically coupled to the tubing of an intravenous (IV) set used to deliver fluid to a patient 10. The IV set comprises a drug bag 12, a drip chamber 14, tubing 16, the tube coupling assembly 100, and an IV catheter 18. While the shown embodiment of the tube coupling assembly 100 is coupled to the drip chamber 14, it should be understood that the tube coupling assembly of the present disclosure may be incorporated into or coupled to other devices and apparatus, such as manifolds, needleless access ports, check valves, drip chambers, or other fluid transfer devices and / or fluid control devices. Furthermore, the tube coupling assembly of the present disclosure may be incorporated into or coupled to devices and apparatus used in other non-pharmaceutical applications or industries, including, for example, food, petroleum, nuclear operators, transportation, mining, pulp and paper, steel, marine, aviation, construction, and other industries.

[0022] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a partially assembled tube joint assembly 102. The tube joint assembly 102 has a body 202 and a collar 252. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the tube joint assembly 102 with the collar 252 separated from the body 202.

[0023] The tube joint assembly 102 is configured to be assembled by moving the collar 252 over a portion of the body 202. When the end portion of the tube is positioned between the body 202 and the collar 252, the tube is compressed between the outer surface of the body 202 and the inner surface of the collar 252 when the collar is attached to the body.

[0024] The body 202 has a proximal end portion 204 and a distal end portion 206. A hole 208 extends through the proximal end portion 204 and the distal end portion 206 and is configured to guide fluid through the body 202. The hole 208 defines an axis A1 that extends through the radial center of the hole 208 between the proximal end portion 204 and the distal end portion 206 of the body. The distal end portion 206 of the body extends from the proximal end portion 202 to the distal end 212 of the body. The distal end portion 206 may be configured to be inserted into the end of a tube, so that at least a portion of the body 202 is positioned inside the hole of the tube.

[0025] It is intended that the body 202 may be formed together with another component 20, such as another device or apparatus. For example, the proximal end 210 of the body may be molded together with the other component 20. In another example, the body 202 may be connected to the other component 20 by the application of adhesive or by welding the proximal end 210 of the body to the other component 20. In yet another example, the body 202 may be connected to the other component 20 using mechanical fasteners, such as complementary screws, latches, clamps, or other fasteners that secure the body to the other component 20. Thus, to simplify the examples of structural parts of the present disclosure, the body 202 is shown connected to a portion of the component 20.

[0026] The collar 252 has a first end 254 and a second end 256. A passage 258 extends through the first end 254 and the second end 256 and is configured to allow the collar to be inserted onto the body 202 and at least a portion of the tube. The passage 258 defines an axis A2 that extends through the radial center of the passage 258 between the first end 254 and the second end 256 of the collar.

[0027] To assist in connecting the body 202 to the collar 252, the body 202 and the collar 252 may have complementary fasteners. The complementary fasteners include a body screw 214 extending along the outer surface of the body 202 and a collar screw 260 extending along the inner surface of the collar, as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

[0028] The body thread 214 may extend along either the proximal end portion 204 and / or the distal end portion 206 of the body. As shown, the body thread 214 extends along the proximal end portion 204 of the body from a first point adjacent to the proximal end 210 of the body to a second point adjacent to the distal end portion 206 of the body. The body thread 214 may extend along the length B1 of the body, partially toward the distal end 212 from the proximal end 210 of the body.

[0029] The outermost surface of the body thread 214 forms a vertex or ridge that defines the outer surface of the body. The outer surface of the body may have a cross-sectional width that decreases from the proximal end 210 toward the distal end portion 206 of the body. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the cross-sectional width of the body may increase, decrease, and / or be kept constant along the proximal portion 204 of the body.

[0030] The distal end portion 206 of the body has an outer surface that defines its cross-sectional width. The cross-sectional width may be constant along a first segment of the distal end portion 206 having length B2, and may decrease along a second segment of the distal end portion 206 having length B3.

[0031] The cross-sectional width of the outer surface of the distal end 212 of the body may be approximately equal to the diameter of the hole in the tube 16 configured to connect to the tube joint assembly 102. When the distal end 206 of the body is inserted into the hole in the tube 16 and the end of the tube is moved along the outer surface of the body toward the proximal end 210, an interference fit is established between the body and the tube 16. In some embodiments of this disclosure, the tube 16 is expanded over the body 202 or clamped.

[0032] The body 202 may have a wall 220 configured to resist the movement of the tube 16 beyond the wall 220 relative to the body 202. The wall 220 may be formed by a portion of the outer surface of the body between a proximal end portion 204 and a distal end portion 206. The wall 220 extends in a direction lateral (i.e., transverse) with respect to the axis A1 passing through the hole 208. In some embodiments, the wall 220 may be formed as another structure, such as a ridge, post, or slope, extending from the outer surface of the body 202. When the tube 16 is connected to the body 202, the end of the tube 16 may engage with the wall 220 to resist the movement of the tube toward the proximal end 210 of the body 202.

[0033] A collar 252 may be connected to the body 202 to resist the movement of the tube 16 relative to the body 202 and to form a liquid-tight coupling between the tube 16 and the body 202. The collar 252 is configured to be connected to the body 202 by inserting the collar 252 over the tube 16 and over at least a portion of the body 202.

[0034] To enable the collar 252 to be inserted onto the body 202 and the tube 16, the inner surface of the collar 252 forming a passage 258 defines a cross-sectional width configured to allow the tube and at least a portion of the body 202 to be inserted through it. The passage 259 may have a cross-sectional width approximately equal to the cross-sectional width of the body at the opposite point when the collar 252 is connected to the body 202. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional width of the passage 258 decreases from the first end 254 to the second end 256 of the collar.

[0035] The collar screw 260 extends along the inner surface of the collar from a first end 254 to a second end 256. The collar screw 260 extends from the first end 254 to the second end 256 of the collar along a length C1 of the collar that defines the first end portion 262. In some embodiments, the length C1 of the collar is equal to the length B1 of the body. The collar passage 258 further has a second end portion 264 that extends from the first end portion 262 to the second end 256.

[0036] In some embodiments, these complementary threads may extend along other parts of the body 202 and / or collar 252. For example, body threads may extend along an inner surface of the body 202, such as a sleeve of the body, and collar threads may extend along an outer surface of the collar 252. It is also intended that the body 202 and collar 252 may have other forms of complementary fasteners, such as cam locks, latches, spikes, and / or interlocking fits between opposing surfaces.

[0037] The tube joint assembly 102 can be assembled with the tube 16 as shown in Figures 4 and 5, which show a cross-sectional view of the tube joint assembly 102 through line AA in Figure 2. To assemble the tube joint assembly 102, the tube 16 is inserted through the collar passage 258. The distal end 212 of the body is inserted into the hole in the tube 16 until at least a portion of the distal end portion 206 of the body is inserted into the tube 16.

[0038] Next, the collar 252 is moved along the outer surface of the tube 16 in a direction from the distal end 212 of the body toward the proximal end 210 of the body 202. In embodiments in which the body 202 and the collar 252 have complementary threads, the collar 252 and / or the body 202 can be rotated relative to each other.

[0039] When the collar 252 is connected to the body 202, the distal end portion 206 of the body extends into the passage 258 of the collar. In addition, part or all of the proximal end portion 204 of the body may extend into the passage 258 of the collar. Furthermore, when the collar 252 is connected to the body 202, at least a portion of the outer surface of the distal end portion 206 of the body is separated by a certain distance from the inner surface of the collar that is directly opposite to the body.

[0040] The distance between the collar 252 and the body 202 may be approximately equal to or less than the wall thickness T1 of the tube 16. In some embodiments, the distance between the outer surface of the distal end portion 206 of the body and the inner surface of the collar directly opposite the body is less than or equal to the thickness T1 of the tube 16, so that the inner surface of the collar 202 engages with the tube 16 and compresses the tube 16.

[0041] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the tube joint assembly may have structural components for assisting in the assembly of the collar and body. Figures 6–9 show a tube joint assembly 104 having an assembly assisting structural component defined by a flange 270 extending from the collar 252. The tube joint assembly 104 may further have a tool configured to engage with the assembly assisting structural component to assist in the assembly of the collar and body. At least some structural components of the tube joint assembly 104 are similar to those of the tube joint assembly 102. Therefore, for clarity and brevity of this disclosure, reference numerals for structural components of the tube joint assembly 104 that are equivalent to or similar to structural components described in relation to other embodiments of the tube joint assembly of this disclosure are used repeatedly. It should be understood that the structural components of this disclosure may be combined with or applied to embodiments of the tube joint assembly described in other parts of this disclosure.

[0042] The flange 270 extends from the outer surface of the collar 252 in a direction that is radially outward away from the collar 252 and perpendicular to the axis A2 of the collar.

[0043] The flange 270 may extend from the collar 252 along either the first end portion 262 or the second end portion 264 of the collar. As shown, the flange 270 may extend from the outer surface of the collar at the first end portion 254 of the collar.

[0044] The flange 270 may have engagement surfaces defining one or more vertical surfaces parallel to axis A2. The engagement surfaces may be defined by spurs 272 of the flange extending radially outward away from the collar 252. The flange 270 may have a plurality of spurs 272 spaced apart around the outer surface of the flange 270.

[0045] Each spar portion 272 forms an inclined surface 274 that extends away from the outer surface of the collar, and a lateral wall 276 that extends between the inclined surface 274 and the outer surface of the collar 252. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, each spar portion has a vertex, the inclined surface 274 extends from the outer surface of the collar 252 to the vertex, and the lateral wall 276 extends from the vertex to the outer surface of the collar 252.

[0046] At least one of the engagement surfaces is formed by the lateral wall 276, defining a plane that intersects with axis A2. The lateral wall 276 is configured such that a force applied to the lateral wall 276 in direction F1 causes the collar to rotate clockwise around axis A2.

[0047] In contrast, the plane defined by the inclined surface 274 does not intersect axis A2. Therefore, the force applied to the inclined surface 274 in direction F2 is deflected from the flange 270, thereby resisting the counterclockwise rotation of the collar around axis A2.

[0048] In some embodiments, the assembly support structure may be formed by another structure or component of the collar 252. For example, the assembly support structure may be defined by a post, ridge, or slope extending outward from the outer surface of the collar 252. In some embodiments, the assembly support structure may be defined by a recess or groove extending into the outer surface of the collar 252.

[0049] Referring to Figure 7, the tube joint assembly 104 may further have a socket 290 configured to face the flange 270 and assist in connecting the collar 252 to the body 202. The socket 290 may be configured to provide leverage for rotating the collar 252 when the body threads 214 and collar threads 260 are connected together. The socket 290 may also be used to align the collar 252 to the body 202 during the assembly of the tube joint assembly 104.

[0050] Referring to Figures 8 and 9, the socket has an inner surface defining a passage 292 having a socket axis A3. The inner surface forms an inclined surface 294 and a lateral wall 296 that extend into the passage 292. When the collar 252 is inserted into the socket 290, the lateral wall 296 of the socket aligns with the lateral wall 276 of the flange, and the axis A2 of the collar and the axis A3 of the socket 290 are aligned. When the socket 290 is rotated in a first direction F3 about the socket axis A3, the lateral wall 296 of the socket engages with the lateral wall 276 of the flange and applies a force F1 thereon.

[0051] When the socket 290 is rotated in a second direction opposite to direction F3, the inclined surface 294 of the socket engages with the inclined surface 274 of the flange, and as a result, the collar 252 is not rotated on the body 202. The collar 270 and the socket 290 are configured such that the lateral wall 296 of the socket does not engage with the lateral wall 276 of the flange when the socket 290 is rotated in a second direction opposite to direction F3.

[0052] The socket 290 may have a beveled surface 298 extending from the end of the socket to a vertex defined between the inclined surface 294 and the transverse wall 296. The beveled surface 298 is configured to engage with a portion of the spur 272 when the socket 290 is inserted into the collar 252, as shown in Figure 9, which shows a cross-sectional view of the tube joint assembly 104 through line BB in Figure 7. When the beveled surface 298 engages with the spur 272, the collar 252 and / or the socket 290 are directed to rotate relative to each other until the transverse wall 296 of the socket aligns with the transverse wall 276 of the flange.

[0053] Referring to Figures 10-14, a tube joint assembly 106 having a locking structure is shown. At least some of the structural components of tube joint assembly 106 are similar to those of tube joint assemblies 102 and 104. Therefore, as described above, for the sake of clarity and brevity of this disclosure, reference numerals for structural components of tube joint assembly 106 that are equivalent to or similar to those of other embodiments of tube joint assemblies 102 and 104 are used repeatedly.

[0054] The locking structure of the tube joint assembly 106 is defined by a collar 252 having a locking tab 402, and a body 202 having a cavity 452 configured to receive the locking tab.

[0055] The collar 252 has a first end 254 and a second end 256. A passage 258 extends through the first end 254 and the second end 256 and is configured to allow the collar to be inserted onto the body 202. The passage 258 defines an axis A2 that extends between the first end 254 and the second end 256 of the collar, through the radial center of the passage 258.

[0056] The collar 252 has one or more locking tabs 402 configured to engage with the body 202 when the collar 252 is connected to the body 202. The locking tabs 402 extend from the first end 254 in a first direction away from the second end 256 of the collar. Each locking tab 402 can extend in a direction substantially parallel to the axis A2 of the collar. When the collar 252 is connected to the body 202 and the axis A2 of the collar is aligned with the axis A1 of the body, the locking tabs 402 extend toward the body 202.

[0057] In some embodiments, each locking tab 402 has a spine portion 404 extending from the outer surface of the locking tab 402. The spine portion 404 may have a distal end extending from the locking tab 402 in a second direction which is perpendicular to a first direction which is the direction in which the locking tab 402 extends. When the collar 252 is connected to the body 202, the spine portion 404 is configured to engage with a portion of the body 202 to resist unintended movement of the collar 252 relative to the body 202. In some embodiments, the spine portion 404 is configured to resist the collar 252 moving away from the body 202 along an axis A1 through a hole in the body.

[0058] The body 202 may have a lateral wall 442 extending from the body in a direction away from the axis A1 of the body. The lateral wall 442 may extend along the proximal end portion 204 of the body, from the proximal end 210 toward the distal end 212 of the body.

[0059] The lateral wall 442 has an inner surface spaced apart from the outer surface of the proximal portion 204 of the body, so as to define a cavity 444 between them. The cavity 444 is configured to receive the lock tab 402 when the collar 252 is connected to the body 202.

[0060] The body 202 may have multiple cavities 444 spaced apart around axis A1 and the outer surface of the proximal portion 204 of the body, as shown in Figures 12-14, which show a cross-sectional view of the tube joint assembly 106 through line CC in Figure 10. When the body 202 has multiple cavities 444, the collar 252 can be moved toward the body 202 and connected to the body 202 only when each lock tab 402 is aligned with a complementary cavity 444. Furthermore, the engagement of the lock tab 402 with respect to the lateral wall 442 can resist rotation of the collar 252 relative to the body 202 about axes A1, A2.

[0061] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the cavity 444 extends around the entire outer surface defining the periphery of the proximal portion 204 of the body, so that the lock tab 402 can be inserted into the cavity 444 in any radial orientation relative to the body 202.

[0062] When the lock tab 402 is inserted into the cavity 444, the movement of the body 202 and the collar 252 away from each other is prevented by the engagement of the spike portion 404 with the protruding shelf portion 446 of the body. The protruding shelf portion 446 can extend from the lateral wall 442 into the cavity 444 toward the hole 208 of the body.

[0063] As the body 202 is inserted through the passage 258 of the collar 252, the spike portion 404 of each lock tab 402 engages with the inner surface of the lateral wall 442 to bias the lock tab 402 toward the axis A2 of the collar. As the collar 252 is moved further toward the proximal end 210 of the body, the spike portion 404 moves through the protruding shelf portion 446, thereby allowing the lock tab 402 to move radially outward toward the unbiased position.

[0064] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the protruding shelf portion 446 can extend from the outer surface of the proximal portion 204 of the body into the cavity 444. In such embodiments, the locking tab 402 can be biased radially outward so as to move away from the axis A1 of the body until the spike portion 404 of the locking tab moves through the protruding shelf portion 446.

[0065] The body 202 may further have an aperture 460 extending through the proximal end 210 of the body to the cavity 444. If the body 202 has multiple cavities 444, each cavity may have an aperture 460 extending through the proximal end 210 of the body.

[0066] The aperture 460 can intersect the cavity 444 in the portion adjacent to the protruding shelf portion 446, so that the opening of the aperture in the cavity 444 is positioned on the opposite side of the protruding shelf portion 446. The aperture 460 can allow the lock tab 402 to be biased by an object that will be inserted through the aperture 460, thereby allowing the collar 252 to be separated from the body 202. For example, the collar 252 can be separated from the body 202 by inserting a pin through the aperture 460 until an object such as a pin engages with the spike portion 404 and biases the lock tab 402 away from the protruding shelf portion 446. When the lock tab 402 is biased by a distance equal to the length of the spike portion 404, the collar 252 can be moved away from the body 202, so that the lock tab 402 is retracted from the cavity 444 without the spike portion 404 engaging with the protruding shelf portion 446.

[0067] Referring to Figures 13 and 14, the tube joint assembly 106 can be assembled by inserting the distal end portion 206 of the body into the hole in the tube 16. The collar 252 is then moved along the outer surface of the tube 16 in the direction toward the distal end 212 of the body.

[0068] In embodiments where the body 202 has multiple cavities 444 spaced apart from each other, the body 202 and / or the collar 252 are rotated relative to each other until the lock tab 402 is aligned with the cavity 444. Once the lock tab 402 and the cavity 444 are aligned, the collar 252 may be moved toward the proximal end 210 of the body, so that the lock tab 402 enters the cavity 444.

[0069] The collar 252 is moved in a first direction toward the proximal end 210 of the body 202 until the spike portion 404 of the lock tab is moved past the protruding shelf portion 446. When the spike portion 404 is moved past the protruding shelf portion, for example, between the protruding shelf portion 446 and the proximal end 210 of the body 202, the lock tab 402 is released and moves away from axis A2 of the collar 252, so that the spike portion 404 can engage with the protruding shelf portion 446 when the collar is moved in a second direction away from the proximal end 210 of the body 202.

[0070] The tube joint assembly 106 is configured such that, when the collar 252 is connected to the body 202, the outer surface of the distal end portion 206 of the body is separated by a certain distance from the inner surface of the collar that is directly facing the body. The distance between the distal end portion 206 of the body and the inner surface of the collar 252 is approximately equal to or less than the wall thickness T1 of the tube 16. In some embodiments, the distance between the outer surface of the distal end portion 206 of the body and the inner surface of the collar that is directly facing the body is less than or equal to the thickness T1 of the tube 16, so that the inner surface of the collar 202 engages with the tube 16 and compresses the tube 16.

[0071] It should be understood that any feature of the features of this disclosure may be included in any embodiment of this specification. For example, a tube coupling assembly may be constructed using a body and a collar having corresponding opposing threads, and at the same time further having a locking tab extending from one of the body and the collar, the locking tab being configured to engage with the other body and the collar when the body and the collar are joined together. In such an embodiment, the engagement of the locking tab can indicate that the collar and the body are joined together completely as intended and can resist the collar from coming off the body. Similarly, a tube coupling assembly of this disclosure may have any of the threaded coupling structure, assembly auxiliary structure such as a flange, and locking structure.

[0072] Examples of the technology of this subject as an item The technology of this subject matter is illustrated, for example, according to the various embodiments described below. Various examples of embodiments of the technology of this subject matter are described for convenience as numbered sections (Section 1, Section 2, Section 3, etc.). These are provided as examples and do not limit the technology of this subject matter. Note that any of the dependent sections may be combined in any combination and may be placed in separate independent sections, for example, Section 1 or Section 5. Other sections may be presented in a similar manner.

[0073] Section 1 A tube joint assembly comprising: a body having an outer surface, an inner surface, a proximal end portion, and a distal end portion, wherein the inner surface defines a hole extending between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion, and the outer surface has body threads extending from the outer surface in a radially outward direction away from the hole, and the outer surface of the body defines a cross-sectional width that decreases from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion of the body; and a collar having a first end, a second end, and an inner surface defining a passage extending between the first end and the second end, wherein the inner surface of the collar has collar threads extending radially inward into the passage, and the collar threads extending along the inner surface of the collar from the first end to the second end of the collar.

[0074] Section 2 A tube joint assembly according to paragraph 1, wherein the outer surface of the body has a wall between a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, and the wall extends in a direction perpendicular to the axis passing through the hole.

[0075] Section 3 A tube joint assembly according to either paragraph 1 or 2, wherein the body threads define a cross-sectional width of the body that decreases from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion.

[0076] Section 4 A tube joint assembly according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 3, wherein the body threads extend along the proximal end portion.

[0077] Section 5 A tube joint assembly according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 4, wherein the body threads extend along the proximal and distal portions of the body.

[0078] Section 6 A tube joint assembly according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 5, wherein the outer surface of the body along the distal end portion defines a cross-sectional width that is constant along the length of the first distal portion.

[0079] Section 7 A tube joint assembly according to paragraph 6, wherein the cross-sectional width of the outer surface of the body along the distal end portion decreases along a second distal portion length extending from a first distal portion length to the distal end of the body.

[0080] Section 8 A tube joint assembly according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 7, wherein the passage has a length from the first end of the collar to the second end, and the collar threads extend along a portion of the length of the passage.

[0081] Section 9 A tube joint assembly according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 8, wherein the inner surface and threads of the collar define the cross-sectional width of a passage that decreases from a first end to a second end of the collar.

[0082] Section 10 A tube joint assembly according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 9, wherein a collar thread extends along a first length from a first end of the collar toward a second, and a body thread extends along a second length, the first and second lengths being substantially equal.

[0083] Section 11 A tube joint assembly according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 10, wherein when the collar is connected to the body, the distal end portion of the body extends into the passage of the collar.

[0084] Section 12 A tube joint assembly according to paragraph 11, wherein when the collar is connected to the body, the outer surface of the body along the distal end portion is spaced apart from the inner surface of the collar.

[0085] Section 13 A tube joint assembly according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 12, wherein the collar has a flange extending from its outer surface in a radially outward direction away from the passage.

[0086] Section 14 A tube joint assembly according to paragraph 13, wherein the flange is positioned at the first end of the collar.

[0087] Section 15 A tube joint assembly according to paragraph 13, wherein the flange has a spar portion that extends radially outward away from the passage.

[0088] Section 16 A tube joint assembly according to paragraph 15, wherein the spar portion has an inclined surface extending away from the outer surface of the collar and a transverse wall extending between the inclined surface and the outer surface of the collar.

[0089] Section 17 A tube coupling assembly according to paragraph 11, further comprising a socket having an inner surface defining a passage having a socket axis, wherein the inner surface has an inclined surface and a lateral wall, and as a result the lateral wall of the socket is configured to engage with the lateral wall of a collar flange when the socket is rotated in a first direction about the socket axis, and the lateral wall of the socket is configured not to engage with the lateral wall of the collar flange when the socket is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction about the socket axis.

[0090] Section 18 A tube joint assembly according to paragraph 17, wherein the socket has a beveled surface extending from a first end of the socket to a ridge between the inclined surface and the transverse wall.

[0091] Section 19 A tube joint assembly comprising: a body having an outer surface, an inner surface, a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a transverse wall between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion, wherein the transverse wall has a cavity extending through the wall toward the proximal end portion; and a collar having a first end, a second end, and an inner surface defining a passage extending between the first end and the second end, wherein the collar has a locking tab extending from the first end in a first direction away from the second end of the collar, wherein when the collar is coupled to the body, the locking tab is inserted into the cavity of the body to resist the movement of the collar away from the body.

[0092] Section 20 A tube joint assembly according to paragraph 19, wherein when a collar is connected to a body, the distal end portion of the body extends into the passage of the collar.

[0093] Section 21 A tube joint assembly according to paragraph 20, wherein when the collar is connected to the body, the outer surface of the body along the distal end portion is spaced apart from the inner surface of the collar.

[0094] Section 22 A tube joint assembly according to any one of paragraphs 19 to 21, wherein the body has a protruding shelf portion extending into a cavity, and the locking tab has a spike portion, the spike portion being configured to engage with the protruding shelf portion to resist the collar moving away from the body along an axis passing through a hole when the collar and the body are integrally joined.

[0095] Section 23 A tube joint assembly according to paragraph 22, wherein a protruding shelf portion extends radially inward toward the axis of the hole, and a spine portion extends radially outward away from the axis through which the passage passes.

[0096] Section 24 A tube joint assembly according to paragraph 22, wherein the spine portion has a distal end surface that extends in a second direction which is perpendicular to a first direction.

[0097] Section 25 A tube joint assembly according to any one of paragraphs 19 to 24, wherein the body has a proximal end surface and an aperture extending from a cavity through the proximal end surface.

[0098] Section 26 A tube joint assembly according to any one of paragraphs 19 to 25, wherein the collar has a plurality of tabs spaced apart around a first end of the collar.

[0099] Other points to note In some embodiments, any of the claims in this specification may depend on any one of the independent claims or any one of the dependent claims. In one embodiment, any of the claims (e.g., a dependent or independent claim) may be combined with one or more other claims (e.g., a dependent or independent claim). In one embodiment, a claim may include some or all of the words (e.g., a step, an action, a means, or a component) described in a claim, sentence, phrase, or paragraph. In one embodiment, a claim may include some or all of the words described in one or more claims, sentences, phrases, or paragraphs. In one embodiment, some of the words in each of the claims, sentences, phrases, or paragraphs may be removed. In one embodiment, additional words or elements may be added to claims, sentences, phrases, or paragraphs. In one embodiment, the art of the subject matter may be implemented without utilizing some of the components, elements, functions, or actions described herein. In one embodiment, the technology of the subject matter may be implemented using additional components, elements, functions, or operations.

[0100] This disclosure is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to implement the various embodiments described herein. This disclosure provides a variety of examples of the subject art, and the subject art is not limited to these examples. A variety of modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applicable to other embodiments as well.

[0101] Referencing a singular element is intended to mean "one or more," not "only," unless otherwise specified. Unless otherwise specified, the term "several" means one or more. Masculine pronouns (e.g., his) also include feminine and neuter pronouns (e.g., her and its), and vice versa. Titles and subtitles, if present, are used merely for convenience and do not limit the invention.

[0102] The term “exemplary” is used herein to mean “acting as an example or illustration.” Not all embodiments or designs described herein “exemplary” should be construed as being preferable or advantageous to other embodiments or designs. In one embodiment, various alternative configurations and operations described herein may be considered at least equivalent.

[0103] Phrases such as “aspects” do not implicitly mean that such aspects are essential to the subject art, or that such aspects apply to all configurations of the subject art. Disclosures relating to aspects may apply to all configurations or to one or more configurations. An aspect may provide one or more examples. Phrases such as “aspects” may mean one or more aspects, and vice versa. Phrases such as “examples” do not implicitly mean that such examples are essential to the subject art, or that such examples apply to all configurations of the subject art. Disclosures relating to examples may apply to all examples or to one or more examples. An example may provide one or more examples. Phrases such as “examples” may mean one or more examples, and vice versa. Phrases such as “configuration” do not implicitly mean that such configurations are essential to the subject art, or that such configurations apply to all configurations of the subject art. Disclosures relating to configurations may apply to all configurations or to one or more configurations. A configuration may provide one or more examples. Phrases such as "composition" can refer to one or more compositions, and vice versa.

[0104] In one embodiment, unless otherwise specified, all measurements, values, grades, locations, sizes, dimensions, and other specifications described herein, including in the following claims, are approximate and not precise. In one embodiment, they are intended to be within a reasonable range that is not inconsistent with their respective functions and with the conventions of the art in which they pertain.

[0105] In one aspect, terms such as "connection" can mean that things are directly connected. In another aspect, terms such as "connection" can mean that things are indirectly connected.

[0106] As used in this disclosure, terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “forward,” and “backward” should be understood to mean any reference frame, and not a general gravity reference frame. Accordingly, the top surface, bottom surface, forward surface, and backward surface may extend upward, downward, diagonally, or horizontally in a gravity reference frame.

[0107] Without departing in any way from the scope of the subject art, various items can be arranged and configured in a variety of ways (for example, they can be arranged and configured in a variety of orders or divided in a variety of ways). All structural and functional equivalents to the various aspects of the elements described through this disclosure, which are known to or will become known to those skilled in the art, are expressly incorporated by reference herein and are intended to be included in the claims. Furthermore, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be made public, whether such disclosure is expressly described in the claims or not. The elements of the claims are not to be construed under Section 112, paragraph 6 of the U.S. Patent Act unless the element is expressly described using the phrase “means for” or, in the case of a method claim, using the phrase “steps for.” Furthermore, to the extent that terms such as “include” or “have” are used, such terms are intended to be as comprehensive as “comprise” is when the term “comprise” is adopted as a transitional word in the claims.

[0108] The Title of the Invention, Background Art, Summary of the Invention, Brief Description of the Drawings, and Abstract of the Disclosure are thus incorporated into the Disclosure and are provided as descriptive examples of the Disclosure, not as limiting descriptions. This is based on the understanding that they are not used to limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the modes for carrying out the invention, it will be found that the descriptions provide descriptive examples and various features are grouped into various embodiments for the purpose of simplifying the Disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed subject matter requires more features than those explicitly described in each claim. Rather, as reflected in the following claims, the subject matter of the Invention lies in fewer features than all the features of a single configuration or operation disclosed. Thus, the following claims are incorporated into the modes for carrying out the invention, and each claim stands alone as separately claimed subject matter.

[0109] The claims are not intended to be limited to the embodiments described herein, but should be given the full scope consistent with the language of the claims and should encompass all legal equivalents. However, no claim is intended to contain, nor should it be construed as, subject matter that is insufficient to satisfy the requirements of Section 101, 102, or 103 of the U.S. Patent Act.

Claims

1. A tube joint assembly, A body having an outer surface, an inner surface, a proximal end portion, and a distal end portion, wherein the inner surface defines a hole extending between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion, the outer surface has body threads extending from the outer surface in a radially outward direction away from the hole, and the outer surface of the body defines a cross-sectional width that decreases from the proximal end portion toward the distal end portion of the body, A collar having a first end, a second end, and an inner surface, wherein the inner surface defines a passage extending between the first end and the second end, and the inner surface of the collar has a collar thread extending radially inward into the passage, the collar thread extending along the inner surface of the collar from the first end toward the second end, A tube joint assembly having a tube joint.

2. The tube joint assembly according to claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the body has a wall between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion, and the wall extends in a direction perpendicular to the axis passing through the hole.

3. The tube joint assembly according to claim 1, wherein the body threads define the cross-sectional width of the body, which decreases from the proximal end portion toward the distal end portion.

4. The tube coupling assembly according to claim 1, wherein the body thread extends along the proximal end portion.

5. The tube joint assembly according to claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the body along the distal end portion defines a cross-sectional width that is constant along the length of the first distal portion.

6. The tube joint assembly according to claim 5, wherein the cross-sectional width of the outer surface of the body along the distal end portion decreases along the second distal portion length extending from the first distal portion length to the distal end of the body.

7. The tube joint assembly according to claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the collar and the threads define the cross-sectional width of the passage which decreases from the first end to the second end of the collar.

8. The tube joint assembly according to claim 1, wherein the collar screw extends along a first length from the first end of the collar toward the second, and the body screw extends along a second length, with the first and second lengths being substantially equal.

9. The tube coupling assembly according to claim 1, wherein when the collar is connected to the body, the distal end portion of the body extends into the passage of the collar.

10. The tube coupling assembly according to claim 9, wherein when the collar is connected to the body, the outer surface of the body along the distal end portion is spaced apart from the inner surface of the collar.

11. The tube joint assembly according to claim 1, wherein the collar has a flange extending from the outer surface in a radially outward direction away from the passage.

12. The tube joint assembly according to claim 11, wherein the flange has a spar portion extending radially outward away from the passage.

13. The tube joint assembly according to claim 12, wherein the spar portion has an inclined surface extending away from the outer surface of the collar and a lateral wall extending between the inclined surface and the outer surface of the collar.

14. The tube coupling assembly according to claim 11, further comprising a socket having an inner surface defining a passage having a socket axis, wherein the inner surface has an inclined surface and a lateral wall, the lateral wall of the socket configured to engage with the lateral wall of the collar flange when the socket is rotated in a first direction about the socket axis, and the lateral wall of the socket configured not to engage with the lateral wall of the collar flange when the socket is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction about the socket axis.

15. The tube joint assembly according to claim 14, wherein the socket has a beveled surface extending from the first end of the socket to the ridge between the inclined surface and the lateral wall.

16. A tube joint assembly, A body having an outer surface, an inner surface, a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a transverse wall between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion, wherein the transverse wall has a cavity extending through the wall toward the proximal end portion, A collar having a first end, a second end, and an inner surface, wherein the inner surface defines a passage extending between the first end and the second end, and the collar has a locking tab extending from the first end in a first direction away from the second end of the collar, It has, When the collar is connected to the body, the locking tab is configured to be inserted into the cavity of the body to resist the movement of the collar away from the body. Tube joint assembly.

17. The tube coupling assembly according to claim 16, wherein the body has a protruding shelf portion extending into the cavity, and the locking tab has a spike portion, the spike portion being configured to engage with the protruding shelf portion to resist the movement of the collar away from the body along an axis passing through a hole in the body when the collar and the body are integrally coupled.

18. The tube joint assembly according to claim 17, wherein the protruding shelf portion extends radially inward toward the axis of the hole, and the spine portion extends radially outward away from the axis passing through the passage.

19. The tube joint assembly according to claim 17, wherein the spine portion has a distal end surface extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

20. The tube joint assembly according to claim 16, wherein the collar has a plurality of tabs spaced apart around the first end of the collar.

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