Pipe connector and arrangement with a pipe connector

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9777877-B2
Application number	US-201414768494-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 18, 2014
Priority date	Feb 20, 2013
Publication date	Oct 3, 2017
Grant date	Oct 3, 2017

Abstract

A pipe connector comprises a first connection, a second connection and a third connection. Longitudinal axes of the connections are located substantially in a first plane. The first connection and the second connection are arranged on a common side in relation to a second plane, wherein the second plane is aligned perpendicular to the first plane and runs through the longitudinal axis of the third connection. The first connection and the second connection are linked by means of a U-shaped pipe section, wherein an elongated pipe section has the third connection being formed out from the U-shaped pipe section. The first connection and the second connection are spaced from one another in such a manner that the first connection and the second connection are accessible for connection of pipe lines by means of a tool, in particular a pressing tool.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A series-pipe system or ring-pipe system of a water installation in a building, comprising
a cold water pipe line and a warm water pipe line;
at least one water consumer, and
a first pipe fitting and a second pipe fitting each of the first pipe fitting and the second pipe fitting including a pipe connection for an in-wall installation of the series-pipe system or ring-pipe system, each of the first pipe fitting and the second pipe fitting including:
a first connection including a profiled supporting sleeve including a plurality of supporting ribs and a press sleeve, the profiled supporting sleeve and the press sleeve being configured to sealingly receive an end of a pipe therebetween, a second connection and a third connection,
wherein longitudinal axes of the connections are located substantially in a first plane,
wherein the first connection and the second connection are arranged on a common side in relation to a second plane, the second plane being aligned perpendicular to the first plane and running through the longitudinal axis of the third connection,
wherein the third connection comprises a thread,
wherein the first connection and the second connection are linked by a U-shaped pipe section,
wherein the U-shaped pipe section forms an elongated pipe section that comprises the third connection,
wherein the elongated pipe section and the U-shaped pipe section are produced from one metal piece, and

wherein the first connection and the second connection are spaced from one another in such a manner that the first connection and the second connection are accessible for connection of pipe lines by a pressing tool;
wherein a first pipe line section of the cold water pipe line is connected to the first connection of the of first pipe fitting and a second pipe line section of the cold water pipe line is connected to the second connection of the of first pipe fitting;
wherein the first pipe fitting is connected to a cold water connection of the at least one water consumer via the third connection of the first pipe fitting;
wherein a first pipe line section of the hot water pipe line is connected to the first connection of the of second pipe fitting and a second pipe line section of the hot water pipe line is connected to the second connection of the of second pipe fitting; and
wherein the second pipe fitting is connected to a hot water connection of the at least one water consumer via the third connection of the second pipe fitting;
such that, if the at least one water consumer is opened and uses hot and/or cold water from the hot and/or cold water pipe line, then the water is able to flow via the first connection and/or the second connection to the third connection of the respective first and/or second pipe fitting, and, if the at least one water consumer remains closed, then water is able to flow via the U-shaped pipe section between the first connection and the second connection of the respective first and/or second pipe fitting, in order that stagnation areas and hence lack of hygiene are avoided.

2. The series-pipe system or ring-pipe system of claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal axes of the first connection and the second connection are aligned parallel to one another.

3. The series-pipe system or ring-pipe system of claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal axes of the first connection and the second connection are each aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the third connection.

4. The series-pipe system or ring-pipe system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the pipe connectors of the first pipe fitting and the second pipe fitting has an inner channel that has a substantially circular cross-section for linking the three connections.

5. The series-pipe system or ring-pipe system of claim 1 wherein the thread of the third connection is an external thread for connection of the pipe connector to a consumer.

6. The series-pipe system or ring-pipe system of claim 1 , wherein the third connection has a pre-determined length, and therefore the first connection is accessible for connection of pipe lines by a press tool when a consumer is connected to the third connection.

7. The series-pipe system or ring-pipe system of claim 1 , wherein the first connection is configured for connecting pipe lines by compression.

8. The series-pipe system or ring-pipe system of claim 1 , wherein the first connection further comprises a plastic ring, wherein the press sleeve has an end, and wherein the plastic ring surrounds the end.

9. The series-pipe system or ring-pipe system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the pipe connectors of the first pipe fitting and the second pipe fitting is produced by casting.

10. The series-pipe system or ring-pipe system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the pipe connectors of the first pipe fitting and the second pipe fitting is produced from a cast brass material.

11. The series-pipe system or ring-pipe system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the pipe connectors of the first pipe fitting and the second pipe fitting is suitable for use in series-pipe systems.

12. The series-pipe system or ring-pipe system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the pipe connectors of the first pipe fitting and the second pipe fitting is suitable for connection to a connection element of a concealed fitting.

13. The series-pipe system or ring-pipe system of claim 1 , wherein the first connection is configured for connecting pipe lines using a quick connect procedure.

14. The system of claim 1 , wherein the water installation is an in-wall installation and the at least one water consumer is a concealed fitting, wherein the first and/or second pipe fitting is screwed by way of the thread of the third connection in a respective connection of a connection element of the concealed fitting.

Assignees

• Uponor Innovation Ab

Inventors

• Bartenstein Paul

Classifications

• F16L15/00

  Screw-threaded joints; Forms of screw-threads for such joints · CPC title

• F16L41/02 Primary

  Branch units, e.g. made in one piece, welded, riveted · CPC title

• F16L33/2071

  the sleeve being a separate connecting member · CPC title

• F16L37/00

  Couplings of the quick-acting type ({devices for use where pipes pass through walls by means of a joint of the quick acting type F16L5/027;} radially-binding sleeves F16L17/04, F16L21/06; connecting hoses to rigid members F16L33/00) · CPC title

• E03B7/045

  diverting initially cold water in warm water supply · CPC title