Apparatus, System, and Method for Tubing Caps

• US 20170268712A1
• Filed: 03/17/2016
• Published: 09/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CAP III B.V.
• Original Assignee: CAP III B.V.
• Inventors: Williams, Jason, Hess, Travis
• Granted Patent: US 10,047,894 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 57/005 specially adapted for the ends of pipes
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0418 Covers or lids; Their fastenings

Abstract

A cap for tubing. The cap includes a post and a socket. The post includes an exterior tube mating surface and a substantially flat top surface disposed at a first end of the post. The socket is disposed at a second end of the post. The socket includes an interior tube mating surface and a tool mating surface.

Claims

1. A cap for tubing comprising:

a post comprising;

an exterior tube mating surface; and

a substantially flat top surface disposed at a first end of the post; and

a socket disposed at a second end of the post, the socket comprising;

an interior tube mating surface; and

a tool mating surface.

2. The cap of claim 1, wherein the tool mating surface comprises one or more substantially flat surfaces configured to interface with a wrench.

3. The cap of claim 2, wherein the one or more substantially flat surfaces comprise six substantially flat surfaces configured to have a hexagonal cross-section.

4. The cap of claim 2, wherein the one or more substantially flat surfaces are configured to interface with a wrench selected from the group consisting of a socket wrench, an open end wrench, and a box end wrench.

5. The cap of claim 1, wherein the exterior tube mating surface is disposed between the first end of the post and the second end of the post.

6. The cap of claim 1, wherein the exterior tube mating surface has a substantially round cross section.

7. The cap of claim 6, wherein a diameter of the substantially round cross-section is substantially constant at a plurality of locations between the first end of the post and the second end of the post.

8. The cap of claim 6, wherein a diameter of the substantially round cross-section increases along at least a portion of the exterior tube mating surface between the first end of the post and the second end of the post.

9. The cap of claim 1, wherein the interior tube mating surface has a substantially round cross section.

10. The cap of claim 9, wherein a diameter of the substantially round cross-section of the interior tube mating surface is substantially constant at a plurality of locations between an opening at a first end of the socket and a stop at an opposing end of the socket.

11. The cap of claim 9, wherein a diameter of the substantially round cross-section of the interior tube mating surface decreases along at least a portion of the interior tube mating surface between an opening at a first end of the socket and a stop at an opposing end of the socket.

12. The cap of claim 1, further comprising a spacer disposed on the socket.

13. The cap of claim 12, wherein the spacer comprises a flange having a round cross section.

14. The cap of claim 12, wherein the spacer is disposed between an opening of the socket and the second end of the post

15. A cap for tubing comprising:

a post comprising;

an exterior tube mating surface; and

a substantially flat top surface disposed at a first end of the post;

a socket disposed at a second end of the post, the socket comprising;

an interior tube mating surface; and

a tool mating surface; and

an identifier disposed on the cap.

16. The cap of claim 15, wherein the identifier comprises a plurality of alphanumeric characters.

17. The cap of claim 15, wherein the identifier comprises a single alphanumeric character.

18. The cap of claim 15, wherein the identifier comprises a machine identifiable code.

19. A method of manufacturing a cap for tubing comprising

forming a post and a socket, the post comprising:

an exterior tube mating surface; and

.

a substantially flat top surface disposed at a first end of the post; and

the socket comprising;

an interior tube mating surface; and

a tool mating surface.