초록 ▼

A method for coupling a conduit to a fitting. The method includes providing a fitting having a body and a passageway extending through the fitting body, inserting at least a portion of the fitting body within at least a portion of a collar, and compressing at least a portion of the collar around at

A method for coupling a conduit to a fitting. The method includes providing a fitting having a body and a passageway extending through the fitting body, inserting at least a portion of the fitting body within at least a portion of a collar, and compressing at least a portion of the collar around at least a portion of the fitting body such that the fitting body is not internally supported from within the passageway.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A method for coupling a conduit to a fitting, said method comprising: providing a fitting having a body and a passageway extending through the fitting body; inserting at least a portion of the fitting body within at least a portion of a collar, wherein the collar includes a b

What is claimed is: 1. A method for coupling a conduit to a fitting, said method comprising: providing a fitting having a body and a passageway extending through the fitting body; inserting at least a portion of the fitting body within at least a portion of a collar, wherein the collar includes a body including an inner surface, an outer surface, and a flange extending between the body and the fitting body; and compressing at least a portion of the collar around at least a portion of the fitting body wherein at least a portion of the flange is compressed against the inner surface of the collar and such that the fitting body is not internally supported from within the passageway. 2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein inserting at least a portion of the fitting body within at least a portion of a collar comprises: inserting a portion of a conduit within at least a portion of the collar; and inserting at least a portion of the fitting within the portion of the conduit received within the collar. 3. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the collar is substantially cylindrical, compressing at least a portion of the collar around at least a portion of the fitting body comprises compressing the collar radially inwardly around at least a portion of the fitting body. 4. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein compressing at least a portion of the collar around at least a portion of the fitting body comprises compressing a portion of a conduit between the collar and the fitting such that the conduit is fixedly secured to the collar and the fitting. 5. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein providing a fitting having a body and a passageway extending through the fitting body comprises providing a fitting body including a passageway defined therein that substantially resists radial deformation when the collar is compressed radially inwardly around the fitting body. 6. A method in accordance with claim 5 wherein providing a fitting body including a passageway defined therein further comprises providing a fitting body including a sidewall defining the passageway that has a minimum thickness that is substantially constant throughout a length of the body. 7. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein compressing at least a portion of the collar around at least a portion of the fitting body comprises compressing at least a portion of the collar around at least a portion of the fitting body without inserting a mandrel into the passageway. 8. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein compressing at least a portion of the collar around at least a portion of the fitting body comprises compressing at least a portion of the collar around at least a portion of the fitting body without radially deforming the dimensions of the passageway greater than 0.002 inches. 9. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein compressing at least a portion of the collar around at least a portion of the fitting body comprises compressing at least a portion of the collar around at least a portion of the fitting body without radially deforming the dimensions of the passageway greater than 0.001 inches. 10. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein compressing at least a portion of the collar around at least a portion of the fitting body comprises compressing at least a portion of the collar around at least a portion of the fitting body without radially deforming the dimensions of the passageway greater than 0.0005 inches.