Pipe joints or couplings – With assembly means or feature – Inserted section
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-16
2001-04-03
Nicholson, Eric K. (Department: 3629)
Pipe joints or couplings
With assembly means or feature
Inserted section
C285S148190
Reexamination Certificate
active
06209926
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to pipe connectors, and more particularly to a new and improved coupler for connecting water, gas or electrical pipes.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
In the field of water plumbing systems, valves are typically attached to plastic, polyvinylchloride (PVC) or metal source pipes using threaded pipe segments which fit into one another. Installation of pipes and plumbing systems ordinarily occurs as part of new construction. Ordinarily, all of the connections of the pipes have right-handed threads (e.g. clockwise rotation to connect; counter-clockwise to disconnect). Once such systems are installed, they are typically incorporated into or behind floors, ceilings, walls, tile or the like. Similarly, irrigation valve systems are typically installed in trenches and then buried. Accordingly, the positions of the pipes and valves are established at installation.
In the event of a later pipe or valve failure, a first problem is presented in gaining access to the pipe or valve that may now be behind a wall or buried underground. This may involve tearing out some or all of a wall, floor or ceiling to get to the broken pipe or valve. Since the positions of the pipes and valves in the system have been long established, care must be taken not to dislodge these pipes. At the same time, a sufficient opening must be created to reach not only the malfunctioning part but also the pipe pieces connected to it.
A second problem is presented in removing the broken pipe, valve or part. Ordinarily, the pipe(s) leading to the broken part are cut and the part is removed along with the pipe segments attached to it (i.e. between the cut(s) and the broken part). At this point, the remaining cut pipe segments must be removed from the pipe system. For each pipe segment, this usually involves ascertaining the location of the nearest threaded joint and unscrewing the pipe segment from the joint.
The third and most difficult problem is now presented: replacing the broken part and attaching it to the fixed positions of the pipes in the existing system. In a typical plumbing system for a bathtub or shower, the broken valve is attached not only to two separate water sources (hot and cold) but also to at least one output (the shower) if not two (the shower and the tub). Thus, as many as four different pipes can be connected to a single valve in a fixed position in a wall. In many cases, these connections are very tight, using very short pipes which are attached immediately to ninety degree elbow joints. The elbow joints, in turn, are usually connected to much longer pipes which lead far back into the wall. Generally, all of the connections made at the time of installation use pipes, elbow joints and couplers having right-handed threads.
It is preferred to remove as little of the existing piping as possible in order to replace the broken part. The more pipe which must be removed, the larger the opening required, and the more destruction and replacement that must be made to the wall, ceiling or floor. In some cases it may be impractical or impossible to remove much of the existing piping because of access, corrosion of pipe pieces, or other factors.
Most existing pipe coupling devices for use in replacing broken pipes, valves or other parts have three-parts. One of these parts is a first pipe which has identically directioned right-handed (R.H.) helical threads at both ends thereof. These R.H. threads match those of a typical plumbing system such that either end may be inserted into a threaded R.H. bore in the system with clockwise rotation. The next part is an unusual second pipe which has oppositely directioned helical threads at either end thereof. One end has R.H. threads which correspond to the threads in a typical plumbing system, but the other end has left-handed (L.H.) threads. These threads correspond to a L.H. bore at one end of a turnbuckle, which is the third part of this typical coupling system. The turnbuckle also has a R.H. bore at the opposite end, and is designed to be placed between the two aforementioned parts.
In use, all three of these parts must be attached together and also attached between the new valve and the existing plumbing system, with adjustment being made by turning the central turnbuckle. Usually these three parts (the first pipe, the second pipe and the turnbuckle) require far too much space than that available in the plumbing system. In particular, a typical length for each of the two pipes is four inches (4″), and the turnbuckle is an inch and one half (1½″) in length for a total of over nine inches (9″). Even if very short pipes could be found, they would need to be at least two inches (2″) in length to have sufficient usable threading, which when combined with the turnbuckle would still have a total length of over five inches (5″). Because of the space required to use these 3-part couplers, in many cases a considerable amount of the existing plumbing must be removed and replaced (e.g. with a series of elbows and joints) to provide sufficient space to receive the 3-part couplers. This involves additional demolition, additional parts, and additional time and expense to accomplish the replacement.
It is therefore highly desirable to have a small, space efficient apparatus for coupling water, gas, electrical and other pipes together.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a small space-saving two-part coupling system for attaching threaded pipes which is particularly suited for use in replacing broken valves, pipes or parts in existing plumbing systems where little space is available. The invention includes a pair of nuts with male extensions located thereon, each nut having a helically threaded axial bore therethrough, and exterior helical threads on the male extension. The bore of the first nut has R.H. threads, and the male extension of the first nut has L.H. threads. The bore of the second nut has L.H. threads, and the male extension of the second nut has R.H. threads. The nuts are designed to be coupled to each other using the L.H. threads, and coupled to an existing pipe system using the R.H. threads.
The invention is most efficiently used when connecting between male and female ends of a pipe system. In such a case, the first nut having the R.H. bore is snugly attached to the male end of the system. The second nut is then fitted between the R.H. female opening in the system and the L.H. extension of the first nut. Rotating the second nut clockwise when facing the female opening causes its R.H. threads to thread into said opening, and also causes its L.H. opening to thread over the L.H. extension of the first nut, thereby joining the pipes together. Counterclockwise rotation of the second nut causes it to unthread from both of these attachments.
For use in attaching two female ends of an existing pipe system together, an extension or bridge pipe of an appropriate size (e.g. very short) having male R.H. threads at both ends is first snugly threaded into one of the female openings of the existing pipe system. The pipe system now has one male and one female end, and attachment of the two nuts of the present invention may now be accomplished as described above.
For use in attaching two male ends of an existing pipe system together, an extension or bridge pipe of an appropriate size (e.g. very short) having female R.H. threads at both ends is first snugly threaded over one of the male openings of the existing pipe system. The pipe system now has one male and one female end, and attachment of the two nuts of the present invention may now be accomplished as described in the male/female situation above.
For coupling widely separated ends of pipes in a system, an appropriately sized extension pipe having male and/or female R.H. threads at both ends may be used to bridge this gap.
The present invention may also be employed in new pipe installation. The invention may easily be used to couple valves, short pipe segments, and other parts together in new pipe systems. Not only does the pre
Miller Mark D.
Nicholson Eric K.
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