Sprinkler adapter and pipe plug

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10156312-B2
Application number	US-201615358504-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 22, 2016
Priority date	Nov 30, 2015
Publication date	Dec 18, 2018
Grant date	Dec 18, 2018

Abstract

An adapter for joining a sprinkler to a pipe element has a body with outer flat surfaces and grooves that receive seals. A plug for sealing a pipe element has a cylindrical body with a circumferential groove which receives seals. Both the adapter and the plug fit within the pipe element and are secured and sealed by a deformation formed in the pipe element by a circumferential groove. The deformation mechanically engages the grooves in the body of the adapter and the plug.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An adapter for attaching a sprinkler to a pipe element, said adapter comprising:
a body having an inner surface defining a bore therethrough and an outer surface surrounding said inner surface;
at least a first groove positioned in said outer surface and extending circumferentially about said bore;
at least a first seal positioned within said first groove; wherein
at least a first portion of said body is sized to interfit within said pipe element such that said first seal is positionable within said pipe element, said first portion of said body comprising a plurality of flat surfaces positioned on said outer surface.

2. The adapter according to claim 1 , further comprising a washer surrounding said outer surface, said washer being positioned adjacent to said first portion of said body sized to interfit within said pipe element.

3. The adapter according to claim 2 , further comprising an outer groove positioned in said outer surface and extending circumferentially about said bore, said outer groove being positioned in spaced relation away from said first groove, said washer being positioned within said outer groove.

4. The adapter according to claim 1 , further comprising a second portion of said body being larger than said first portion of said body so as not to interfit within said pipe element.

5. The adapter according to claim 1 , wherein pipe threads are positioned on said inner surface.

6. The adapter according to claim 1 , further comprising a second seal surrounding said first seal, wherein said first seal comprises a resilient material and said second seal comprises a compliant material.

7. In combination, a pipe element and an adapter, said adapter comprising:
a body having an inner surface defining a bore therethrough;
an outer surface surrounding said inner surface;
a first portion of said outer surface having a plurality of flat surfaces extending around said body, said first portion of said outer surface being sized to interfit within said pipe element;
at least a first groove positioned in said first portion of said outer surface and extending circumferentially about said bore;
at least a first seal positioned within said first groove;
said pipe element comprising:
a sidewall defining a pipe bore, said first portion of said outer surface being received within said pipe bore;
a deformation positioned in said sidewall and extending circumferentially there around, said deformation being aligned with said first groove and engaging said first portion of said outer surface of said body thereby retaining said body within said pipe bore.

8. The combination according to claim 7 , further comprising a second portion of said outer surface having a plurality of flat surfaces extending around said body.

9. The combination according to claim 8 , further comprising a washer surrounding said outer surface, said washer being positioned between said first and second portions of said outer surface.

10. The combination according to claim 9 , further comprising an outer groove positioned in said outer surface and extending circumferentially about said bore, said outer groove being positioned between said first and second portions of said outer surface, said washer being positioned within said outer groove.

11. The combination according to claim 8 , wherein said second portion of said body is larger than a diameter of said pipe bore so as not to interfit within said pipe bore.

12. The combination according to claim 7 , wherein said deformation comprises a circumferential groove impressed into said sidewall.

13. The combination according to claim 7 , further comprising a second seal positioned within said first groove.

14. The combination according to claim 7 , further comprising a second groove positioned in said first portion of said outer surface and extending circumferentially about said bore, a second seal being positioned within said second groove.

15. The combination according to claim 7 , wherein said second groove is adjacent to said first groove such that said deformation engages both said first and second grooves.

16. The combination according to claim 7 , wherein pipe threads are positioned on said inner surface.

17. The combination according to claim 7 , wherein said first portion of said outer surface further comprises a plurality of curved surfaces, each one of said flat surfaces being contiguous with two of said curved surfaces.

18. The combination according to claim 17 , wherein said curved surfaces are convexly curved.

19. The combination according to claim 7 , further comprising a second seal surrounding said first seal, wherein said first seal comprises a resilient material and said second seal comprises a compliant material, said second seal engaging said sidewall within said pipe bore and conforming thereto.

20. The combination according to claim 19 , wherein said second seal has a rectangular cross section.

21. The combination according to claim 19 , wherein said second seal is selected from the group consisting of polyester, a silicone adhesive, an acrylic adhesive and an expanding gel seal.

Assignees

• Victaulic Co Of America

Inventors

• Dole Douglas R
• Wang Wei
• Van Wert James

Classifications

• F16L13/14

  made by plastically deforming the material of the pipe, e.g. by flanging, rolling · CPC title

• F16L17/02

  with sealing rings arranged between outer surface of pipe and inner surface of sleeve or socket · CPC title

• F16L13/143 Primary

  with a sealing element placed around the male part before crimping or rolling · CPC title

• F16L55/11 Primary

  Plugs {(F16L55/128 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• F16L25/14

  Joints for pipes of different diameters or cross-section · CPC title