Patent attributes
A metallic fitting assembly employs a clip-to-body attachment for locking a tube end of a fluid system component to the fitting assembly. The fitting assembly includes a fitting body defining a fluid flow path between a first end and a second end opposite from the first end. The first end receives a tube end of a first fluid system component, and the fitting body defines a clip slot adjacent to the first end, and a material of the fitting body includes metal; and a clip wherein a material of the clip includes metal. When the tube end is inserted through the first end of the fitting body, the clip is inserted through the clip slot and around the tube end to engage the tube end in a connected state in which the tube end is locked within the fitting body. The fitting body includes a main body and a ring end that define the clip slot between the main body and the ring end, the main body and the ring end being attached to each other by a bridge. For freeze resistance, the ring end minimizes distortion of the ring end to 0.010″ (0.25 mm) or less at a tensile load of 500 lbf (2200 Newtons). A ratio of a cross-sectional area of the ring end to an inner diameter of the fitting body may be from 21% to 73%. The bridge may have a width within a range of 20% to 70% of an outer diameter of the fitting body.
