Pipe joints or couplings – Nonmetal to metal – Internal member
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-06
2001-08-07
Luu, Teri Pham (Department: 3627)
Pipe joints or couplings
Nonmetal to metal
Internal member
C285S256000, C285S179000, C285S133110
Reexamination Certificate
active
06270125
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a tubing assembly having at least two molded tubes, each of the tubes having an end, with the respective ends on the tubes being connected through a molded connector having an internal conduit or flow path with a permanently formed feature therein. In some embodiments, the feature will be an angular diversion, such as a 90° bend or elbow. In other embodiments, the feature may be an increase or decrease in the internal diameter of the connector, as in a piece generally known as a reducer, whether the internal conduit is straight or has an angular diversion. In a third embodiment, the permanently formed feature is an intersection into the conduit, as would be found in a “T” connector. More particularly, the invention relates to such a tubing assembly where an insert comprising a pair of nipples is inserted into the internal conduits of the tube end and the connector. A compressive element is then placed on each tube end or connector end to compressively deform the tube end or connector end between the compressive element and the nipple, forming a leak-tight seal. Even more particularly, the tubes and connectors are formed from a polymeric material, especially a crosslinkable polyethylene. In the preferred embodiments, the tube ends and connector ends are provided with a stop element and a retaining element to properly seat the compressive element before it is placed into deforming engagement, thereby further facilitating assembly.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The connection of various pieces of tubing, particularly polymeric tubing, in a variety of configurations is well-known in the construction of many appliances and many plumbing applications. When such pieces of polymeric tubing are attached to each other to form a tubing assembly, it has been known to attach flexible pieces of such tubing using a crimp ring to compress the tubing ends deformably down against a rigid insert in the internal conduit in the tubes. This use of crimp rings is particularly well known in association with elastomeric hose or tubing, where the material possesses sufficient elasticity to be deformed without breaking. When a connector having a permanently formed feature in the internal conduit (such as a bend, reducer or intersection) has been required, the prior art has made these connectors out of metal, especially brass or copper, or a rigid polymeric material, especially a thermoplastic. In either of these cases, the relative non-deformability of the connector ends effectively precludes the connector end from being deformably compressed between a compressive element fitted around the outer circumference of the connector end and a rigid nipple-like element inserted into the internal conduit. Conversely, the manufacture of connectors from a material having the requisite elasticity to be compressively deformed into a leak-tight seal has been unknown, because such a material generally lacks the rigidity to be permanently formed into the required feature in the internal conduit while withstanding the forces generated from containing fluid under pressure. In contrast to the elastomeric hose-type materials, the thermoplastic or thermoset materials previously known which are used in straight runs of tubing can translate the forces into solely radial components and can effectively handle the pressure, but can only tolerate being bent around a gentle large radius. If such tubing is to be permanently formed into an “L”, “T” “Y”, “X”, a reducing connector, or the other shapes required of connectors in everyday tubing applications, the material will lack the deformability necessary to be compressed between a crimp ring and an insert.
If a polymeric connector could be formed from the same material as the straight runs of the tubing in a tubing assembly and be attached to the tubing ends using the same inserts and compressive elements used to attach the straight runs to each other, the construction of such tubing assemblies would be greatly enhanced, as will be the aesthetic appeal of the product. This is an advantage provided by the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This and other advantages of the present invention are provided by the present invention, which comprises a tubing assembly, comprising at least two tubes, a connector, a plurality of linear inserts and a plurality of ring members. Each tube has a tube end and an internal conduit. The connector is for joining the at least two tubes.
The connector comprises a central portion with an internal conduit having a permanently formed feature therein, and a plurality of arms. Each of the arms extends from the central portion and terminates in an arm end, such that there is one arm and arm end paired with each of the tube ends, with the connector internal conduit extending through the arms to the respective arm ends. The linear inserts are provided such that there is one linear insert for each pair comprising an arm end and the corresponding tube end. A first nipple portion of each linear insert has an external surface frictionally engaged in an internal surface of the connector internal conduit at the arm end. A second nipple portion of each linear insert has an external surface frictionally engaged in an internal surface of the tube internal conduit at the tube end. The plurality of ring members are such that one ring member is slidingly received along each tube end or arm end atop one of the linear inserts frictionally engaged therein, the ring member compressively deforming the respective tube end or arm end onto the linear insert, joining the connector internal conduit to the tube internal conduit in a leak-free manner.
In the preferred embodiments, the permanently formed feature of the connector is selected from the group consisting of an angular diversion, an intersecting conduit, a smooth reduction of the internal and external diameters, and any combination thereof.
In the preferred embodiments, the connector is molded unitarily from a polymeric material, especially a crosslinkable polymeric material. Most particularly, a preferred material is polyethylene.
In some embodiments, the connector will have two arms. In other embodiments, it will have three arms, especially arranged in a “T” shape or a “Y” shape. In other embodiments, the connector has four or more arms.
In some embodiments, at least one of the at least two tubes is an arm of a further connector.
In some embodiments, the connector is a linear reducer. In other embodiments, the connector is a reducing elbow.
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Rowley William W.
Seman Richard T.
Buckingham Doolittle & Burroughs LLP
Luu Teri Pham
Mercury Plastics, Inc.
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