Pipe fittings with insert retaining seals and related methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A fitting connectable to an end portion of a pipe, the fitting comprising:
- an insert member having a generally cylindrical wall structure formed of a relatively flexible, resilient plastic material, the insert member being configured to be received at least partly within the end portion of the pipe;
an annular channel formed in an exterior surface of the wall structure of the insert member, a thickness of the wall structure within the annular channel being thinner than a thickness of the wall structure adjacent thereto;
a retention member seated within the annular channel of the insert member and configured to be received at least partly within the end portion of the pipe, the retention member engaging an inner surface of the end portion of the pipe to help frictionally secure the end portion of the pipe on the insert member when the insert member is received at least partly within the end portion of the pipe;
the retention member being comprised of a flexible sealing member which imparts an increased force against the inner surface of the end portion of the pipe in response to an increase of internal fluid pipe pressure which outwardly flexes the thinner wall structure within the annular channel relative to the wall structure adjacent thereto;
a plurality of reinforcement ribs formed on an inner surface of the cylindrical wall structure of the insert member; and
an additional retention member in the form of a slidably moveable sleeve carried by the insert member and configured to be received at least partly within the end portion of the pipe, the moveable sleeve engaging the inner surface of the end portion of the pipe to help frictionally secure the end portion of the pipe on the insert member when the insert member is received at least partly within the end portion of the pipe.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fitting connectable to an end portion of a pipe generally includes an insert member configured to be received at least partly within the end portion of the pipe, and a retention member coupled to the insert member and configured to be received at least partly within the end portion of the pipe. The retention member operates in conjunction with the insert member to engage the end portion of the pipe and impart an increased force against an inner wall of the pipe in response to an increase of internal pipe pressure, thereby frictionally securing the end portion of the pipe on the insert member as internal pipe pressure increases during use.
93 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A fitting connectable to an end portion of a pipe, the fitting comprising:
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an insert member having a generally cylindrical wall structure formed of a relatively flexible, resilient plastic material, the insert member being configured to be received at least partly within the end portion of the pipe; an annular channel formed in an exterior surface of the wall structure of the insert member, a thickness of the wall structure within the annular channel being thinner than a thickness of the wall structure adjacent thereto; a retention member seated within the annular channel of the insert member and configured to be received at least partly within the end portion of the pipe, the retention member engaging an inner surface of the end portion of the pipe to help frictionally secure the end portion of the pipe on the insert member when the insert member is received at least partly within the end portion of the pipe; the retention member being comprised of a flexible sealing member which imparts an increased force against the inner surface of the end portion of the pipe in response to an increase of internal fluid pipe pressure which outwardly flexes the thinner wall structure within the annular channel relative to the wall structure adjacent thereto; a plurality of reinforcement ribs formed on an inner surface of the cylindrical wall structure of the insert member; and an additional retention member in the form of a slidably moveable sleeve carried by the insert member and configured to be received at least partly within the end portion of the pipe, the moveable sleeve engaging the inner surface of the end portion of the pipe to help frictionally secure the end portion of the pipe on the insert member when the insert member is received at least partly within the end portion of the pipe. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A fitting connectable to an end portion of a pipe, the fitting comprising:
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an insert member having a generally cylindrical wall structure formed of a relatively flexible, resilient material, the insert member being configured to be received at least partly within the end portion of the pipe, and the insert member having an annular channel formed in an exterior surface thereof, wherein a thickness of the wall structure within the annular channel is thinner than a thickness of the wall structure adjacent thereto; a retention member in the form of an elastomeric sealing member being carried within the annular channel of the insert member and configured to be received at least partly within the end portion of the pipe, the sealing member engaging an inner surface of the end portion of the pipe and being operable with the insert member to impart an increased force against the inner surface of the end portion of the pipe in response to outward flexing of the thinner wall structure within the annular channel relative to the wall structure adjacent thereto caused by an increase of internal fluid pipe pressure, thereby automatically increasing frictional retention of the end portion of the pipe on the insert member as internal fluid pipe pressure increases during use; a plurality of reinforcement ribs formed on an inner surface of the cylindrical wall structure of the insert member; and an additional retention member in the form of a slidably moveable sleeve carried by the insert member and configured to be received at least partly within the end portion of the pipe, the moveable sleeve engaging the inner surface of the end portion of the pipe to help frictionally secure the end portion of the pipe on the insert member when the insert member is received at least partly within the end portion of the pipe. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification