Pipe joint

• US 6,505,866 B1
• Filed: 08/07/2000
• Issued: 01/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nikko Kogyo KK (Nihon Tokushu Toryo Co., Ltd.), Tokyo Gas Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Nikko Kogyo KK (Nihon Tokushu Toryo Co., Ltd.), Tokyo Gas Company Limited
• Inventors: Komiyama, Noriyoshi, Hirai, Mitsuru, Tanaka, Akihiro, Nakamura, Yoshitaka, Igarashi, Osamu, Uno, Tsutomu
• Primary Examiner(s): Browne, Lynne H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BOCHNA, DAVID
• Application Number:
  US09/633,852
• Time in Patent Office: 890 Days
• Field of Search: 285/423, 285/239, 285/238
• US Class Current: 285/423
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/0985 the flexible hook extending radially inwardly from an outer part and engaging a bead, recess or the like on an inner part F16L37/0982 takes precedence

Abstract

Provided is a highly reliable leak-proof pipe joint which is superior in workability, inexpensive and Light, superior in resistance against chlorine and oxygen contained in hot water or vapor, resistive against hydrolysis in hot water, superior in mechanical strength and impact resistance, and thereby capable of withstanding deformation due to water pressure or water hammer phenomenon. This pipe, joint has a main body and a connector or connecting the main body to a pipe, wherein at least either the main body or connector is formed from one type selected from a group consisting or resin in which thermoplastic elastomer is added to polyphenylene sulfide, polysulfone, polyphenyl sulfane, polyphthalimide and polyetherimide, and the main body and connector are formed integrally.

Claims

1. A pipe joint for connecting pipes through which hot water, antifreeze, liquid heat medium or vapor passes, comprising:

a main body; and

a connector for connecting said main body to a pipe;

wherein at least either said main body or connector is formed from a resin which includes a thermoplastic elastomer mixed with a component selected from a group consisting of (1) polyphenylene sulfide, (2) polyphenyl sulfone, (3) polyphthalimide and (4) polyetherimide, and said main body and connector are formed integrally.

2. A pipe joint according to claim 1, wherein at least either said main body or connector is formed from resin in which at least one type among glass fiber, mineral or thermoplastic elastomer is added to a type selected from a group consisting of said polysulfone, polyphenyl sulfone, polyphthalimide and polyetherimide, and said main body and connector are formed integrally.

3. A pipe joint according to claim 2, wherein glass fiber or mineral is added to one type among said polysulfone, polyphenyl sulfone, polyphthalimide and polyetherimide at a ratio of more than 5% and less than 50%.

4. A pipe joint according to claim 2, wherein thermoplastic elastomer is added to one type among said polysulfone, polyphenyl sulfone, polyphthalimide and polyetherimide at a ratio of more than 5% and less than 20%.

5. A pipe joint according to claim 1, wherein at least either said main body or connector is formed of resin in which at least one type among glass fiber or mineral is added to resin in which thermoplastic elastomer is added to polyphenylene sulfide, and said main body and connector are formed integrally.

6. A pipe joint according to claim 3, wherein glass fiber or mineral is added to resin in which thermoplastic elastomer is added to polyphenylene sulfide at a ratio of more than 5% and less than 50%.

7. A pipe joint according to claim 1, wherein said thermoplastic elastomer is added to said polyphenylene sulfide at a ratio of more than 5% and less than 20%.

8. A pipe joint according to claim 1, wherein an engaging member for detachably engaging with a step member formed on said pipe is provided to said main body.

9. A pipe joint according to claim 8, wherein said engaging member and said main body are formed integrally.

10. A pipe joint according to claim 8, wherein said engaging member comprises an engagement pawl at the tip thereof for engaging with said step member, and said engagement pawl elastically retreats in the direction away from said step member upon passing said step member, and said engagement pawl is restored after passing said step member.

11. A pipe joint according to claim 10, wherein an engagement release member for releasing the engagement of said engagement pawl and said step member is provided to the base end of said engaging member.

12. A pipe joint according to claim 1, wherein a step member for detachably engaging with an engaging member formed on said pipe is provided to said main body.

13. A pipe joint according to claims 12, wherein said step member is a flange formed at the end of said a main body, and said flange and said main body are formed integrally.

14. A pipe joint according to claim 1, wherein a flange for determining the connective position of said pipe is integrally formed on said main body.