Multipurpose plumbing tool

• US 7,163,028 B1
• Filed: 05/23/2005
• Issued: 01/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Manuel Diaz Atkinson, Mark Abraham
• Original Assignee: Manuel Diaz Atkinson, Mark Abraham
• Inventors: Abraham, Mark, Atkinson, Manuel Diaz
• Primary Examiner(s): BRINSON, PATRICK F
• Application Number:
  US11/134,934
• Time in Patent Office: 603 Days
• Field of Search: 138/89, 138/96.T, 138/90, 138/91, 138/109, 138/94.3, 285/8, 285/220, 285/910, 285/901, 285/338
• US Class Current: 138/89
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/1108 fixed by screwing or by means of a screw-threaded ring
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/1152 fixed by screwing or by means of a screw-threaded ring
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 285/91 Gaskets

Abstract

A multipurpose plumbing tool has a body at one end, a head at an opposite end and an intermediate neck portion connecting the body and head. The marginal end portion of the body is cut back to form a reduced section, a shoulder being formed at the junction of the reduced section and a non-reduced section of the body. The reduced section is internally and externally threaded. An inwardly tapered seat for an O-ring is formed in the shoulder. An O-ring positioned in the tapered seat is compressed and contained within the tapered seat to provide a water tight seal when the externally threaded end is threaded into a female fitting. The free end of the head is formed with an internally threaded socket. A washer seated at the bottom of the socket provides a water tight seal when the socket is screwed onto a male plumbing fitting.

Claims

1. A multipurpose plumbing tool comprising:

(a) a body having first and second ends, said first end having a narrowed section that is externally threaded, a shoulder formed at an innermost end of said narrowed section, a first seat formed at said innermost end of said narrowed section and in said shoulder;

(b) an intermediate neck portion having first and second ends, said first end of said neck portion connected to said second end of said body;

(c) a head having first and second ends, said second end of said neck portion connected to said first end of said head, an internally threaded socket provided at said second end of said head, a second seat formed at the inner end of said socket;

(d) a first sealing member in said first seat; and

(e) a second sealing member in said second seat,

wherein there is no fluid flow through the tool.

2. The multipurpose plumbing tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first sealing member is a compressible sealing member and wherein said first seat includes a cavity formed in said shoulder, said cavity configured to contain said first sealing member within said cavity when said first sealing member is compressed.

3. The multipurpose plumbing tool as claimed in claim 2 wherein said first sealing member is an O-ring, said O-ring contained within said cavity of said first sealing member when compressed.

4. The multipurpose plumbing tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first sealing member is an O-ring and wherein said first seat is formed with a holding station and a sealing station, said sealing station being a substantially V-shaped cavity, said O-ring compressed when said external threads are threaded into a female fitting, said V-shaped cavity configured to constrain said O-ring within said cavity when said O-ring is compressed.

5. The multipurpose plumbing tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second sealing member is a bibb washer.

19. The multipurpose plumbing tool according to claim 1, the first end of the body having a cavity with internal threads.

6. A multipurpose plumbing tool comprising:

(a) a body having first and second ends, said body having an internal cavity that is opened at said first end, said first end having a narrowed section that is internally and externally threaded, a shoulder formed at an innermost end of said narrowed section, a first seat formed at said innermost end of said narrowed section and in said shoulder;

(b) an intermediate neck portion having first and second ends, said first end of said neck portion connected to said second end of said body;

(c) a head having first and second ends, said second end of said neck portion connected to said first end of said head, an internally threaded socket provided at said second end of said head, a second seat formed at the inner end of said socket;

(d) a first sealing member in said first seat; and

(e) a second sealing member in said second seat.

7. The multipurpose plumbing tool as claimed in claim 6 wherein said first sealing member is a compressible sealing member and wherein said first seat is a cavity that is configured to contain said first sealing member within said cavity when said first sealing member is compressed.

8. The multipurpose plumbing tool as claimed in claim 7 wherein said first sealing member is an O-ring, said O-ring contained within said cavity of said first sealing member when compressed.

9. The multipurpose plumbing tool as claimed in claim 6 wherein said first sealing member is an O-ring and wherein said first seat is formed with a holding station and a sealing station, said sealing station being a substantially V-shaped cavity, said O-ring compressed when said external threads are threaded into a female fitting, said V-shaped cavity configured to constrain said O-ring within said cavity when said O-ring is compressed.

10. The multipurpose plumbing tool as claimed in claim 6 wherein said second sealing member is bibb washer, said bibb washer providing a seal when said internally threaded socket is threaded onto a male thread of compatible male thread size.

11. The multipurpose plumbing tool as claimed in claim 6 said wherein said external threads at an outermost end of said narrowed section are undersized compared to the remainder of said external threads of said narrowed section.

12. A multipurpose plumbing tool comprising:

(a) a body having first and second ends, said body having an internal cavity that is opened at said first end, said first end having a narrowed section with external threads, internal threads provided at said opened end of said internal cavity, a shoulder formed at an innermost end of said narrowed section, a first seat formed at said innermost end of said narrowed section and in said shoulder;

(b) an intermediate neck portion having first and second ends, an intermediate section of said neck portion formed with a grip, said first end of said neck portion connected to said second end of said body;

(c) a head having first and second ends, said second end of said neck portion connected to said first end of said head, an internally threaded socket provided at said second end of said head, a seat formed at the inner end of said socket;

(d) an O-ring seated in said first seat; and

(e) a washer seated in said second seat.

13. The multipurpose plumbing tool as claimed in claim 12 wherein said external threads at an outermost end of said narrowed section are undersized compared to the remainder of said external threads at said narrowed section.

14. The multipurpose plumbing tool as claimed in claim 12 wherein said first seat includes a holding station and a sealing station, said O-ring initially positioned in said holding station, said O-ring positioned in said holding station being urged into and held in said sealing station when said externally threaded narrowed section is threaded into a female fitting having a compatible female thread size.

15. The multipurpose plumbing tool as claimed in claim 12 wherein said second seal is a bibb washer, said bibb washer providing a seal when said internally threaded socket is threaded onto a male thread of compatible male thread size.

16. The multipurpose plumbing tool as claimed in claim 12 wherein said grip is configured to be engaged by a turning tool.

17. The multipurpose plumbing tool as claimed in claim 16 wherein said grip is a gripping surface having opposed flat surfaces that are configured to be engaged by a turning tool.

18. The multipurpose plumbing tool as claimed in claim 12 wherein said first seat is formed with a holding station and a sealing station, said sealing station being a substantially V-shaped cavity, said O-ring compressed when said external threads are threaded into a female fitting, said V-shaped cavity configured to constrain said O-ring within said V-shaped cavity when said O-ring is compressed.