IMPROVED BARB CLAMP WITH SMOOTH BORE

[0001] This application is a Continuation-in-Part application of U.S. Patent

Application 10/963,457 a pending application filed on October 13, 2004 which claims priority of provisional patent application 60/512,231 filed on October 17, 2003.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a fastening device for a tubular body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The transfer of fluid through flexible tubing is widely used in various environments. Ultimately, the flexible tubing is connected to the source of the gaseous or liquid fluid, the delivery site of the fluid, or to flexible tubing. At the ends of the flexible tubing, it is necessary to provide a secure and leak proof connections. Although these requirements are necessary in all environments using flexible tubing, it is critical in the medical and pharmaceutical, food and beverage fields. In the medical and pharmaceutical fields flexible tubing and associated connections are used for luer fittings, quick connects, or sanitary fittings such as used in blood pumps, oxygen concentrators, sleep apnea equipment, medical transport containers, IV bags, etc. In some environments, and especially in the medical field, it is imperative to absolutely prohibit any liquids from getting between the tube and the connection fitting at the connection point. Any gap or abrupt change at the point of connection will entrap fluid, e.g. bio, blood, drugs, foodstuff, etc. This entrapment can cause growth of harmful bacteria.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention addresses the aforementioned concerns. The present invention is an improved barb clamp used for joining a flexible tube to a barb fitting or connector, or straight lumen without a barb. And, in particular, for joining flexible tube to a specially constructed barb fitting that provides minuscule or no transition differential between the inner diameter of the tubing and the inner diameter of the barb fitting.

[0005] In one aspect of the invention the barb fitting tapers to a termination point so that there is no transition between the inner diameter of the tube and the

inner diameter of the barb fitting for preventing a pressure differential in the tube between a portion of the tube in the improved barb clamp and a portion of the tube outside of the barb clamp.

[0006] Other applications of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when the following description of the best mode contemplated for practicing the invention is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0007] The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

[0008] Figure 1 is a sectional view of a current barb clamp;

[0009] Figure 2 is a partial sectional view of an alternative to the current barb clamp;

[0010] Figure 3 is an elevational view of a collet for the current barb clamp;

[0011] Figure 4 is a sectional view of a sleeve for the current barb clamp;

[0012] Figure 5 is a sectional view of an improved barb clamp according to the present invention;

[0013] Figure 6 is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the improved barb clamp;

[0014] Figure 7 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the improved collet and sleeve;

[0015] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in Figure 7 having a portion sectioned off to illustrate certain figures;

[0016] Figure 9 is a sectional view of the collet and sleeve of the barb clamp shown in Figure 7 in an unlocked position;

[0017] Figure 10 is a sectional view of the collet and sleeve shown in Fig. 7 in the locked position; and

[0018] Figure 1 1 is a sectional view of the barb clamp shown in Figure 10 locked onto a tube.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0019] Figures 1 and 2 show the current barb clamp connector 10 for coupling a barbed fitting 12 and a flexible tube 14 and discussed hereafter. The barb fitting 12 is generally made of a non-metal material which allows it to be heat welded to a proprolyene or ethylene medical or pharmaceutical bag. The same and similar materials can be used for biotech, pharmaceutical, medical, and foodstuff fitting connections and manifold applications. The fitting can also be made from other plastics and stainless steel when required. As seen in Figures 1 and 2, the barbed fitting 12 may encompass different configurations but will generally include at least one expanded or barbed end 16 for a 360° radial compression connection to the flexible tube 14. If the barb clamp 10 is to be used in a medical or pharmaceutical environment, the barb fitting 12 is preferably made from an FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved polypropylene, silicone, TPE, TPR, etc. The barb fitting 12 may also include a flanged portion 17 which defines a stop for the barb clamp 10. [0020] The barb clamp 10 includes a collet 18 and a sleeve 20. The collet 18 and the sleeve 20 are as shown in Figures 1-6 and are similar to the collet and sleeve discussed in U. S. Patent Application Serial Number 10/100,519 filed on March 18, 2002, now U. S. Patent No. 6,796,586 issued on September 28, 2004. [0021] The collet 18 is an essentially annular member having a through aperture 19 for receiving the end of a tube 14 therein. The sleeve 20 is also an annular member with a through aperture 21 for receiving the end of the tube 14 as well as having a diameter for also receiving the collet 18 therein. [0022] Looking at Figure 3 the collet 18 has an exterior surface 22 providing resilient means for radially contracting around the tube 14. The collet 18 has a first end 23 forming a discontinuous annular ring. Along the exterior surface 22 and adjacent to the first end 23 is an annular groove 26. Moving toward the second end 24 and beyond the annular groove 26, the collet forms eight resilient tangs 28. The tangs 28 radially flare out or expand slightly at the second end 24 of the collet 18. The tangs 28 begin to flare approximately at the mid section 27 of each tang 28. The tangs 28 are formed by narrow through slots 25 extending from the second end 24 and terminating at the annular groove 26. The slots 25 are shown in Figures 3 and 5

with rounded termination ends 25a, however, the termination ends 25a may have pointed ends, (not shown).

[0023] A small ramping ledge 30 projects above each termination end 25a of the narrow through slots 25. The small ledges 30 provide added strength to the collet and also provide a stop means for the sleeve 20, as will be discussed hereinafter. Between each small ledge 30 there is a recessed planar portion 30a extending into the annular groove 26. The eight tangs 28 form a resilient seal which allow the tangs to contract around a tubular member 14. Between every other tang 28 there is a through slot 29 which extends from the first end 23 to the mid-section 27 of the associated tang 28. The through slots 29 may also have rounded termination ends 29a as shown in Figures 3 and 5 or pointed termination ends (not shown). The through slots 29 provide resiliency to the first end 23 of the collet 18 without sacrificing durability. The interior surface 31 of the collet 18 is essentially smooth except for a shelf 32 equally positioned on each tang 28 at the mid-section 27 for reasons to be discussed further.

[0024] Looking at Figure 4, the sleeve 20 has a smooth exterior annular surface 34. The sleeve 20 has a first or bottom end 36 forming an arcuate base to facilitate assembly to the collet 18. The interior surface 40 forms a slight outward taper at the second or top end 38 of the sleeve 20. The interior surface 40 is essentially smooth throughout the length of the sleeve 20 except for an annular projection 42 that extends from the inner surface. The annular projection 42 is sized and positioned on the sleeve 20 for disposition within the annular groove 26 of the collet 18 to form a lock when the barb clamp 10 is engaged. Therefore, the annular projection 42 is positioned proximate to the second or top end 38 of the sleeve 20. [0025] The sleeve 20 is first placed over the end of the tube 14 so that the second or top end 38 of the sleeve 20 is spaced furthest away from the tube end the collet 18 is then placed on the tube 14 so that the first end 23 of the collet 18 is closest to the sleeve 20. The expanded end 16 of the barbed fitting 12 is then placed into the tube 14. The expanded end 16 of the barbed fitting 12 is sized for being snugly received within the interior of the tube 14. The collet 18 is then slid over the tube 14 having the expanded end 16 of the barbed fitting 12 therein. The shelves 32

located on the interior surface 31 of the collet 18 is a retainer which forms a radial 360° compression around the tube 14 and under the expanded end 16 of the barb fitting 12 so that the barb fitting 12 cannot easily move out of the tube 14. The sleeve 20 is then slid over the collet 18 such that the first or bottom end 36 of the sleeve 20 initially encounters the first end 23 of the collet 18, As the sleeve 20 moves over the collet 18, the tangs 28 on the collet 18 are pushed radially inwardly into the tube 14 and barbed fitting 12, so that the annular shelf 32 of the collet 18 is pressed inwardly into the tube 14 and barbed fitting 12 to provide a tight seal therebetween and thereby lock the annular shelf 32 under the barb 16. The sleeve 20 continues over the collet 18 until the annular projection 42 on the interior surface 40 of the sleeve 20 sits within the annular groove 26 of the collet 18. The small ledges 30 on the exterior surface 34 of the collet 18 provides a stop and lock to prevent the annular projection 42 from moving out of annular groove 26. The barb clamp 10 "clicks" when the collet 18 and sleeve 20 lock together. The barb clamp 10 can then only be removed with the aid of a tool so that disconnection and leakages are prevented.

[0026] The improved barb clamp shown in Figures 5 and 6 has many of the same features as discussed with regard to Figures 1-4. However, the improved barb clamp 10 further includes an engineered designed barb fitting 112 which is designed to maintain the same cross sectional area of the bore or fluid passageway 100a in the barb clamp 110 as the cross-sectional area of the bore or fluid passageway 100 in the tube 14 outside of the barb clamp 10. The fluid passageway 100 outside of the barb clamp 1 10 is defined by the inner bore of the tube 14. The fluid passageway 100a in the improved barb clamp 110 is defined by the inner bore of the barb fitting 112, 212. As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, the cross-sectional area of the fluid passageway 100 of the tube 14 is reduced within the barb clamp 10 as shown at 100a in Figure 1. The free end 50 of the barb fitting 12 in the prior art has a blunt end 52 with a thickness that causes a transition in the cross-sectional area of the fluid passageway 100 as the tubing 14 enters the barb clamp 10 and changes to the fluid passageway 100a. One problem encountered when designing a barb connection is that it is generally necessary to have a smaller cross-sectional area of the bore in the barb

fitting 12 in order to insert the barb fitting 12 into the tube 14. However, the improved clamp 10 provides a barb fitting 112, 212 that has essentially the same bore diameter as the tube 14, but can also easily be inserted into the tube 14. [0027] In the improved barb clamp 110, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the barb fitting 112, 212 has an engineered bore size that has the same cross-sectional area as the bore 100 of the tubing 14. When the improved barb fitting 112, 212 are installed into a tube 14, there is no transition between the inner diameter of the tubing 14 and the inner diameter of the fitting 112. As a result, there is no pressure differential on the tubing or in the fluid from outside to inside of the barb clamp 110. Maintaining a constant pressure or a constant velocity of fluid throughout the system may be imperative in certain medical applications. To accomplish this, the free end 150 of the barb fitting 112, 212 are gradually tapered to a sharp point 152. The sharp point 152 on the free end 150 of the barb fitting 112 also allows for easy insertion of the barb fitting 112 into the tube 14. As a result of this configuration, liquid material can never get between the barb fitting 1 12, or 212, and the tube 14. [0028] Figure 6 shows an alternative configuration of the barb clamp 110 which still maintains the same inner diameter of the passageway of the tube 14 whether the tube 14 is within the barb clamp or not. In Figure 6, it is shown that the barb fitting 212 may include a bumper stop 230 which is attached to the flange 17 to act as a separate stop for the tube 14 while the flange 17 defines another stop for the collet 18, 218 and sleeve 20. The collet 218 may also be modified to have a tapered end 240 to correspond with a tapered end 40 of the sleeve. Further the annular shelf 232 of the collet 218 may be reconfigured to extend further into the tube 14 for a sturdier grip.

[0029] The collet 18 and sleeve 20 should be made of an FDA approved material if the barb clamp 10 is in a medical or pharmaceutical environment. The material should be resilient. Preferably the collet 18 is made of acetyl, silicon, or polypropylene. The sleeve 20 is preferably made of polycarbonate, silicon, or polypropylene. The components of the improved barb clamp are made of such material as polypropylene that can be sterilized in an autoclave for medical applications. Antimicrobial additives may also be added to the plastic material used

in the manufacturing of at least one of the barb connector, collet, and sleeve. [0030] Figures 7-11 show an alternative configuration of the barb clamp 310 according to the present invention. The barb clamp 310 of this embodiment is made of the same materials as disclosed in the previous embodiments. Looking first a Figure 11, a barb clamp 310 is assembled onto a tube 314 for maintaining the tube

314 in fixed connection. The barb connector or fitting 312 has a tubular configuration. The barb connector 312 has a smooth inner bore 313 with a constant diameter therethrough defining a fluid passageway therein. The constant diameter of the inner bore 313 of the barb connector 312 equals the predetermined inner diameter

315 of the flexible tube 314. The barb connector 312 has a first end for disposing into one end of the flexible tube 314. The first end 322 has an outer angular or ramping surface 323 that commences from the inner surface 313 and extends radially outward away from the inner surface 313 defining a sharp point at the terminating end of the first end 322. As a result, the first end 322 of the barb connector 312 has no edge perpendicular to the fluid passageway of the barb connector 312, and there is no pressure differential in the fluid passageway in the tube 314 inside or outside of the barb clamp 310 when installed. The angular surface 323 extends along the entire radial periphery of the first end 322. The angular surface 323 terminates at a barbed point 324 formed along the exterior surface. The barb fitting 312 may also include a flanged portion 326 spaced from the first end 322 which acts as a stop for insertion of the barb connector 312 into the tube 314. The configuration of the pointed first end 322 of the barb fitting 312 provides a constant fluid passage diameter of the tube 314 whether the fluid passageway in the tube 314 is inside or outside of the barb connector 312.

[0031] The barb clamp 310 includes a collet 318 and a sleeve 320. The collet

310 and the sleeve 320 are as shown in Figures 7-11. In the illustrated embodiment, the collet 318 and sleeve 320 are connected together by frangible tabs 328 as will be discussed hereinafter. The collet 318 is an annular member having a through aperture 319 for receiving the end of the tube 314 therein. The outer surface 330 of the collet 318 has a bi-level configuration wherein the diameter of the outer surface 330a adjacent the first end 332 is less than the diameter of the outer surface 330b

adjacent the second end 334. The first and second outer surfaces 330a, 330b are separated and defined by a ledge 336 positioned at the midpoint of the collet 318. [0032] The interior surface 319 of the collet 318 has an essentially smooth radial surface except at the first end 332, wherein an annular ridge 338 is positioned. The annular ridge 338 is defined by a lead-in annular surface 340 that angles inwardly to the reduced diameter of the ridge 338. The angle leading edge 340 facilitates the entry and assembly of the barbed end 322 of the connector 312 and tube 314. The second end 334 of the collet 318 has a radial surface perpendicular to the fluid passageway. A plurality of the frangible tabs 328 are connected to and extend from the radial surface 334 of the second end. Opposing ends of the frangible tabs 328 are also connected to an inner surface of the sleeve 320 as will be discussed hereinafter.

[0033] Elongate through slits 342 commence at and are opened to the first end 332 of the collett 318. The plurality of slits 342 are equally spaced along the circumference of the collett 318. The slits 342 have elongated lateral edges 343a 343b that are spaced from each other forming a gap therebetween. The slits 342 extend approximately two-thirds of the axial length way into the body of the collett 318 from the first end 332. By example only, the slits 342 are positioned directly in alignment with the frangible tabs 328.

[0034] The second end 334 of the collet 318 also includes a plurality of through slits 344. The slits 344 are configured the same as the slits 342. The slits 344 also include lateral spaced edges 345a, 345b. The slits 344 extend and are opened to the second end 334 of the collet 318 and extend two-thirds of the axial length into the body of the collett 318. The slits 344 are equally spaced between adjacent slits 342. Therefore, there is a center portion of the collet 318 into which both sets of slits 342, 344 extend. The slits 342,344 allow for a resilient seal around the tube 314 when the barb clamp 310 is in a locked position. [0035] The sleeve 320 has a smooth exterior surface 350. The interior surface 351 of the sleeve has a radial lip 352 formed at the first end 354 of the sleeve. The interior surface 351 has an expanded radial section 358 adjacent to the Hp 352. The expanded section 358 has an expanded radial diameter for accommodating the

second section 330b of the exterior of the collett 318 when the barb clamp is in the locked position. The expanded section 358 terminates at a ledge 360 defined by a reduced diameter portion 362. Axially, the reduced diameter portion 362 is followed by a ramped portion 364 that ramps outwardly to an expanded end portion 366. The expanded end portion 366 is adjacent to the second end 356 of the sleeve 320, Opposing end portions of the frangible tabs 328 are positioned and connected to the wall of the interior expanded end portion 366 of the sleeve. The connection of the frangible tabs 328 to the collet 318 and sleeve 320 form a gap 329 between the second end 356 of the sleeve 320 and the second end 334 of the collet 318 so that the frangible tabs 328 are the only connection between the collet and sleeve when the barb clamp is in the unlocked position. The position of the frangible tabs 328 relative to the collet 318 and sleeve 320 allow for breakage of the frangible tabs 328 from the collet 318 with a predetermined applied force. [0036] For installation, the attached collet 318 and sleeve 320 are slipped onto the end of the tube 314 with the sleeve 320 end placed on the tube 314 first. The barb fitting or connector 312 is inserted into the end of the tube 314 leading with the pointed barbed end 322. Once the barb connector 312 is tightly installed into the end of the tube 314, the collet 318 is slid back over that end of the tube 314 enclosing both the end of the tube 314 and the barb connector 312. A locking instrument can be used to break the frangible tabs 328 to detach the sleeve 320 from the collet 318 and slide the sleeve 320 over collet 318. Although the tabs 328 are broken away from the collet 318, the portions of the tabs 328 on the inside surface 366 of the sleeve remain in tact and connected to the sleeve 320.

[0037] As the sleeve 320 moves over the collet 318, the second end 334 of the collet 318 breaks off the frangible tab portions 328 attached to the inner surface 362 of the sleeve 320. As the sleeve 320 continues its axial movement over the collet 318, the second end 334 of the collet follows the ramp 364; and the slits 344 squeeze together eliminating the gap between the side edges 345a, 345b to provide a resilient seal around the tube 314. The sleeve 320 continues to move over the collet 318 until the second end 334 of the collet 318 is locked and abuts below the radial Hp 352 in the sleeve. The radial lip 352 stops further axial movement of the sleeve 320

relative to the collet 318, In the locked position as shown in Figures 10 and 11 , the second outer surface 330b of the collet 318 is adjacent to the expanded section 358 in the sleeve 320.

[0038] The ledge 336 on the collet 318 snaps over and is held on the inner ledge 360 of the sleeve 320. The reduced diameter portion 362 of the sleeve 320 contracts the first section 330a of the collet 318 and removes the gap between the side edges 343a and 343b of the slit 342. The reduced section 362 is positioned to affect the contraction of each of the gaps 342 and 344. The tab portions 328 that remain connected to the sleeve 320 grip the outer surface 330a of the collet 318 adjacent to the first end 332. When the sleeve 320 is locked over collet 318, the barb fitting 312 and the tube 314, there is a 360° radial compression connection of the tube 314.

[0039] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law.