Fitting Device, Arrangement and Method

Abstract

A push-to-connect fitting assembly, device and method allows for continual contact of inserted tubing with a main body member so as to maintain conductivity for electrical applications and a tight, rotation-restricting seal. In various embodiments, an axially internal portion of the device has an interior surface that tapers from a narrower radius to a wider radius as it extends outwardly from a tube stop element to an outer rim.

1 . A fitting, comprising:
 a main body component comprising an interior wall and an exterior wall, wherein the interior wall defines a cavity extending axially through the main body component and includes a first interior wall portion defining a tube support member compartment;   at least one sealing ring maintained within the cavity against the first interior wall portion;   a sealing ring support member maintained within the cavity against the first interior wall portion and abutting the at least one sealing ring;   a tube support member comprising a radially inner wall, wherein the tube support member is positioned within the tube support member compartment;   a fastening ring comprising a base portion with a radially outer edge, wherein the base portion is positioned between the tube support member and the sealing ring support member, wherein the fastening ring further comprises teeth that are movable to a position toward the sealing ring support member; and   a release pusher member slidably maintained against the tube support member radially inner wall.   
     
     
         2 . The fitting of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sealing ring comprises two sealing rings. 
     
     
         3 . The fitting of  claim 1 , wherein the main body component comprises an axially inner portion with an axially inner portion exterior radius, an axially intermediate portion with an axially intermediate portion exterior radius larger than the axially inner portion exterior radius and an axially outer portion with an axially outer portion exterior radius larger than the axially inner portion exterior radius and the axially intermediate portion exterior radius. 
     
     
         4 . The fitting of  claim 1 , wherein the interior wall of the main body component comprises a radially outwardly extending ledge and a radially outwardly extending step, wherein the radially outwardly extending step extends radially outwardly further than the radially outwardly extending ledge, wherein the at least one sealing ring abuts the radially outwardly extending ledge and wherein the sealing ring support member abuts the radially outwardly extending step. 
     
     
         5 . The fitting of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing ring support member comprises an axially inner surface abutting the at least one sealing ring and the interior wall. 
     
     
         6 . The fitting of  claim 5 , wherein the sealing ring support member comprises a radially inner surface adapted to abut a piping component upon insertion of the piping component into the fitting. 
     
     
         7 . The fitting of  claim 6 , wherein an axially outer portion of the radially inner surface of the sealing ring support member is adapted to provide clearance for movement of the fastening ring when engaged by the release pusher. 
     
     
         8 . The fitting of  claim 7 , wherein the axially outer portion of the radially inner surface of the sealing ring support member does not abut the piping component upon insertion of the piping component into the fitting. 
     
     
         9 . The fitting of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing ring support member comprises a radially inner surface adapted to abut a piping component upon insertion of the piping component into the fitting. 
     
     
         10 . The fitting of  claim 9 , wherein an axially outer portion of the radially inner surface of the sealing ring support member is adapted to provide clearance for movement of the fastening ring when engaged by the release pusher. 
     
     
         11 . The fitting of  claim 10 , wherein the axially outer portion of the radially inner surface of the sealing ring support member does not abut the piping component upon insertion of the piping component into the fitting. 
     
     
         12 . The fitting of  claim 1 , wherein the release pusher does not engage the fitting while slidably engaging the tube support member. 
     
     
         13 . A fitting, comprising:
 a main body component comprising an interior wall and an exterior wall, wherein the interior wall defines a cavity extending axially through the main body component and includes first and second interior wall portions separated by a tube stop element extending radially into the cavity from the interior wall;   a first packing arrangement inserted into the cavity so as to engage the first interior wall portion of the main body component;   a second packing arrangement inserted into the cavity so as to engage the second interior wall portion of the main body component; and   wherein the first and second packing arrangements each comprise at least one sealing ring, a sealing ring support member, a fastening ring, a tube support member and a release pusher member,   wherein, for the first and second packing arrangements, the fastening ring comprises a base portion with a radially outer edge, wherein the base portion is positioned between the tube support member and the sealing ring support member, and further wherein the fastening ring comprises teeth that are movable to a position toward the sealing ring support member.   
     
     
         14 . The fitting of  claim 13 , wherein the main body component interior wall comprises an axially outer rim having a radially inner edge having a shorter radius at an axially inner edge and a longer radius at an axially outer edge thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The fitting of  claim 14 , wherein the tube support member comprises a radially outer surface comprising an axially intermediate segment extending radially outwardly of an axially inner segment and an axially outer segment of the radially outer surface, wherein the axially outer segment cooperatively engages the radially inner edge of the axially outer rim. 
     
     
         16 . The fitting of  claim 13 , wherein the sealing ring support member comprises a radially inner surface adapted to abut a piping component upon insertion of the piping component into the fitting. 
     
     
         17 . The fitting of  claim 16 , wherein an axially outer portion of the radially inner surface of the sealing ring support member is adapted to provide clearance for movement of the fastening ring when engaged by the release pusher. 
     
     
         18 . The fitting of  claim 17 , wherein the axially outer portion of the radially inner surface of the sealing ring support member does not abut the piping component upon insertion of the piping component into the fitting. 
     
     
         19 . The fitting of  claim 14 , wherein the first interior wall portion comprises an axially inner portion, an axially intermediate portion and an axially outer portion, with the axially inner portion, axially intermediate portion and axially outer portion of the first segment being integrally formed, and wherein the first interior wall portion comprises a segment extending radially outwardly from the axially inner edge of the axially outer rim for retaining the tube support member. 
     
     
         20 . The fitting of  claim 19 , wherein the axially intermediate portion includes a radial step extending radially inwardly such that the axially intermediate portion includes a first interior wall portion and a second interior wall portion separated by the radial step.