Tool for disassembling connectors

1. A tool for disassembling a pipe or tube from a push-to-connect fitting having a collar arranged to engage the pipe or the tube, the tool comprising:

a first body;

a second body pivotally coupled to the first body;

a pair of first fingers pivotally coupled to the first body, each of the first fingers having a first semi-circular surface, the first semi-circular surfaces cooperating to engage the pipe or the tube adjacent the collar; and

a pair of second fingers coupled to the second body, each of the second fingers having a second semicircular surface, the second semicircular surfaces cooperating to engage the push to connect fitting;

wherein when the first body is rotated from a first position to a second position, the pair of first fingers moves the collar axially relative to the pipe or the tube; and

wherein each of the second semi-circular surfaces includes a slot extending therefrom, each of the slots being arranged opposite each other.

2. The tool of claim 1 , further comprising a latch member pivotally coupled to one of the first body or the second body, the latch member having a first engagement surface and a second engagement surface, the latch member being movable to selectively engage the first engagement surface or the second engagement surface.

3. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the pair of first fingers are coupled by a first biasing member, the first biasing member biasing the first semi-circular surfaces toward each other.

4. The tool of claim 3 , wherein the pair of second fingers are coupled by a second biasing member, the second biasing member biasing the second semi-circular surfaces toward each other.

5. The tool of claim 1 , further comprising a first handle coupled to the first body and a second handle coupled to the second body.

6. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the first body includes a third semi-circular surface, the third semi-circular surface being adjacent to and perpendicular to the first semi-circular surfaces.

7. The tool of claim 6 , wherein the second body includes a fourth semi-circular surface, the fourth semi-circular surface being adjacent to and perpendicular to the second semi-circular surfaces.

8. A method of disassembling a pipe or tube from a push-to-connect fitting, the push-to-connect fitting having a collar arranged to engage the pipe or the tube, the method comprising:

moving a tool to a first position, the tool having a first body, a second body pivotally coupled to the first body, a pair of first fingers coupled to the first body and a pair of second fingers coupled to the second body;

engaging the pair of first fingers with the pipe or the tube;

engaging the second pair of fingers with the push-to-connect fitting;

pivoting the first body relative to the second body to engage the collar with the first fingers;

pivoting the first body relative to the second body to slide the collar axially into the push-to-connect fitting;

removing the pipe or the tube from the push-to-connect fitting when the collar is slid axially into the push-to-connect fitting;

fixing a position of the first body relative to the second body prior to removing the pipe or the tube from the push-to-connect fitting;

wherein the fixing of the position is provided by a latching member pivotally coupled to the second body;

wherein the latching member includes a first engagement surface and a second engagement surface; and

pivoting the latching member to operably engage the first engagement surface with the first body when a first fitting is coupled to the pipe or the tube, and pivoting the latching member to operably engage the second engagement surface with the first body when a second fitting is coupled to the pipe or the tube, the first fitting being a different size than the second fitting.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising biasing the first fingers against the pipe or the tube, and biasing the second fingers against the push-to-connect fitting.

10. A method of disassembling a pipe or tube from a push-to-connect fitting, the push-to-connect fitting having a collar arranged to engage the pipe or the tube, the method comprising:

moving a tool to a first position, the tool having a first body, a second body pivotally coupled to the first body, a pair of the first fingers coupled to the first body and a pair of second fingers coupled to the second body;

engaging the pair of first fingers with the pipe or the tube;

engaging the second pair of fingers with the fitting;

pivoting the first body relative to the second body to engage the collar with the first fingers;

pivoting the first body relative to the second body to slide the collar axially into the fitting; and

removing the pipe or the tube from the fitting when the collar is slid axially into the fitting;

wherein each of the second fingers has a semicircular surface, the semicircular surfaces cooperating to engage the push-to-connect fitting; and

wherein each of the semi-circular surfaces includes a slot extending therefrom, each of the slots being arranged opposite each other.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising biasing the first fingers against the pipe or the tube, and biasing the second fingers against the fitting.

12. The method of claim 10 , further comprising fixing a position of the first body relative to the second body prior to removing the pipe or the tube from the fitting.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the fixing of the position is provided by a latching member pivotally coupled to the second body.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the latching member includes a first engagement surface and a second engagement surface.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising pivoting the latching member to operably engage the first engagement surface with the first body when a first fitting is coupled to the pipe or the tube, and pivoting the latching member to operably engage the second engagement surface with the first body when a second fitting is coupled to the pipe or the tube, the first fitting being a different size than the second fitting.