CRIMP EVIDENT SEAL

• US 20100025992A1
• Filed: 07/30/2009
• Published: 02/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NIBCO Incorporated
• Original Assignee: NIBCO Incorporated
• Inventors: Spence, Scott Lee
• Granted Patent: US 9,188,260 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 285/379
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 13/142 with a sealing element inserted into the female part before crimping or rolling
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 13/148 specially designed to ensure an intended leakage until correct deformation
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 2201/10 Indicators for correct coupling

Abstract

An O-ring has a flange which includes a plurality of slots, such that, when inserted into an annular groove of a pipe fitting before crimping, the slots allow the flow of fluid therethrough, such that an installation would not pass pressure tests until such time as a proper crimp has been made. Such a design allows the use of conventional push-on pipe connections by utilizing a unique O-ring seal which works in conjunction with standard push-on crimp-type pipe fittings and conventional crimping tools for subsequently sealing the connection. The O-ring is either circular or elliptical in cross section and the slots define equally spaced annular segments.

Claims

1. A seal for a crimp connection between a first pipe fitting having an open end and an annular concave groove formed within said first fitting in spaced relationship to said open end and a second pipe fitting for insertion into said open end of said first pipe fitting, said seal comprising:

a ring seal having a body with an integrally formed flange extending radially outwardly from said body; and

a plurality of spaced slots in said flange for allowing the passage of a fluid therethrough until said first and second pipe fittings are crimped in the area of said groove to seal the connection between said first and second fittings.

2. The seal as defined in claim 1 wherein said ring seal is circular in cross section.

3. The seal as defined in claim 1 wherein said ring seal is elliptical in cross section.

4. The seal as defined in claim 1 wherein said flange is divided into from about 8 to about 12 arcuate segments by said slots.

5. The seal as defined in claim 4 wherein said arcuate segments are equally spaced.

6. The seal as defined in claim 5 wherein said ring seal is made of a polymeric material.

7. The seal as defined in claim 6 wherein said polymeric material is ethylene propylene diene elastomer.

8. The seal as defined in claim 1 wherein said seal is an O-ring.

9. A crimp connection for pipe fittings comprising:

a first pipe fitting having an open end and annular concave groove formed within said first fitting in spaced relationship to said open end;

a second pipe fitting for insertion into said open end of said first pipe fitting; and

an O-ring having a body and an integral flange extending from said body, said O-ring seated within said concave groove, wherein said flange includes a plurality of spaced slots allowing the passage of a fluid therethrough until said first and second pipe fittings are crimped in the area of said groove to seal the connection between said first and second fittings.

10. The crimp connection as defined in claim 9 wherein said O-ring is circular in cross section.

11. The crimp connection as defined in claim 9 wherein said O-ring is elliptical in cross section.

13. The crimp connection as defined in claim 9 wherein said flange is divided into from about 8 to about 12 arcuate segments by said slots.

14. The crimp connection as defined in claim 13 wherein said arcuate segments are equally spaced.

15. The crimp connection as defined in claim 14 wherein said O-ring is made of a polymeric material.

16. The crimp connection as defined in claim 15 wherein said polymeric material is ethylene propylene diene elastomer.

17. The crimp connection as defined in claim 9 wherein said first pipe fitting is an adapter and said second pipe fitting is a conduit.

18. A seal for a crimp connection between a first pipe fitting having an open end and an annular concave groove formed within said first fitting in spaced relationship to said open end and a second pipe fitting for insertion into said open end of said first pipe fitting, said seal comprising:

a ring seal having a body with a noncircular cross section; and

a plurality of slots in said body allowing the passage of a fluid therethrough until said first and second pipe fittings are crimped in the area of said groove to seal the connection between said first and second fittings.

19. The seal as defined in claim 18 wherein said ring seal comprises an O-ring having a flange integrally formed thereon and extending radially outwardly from said O-ring and wherein said slots are formed in said flange.

20. The seal as defined in claim 19 wherein said slots are equally spaced and divide said flange into from about 8 to about 12 arcuate segments.