Pipe connector

• US 5,366,257 A
• Filed: 12/30/1992
• Issued: 11/22/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eslon Thermoplastics
• Original Assignee: Eslon Thermoplastics
• Inventors: McPherson, Terry R., Womeldorff, Daniel W., Spirkowyc, Paul A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Arola, Dave W.
• Application Number:
  US07/998,392
• Time in Patent Office: 692 Days
• Field of Search: 285/229, 285/423, 285/174, 285/328, 285/908, 285/355, 285/330, 285/392
• US Class Current: 285/148.11
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 47/32 Branch units, e.g. made in one piece, welded, riveted
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 285/908 Extrusion holes

Abstract

An improved connecting device for of securing a pipe fitting of one material to a pipe of another. This invention provides a connector body with an insert fitting which does not leak therebetween. Further, the invented device has an integral annular flange, which extends into the surrounding body thereby preventing the body from expanding with heat and slipping with relation to the insert upon engaging the fitting with a nipple or other pipe material, and twisting forcefully.

Claims

1. An internally threaded, fluid-tight tubular connector device, comprising:

a tubular body of a plastic material;

an annular insert situated within said body of said plastic material, said insert being made of a second material dissimilar to that of said tubular body;

said insert having an internal thread;

said insert having a thin annular flange means extending a substantial distance radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of said insert for locking said insert into the material of said tubular body;

a measurable difference between the outer circumference of said annular flange means and said outer circumferential surface of said insert being substantially greater than the thickness of said annular flange means;

said annular flange means providing at least one surface normal to said outer circumferential surface of said annular insert;

said insert having an annular recess in said outer circumferential surface and a sealing O-ring positioned in said recess.

2. A connector device according to claim 1 where said plastic material is selected from the group consisting of:

polypropylene, (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW PE), ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), perfluoroalkoxy (PFA), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP), fiberglass reinforced vinyl ester, fiberglass reinforced epoxy, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyphthalamide (PPA), fiberglass reinforced polyvinylchloride, fiberglass reinforced polyester, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), or polysulfone.

3. A connector device according to claim 1 where said second material is selected from the group consisting of:

brass, bronze, copper, aluminum, steel, stainless steel, HASTELLOY™

, INCONEL™

, or MONEL™

.

4. A connector device according to claim 1 where said O-ring is made of a material selected from the group consisting of:

rubber, Buna-N rubber, neoprene, VITON™

, SANIPRENE™

, TEFLON™

, a soft plastic such as an elastomer, polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE), nitrile rubber (NBR), ethylene propylene rubber (EPDM), butyl rubber, chloroprene rubber (CR), fluorine rubber (FPM), chlorine sulphonyl polyethylene (CSM), per fluoro (ethylenepropylene) copolymer (FEP), and ethylene/chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer (ECTFE).

5. A connector device according to claim 1 where said internal thread is tapered.

6. A connector device according to claim 1 where at least part of said the external circumferential surface of said insert is textured.

7. A connector device according to claim 1 where said annular flange means extends outward from said insert then parallel to the central axis of said insert.

8. A connector device according to claim 1 where said annular flange means extends outward from said insert, then parallel to said outer circumference of said tubular plastic body in both directions, whereby said annular flange means has a T configuration.

9. A connector device according to claim 1 where said annular flange means is provided with apertures at evenly spaced intervals.

10. A connector device according to claim 1 where the outer circumferential surface of said annular flange means is provided with a lip at an angle therefrom.

11. A connector device according to claim 1 where at least part of the external circumferential surface of said annular flange means is textured.

12. An internally threaded, fluid-tight tubular connector device, comprising:

a tubular body of a castable material selected from the group consisting of ceramics, thermoset plastics, and thermoplastics;

an annular insert situated within said body of said castable material, said insert being made of a second material different from that of said tubular body;

said insert having an internal thread;

said insert having a thin annular flange means extending a substantial distance radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of said insert for locking said insert into the material of said tubular body;

said annular flange means having a width less than its length;

said annular flange means providing at least one surface normal to outer circumferential surface of said insert;

said insert having an annular recess in said outer circumferential surface and a sealing O-ring positioned in said recess.