Pipe fitting

A fitting for connecting pipes and, in particular, fittings made of plastic and, even more particularly, fittings for connecting PEX or composite pipes, is disclosed. The fitting is used in conjunction with crimp rings which are positioned over the connected pipe either adjacent to, or abutting against, stopper rings on the fitting and adjacent to the end of the pipe.

1. A fitting comprising: a first connector portion for insertion into a first pipe having a pre-determined inner diameter and to be secured within the first pipe by a first crimp ring; a second connector portion for insertion into a second pipe having a pre-determined inner diameter and to be secured within the second pipe by a second crimp ring; the first connector portion having a first longitudinal, cylindrical portion for insertion into the first pipe, and wherein the first cylindrical portion has a lead end for insertion into the first pipe and a trailing end opposite to the lead end; two first spaced-apart concentric rings on a radially-outer portion of the first cylindrical portion wherein a maximum outer radial distance of the first concentric rings is no greater than the inside diameter of the first pipe; a first stopper ring positioned at the trailing end of the first cylindrical portion of the first connector portion and at a pre-determined longitudinal distance from the first concentric rings, and wherein the pre-determined longitudinal distance is determined such that when the first crimp ring is crimped in place the first concentric rings will be positioned in a functionally-acceptable position relative to the first crimp ring; and the second connector portion having a second longitudinal, cylindrical portion for insertion into the second pipe, and wherein the second cylindrical portion has a lead end for insertion into the second pipe and a trailing end opposite to the lead end; two second spaced-apart concentric rings on a radially-outer portion of the first cylindrical portion wherein a maximum outer radial distance of the second concentric rings is no greater than the inside diameter of the second pipe; and; a second stopper ring positioned at the trailing end of the second cylindrical portion of the second connector portion and at a pre-determined longitudinal distance from the second concentric rings, and wherein the pre-determined longitudinal distance is determined such that when the second crimp ring is crimped in place the second concentric rings will be positioned in a functionally-acceptable position relative to the second crimp ring.

2. A fitting as defined in claim 1 wherein the first crimp ring has an inner diameter; the first stopper ring of the first connector portion has an outer periphery and at least one first portion of the outer periphery has a first predetermined radial distance from the longitudinal axis of the first connector portion which is greater than one half the inner diameter of the first crimp ring before it is crimped; the second crimp ring has an inner diameter, and the second stopper ring of the second connector portion has an outer periphery and at least one first portion of the outer periphery has a first predetermined radial distance from the longitudinal axis of the second connector portion which is greater than one-half the inner diameter of the second crimping ring before it is crimped.

3. A fitting as defined in claim 2 wherein the first predetermined radial distance of the at least one first portion of the outer periphery of the first stopper ring of the first connector portion is a circular periphery having an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the first crimp ring; and the second predetermined radial distance of the at least one first portion of the outer periphery of the second stopper ring of the second connector portion is a circular periphery having an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the second crimp ring.

4. A fitting as defined in claim 2 wherein there is an upper limit of the maximum inner diameter of a properly-crimped first crimp ring; the first stopper ring of the first connector portion has at least one second portion of its outer periphery at a second pre-determined radial distance that corresponds to the upper limit of the maximum inner diameter of a properly-crimped first crimp ring; there is an upper limit of the maximum inner diameter of a properly-crimped second crimp ring; and the second stopper ring of the second connector portion has at least one second portion of its outer periphery at a second pre-determined radial distance that corresponds to the upper limit of the maximum inner diameter of a properly-crimped second crimp ring.

5. A fitting as defined in claim 2wherein the first stopper ring has at least one flat peripheral portion and each flat peripheral portion has a print that corresponds to the upper limit of the maximum inner diameter of a properly-crimped first crimp ring; the second stopper ring has at least one flat peripheral portion and each flat peripheral portion has a point that corresponds to the upper limit of the maximum inner diameter of a properly-crimped second crimp ring; there are two or more second portions of the second stopper ring of the second connector portion and each of those second portions is flat.

6. A fitting as defined in claim 5 wherein the first stopper ring of the first connector portion has at least one third portion of its outer periphery at a third pre-determined radial distance that is less than the inner diameter of a properly-crimped first crimp ring; and the second stopper ring of the second connector portion has at least one third portion of its outer periphery at a third pre-determined radial distance that is less than the inner diameter of a properly-crimped second crimp ring.

7. A fitting as defined in claim 6 wherein the at least one third portion of the outer periphery of the first stopper ring on the first connector portion is a slot in the at least flat peripheral portion of the outer periphery of the first stopper ring of the first connector portion; and the at least one third portion of the outer periphery of the second stopper ring on the second connector portion is a slot in the at least flat peripheral portion of the outer periphery of the second stopper ring of the second connector portion.

8. A fitting as defined in claim 7 wherein there are two slots in the at least one flat peripheral portion of the outer periphery of the first stopper ring of the first connector portion; and there are two slots in the at least one flat peripheral portion of the outer periphery of the second stopper ring of the second connector portion.

9. A fitting as defined in each of the preceding claims wherein the first cylindrical portion of the first connector has a first gripper ring on the radially-outer portion and at the lead end of the first connector portion; and the second cylindrical portion of the second connector has a second gripper ring on the radially-outer portion and at the lead end of the second connector portion.

10. A fitting as defined in claim 9 wherein the first gripper ring of the first connector portion has a maximum radial distance which is marginally greater than the inner diameter of the first pipe; and the second gripper ring of the second connector portion has a maximum radial distance which is marginally greater than the inner diameter of the second pipe.

11. A fitting as defined in claim 9 wherein the first gripper ring on the first connector portion has a first pipe-gripping edge facing towards the trailing end of the first cylindrical portion; and the second gripper ring on the second connector portion has a second pipe-gripping edge facing towards the trailing end of the second cylindrical portion.

12. A fitting as defined in claim 9wherein the first gripper ring of the first connector portion has at least one first portion which has a maximum radial distance which is marginally greater than the inner diameter of the first pipe and at least one second portion having a radial distance less than the inner diameter of the first pipe; and the second gripper ring of the second connector portion has at least one first portion which has a maximum radial distance which is marginally greater than the inner diameter of the second pipe and at least one second portion having a radial distance less than the inner diameter of the first pipe.

13. A fitting as defined in claim 12 wherein the at least one second portion of the first gripper ring of the first connector portion is a slot; and the at least one second portion of the second gripper ring of the second connector portion is a slot.

14. A fitting as defined in claim 13 wherein there are two second portions of the first gripper ring of the first connector portion and those second portions are diametrically-opposed slots; and there are two second portions of the second gripper ring of the second connector portion and those second portions are diametrically-opposed slots.

15. A fitting as defined in claim 1 wherein a first gasket is positioned between the two first concentric rings and a second gasket is positioned between the two second concentric rings.

16. A fitting as defined in claim 15 wherein the first gasket is seated to have a maximum outer radial distance no greater than the maximum outer radial distance of the first concentric rings; and the second gasket is seated to have a maximum outer radial distance no greater than the maximum outer radial distance of the second concentric rings.

17. A fitting as defined in claim 1 wherein each of the first pipe, the second pipe, the first stopper ring and the second stopper ring has a colour, and wherein the colour of the first stopper ring is different than the colour of the first pipe and the colour of the second stopper ring is different than the second pipe.

18. A fitting as defined in claim 1 wherein the maximum outer peripheral radial distance of the first stopper ring from the longitudinal axis of the first connector portion is less than one half of the minimum outer diameter of the first crimp ring when crimped; and the maximum outer peripheral radial distance of the second stopper ring from the longitudinal axis of the second connector portion is less than one half of the minimum outer diameter of the second crimp ring when crimped.

19. A fitting as defined in claim 1 wherein the fitting is made of plastic.

20. A fitting as defined in claim 1 wherein each of the first pipe and second pipe is PEX pipe or a composite pipe.

21. A method of connecting a first pipe having a pre-determined inner diameter to a second pipe having a pre-determined inner diameter, comprising providing a fitting comprising: a first connector portion for insertion into a first pipe having a pre-determined inner diameter and to be secured within the first pipe by a first crimp ring; a second connector portion for insertion into a second pipe having a pre-determined inner diameter and to be secured within the second pipe by a second crimp ring; the first connector portion having a first longitudinal, cylindrical portion for insertion into the first pipe, and wherein the first cylindrical portion has a lead end for insertion into the first pipe and a trailing end opposite to the lead end; two first spaced-apart concentric rings on a radially-outer portion of the first cylindrical portion wherein a maximum outer radial distance of the first concentric rings is no greater than the inside diameter of the first pipe; a first stopper ring positioned at the trailing end of the first cylindrical portion of the first connector portion and at a pre-determined longitudinal distance from the first concentric rings, and wherein the pre-determined longitudinal distance is determined such that when the first crimp ring is crimped in place the first concentric rings will be positioned in a functionally-acceptable position relative to the first crimp ring; and the second connector portion having a second longitudinal, cylindrical portion for insertion into the second pipe, and wherein the second cylindrical portion has a lead end for insertion into the second pipe and a trailing end opposite to the lead end; two second spaced-apart concentric rings on a radially-outer portion of the first cylindrical portion wherein a maximum outer radial distance of the second concentric rings is no greater than the inside diameter of the second pipe; and; a second stopper ring positioned at the trailing end of the second cylindrical portion of the second connector portion and at a pre-determined longitudinal distance from the second concentric rings, and wherein the pre-determined longitudinal distance is determined such that when the second crimp ring is crimped in place the second concentric rings will be positioned in a functionally-acceptable position relative to the second crimp ring. inserting the first cylindrical portion of the first connector portion of the fitting into the first pipe such that a forward end of the first pipe is adjacent to the first stopper ring; inserting the second cylindrical portion of the second connector portion into the second pipe such that a forward end of the second pipe is adjacent to the second stopper ring; positioning and crimping a first crimp ring around the first pipe adjacent to the first stopper ring of the first connector portion to secure the first pipe to the first connector portion of the fitting, and positioning and crimping a second crimp ring around the second pipe adjacent to the second stopper ring of the second connector portion of the fitting to secure the second pipe to the second connector portion of the fitting.

22. A method as defined in claim 21 wherein the first crimp ring abuts against the first stopper ring of the first connector portion of the fitting, and the second crimp ring abuts against the second stopper ring of the second connector portion of the fitting.

23. A method as defined in claim 21 wherein the first crimp ring has an inner diameter; the first stopper ring of the first connector portion has an outer periphery and at least one first portion of the outer periphery has a first predetermined radial distance from the longitudinal axis of the first connector portion which is greater than one half the inner diameter of the first crimp ring before it is crimped; the second crimp ring has an inner diameter; and the second stopper ring of the second connector portion has an outer periphery and at least one first portion of the outer periphery has a first predetermined radial distance from the longitudinal axis of the second connector portion which is greater than one-half the inner diameter of the second crimping ring before it is crimped

24. A method as defined in claim 23 wherein the first predetermined radial distance of the at least one first portion of the outer periphery of the first stopper ring of the first connector portion is a circular periphery having an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the first crimp ring; and the second predetermined radial distance of the at least one first portion of the outer periphery of the second stopper ring of the second connector portion is a circular periphery having an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the second crimp ring.

25. A method as defined in claim 23 wherein the there is an upper limit of the maximum inner diameter of a properly-crimped first crimp ring; the first stopper ring of the first connector portion has at least one second portion of its outer periphery at a second pre-determined radial distance that corresponds to the upper limit of the maximum inner diameter of a properly-crimped first crimp ring; there is an upper limit of the maximum inner diameter of a properly-crimped second crimp ring; and the second stopper ring of the second connector portion has at least one second portion of its outer periphery at a second pre-determined radial distance that corresponds to the upper limit of the maximum inner diameter of a properly-crimped second crimp ring.

26. A method as defined in claim 23 wherein the first stopper ring has at least one flat peripheral portion and each flat peripheral portion has a print that corresponds to the upper limit of the maximum inner diameter of a properly-crimped first crimp ring; the second stopper ring has at least one flat peripheral portion and each flat peripheral portion has a point that corresponds to the upper limit of the maximum inner diameter of a properly-crimped second crimp ring; there are two or more second portions of the second stopper ring of the second connector portion and each of those second portions is flat.

27. A method as defined in claim 26 wherein the first stopper ring of the first connector portion has at least one third portion of its outer periphery at a third pre-determined radial distance that is less than the outer diameter of a properly-crimped first crimp ring; and the second stopper ring of the second connector portion has at least one third portion of its outer periphery at a third pre-determined radial distance that is less than the outer diameter of a properly-crimped second crimp ring.

28. A method as defined in claim 27 wherein the at least one third portion of the outer periphery of the first stopper ring on the first connector portion is a slot in the at least flat peripheral portion of the outer periphery of the first stopper ring of the first connector portion; and the at least one third portion of the outer periphery of the second stopper ring on the second connector portion is a slot in the at least flat peripheral portion of the outer periphery of the second stopper ring of the second connector portion.

29. A method as defined in claim 28 wherein there are two slots in the at least one flat peripheral portion of the outer periphery of the first stopper ring of the first connector portion; and there are two slots in the at least one flat peripheral portion of the outer periphery of the second stopper ring of the second connector portion.

30. A method as defined in claim 21 wherein the first cylindrical portion of the first connector has a first gripper ring on the radially-outer portion and at the lead end of the first connector portion; and the second cylindrical portion of the second connector has a second gripper ring on the radially-outer portion and at the lead end of the second connector portion.

31. A method as defined in claim 30 wherein the first gripper ring of the first connector portion has a maximum radial distance which is marginally greater than the inner diameter of the first pipe; and the second gripper ring of the second connector portion has a maximum radial distance which is marginally greater than the inner diameter of the second pipe.

32. A method as defined in claim 30 wherein the first gripper ring on the first connector portion has a first pipe-gripping edge facing towards the trailing end of the first cylindrical portion; and the second gripper ring on the second connector portion has a second pipe-gripping edge facing towards the trailing end of the second cylindrical portion.

33. A method as defined in claim 30wherein the first gripper ring of the first connector portion has at least one first portion which has a maximum radial distance which is marginally greater than the inner diameter of the first pipe and at least one second portion having a radial distance less than the maximum radial distance of the at least one first portion of the first gripper ring of the first connector portion; and the second gripper ring of the second connector portion has at least one first portion which has a maximum radial distance which is marginally greater than the inner diameter of the second pipe and at least one second portion having a maximum radial distance less than the radial distance of the at least one first portion of the second gripper ring of the second connector portion.

34. A method as defined in claim 33 wherein the at least one second portion of the first gripper ring of the first connector portion is a slot; and the at least one second portion of the second gripper ring of the second connector portion is a slot.

35. A method as defined in claim 34 wherein there are two second portions of the first gripper ring of the first connector portion and those second portions are diametrically-opposed slots; and there are two second portions of the second gripper ring of the second connector portion and those second portions are diametrically-opposed slots.

36. A method as defined in claim 21 wherein a first gasket is positioned between the two first concentric rings and a second gasket is positioned between the two second concentric rings.

37. A method as defined in claim 36 wherein the first gasket is seated to have a maximum outer radial distance no greater than the maximum outer radial distance of the first concentric rings; and the second gasket is seated to have a maximum outer radial distance no greater than the maximum outer radial distance of the second concentric ring.

38. A method as defined in claim 21 wherein each of the first pipe, the second pipe, the first stopper ring and the second stopper ring has a colour, and wherein the colour of the first stopper ring is different than the colour of the first pipe and the colour of the second stopper ring is different than the second pipe.

39. A method as defined in claim 21 wherein the maximum outer peripheral radial distance of the first stopper ring from the longitudinal axis of the first connector portion is less than one half of the minimum outer diameter of the first crimp ring when crimped; and the maximum outer peripheral radial distance of the second stopper ring from the longitudinal axis of the second connector portion is less than one half of the minimum outer diameter of the second crimp ring when crimped.

40. A method as defined in claim 21 wherein the fitting is made of plastic.

41. A method as defined in claim 21 wherein each of the first pipe and second pipe is PEX pipe or a composite pipe.

42. A pipe assembly comprising: a first pipe having a pre-determined inner diameter, a second pipe having a pre-determined inner diameter; a fitting comprising a first connector portion and a second connector portion, wherein: the first connector portion is inserted into the first pipe and secured within the first pipe by a first crimp ring; the second connector portion is inserted into the second pipe and secured within the second pipe by a second crimp ring; and wherein the fitting further comprises: the first connector portion having a first longitudinal, cylindrical portion for insertion into the first pipe, and wherein the first cylindrical portion has a lead end for insertion into the first pipe and a trailing end opposite to the lead end; two first spaced-apart concentric rings on a radially-outer portion of the first cylindrical portion wherein a maximum outer radial distance of the first concentric rings is no greater than the inside diameter of the first pipe; a first stopper ring positioned at the trailing end of the first cylindrical portion of the first connector portion and at a pre-determined longitudinal distance from the first concentric rings, and wherein the pre-determined longitudinal distance is determined such that when the first crimp ring is crimped in place the first concentric rings will be positioned in a functionally-acceptable position relative to the first crimp ring; and the second connector portion having a second longitudinal, cylindrical portion for insertion into the second pipe, and wherein the second cylindrical portion has a lead end for insertion into the second pipe and a trailing end opposite to the lead end; two second spaced-apart concentric rings on a radially-outer portion of the first cylindrical portion wherein a maximum outer radial distance of the second concentric rings is no greater than the inside diameter of the second pipe; and; a second stopper ring positioned at the trailing end of the second cylindrical portion of the second connector portion and at a pre-determined longitudinal distance from the second concentric rings, and wherein the pre-determined longitudinal distance is determined such that when the second crimp ring is crimped in place the second concentric rings will be positioned in a functionally-acceptable position relative to the second crimp ring.

43. A pipe assembly as defined in claim 42 having a fitting as defined in claim 1.





Description:

This invention relates to fittings for connecting pipes and, in particular, fittings made of plastic and, even more particularly, fittings for connecting PEX or composite pipes.

In the past, pipe fittings have been made primarily of brass and crimp rings which secure the pipe to the connector portions of the fittings have been spaced apart and away from the ends of the pipes. For example, refer to U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,571 to MacDuff and U.S. Pat. No. 6,523,862 also to MacDuff. Also, prior art fittings are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,648,628 to Meadows.

More specifically, in the past, traditional PEX and composite pipe fittings required a crimp ring, usually a copper crimp ring, to be positioned about ⅛th inch to ¼ inch from the end of the pipe for the best seal.

With the prior art fittings, it was difficult to test whether or not the crimp ring had been properly installed.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to at least partially overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and also to provide an alternative fitting, particularly useful for PEX and composite pipe. It is an object of this invention to provide an improved type of fitting for pipes and, particularly for PEX and composite pipes, and particularly to provide a plastic fitting with improved features.

Accordingly, in one of its aspects, this invention resides in providing a fitting comprising: a first connector portion for insertion into a first pipe having a pre-determined inner diameter and to be secured within the first pipe by a first crimp ring; a second connector portion for insertion into a second pipe having a pre-determined inner diameter and to be secured within the second pipe by a second crimp ring; the first connector portion having a first longitudinal, cylindrical portion for insertion into the first pipe, and wherein the first cylindrical portion has a lead end for insertion into the first pipe and a trailing end opposite to the lead end; two first spaced-apart concentric rings on a radially-outer portion of the first cylindrical portion wherein a maximum outer radial distance of the first concentric rings is no greater than the inside diameter of the first pipe; a first stopper ring positioned at the trailing end of the first cylindrical portion of the first connector portion and at a pre-determined longitudinal distance from the first concentric rings, and wherein the pre-determined longitudinal distance is determined such that when the first crimp ring is crimped in place the first concentric rings will be positioned in a functionally-acceptable position relative to the first crimp ring; and the second connector portion having a second longitudinal, cylindrical portion for insertion into the second pipe, and wherein the second cylindrical portion has a lead end for insertion into the second pipe and a trailing end opposite to the lead end; two second spaced-apart concentric rings on a radially-outer portion of the first cylindrical portion wherein a maximum outer radial distance of the second concentric rings is no greater than the inside diameter of the second pipe; and; a second stopper ring positioned at the trailing end of the second cylindrical portion of the second connector portion and at a pre-determined longitudinal distance from the second concentric rings, and wherein the pre-determined longitudinal distance is determined such that when the second crimp ring is crimped in place the second concentric rings will be positioned in a functionally-acceptable position relative to the second crimp ring.

In another aspect, the present invention resides in providing the above-described fitting together with a first gasket positioned between the first two concentric rings and a second gasket positioned between the second two concentric rings.

In a further aspect, the present invention resides in providing the above-described fittings made of plastic.

In another aspect, the present invention resides in providing a method of connecting a first pipe having a pre-determined inner diameter to a second pipe having a pre-determined inner diameter, wherein the method includes providing a fitting as described above; inserting the first cylindrical portion of the first connector portion of the fitting into the first pipe; inserting the second cylindrical portion of the second connector portion into the second pipe; positioning and crimping a first crimp ring around the first pipe adjacent, and preferably butting against, the first stopper ring of the first connector portion to secure the first pipe to the first connector portion of the fitting; and positioning and crimping a second crimp ring around the second pipe adjacent to, and preferably butting against, the second stopper ring of the second connector portion of the fitting to secure the second pipe to the second connector portion of the fitting

Further aspects of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and drawings which illustrate the invention and preferred embodiments of the invention.