Plastic pipe with integral end connection
First Claim
1. Polyolefin pipe having an integral end connection comprising a pair of female and male integral end connections for adjacent lengths of pipe adapted to be press-fitted together to form a locked end connection having a flush exterior and interior surface with said adjacent lengths of pipe, said female end connection comprising a plurality of interior circumferentially extending discrete, circular radial ribs and a plurality of interior circumferentially extending discrete, circular radial grooves bordering said ribs, said male end connection comprising a plurality of corresponding exterior circumferentially extending discrete, circular radial ribs and a plurality of exterior circumferentially extending discrete, circular radial grooves bordering said last named ribs, said male and female end connections being adapted to be axially press-fitted together to distend said female end connection and compress said male end connection until a mating relation of the ribs and grooves in said end connection is obtained, said ribs in each of the male and female end connections decreasing in width inwardly from an end of each of said pipes to mate with the plurality of grooves in each of the male and female end connections correspondingly increasing in width inwardly from said ends of said pipes to provide for proper registry to prevent premature rib and groove engagement until a locking registration is obtained, the ribs of the female end connection having walls extending axially and of substantially the same diameter, the grooves of the female end connection having walls extending axially and of substantially the same diameter, the ribs of the male end connection having walls extending axially and of substantially the same diameter and the grooves of the male end connection extending axially and of substantially the same diameter in order that end-most ribs can ride over grooves in the end connections without being seated until a proper locking registraiton is obtained.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Polyolefin pipe having an integral end connection. The pipe is fabricated with male and female end connections in order that the pipe may be press-fitted together with the interior and exterior forming a flush uniterrupted surface. One or more radial ribs and grooves are formed on the interior of the female connection while a registering series of ribs and grooves are formed on the exterior of the male connection. The ends of the pipe are bevelled in order that the ends pressed together engage and by the slight resiliency of the polyolefin pipe construction permit the slight expansion and contraction of the ends to provide a locking interfit of the respective ribs and grooves in the two ends. The wall thicknesses of the end connection and width of the ribs and grooves are particularly dimensioned in order that the male end may be inserted to a complete lock position without premature engagement and that should failure occur, it be at the readily observable pipe wall rather than in internal rib. Sides of the ribs may also be bevelled to provide for disengagement of the pipe ends when pulled apart.
103 Citations
16 Claims
- 1. Polyolefin pipe having an integral end connection comprising a pair of female and male integral end connections for adjacent lengths of pipe adapted to be press-fitted together to form a locked end connection having a flush exterior and interior surface with said adjacent lengths of pipe, said female end connection comprising a plurality of interior circumferentially extending discrete, circular radial ribs and a plurality of interior circumferentially extending discrete, circular radial grooves bordering said ribs, said male end connection comprising a plurality of corresponding exterior circumferentially extending discrete, circular radial ribs and a plurality of exterior circumferentially extending discrete, circular radial grooves bordering said last named ribs, said male and female end connections being adapted to be axially press-fitted together to distend said female end connection and compress said male end connection until a mating relation of the ribs and grooves in said end connection is obtained, said ribs in each of the male and female end connections decreasing in width inwardly from an end of each of said pipes to mate with the plurality of grooves in each of the male and female end connections correspondingly increasing in width inwardly from said ends of said pipes to provide for proper registry to prevent premature rib and groove engagement until a locking registration is obtained, the ribs of the female end connection having walls extending axially and of substantially the same diameter, the grooves of the female end connection having walls extending axially and of substantially the same diameter, the ribs of the male end connection having walls extending axially and of substantially the same diameter and the grooves of the male end connection extending axially and of substantially the same diameter in order that end-most ribs can ride over grooves in the end connections without being seated until a proper locking registraiton is obtained.
Specification