Claims
- 1. A fluid line connector comprising a length of thin-walled tubing having a plurality of corrugations formed therealong between opposing tubing ends and a non-corrugated section disposed between said opposing tubing ends such that a portion of said plurality of corrugations extends between said non-corrugated section and each of said opposing tubing ends.
- 2. A fluid line connector according to claim 1, wherein said non-corrugated section is substantially cylindrical.
- 3. A fluid line connector according to claim 1, wherein said non-corrugated section is integrally formed on said length of tubing.
- 4. A fluid line connector according to claim 1, wherein said length of tubing includes first and second tubing portions each having a portion of said plurality of corrugations extending between opposing tubing ends, a first tubing end of said first tubing portion being substantially non-corrugated and receiving a first tubing end of said second tubing portion such that said first tubing end at least partially forms said non-corrugated section.
- 5. A fluid line connector according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said opposing ends includes a non-corrugated portion.
- 6. A fluid line connector according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of corrugations are one of helical and annular corrugations.
- 7. A fluid line connector according to claim 1, wherein said length of tubing has a longitudinal axis and a maximum cross-sectional first dimension substantially transverse said longitudinal axis along said plurality of corrugations and a maximum cross-sectional second dimension substantially transverse said longitudinal axis along said non-corrugated section with said first dimension being greater than said second dimension.
- 8. A fluid line connector assembly for installation on an associated wall having an associated passage extending therethrough, said fluid line connector assembly comprising:
a length of tubing having a plurality of corrugations formed therealong between opposing tubing ends and a non-corrugated section disposed such that a portion of said plurality of corrugations extends between said non-corrugated section and each of said tubing ends; and, a sealing member supported along said non-corrugated section; said length of tubing being positioned adjacent the associated wall such that said non-corrugated section is received along the associated passage, and said sealing member extending between said non-corrugated section and the associated wall forming a substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween.
- 9. A fluid line connector according to claim 8, wherein said non-corrugated section is integrally formed on said length of tubing.
- 10. A fluid line connector according to claim 8, wherein said length of tubing is formed from first and second tubing portions each having a portion of said plurality of corrugations extending between opposing ends.
- 11. A fluid line connector according to claim 10, wherein a first end of said first tubing portion is non-corrugated and a first end of said second tubing portion is received on said first end of said first tubing portion such that said first end of said first tubing portion at least partially forms said non-corrugated section.
- 12. A fluid line connector according to claim 11, wherein first end of second tubing portion is non-corrugated and is dimensioned to be received within said first end of said first tubing portion.
- 13. A fluid line connector according to claim 8 further comprising an end fitting supported on one of said opposing tubing ends.
- 14. A fluid line connector according to claim 13, wherein said one of said opposing tubing ends has a non-corrugated portion and said end fitting is received on said non-corrugated portion.
- 15. A fluid line connector according to claim 14, wherein said non-corrugated portion of said tubing end is generally cylindrical.
- 16. A fluid line connector according to claim 8, wherein said sealing member is an elastomeric grommet having a radially outwardly extending split.
- 17. A fluid line connector assembly adapted to be received on an associated wall having an associated passage extending therethrough, the associated passage having an associated passage axis and an associated minimum cross-sectional passage dimension extending substantially transverse the associated passage axis, said fluid line connector assembly comprising:
a length of tubing having a plurality of corrugations formed therealong between opposing tubing ends and a non-corrugated section disposed such that a portion of said plurality of corrugations extends between said non-corrugated section and each of said tubing ends, said length of tubing having a longitudinal tubing axis, a maximum cross-sectional first tubing dimension extending substantially transverse said tubing axis across said plurality of corrugations and a maximum cross-sectional second tubing dimension extending substantially transverse said tubing axis across said non-corrugated section, said first tubing dimension being greater than said second tubing dimension and less than the associated passage dimension, said length of tubing being received on the associated wall such that said non-corrugated section is positioned along the associated passage; and a sealing member supported on said length of tubing and extending between said non-corrugated section and the associated wall to form a substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween.
- 18. A fluid line connector according to claim 17, wherein said non-corrugated section is integrally formed on said length of tubing.
- 19. A fluid line connector according to claim 17 further comprising a first end fitting supported on a first tubing end of said opposing tubing ends, said first end fitting having a maximum cross-sectional first fitting dimension extending substantially transverse said tubing axis, said first fitting dimension being less than the passage dimension.
- 20. A fluid line connector according to claim 19 further comprising a second end fitting supported on a second tubing end of said opposing tubing ends, said second end fitting having a maximum cross-sectional second fitting dimension extending substantially transverse said tubing axis, said second fitting dimension being less than the passage dimension.
Parent Case Info
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/474,176 filed on May 29, 2003, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60474176 |
May 2003 |
US |