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Flush valve/flush tube connection

  • US 4,777,669 A
  • Filed: 05/13/1987
  • Issued: 10/18/1988
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/13/1987
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. In a plumbing connection for use in a flush valve installation, a tube, a fitting extending from a flush valve and having an exterior thread thereon, said tube extending with said fitting,a coupling nut having an interior threaded area for use in attaching the nut to the fitting, the coupling nut having an inwardly-directed annular shoulder which extends closely adjacent the tube and defines, with an end of the fitting, an annular chamber, said annular shoulder within said annular chamber and adjacent said tube defining a first annular pivot location and a second annular pivot location radially spaced from said first pivot location,an annular elastomeric gasket positioned within said chamber for contact with the end of the fitting and for peripheral contact with the tube,a back-up ring positioned within said chamber adjacent said tube and on one side thereof being in circumferential contact with said gasket, and on the opposite side thereof defining a third annular pivot location adjacent said tube and a fourth annular pivot location radially spaced from said third pivot location,and an annular bevelled clip ring positioned within said chamber between said back-up ring and coupling nut shoulder and having an inner annular edge arranged for surface penetration engagement with the exterior of said tube and an outer annular edge arranged to contact either said second or fourth annular pivot locations,said clip ring further having an intermediate annular portion arranged to contact either said first or third annular pivot locations,whereby, depending on the direction that the clip ring is inserted into said chamber, advancement of the interiorly threaded coupling nut on the exteriorly threaded fitting reduces the size of said chamber causing said gasket and back-up ring to pivot said clip ring about first and fourth annular pivot locations or said second and third annular pivot locations and forces said inner edge into surface penetration of said tube to secure the tube to the fitting, and causing distortion of said gasket into sealing contact with the exterior of said tube, a circumferential surface of said back-up ring, the interior of the threaded coupling nut and the end of said fitting.

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