GB2345328A

GB2345328A - Terminal Fittings for Coils of Tubing

Info

Publication number: GB2345328A
Application number: GB9828790A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Derek Guest
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-12-29
Filing date: 1998-12-29
Publication date: 2000-07-05
Anticipated expiration: 2018-12-29
Also published as: GB2345328B; GB9828790D0

Abstract

A terminal fitting for a coil of tubing comprises an end closure (14, 15) to engage a free end of a coiled length of tubing and a C-shaped clip (10) formed integrally with and to one side of the end closure. The C-shaped clip can be "snapped" over an adjacent turn in the coil of tubing to hold the end of the tubing in line with the coil and also to prevent foreign matter entering the end of the tubing.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO TERMINAL FITTINGS FOR COILS OF TUBING This invention relates to terminal fittings for coils of tubing and in particular small diameter flexible plastics tubing for carrying gases or liquids. Such tubing is conveniently stored in coil form on reels. Lengths of tubing to be used can then be drawn off from the reels as required. There is a requirement to prevent foreign matter from entering the end of the tube to prevent contamination of the line and any fittings in the line and there is also a requirement to provide a convenient way for holding the free end of the coil in a tidy manner so that the coil does not tend to unwind but is ready for a length of tubing to be drawn off when required.

This invention provides a terminal fitting for a coil of tubing comprising an end closure to engage a free end of a coiled length of tubing, and a C-shaped clip formed integrally with and to one side of the end closure to snap over an adjacent turn in the coil of tubing to hold the end of the tubing to the coil and to prevent foreign matter entering the end of the tubing.

In a preferred form of the invention the end closure has an integral laterally extending arm with which the C-shaped clip is formed integrally to lie side by side with the end closure.

More specifically the arm may extend from one end of the C-shaped clip to one end of the end closure.

In any of the above arrangements the end closure may comprise a plug to engage in the open end of the tube.

In the latter arrangement the plug may be tapered to be a jamming fit in the end of the tube.

In a further arrangement according to the invention the end closure may comprise a cap to fit over an end of the tube.

The following is a description of two specific embodiments of the invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a terminal fitting for a coil of tubing; Figure 2 is an end view of the terminal fitting; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of the fitting in use on a coil of tubing; Figure 4 is a plan view of an alternative form of fitting; and Figure 5 is an end view of an alternative form of fitting of Figure 4.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown a terminal fitting for use with a coil of small bore plastics tubing for closing and securing the free end of the coil of tubing. The fitting is moulded in a resilient plastics such as Acetal or Polyethylene etc. and comprises an elongate C-shaped clip 10 which is dimensioned to snap over the outer diameter of the tubing to lock the fitting onto the tubing. The clip has an axis indicated by the chain line 11.

At one end 12 of the clip, there is an integral laterally extending arm 13 projecting radially to one side of the clip with which an end closure for a tube in the form of a plug 14 is formed integrally. The plug 14 has a tapered or conical outer surface so as to be a jamming fit in the end of the tubing. The plug has a centre line indicated by the chain line 16 which extends parallel to the axis 11 of the C-shaped clip, the plug being located side by side with the clip.

Figure 3 shows the clip in use with a coil of extruded plastics tubing indicated generally at 17.

The tubing has a free end indicated at 18 in which the plug 14 is jammed to prevent foreign matter entering the tubing and the C-shaped clip 10 of the terminal fitting is snapped over an adjacent turn in the coil of the tubing to hold the free end 18 of the tubing in the coil.

The terminal fitting is readily released from the coil and from the end of the tubing when a further length of tubing is be drawn off from the coil to be used. Once a length has been cut from the coil, the plug of the terminal fitting is jammed in the new cut end of the tubing and the C-shaped clip is snapped onto a conveniently placed adjacent turn of the coil to locate the free end in the coil.

The other end of the coil is conveniently closed off to prevent foreign matter entering the tubing by a further plug 19 similar to a plug 14 having a head 20 to enable the plug to be readily inserted in and removed from the tubing.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings, there is shown an alternative embodiment in which the plug 14 is replaced by a cap 21 having a socket 22 to engage over the end of the tube to protect and hold the tube end. The bore in the socket may be tapered slightly so that the cap is a jamming fit on the tube.

The arrangement is otherwise similar to that of Figures 1 and 2 described above.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A terminal fitting for a coil of tubing comprising an end closure to engage a free end of a coiled length of tubing, and a C-shaped clip formed integrally with and to one side of the end closure to snap over an adjacent turn in the coil of tubing to hold the end of the tubing to the coil and to prevent foreign matter entering the end of the tubing.
2. A terminal fitting as claimed in claim 1, wherein the end closure has an integral laterally extending arm with which the C-shaped clip is formed integrally to lie side by side with the end closure.
3. A terminal fitting as claimed in claim 2, wherein the arm extends from one end of the C-shaped clip to one end of the end closure.
4. A terminal fitting as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the end closure comprises a plug to engage in the open end of the tube.
5. A terminal fitting as claimed in claim 4, wherein the plug is tapered to be a jamming fit in the end of the tube.
6. A terminal fitting as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the end closure comprises a cap to fit over an end of the tube.
7. A terminal fitting for a coil of tubing substantially as described with reference to and illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 or Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.