Pipe-fitting with adaptor assembly and related methods
First Claim
1. A pipe fitting and adaptor assembly, comprising:
- a pipe fitting having a pipe insert member;
an adaptor receptacle member having an open end for receiving at least a portion of said pipe insert member therein, said receptacle member being configured for connection in fluid communication with said pipe insert member of said pipe fitting;
an adaptor coupling member connected in fluid communication and formed integrally with said receptacle member, said adaptor coupling member being configured as a coupling-pipe insert with a moveable retainer for connection to an end portion of a pipe that is incompatible for connection to said pipe insert member; and
a retention member disposed between and interlocking said pipe insert member and said receptacle member together when at least a portion of said pipe insert member is received within said receptacle member, said retention member being movably carried by said pipe insert member apart from said receptacle member and being movable relative to said pipe insert member and said receptacle member.
10 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A pipe-fitting adaptor assembly connectable to the coupling end of a pipe fitting is provided for reconfiguring existing pipe fittings with alternate pipe coupling ends. The fitting adaptor assembly has a tubular receptacle member configured to fit over and seal against an insert member of the fitting. A sliding retention ring carried along a ramped section of the fitting insert member interlocks with an opening formed in the sidewall of the receptacle member of the fitting adaptor assembly, such that decoupling forces tend to expand the locking ring further into the sidewall opening of the fitting adaptor assembly. The fitting adaptor assembly has a coupling end configured differently than the insert member for connection to otherwise incompatible alternative pipe sizes and/or pipe coupling configurations.
97 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A pipe fitting and adaptor assembly, comprising:
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a pipe fitting having a pipe insert member; an adaptor receptacle member having an open end for receiving at least a portion of said pipe insert member therein, said receptacle member being configured for connection in fluid communication with said pipe insert member of said pipe fitting; an adaptor coupling member connected in fluid communication and formed integrally with said receptacle member, said adaptor coupling member being configured as a coupling-pipe insert with a moveable retainer for connection to an end portion of a pipe that is incompatible for connection to said pipe insert member; and a retention member disposed between and interlocking said pipe insert member and said receptacle member together when at least a portion of said pipe insert member is received within said receptacle member, said retention member being movably carried by said pipe insert member apart from said receptacle member and being movable relative to said pipe insert member and said receptacle member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A pipe fitting and adaptor assembly, comprising:
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an adaptor receptacle member; a pipe fitting having a pipe insert member, which is connectable to said adaptor receptacle member, said pipe insert member carrying a movable retention member apart from said adaptor receptacle member which extends about a periphery of said pipe insert member; said adaptor receptacle member having an open end for receiving at least a portion of said pipe insert member and said retention member therein, said receptacle member including a catch formed on an inner surface of a sidewall of said receptacle member for engagement by said retention member when at least a portion of said pipe insert member is received within said receptacle member; an adaptor coupling member connected to said receptacle member, said adaptor coupling member being configured as a coupling-pipe insert with a movable retainer for connection to an end portion of a pipe that is incompatible for connection to said pipe insert member; and an access formed in the sidewall of said receptacle member, said access providing accessibility to said retention member to facilitate disengagement of said retention member from said catch when desired. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of adapting a pipe fitting for connection to an incompatible section of pipe, comprising the steps of:
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providing a pipe fitting adaptor assembly having a tubular receptacle member to which an adaptor coupling member is integrally connected, said adaptor coupling being configured as a coupling-pipe insert with a movable retainer for connection to the incompatible section of pipe; providing a pipe fitting having a pipe insert member to which a substantially annular-shaped retention member is movably carried apart from said adaptor assembly; inserting at least a portion of said pipe insert member and said retention member into said receptacle member such that said retention member engages in locking relation a catch formed on an inner surface of a sidewall of said receptacle member; and providing an access through the sidewall of said receptacle member to facilitate dislodgement of said retention member. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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23. A pipe fitting and adaptor assembly, comprising:
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a pipe fitting having a non-threaded pipe insert member; an adaptor receptacle member having an open end for receiving at least a portion of said pipe insert member therein, said receptacle member being configured for connection in fluid communication with said pipe insert member of said pipe fitting; an adaptor coupling member connected in fluid communication and formed integrally with said receptacle member, said adaptor coupling member being configured for connection to an end portion of a pipe that is incompatible for connection to said pipe insert member; a retention member disposed between and interlocking said pipe insert member and said receptacle member together when at least a portion of said pipe insert member is received within said receptacle member, said retention member being movably carried by said pipe insert member apart from said receptacle member and being movably relative to said pipe insert member and said receptacle member; and said pipe insert member including a ramp section, and said retention member being comprised of a sleeve carried by said pipe insert member and moveable relative thereto generally along said ramp section.
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24. A pipe fitting and adaptor assembly, comprising:
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a pipe fitting having a non-threaded pipe insert member; an adaptor receptacle member having an open end for receiving at least a portion of said pipe insert member therein, said receptacle member being configured for connection in fluid communication with said pipe insert member of said pipe fitting; an adaptor coupling member connected in fluid communication and formed integrally with said receptacle member, said adaptor coupling member being configured for connection to an end portion of a pipe that is incompatible for connection to said pipe insert member; a retention member disposed between and interlocking said pipe insert member and said receptacle member together when at least a portion of said pipe insert member is received within said receptacle member, said retention member being movably carried by said pipe insert member apart from said receptacle member and being moveable relative to said pipe insert member and said receptacle member; and a rotation inhibiting mechanism for preventing rotation of said adaptor receptacle member relative to said pipe insert member.
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Specification