GB2395991A

GB2395991A - A tube coupling arrangement including a stiffening element

Info

Publication number: GB2395991A
Application number: GB0406254A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Philip David Bramhald
Original assignee: Pegler Ltd
Current assignee: Pegler Ltd
Priority date: 2000-06-28
Filing date: 2001-06-25
Publication date: 2004-06-09
Anticipated expiration: 2021-06-25
Also published as: GB0406256D0; GB0406254D0; GB2395992B; GB2395992A; GB2395991B

Abstract

A tube coupling arrangement comprises a body 4 which defines a tube receiving bore which is provided with a sealing element 6, a tube gripping means 10 and a release element 14 axially slidable within the bore. The release element 14 is engageable with the tube gripping means 10 so as to urge the tube gripping means 10 out of contact with the tube so that the tube 22 can be removed from the coupling. A retaining element 12 to hold the sealing element 6 and tube gripping means 10 in position is also included and is at least partially held within the bore. A stiffening element 8 is positioned so as to engage a portion of the tube gripping means 10 so as to render it stiffer and therefore increase the gripping force exerted by the tube gripping means 10 against the tube 22, when the tube 22 is inserted within the coupling.

Description

GB 2395991 A continuation (74) Agent and/or Address for Service: Mewburn

Ellis LLP York House, 23 Kingsway, LONDON, WC2B 6HP, United Kingdom

239599 1

Tube Coupling The present invention relates to tube couplings, and particularly but not exclusively to releaseable push-fit 5 tube couplings used for example in plumbing systems for connecting together water pipes.

Examples of push-fit tube coupling are known from WO 97/03314 and GB-A-2 306 131. These tube couplings include 10 an axially slidable gripping element which fits around a tube within the coupling, the gripping element comprising an annular member which has a plurality of inclined tube gripping teeth which project into the tube coupling. In use, the internal pressure of the fluid in the tube 15 causes the tube and the attached gripping element to be forced out of the tube coupling. Preventing this is a tapered cam arrangement at the entrance of the tube receiving bore such that as the fluid pressure tries to force the tube and gripping element out of the tube 20 coupling, portions of the gripping element are urged against the tapered cam surface which increases the pressure exerted by the tube gripping teeth of the gripping element against the tube. This increases the grip on the tube to prevent its further withdrawal.

The tube may be released from the coupling by pushing the gripping element back into the coupling, away from the tapered cam surface, and maintaining it in that position, thereby reducing the grip of the tube gripping teeth on 30 the tube and enabling the tube to be pulled out.

1 ' This type of arrangement where the tube gripping element moves axially within the tube coupling has a number of disadvantages associated with it. Firstly, it is more difficult to manufacture the coupling since the portion 5 of the body housing the axially slidable tube gripping means needs to be of a greater diameter than the tapered cam surface at the entrance of the tube receiving bore.

This requires expensive tooling and increases overall production costs. Alternatively, the tapered cam surface 10 needs to be somehow affixed to the coupling at the entrance of the bore, which again leads to manufacturing, or at least assembly difficulties. Secondly, the ability of the tube gripping means to axially slide within the coupling and the interactions between the tube gripping 15 means and the tapered cam surface can lead to wear of these components, necessitating disassembly of the tube from the coupling to enable replacement of the worn parts to take place. Thirdly, if it is desired to replace or service the O-ring seal within the coupling, it is 20 disadvantageous that the tube gripping means cannot easily be removed to facilitate this. Thus, if it is desired to replace the O-ring seal, it is necessary to remove this and insert the new seal with both the tube gripping means and the tapered cam surface in place.

It is also known to provide push-fit tube couplings with an integral onepiece release means. Examples of this type of push-fit coupling are provided in GB-A-2 146 400 and WO 97/03314. However, these couplings are necessarily 30 quite bulky, since the release means projects outside of the housing. Additionally, it is possible for the release

l means accidentally to be activated and thus permit undesired removal of the tube from the coupling.

In an attempt to overcome the problem of accidental 5 operation of the release means, it is known to provide a detachable one-piece release member which is engageable with certain types of push-fit tube couplings. An example of this is known from WO 96/13685. However, it is often difficult to exert the necessary force to release the 10 tube from the coupling using such detachable one-piece release members.

It is an aim of the present invention to overcome or at lease ameliorate at least some of the problems associated 15 with the known types of pushfit tube couplings.

Thus, according to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a tube coupling apparatus including a body which defines a tube receiving bore, the 20 tube receiving bore being provided with a sealing element; a tube gripping means including a plurality of tube engaging teeth; and a release element axially slidable within the bore, the release element having a first surface which is engageable with the tube gripping 25 means so as to urge the tube engaging teeth out of gripping engagement with the tube; characterized in that the apparatus further includes a retaining element to retain the seal and the tube gripping means within the bore and to fix the tube gripping means against axial 30 movement within the bore. Preferably, the retaining element also retains at least a portion of the release element within the bore.

In a preferred embodiment, the release element includes a projecting portion which extends outside of the body.

This projecting portion may be engaged by a release tool 5 whereby the release element may be brought into engagement with the tube gripping means so as to urge the tube engaging teeth out of gripping engagement with the tube. This preferred arrangement of the release element means that the release tool does not need to have a shim 10 portion capable of entering the bore between the body and the tube in order to engage the release element.

The retaining element preferably snap-fits within the bore, more preferably at least a portion of it snap-fits 15 into a radially outwardly extending groove or channel in the body.

Once the retaining element has been snap-fitted in the coupling apparatus, it acts as a stop for the tube 20 gripping means thereby preventing axial movement of the gripping means towards the open end of the bore. This in turn prevents axial movement of a tube, when retained within the coupling, towards the open end of the bore thereby preventing undesired or accidental withdrawal of 25 the tube from the coupling.

The tube coupling apparatus may further include a stiffening element which cooperates with the tube gripping means by engaging a portion of the tube gripping 30 means thereby preventing radially inward movement of that portion. This preferred arrangement renders the tube gripping means stiffer and increases the gripping force

which can be exerted by the tube engaging teeth to the tube. The stiffening element, in preventing radially inward 5 movement of a portion of the tube gripping means, retains the tube gripping means in a central position with respect to the tube receiving bore. By retaining the tube gripping means centrally, insertion of a tube into the coupling is made easier. Additionally, the stiffening 10 element may be located between the sealing element and the tube gripping means, thus preventing the sealing element being damaged by the tube gripping means.

Each of the tube engaging teeth preferably includes an 15 indented portion to engage in a more effective manner the curved periphery of the tube. The indented portion is preferably located substantially at the mid- point of the engagement surface of each of the teeth. In a preferred embodiment each of the teeth includes an engagement 20 surface comprising an indented central portion and a convex outer portion on either side of the central portion. The retaining element preferably cooperates with the 25 release element to limit the axial movement of the release element within the bore. This may be achieved by providing the retaining element with an annular slot having opposed stop surfaces and providing the release element with a protrusion which is located within the 30 slot such that axial movement of the release element is constrained by the opposed stop surfaces. This is

achieved by the stop surfaces being capable of contacting the release element protrusion.

According to a second aspect of the present invention 5 there is provided a tube release apparatus for use with the tube coupling apparatus according to the first aspect of the present intention, the tube release apparatus including a first release member including a contact surface for engagement with the release element of the 10 tube coupling apparatus and a second release member engageable with the body of the tube coupling apparatus, both the first and second release members including a respective threaded portion for threaded engagement one with the other, whereby when in threaded engagement, 15 rotation of one of the release members with respect to the other of the release members in a predetermined direction or sense causes engagement of the contact surface of the first release member with the release element of the tube coupling apparatus thereby urging the 20 release element to engage the tube gripping means so as to urge the tube engaging teeth out of gripping engagement with the tube.

The second release member preferably includes a slot to 25 permit it to be located coaxially with the tube.

Additionally or alternatively, the first release member may include a slot to permit it to be located coaxially with the bore of the tube coupling apparatus.

30 In a preferred embodiment, the second release member includes a radially inwardly extending flange which is engageable with a complimentary shaped and sized radially

outwardly extending flange provided on the body of the tube coupling apparatus thereby to prevent axial movement of the second release member towards the opening of the tube receiving bore upon operation of the tube release 5 apparatus.

As will be appreciated, the first and second release members are usually brought out of threaded engagement with other and separated prior to engagement with the 10 tube coupling apparatus and are then brought into threaded engagement one with the other in order to achieve the release of the tube from the tube coupling apparatus. The two release members may be connected one to the other in some suitable way, when they are not in 15 threaded engagement with one another, to prevent one of the two members being lost.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of releasing a tube 20 from a tube coupling apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention using a tube release apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the method including locating the first release member coaxially with the bore of the tube 25 coupling apparatus, locating the second release member coaxially with the tube, threadedly engaging the first release member with the second release member, rotating one of the release members with respect to the other release member until the contact surface of the first 30 release member engages the release element of the tube coupling apparatus, continuing to rotate one of the release members with respect to the other thereby causing

the release element to engage the tube gripping means so as to urge the tube engaging teeth out of gripping engagement with the tube, and removing the tube from the tube coupling apparatus.

s Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 10 Figure 1 is a sectional view through a tube coupling in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is an end view of the tube gripping means used in the coupling; Figure 2a is an enlarged view of one of the teeth of the tube gripping means; Figure 2b is a side elevational view of the tube gripping 20 means; Figure 3 is an end view of the retaining element used in the tube coupling) 25 Figure 3a is a side elevational view of the retaining element; Figure 4 is a sectional view through the stiffening element used in the coupling; Figure 5 is a sectional view through an alternative tube coupling;

. 9 Figure 6 is a sectional view through a first release member of the tube release apparatus according to the second aspect of the invention; Figure 6a is an end view of the first release member; Figure 7 is a sectional view through the second release member of the tube release apparatus according to the 10 first aspect of the present invention; Figure 7a is an end view of the second release member; and 15 Figure 8 is a sectional view through a tube coupling according to the first aspect of the invention having attached thereto a tube release apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention.

20 Figure 1 shows an example of a tube coupling in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention. The tube coupling 2 comprises a hollow main body 4 which is substantially tubular in cross-section, has tube receiving bores at each end and has enlarged end 25 regions 5 inter connected by a middle portion 7 of smaller diameter. The hollow main body 4 is made of brass and is used to join together two copper pipes, of which only one (tube 22) is shown in Figure 1.

30 Each enlarged end region 5 is provided with an O-ring seal 6, a stiffening element 8, a tube gripping ring 10, a release element 14 and a retaining element 12. For

clarity, the tube coupling shown in Figure 1 only includes the tube coupling components in one end region thereof, the other end region being shown empty of these components. In use, both end regions will contain 5 substantially identical components.

As can be seen in Figure 1, the O-ring seal 6 is prevented from moving axially towards the centre of the coupling 2 by a stop surface 16 and all of the components 10 housed with the enlarged end region 5 are restrained against axial movement out of the coupling by the retaining element 12.

The retaining element 12 is made from acetal and includes 15 a radially outwardly extending flange 18 which snap-fits into a complimentary groove 20 formed in the enlarged end region 5.

The retaining element 12 includes a groove 19 having a 20 first stop surface 25 and a second stop surface 26.

Within the groove 19 is located a radially outwardly extending projection 15 of the release element 14 such that axial movement of the release element 14 is constrained by the stop surfaces 25 and 26.

The release element 14 is made from brass and includes a tapered end surface 27 capable of engaging the gripping ring 10 to urge it out of engagement with the tube 22.

Engagement of the tapered surface 27 with the gripping 30 ring 10 is within the range of axial movement of the release element permitted by the stop surfaces 25 and 26 of the retaining element 12.

The gripping ring 10, as shown in more detail in Figures 2, 2a and 2b comprises a stainless steel annular portion 30 and extending radially inwardly therefrom a plurality of stainless steel teeth 32. As shown in more detail in 5 Figure 2b, each of the teeth 32 also project out of the plane defined by the annular portion 30. Each tooth 32 includes two outer convex portions 36, 38 separated by an indented central portion 40.

10 The retaining element 12 (shown in Figures 3 and 3a) includes an annular portion 42 having six equally spaced projections 44 extending axially therefrom, with each of the projections 44 being separated from its neighbouring projections by gaps 46. Each projection 44 includes a 15 radially outwardly projecting flange 18. The gaps 46 between the projections 44 permit limited radially inward movement of the resilient projections so that the flange 18 can enter the enlarged end region 5 of the tube receiving bore before it snap-fits into the groove 20 of 20 the body 4.

Although in the specific embodiments described herein, the retaining element is not releasable from the tube coupling once it has been snapfitted into position, 25 other embodiments within the scope of the present invention may include a retaining element which is releasably retained within the coupling. Thus, the limited flexibility of the projections may also allow removal of the retaining element from the tube coupling 30 by urging radially inwards the projections until the flange is out of engagement with the groove and the

retaining element could then be withdrawn through the enlarged end region 5 of the tube receiving bore.

Once located in position, the retaining element 12 acts 5 as a stop for the gripping ring 10. Thus, any forces exerted to the tube to withdraw it are transmitted to the gripping ring 10 and withdrawal of the gripping ring 10 is prevented by the retaining element 12. The resistive force exerted by the retaining element 12 is transmitted 10 to the tube via the gripping ring 10 and prevents the tube being withdrawn.

The stiffening element 8 which is made from acetal is shown in more detail in Figure 4 and comprises a planar 15 ring portion 50 having extending axially therefrom a portion providing a frusto-conical tapering surface 52 which when assembled within the body 4 faces the gripping ring 10. The stiffening element 8, together with the body 4 defines an annular channel between the inwardly facing 20 surface of the body 4 and an outwardly facing surface 54 of the stiffening element. When assembled, the annular portion 30 of the gripping ring 10 is located within the annular channel defined by the body and surface 54. Since the annular portion 30 of the gripping ring 10 fits 25 tightly within the channel defined by the body 4 and the surface 54 of the stiffening element, the teeth 32 of the gripping ring 10 are restricted in their ability to move to a small range of pivotal movement about a hinge portion 31 of the gripping ring 10 between the ring 30 portion 30 and the teeth 32. This pivotal movement is constrained between the frusto-conical surface 52 of the

stiffening element 8 and a corresponding frusto-conical surface 45 of the retaining element 12.

In use, the tube 22 is pushed into the coupling, passing 5 into a tube receiving bore 7. The tube urges the teeth 32 of the gripping ring 10 towards the frusto-conical surface 52 of the stiffening element 8 such that the tube may continue to pass the teeth 32 of the gripping ring 10. The tube also engages the O-ring seal 6 in a sealing 10 manner. The tube is pushed in until it encounters a stop 9 in the body 4.

The resilience of the teeth 32 of the gripping ring 10 are such that the teeth dig into the outer surface of the Is tube to a certain extent. This resists any outward force on the tube 22 and prevents the tube being removed from the coupling.

Figure 5 shows a slightly alternative arrangement of the 20 coupling which is modified to accept a more flexible multi-layered pipe. The tube coupling shown in Figure 5 is substantially identical to the tube coupling shown in Figure 1, but with the additional components described below. Prior to a multi-layered pipe 122 being inserted into the coupling 2, a brass insert 104 is inserted into the free end of the tube 122. The insert 104 comprises a generally tubular body 103 having a tapered end portion 110 at one 30 end and a radially outwardly extending flange portion 113 at the other end. There is a channel 114 provided in the flange 113 arranged to receive an O-ring seal 106. The

channel 114 includes stop surfaces 105 and 107 to prevent axial movement of the O-ring seal 106. Abutting a surface 118 of the flange 113 is a PTFE insulating washer 112.

The internal diameter of the insulating washer 112 is 5 configured to be a tight fit around the outwardly facing surface of the insert body 103. Towards the tapered end portion of the insert is provided a second O-ring seal 108 housed within a channel 116 including a pair of stop surfaces 109 and 111, the channel 116 being sized such 10 that the stop surfaces 109 and 111 restrain the O-ring seal 108 against axial movement.

The tapered portion 110 of the insert allows for easy insertion into the free end of the tube 122 and the 15 insert is inserted into the tube until the end surface of the tube 122 engages the insulating washer 112. When in this position, the O-ring seal 108 is in sealing engagement with the tube 122. The flange 113 of the insert 104 is arranged such that the outer diameter of 20 the flange 113 is substantially identical to the outer diameter of the tube 122.

The insert is sized such that it is a tight fit within the tube 122. That is to say an outwardly facing surface 25 120 of the insert body 103 engages an inwardly facing surface 121 of the tube 122 in such a way as to prevent the tube walls moving radially inwards.

The tube 122, together with the inserted insert 104 is then pushed into the coupling 2 in the same way as described above for the copper tube with respect to the first embodiment of the present invention. The insert 104 prevents radially inward movement of the tube 122 in the area where the teeth 32 of the gripping ring 10 engage the tube 122. Thus, the insert permits the teeth 32 of the gripping 10 to engage the tube 122 by digging into its outer surface and thereby prevent undesired removal of the tube 122 from the coupling 2.

Once inserted into the tube coupling 2, the O-ring seal 106 engages an inwardly facing surface of the body 4 in a sealing manner, to provide a fluid seal within the coupling 2 in addition to the O-ring seal 6.

Figures 6 and 6a show the first member 202 of a two-part release tool 200 and Figures 7 and 7a show the second member 212 of the two-part release tool 200. Figure 8 shows the two members 202, 212 of the release tool 200 engaged one with the other located in position on the tube coupling 2 as described above.

The first member 202 of the release tool 200 consists of a generally cylindrical body 201 having a slot 204 therein.

The width of the slot 204 being slightly smaller than the diameter of the tube 122 about which it may be placed so that the first member 202 snap fits about the tube. The slot 204 ends in a curved portion 205, arranged such that the curved portion 205 has a radius about the axis of the body 201 which is just slightly greater than the radius of the tube 122 about its axis. This arrangement allows for the first release member 202 to be located coaxially about the tube 122.

i The body 201 further includes a substantially planar annular contact surface 206 and an internal threaded portion 208.

The second member 212 of the release tool 200 consists of a substantially C-shaped body 211 defining a channel 214. The body 211 has a degree of flexibility which allows it to snap-fit over a portion 230 of the coupling 2, the channel 214 being sized to receive this portion 230 of the tube coupling 2.

The second release member 212 further includes an engagement surface 216 and a radially outwardly projecting threaded portion 218.

Attachment of the release tool 200 to the tube coupling 2 is shown in Figure 8 and described below.

The second release tool member 212 snap fits over the portion 230 of the tube coupling 2 such that the engagement surface 216 of the second release tool member 212 engages the stop surface 24 of the coupling body 4. The first release tool member 202 is then arranged coaxially with the tube 122 and moved axially towards the second release tool member 212 until the threaded portion 208 of the first member 202 contacts the complimentary threaded portion 218 of the second member 212. The second release tool member 212 is then held stationery while the first release tool member is rotated in a clockwise sense relative to it such that the threaded portion 208 threadedly engages the threaded portion 218 and a portion of the contact surface 206 of the first release tool member 202 engages an end surface 220 of the release element 14. Continued rotation

Of the first release tool member 202 with respect to the second release tool member 212 urges the release element 14 into engagement with the teeth 32 of the gripping ring 10, the tapered end surface of the release element 14 urging the teeth 32 out of gripping engagement with the outer surface of the tube 122, thus permitting removal of the tube 122 from the coupling 2.

These preferred embodiments have been described by way of an example and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many alterations can be made that are still within the scope of the invention.

Further aspects and preferred features of the invention will now be described in the following paragraphs: 1. A tube coupling apparatus including a body which defines a tube receiving bore, the tube receiving bore being provided with a sealing element; a tube gripping means; and a release element axially slidable within the bore, the release element being engageable with the tube gripping means so as to urge the tube gripping means out of gripping engagement with the tube; wherein the apparatus further includes a retaining element held, at least partially, within the bore, said retaining element retaining the sealing element and the tube gripping means within the bore and restricting axial movement of the tube gripping means within the bore.

2. A tube coupling apparatus according to paragraph 1, wherein at least a portion of the release element is held within the bore by the retaining element.

A tube coupling apparatus according to either of paragraphs 1 or 2, wherein, when the tube is inserted in the coupling, at least a portion of the release element is held between the retaining element and the tube.

4. A tube coupling apparatus according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the retaining element cooperates with the release element to limit the axial movement of the release element within the bore.

5. A tube coupling apparatus according to any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the retaining element restricts axial movement of the release element.

6. A tube coupling apparatus according to paragraph 5, wherein the retaining element is provided with an annular slot having opposed stop surfaces and in that the release element is provided with a protrusion which is located within the slot such that axial movement of the release element is restricted by contact between the protrusion and the opposed stop surfaces.

7. A tube coupling apparatus according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the release element includes a projecting portion which extends axially outside the body, the release element being capable of being moved by an external force applied to the axially projecting portion so that the release element is brought into engagement with the tube gripping means thereby urging the tube engaging teeth out of gripping engagement with the tube.

8. A tube coupling apparatus according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the retaining element is held within the bore by mechanically interlocking means.

9. A tube coupling apparatus according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 6, wherein the retaining element snap-fits within the bore.

10. A tube coupling apparatus according to paragraph 6, wherein at least a portion of the retaining element snap-

fits into a radially outwardly extending groove or channel in the body, thereby acting as a stop for the tube gripping means so as to prevent axial movement of the gripping means and therefore also the tube, when retained within the coupling, towards the open end of the bore, thereby preventing withdrawal of the tube from the coupling.

11. A tube coupling apparatus according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the apparatus further includes a stiffening element which engages a portion of the tube gripping means rendering the tube gripping means stiffer and increasing the gripping force exerted by the tube engaging teeth against the tube, when the tube is in its inserted position within the coupling.

12. A tube coupling apparatus according to paragraph 11, wherein the stiffening element engages a portion of the tube gripping means so as to oppose radially inward movement of that portion, rendering the tube gripping means stiffer. 13. A tube coupling apparatus according to either of paragraphs 11 or 12, wherein the stiffening element, in preventing radially inward movement of a portion of the tube gripping means, retains the tube gripping means in a central position with respect to the tube receiving bore so as to make insertion of a tube into the coupling easier. 14. A tube coupling apparatus according to any one of paragraphs 11 to 13,

wherein the stiffening element is located between the sealing element and the tube gripping means, so as to protect the sealing element from being damaged by the tube gripping means.

15. A tube coupling apparatus according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the gripping means consists of a gripping ring which includes an axially extending ring portion, a plurality of teeth and a hinge portion, located between the ring portion and the teeth, so as to permit pivotal movement of the teeth relative to the ring portion.

16. A tube coupling apparatus according to paragraph 15, wherein the stiffening element engages the axially extending ring portion so as to urge the ring portion against the inner wall of the bore.

17. A tube coupling apparatus according to paragraph 16, wherein the stiffening element includes a tapered surface which restricts the pivotal movement of teeth.

18. A tube coupling apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the retaining element includes a tapered surface which together with the tapered surface of the stiffening element restrict the range of pivotal movement of the teeth. 19. A tube coupling apparatus according to any one of paragraphs 15 to 18, characterized in that each of the tube engaging teeth includes an engagement surface and an indented portion so as to provide a more effective

Engagement between the teeth and the curved periphery of the tube.

20. A tube coupling apparatus according to paragraph 19, characterized in that the indented portion is located substantially at the mid-point of the engagement surface of each of the teeth.

21. A tube coupling apparatus according to paragraph 20, characterized in that a convex outer portion is located on either side of the central indented portion.

22. A tube coupling apparatus substantially as any one embodiment herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

23. A tube release apparatus for use with a tube coupling apparatus having a tube gripping means and a release element, the tube release apparatus including a first release member having a contact surface for engagement with the release element of the tube coupling apparatus and a second release member engageable with the body of the tube coupling apparatus, both the first and second release members including a respective threaded portion so as to be capable of threaded engagement with each other, whereby when in threaded engagement, rotation of one of the release members with respect to the other of the release members in a predetermined direction or sense is capable of causing the contact surface of the first release member to engage the release element of the tube coupling apparatus thereby urging the release element to engage the tube gripping means so as to urge the tube gripping means out of gripping engagement with the tube.

4. A tube release apparatus according to paragraph 23 wherein the first release member includes a generally annular portion and an opening capable of receiving the tube so that it is capable of being located coaxially with the tube.

25. A tube release apparatus according to paragraph 23 wherein the second release member includes a generally annular portion and an opening so that it is capable of being located coaxially with the bore of the tube coupling apparatus. 26. A tube release apparatus according to paragraph 23, wherein the second release member includes a radially inwardly extending flange which is engageable with a complimentary shaped and sized radially outwardly extending flange provided on the body of the tube coupling apparatus so as to be capable of preventing axial movement of the second release member towards the open end of the tube receiving bore upon operation of the tube release apparatus. 27. A tube release apparatus according to any one of paragraphs 23 to 26 for use with a tube coupling apparatus according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 22.

28. A method of releasing a tube from a tube coupling apparatus according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 22 using a tube release apparatus according to any one of paragraphs 23 to 27, the method including locating the first release member coaxially with the tube, locating the second release member coaxially with the bore of the tube coupling apparatus, threadedly engaging the first release member with the second release member, rotating one of the release

Members with respect to the other release member until the contact surface of the first release member engages the release element of the tube coupling apparatus, continuing to rotate one of the release members with respect to the other release member, thereby causing the release element to engage the tube gripping means so that the tube gripping means is urged out of gripping engagement with the tube, thereby releasing the tube so that it can be removed from the tube coupling apparatus.

29. A method of releasing a tube from a tube coupling apparatus according to paragraph 28 wherein, before being brought into threaded engagement with one another to release the tube from the tube coupling apparatus, the first and second release members are separate from one another. 30. A method of releasing a tube from a tube coupling apparatus according to paragraph 29 wherein, the first and second release members are connected together to maintain the two members as a connected pair when they are not in threaded engagement with one another.

31. A tube release apparatus substantially as any one embodiment herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

32. Use of a tube coupling apparatus as described in any one of paragraphs 1 to 22 to connect the end of a heating pipe to a radiator.

33. Use of a tube coupling apparatus as described in any one of paragraphs 1 to 22 to connect the end of one heating

Ripe to the ends of two further heating pipes in a substantially 'T' shaped configuration.

34. Use of a tube coupling apparatus as described in any one of paragraphs 1 to 22 to connect the end of a heating pipe to the end of a further heating pipe in a substantially 'L' shaped configuration.

Claims

Claims

1. A tube coupling apparatus including a body which defines a tube receiving bore, the tube receiving bore being provided with a sealing element; a tube gripping means; and a release element axially slidable within the bore, the release element being engageable with the tube gripping means so as to urge the tube gripping means out of gripping engagement with the tube; wherein the apparatus further includes a retaining element held, at least partially, within the bore, said retaining element retaining the sealing element and the tube gripping means within the bore and restricting axial movement of the tube gripping means within the bore; and the apparatus further includes a stiffening element which engages a portion of the tube gripping means rendering the tube gripping means stiffer and increasing the gripping force exerted by the tube gripping means against the tube, when the tube is in its inserted position within the coupling.

2. A tube coupling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the release element is held within the bore by the retaining element.

3. A tube coupling apparatus according to either of claims 1 or 2, wherein, when the tube is inserted in the coupling, at least a portion of the release element is held between the retaining element and the tube.

4. A tube coupling apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining element cooperates with the release element to limit the axial movement of the release element within the bore.

5. A tube coupling apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining element restricts axial movement of the release element.

6. A tube coupling apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the retaining element is provided with an annular slot having opposed stop surfaces and in that the release element is provided with a protrusion which is located within the slot such that axial movement of the release element is restricted by contact between the protrusion and the opposed stop surfaces.

7. A tube coupling apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the release element includes a projecting portion which extends axially outside the body, the release element being capable of being moved by an external force applied to the axially projecting portion so that the release element is brought into engagement with the tube gripping means thereby urging the tube engaging teeth of the tube gripping means out of gripping engagement with the tube.

8. A tube coupling apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining element is held within the bore by mechanically interlocking means.

9. A tube coupling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the retaining element snap-fits within the bore.

lo. A tube coupling apparatus according to claim 6, wherein at least a portion of the retaining element snap-

fits into a radially outwardly extending groove or channel in the body, thereby acting as a stop for the tube gripping means so as to prevent axial movement of the gripping means and therefore also the tube, when retained within the coupling, towards the open end of the bore, thereby preventing withdrawal of the tube from the coupling.

11. A tube coupling apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stiffening element engages a portion of the tube gripping means so as to oppose radially inward movement of that portion, rendering the tube gripping means stiffer.

12, A tube coupling apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stiffening element, in preventing radially inward movement of a portion of the tube gripping means, retains the tube gripping means in a central position with respect to the tube receiving bore so as to make insertion of a tube into the coupling easier.

13. A tube coupling apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stiffening element is located between the sealing element and the tube gripping means, so as to protect the sealing element from being damaged by the tube gripping means.

14. A tube coupling apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gripping means consists of a gripping ring which includes an axially extending ring portion, a plurality of teeth and a hinge portion, located between the ring portion and the teeth, so as to permit pivotal movement of the teeth relative to the ring portion.

15. A tube coupling apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the stiffening element engages the axially extending ring portion so as to urge the ring portion against the inner wall of the bore.

16. A tube coupling apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the stiffening element includes a tapered surface which restricts the pivotal movement of teeth.

17. A tube coupling apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the retaining element includes a tapered surface which together with the tapered surface of the stiffening element restrict the range of pivotal movement of the teeth. 18. A tube coupling apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that each of the tube engaging teeth includes an engagement surface and an indented portion so as to provide a more effective engagement between the teeth and the curved periphery of the tube.

19. A tube coupling apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that the indented portion is located substantially at the mid-point of the engagement surface of each of the teeth.

20. A tube coupling apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that a convex outer portion is located on either side of the central indented portion.

. 21. A tube coupling apparatus substantially as any one embodiment herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

22. Use of a tube coupling apparatus as described in any one of the preceding claims to connect the end of a heating pipe to a radiator.

23. Use of a tube coupling apparatus as described in any one of claims 1 to 21 to connect the end of one heating pipe to the ends of two further heating pipes in a substantially 'T' shaped configuration.

24. Use of a tube coupling apparatus as described in any one of claims 1 to 21 to connect the end of a heating pipe to the end of a further heating pipe in a substantially 'L' shaped configuration.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A tube coupling apparatus including a body which defines 5 a tube receiving bore, the tche receiving bore being provider] with a sealing element; a tube gripping means; and a release element axially slidabie within the bore, the release element being engageab]e with the tube gripping means so as to urge the tube -tripping means out of Gripping engagement with the 10 tube; wherein the apparat.us further includes a retaining element held, at least partially, within the bore, said retaining element. retaining the sealing element and the tube gripping means within the bore and restricting axial movement of the tube grippir-c means within the bore; and the apparatus 15 further ir-c]udes a stiffening element which engages a portion of the tube gripping means rendering the tube gripping means stiffer and increasing the gripping force exerted by the tube stripping means against the tube, when the tube is in its inserted cosit..icn within the coupling.

2. A tube coupling apparatus according to claim], wherein at least. a portion of the release element is he]d within the }'ore by the retaining element.

25 3. A tube coup].ing apparatus according to either of claims 1 or 2, wherein, when the Lube is inserted in the coupling, at least a portion of the release element is held between the retaining element and the tube.

30 4. tube coupling apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the? retaining element coopecales with the release element to limit the axia] rnovernent of the release element within the bore.

- 5. A tube coupling apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining element restricts axial movement of the release element.

6. A tube coupling apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the retaining element is provided with an annular slot having opposed stop surfaces and in that: the release element is provided with a protrusion which is located within the slot 10 such that axial movement of the release element is restricted by contact between the protrusion and the opposed stop surfaces. 7. A tube coupling apparatus according to any one of the 15 preceding claims, wher-cin the release element includes a projecting portion which extends axially outside the body, the release element being capao]e of being moved by an external force applied to the axially projecting port.i.on so that the release element is t:'rought into engagernont with the tube 20 gripping means thereby urging the Lube engaging teeth of the tube gripping means out of gripping engagement with the tube.

8. A tube coupling apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining element is held within 25 the bore by mechanically inter-locking means.

9. A tube coupling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the retaining element snap-fits within the bore. 10. A tube COUp] log apparatus according to claim 6, wherein at least a portion of the retain-inc element snap-fits into radially outwardly extending groove or channel in the bociy, thereby acting as a stop for the tube gripping means so as to 35 prevent axial movement of the gripping means and therefore

- also the tube, when retained within the coupling, towards the open end of the bore, thereby preventing withdrawal of the Lube from the coupling.

5 11. A tube coupling apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stitr-cning element engages a Portion of the tube gripping means so as to oppose radially inward movement of that portion, rendering the tube gripping means stiffer.

12. A tube coupling apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stiffening element, in preventions radially inward movement of a portion cf the tube Gripping means, retains the tube gripping means in a cc.ntr-al 15 position with respcct to the tube receiving bore so as to make insertion of a tube into the coupling easier.

13. A tube coupling apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein t.-e stiffening element is located 20 between the sealing element and the tube gripping means, so as to protect the sealing element from being damaged by the tube gripping means.

14. A tube coupling apparatus according to any one of the 25 preceding claims, wherein the gripping means consists of a gripping ring which includes an axially extending ring portion, a plurality of teeth and a hirige portion, located between the ring portion and the teeth, so as to permit pivotal movement of the teeth relative to the ring portion.

15. A tube coupling apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the stiffening element engages the axially extending ring portion so as to urge the ring portion against the inner wall of the bore.

-42, 16. A tube coupling apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the stiffening element includes a tapered surface which restricts the pivotal movement of teeth.

5 17. A tube coupling apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the retaining element includes a tapered surface which together with the tapered surface of the stiffening element restrict t.hc range of pivotal movement of the teeth.

10 18. A tube coupling apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to I, charac:Lerised in that each of the tube engaging teeth includes an engagement surface and an indented portion so as to provide a more effec:Live engagement between the teeth and the curved periphery of the tube.

19. A tube coupling apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that the indented portion is located substantially at the mid-point of the er-gagement surface of each of the teeth.

20. A tube coupling apparatus according to claim 19, charact.erised in that a convex outer portion its located on either side of the central indented portion.

21. [Jse of a tube coupling apparatus as described in any one of the preceding cl.ai.ms to connect the end of a heatir-q pipe to a radiator.

30 22. Use of a tube coupling apparatus as described in any one of claims 1 to 20 to connect the end of one heating pipe to the ends of two further heating pipes in a substantially 'T' shaped configuration.

- - 23. Use of a tube coupling apparatus as described in any one of claims] to 20 to connect the end of a heating pipe to the end of a further heating pipe in a substantially 'L' shaped configuration.