Modular push-to-connect assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016273695-A1
Application number	US-201615166477-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 27, 2016
Priority date	Dec 11, 2013
Publication date	Sep 22, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A push-to-connect modular cartridge for a plumbing fitting includes a cylindrical cup having an annular surface at one end and a cylindrical shoulder at an opposite end. A circular seal is positioned against the annular surface, and a circular backing ring is positioned against the seal on a side opposite the annular surface. A grab ring including inwardly projecting tines is seated against the backing ring on a side opposite the seal, and a containment ring contacts the grab ring on a side opposite the backing ring. The containment ring is engaged by the shoulder of the cup to hold the containment ring, grab ring, backing ring, and seal together. This modular push-to-connect cartridge can be welded to a plumbing fitting which uses significantly less material, thereby greatly reducing the cost to manufacture.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1 . A push-to-connect modular cartridge for a plumbing fitting comprising:
a cylindrical cup having an annular seal-receiving surface at one end and a cylindrical shoulder at an opposite end; a circular seal positioned against said annular surface; a circular backing ring positioned against said seal on a side opposite said annular surface; a grab ring including inwardly projecting tines seated against said backing ring on a side opposite said seal; and a containment ring contacting said grab ring on a side opposite said backing ring, said containment ring engaged by said shoulder of said cup to hold said containment ring, grab ring, backing ring and seal together.

2 . The cartridge as defined in claim 1 wherein said cup includes a cylindrical section extending outwardly from said annular surface and having an edge to allow said cup to be welded to an edge of a cylindrical plumbing fitting.

3 . The cartridge as defined in claim 2 wherein said cup is made of metal such that said edge of said cylindrical section can be laser welded to a plumbing fitting made of a compatible material.

4 . The cartridge as defined in claim 1 and further including a release ring captively held by said containment ring and including a cam surface that selectively engages said tines of said grab ring when said release ring is moved into contact with said tines for releasing a conduit positioned in said assembly.

5 . The cartridge as defined in claim 4 wherein said backing ring and said containment ring are made of a polymeric material.

6 . The cartridge as defined in claim 5 wherein said seal is a substantially washer-shaped member made of a polymeric material.

7 . A push-to-connect assembly for coupling plumbing components together, said assembly comprising:
a cartridge having an end with an edge which can be welded to one end of one of a coupling, elbow, T, or valve, said cartridge having a push-to-connect grab ring for receiving and holding a fluid conduit; and a seal in said cartridge for sealing said fluid conduit to said cartridge.

8 . The cartridge as defined in claim 7 wherein said cartridge includes a cylindrical cup with an annular surface for receiving said seal, and wherein said seal is generally washer-shaped.

9 . The cartridge as defined in claim 8 wherein said edge of said cartridge is secured to one of a coupling, elbow, T, or valve by laser welding.

10 . The cartridge as defined in claim 9 wherein said cartridge further includes a release ring with a cam surface for engaging tines on said grab ring to deflect said tines away from a conduit inserted into said cartridge to release said conduit for removal from said cartridge.

11 . A plumbing fitting with a push-to connect end comprising:
one of a coupling, elbow, T, or valve; a cartridge having a metal edge welded to an edge of a coupling, elbow, T, or valve, said cartridge having a push-to-connect grab ring for receiving and holding a fluid conduit; and a seal in said cartridge for sealing said fluid conduit to said cartridge.

12 . The plumbing fitting as defined in claim 11 wherein said cartridge is laser welded to said one of a coupling, elbow, T, or valve.

13 . The plumbing fitting as defined in claim 12 wherein said cartridge includes a cylindrical metal cup with said metal edge extending therefrom, said cup including an internal annular surface for receiving said seal, and wherein said seal is generally washer-shaped.

14 . The plumbing fitting as defined in claim 13 wherein said grab ring has spaced-apart tines for gripping and holding a conduit positioned within said cartridge and wherein said cartridge further includes a release ring with a cam surface for engaging said tines on said grab ring to deflect said tines away from a conduit inserted into said cartridge to release said conduit for removal from said cartridge.

15 . A plumbing fitting with a push-to connect end comprising:
one of a coupling, elbow, T, or valve; a cartridge having a metal edge welded to one end of a coupling, elbow, T, or valve, said cartridge comprising: a cylindrical cup having an annular seal-receiving surface at one end and a cylindrical shoulder at an opposite end; a circular seal positioned against said annular surface; a circular backing ring positioned against said seal on a side opposite said annular surface; a grab ring including inwardly projecting tines seated against said backing ring on a side opposite said seal; and a containment ring contacting said grab ring on a side opposite said backing ring, said containment ring engaged by said shoulder of said cup to hold said containment ring, grab ring, backing ring and seal together.

16 . The cartridge as defined in claim 15 wherein said cup includes a cylindrical section extending outwardly from said annular surface and having an edge welded to an edge of a cylindrical plumbing fitting by laser welding.

17 . The cartridge as defined in claim 16 wherein said cup is made of metal, such that said edge of said cylindrical section can be laser welded to a plumbing fitting made of a compatible material.

18 . The cartridge as defined in claim 15 and further including a release ring captively held by said containment ring and including a cam surface that selectively engages said tines of said grab ring when said release ring is moved into contact with said tines for releasing a conduit positioned in said assembly.

Assignees

• Nibco

Inventors

• Bobo David A
• Yoder Keith W
• Lafortune James A

Classifications

• F16L37/0915 Primary

  with a separate member for releasing the coupling · CPC title

• F16L55/07

  Arrangement or mounting of devices, e.g. valves, for venting or aerating or draining (apparatus for draining F16T) · CPC title

• F16L41/021

  T- or cross-pieces (F16L41/025, F16L41/026, F16L41/028 take precedence) · CPC title

• F16L37/091 Primary

  by means of a ring provided with teeth or fingers · CPC title