Plumbing device and method

• US 5,857,717 A
• Filed: 05/09/1997
• Issued: 01/12/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: G.F. Thompson Limited
• Original Assignee: James L. Caffrey
• Inventors: Caffrey, James L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Arola, Dave W.
• Application Number:
  US08/853,851
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• Field of Search: 285/368, 285/414, 285/148.13, 285/148.14, 285/148.15, 285/148.16, 285/148.17, 285/148.18, 285/156, 285/48, 285/49, 285/50, 285/52, 285/53, 285/54 , 285/334.5, 285/148.12, 285/289.1, 285/906, 285/415, 29/428, 29/443
• US Class Current: 285/289.1
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 23/00 Flanged joints F16L13/00, F16L17/00, F16L19/00 take precedence; adjustable joints F16L27/00; for hoses F16L33/00; couplings of the quick-acting type F16L37/00; for double-walled or multi-channel pipes or assemblies F16L39/00; connecting arrangements or other fittings specially adapted to be made of plastics or to be used with pipes made of plastics F16L47/00; specially adapted for pipes of brittle material pipe F16L49/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 285/91 Gaskets
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

An improved device and method for plumbing a recirculating water pump into a hot water heating system, the water pump having a pair of connecting flanges on the inflow and outflow sides of the pump. The present invention includes a section of copper tubing which has one end flared, the flare preferably being at approximately right angles to the longitudinal axis of the tubing. Further, an installation flange is provided having a central hole and an inside face to be positioned against a corresponding face of a connecting flange of the recirculating water pump, the copper tubing being inserted through the central hole of the installation flange with the flared end positioned against the inside face of the installation flange. A flexible gasket, having a central opening, being positioned between the installation flange and the connecting flange of the recirculating pump. The installation flange and flexible gasket being connected to the connecting flange of the recirculating pump with bolts.

Claims

1. A device for plumbing a hot-water recirculating pump into a hot water line, the pump having a connecting flange with a pair of spaced apart holes for receiving connecting bolts comprising:

a section of copper tubing having a flare at one end, the flare comprising an annular disk positioned at a substantially right angle to a longitudinal axis of the section of copper tubing;

an installation flange having an inside face for mating with the connecting flange of the hot-water recirculating pump and having a peripheral shape corresponding with the shape of the connecting flange;

the installation flange further having a central hole for receiving the section of copper tubing with the flared end positioned against the inside face of the flange, and further including a pair of spaced apart holes corresponding with the pair of holes located in the connecting flange;

a gasket positioned between the installation flange and the connecting flange, the gasket having a central hole to provide fluid communication from the copper tubing to the recirculating pump, the gasket further being shaped to have a peripheral shape corresponding with the shape of the connecting flange and further including a pair of spaced apart holes corresponding with the pair of holes located in the connecting flange;

a pair of bolts inserted through the holes provided in the corresponding holes of the connecting flange, gasket and installation flange, and a pair of nuts threaded on the bolts for clamping the connecting flange and installation flange together, sandwiching the gasket in between; and

means for connecting the section of copper tubing in fluid communication with the hot water line.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the installation flange is constructed of Neoprine.

3. A method of plumbing a hot-water recirculating pump into a hot water line, the pump having a connecting flange with a pair of spaced apart holes for receiving connecting bolts comprising:

providing a section of copper tubing having a flare at one end, the flair comprising an annular disk positioned at a substantially right angle to a longitudinal axis of the section of copper tubing;

providing an installation flange having an inside face for mating with the connecting flange, the installation flange having a central hole for receiving the section of copper tubing and further having a peripheral shape corresponding with the shape of the connecting flange and further having a pair of spaced apart holes corresponding with the pair of holes located in the connecting flange;

inserting the section of copper tubing through the central hole of the installation flange, and positioning the flared end against the inside face of the installation flange;

positioning a gasket between the installation flange and the connecting flange, the gasket having a central hole positioned to provide fluid communication from the copper tubing to the recirculating pump, the gasket further being shaped to have a peripheral shape corresponding with the shape of the connecting flange and further including a pair of spaced apart holes corresponding with the pair of holes located in the connecting flange;

inserting a pair of bolts in the holes provided in the corresponding holes of the connecting flange, gasket and installation flange;

threading onto each of the ends of the bolts a nut for clamping the connecting flange and installation flange together sandwiching the gasket in between;

connecting the section of copper tubing in fluid communication with the hot water line.

4. The method according to claim 3 wherein the installation flange is constructed of Neoprine.