Patent attributes
An annular collet or gripping member radially located within a coupling assembly of the type having a hollow body, nut and an O-ring or seal for connection of a pipe thereto. The collet is axially split, the split defined by first and second generally parallel ends that are of an engageable configuration, typically by one end having a projection and the other end a correspondingly shaped cavity enabling the ends to interlock. In the normal operation of the coupling, the collet exerts a longitudinal force on the O-ring causing a seal. When it experiences an axial force that would normally relatively displace the two ends causing a leak, being engaged to each other this movement is resisted ensuring that the seal is maintained. The present invention also relates to a coupling having such a collet.