U.S. patent application number 11/931347 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-28 for fluid conduit system and fittings therefor.
Invention is credited to H. Glenn Dennis, Kevin Gay, Tommy L. Jamison.
Application Number | 20080048448 11/931347 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33424010 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080048448 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jamison; Tommy L. ; et
al. |
February 28, 2008 |
FLUID CONDUIT SYSTEM AND FITTINGS THEREFOR
Abstract
A fluid conduit system that employs fittings having ends with a
structural portion and a seal portion. The ends of the fittings are
inserted into a tube, which may be a hard, i.e., rigid, or soft,
i.e., flexible, tube. The seal portion sealingly engages the inner
diameter of the tube upon its insertion into the tube. The tube is
deformed to prevent the fitting from being withdrawn from the tube;
the portion of the tube in the immediate vicinity of each seal that
forms the seal portion is not deformed. A method for forming a
fluid conduit system is also provided.
Inventors: |
Jamison; Tommy L.;
(Hernando, MS) ; Dennis; H. Glenn; (Collierville,
TN) ; Gay; Kevin; (Brighton, TN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE, P.L.C.
P.O. BOX 828
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
MI
48303
US
|
Family ID: |
33424010 |
Appl. No.: |
11/931347 |
Filed: |
October 31, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10739983 |
Dec 18, 2003 |
|
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|
11931347 |
Oct 31, 2007 |
|
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60470599 |
May 15, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
285/382.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16L 13/141 20130101;
F16L 13/143 20130101; B25B 27/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
285/382.2 |
International
Class: |
F16L 19/08 20060101
F16L019/08 |
Claims
1. A method for forming a fluid conduit system, the method
comprising: providing a fitting having a structural portion and a
seal portion, the seal portion being coupled to the structural
portion; inserting the structural portion into an annealed copper
tube such that the seal portion sealingly engages an inside surface
of the annealed copper tube and a portion of the structural portion
outwardly extends from an end of the annealed copper tube; and
deforming only the annealed copper tube to couple the fitting to
the annealed copper tube.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the structural portion has one or
more crimp grooves, each of the crimp grooves extending about a
circumference of the structural portion and wherein a portion of
the annealed copper tube being received into at least one crimp
groove when the annealed copper tube is deformed.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the fitting further includes a
flange and wherein the annealed copper tube is deformed at a
location that is axially spaced apart from the flange by a
predetermined dimension.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein before the deforming step the
method further comprises locating a crimping tool against a surface
of the flange.
5. The method of claim 2, wherein prior to deforming the annealed
copper tube, a plurality of dies is positioned about the annealed
copper tube and the dies are forced against the annealed copper
tube.
6. The method of claim 2, wherein portions of the annealed copper
tube are received into each crimp groove when the annealed copper
tube is deformed.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the portions of the annealed
copper tube are deformed substantially simultaneously.
8. A tool for securing a fitting to a tube, the tool including a
jaw and a pair of die members, the jaw being disposed about a first
axis and including a pair of opposed die members, each of the die
members being pivotably coupled to an associated one of the opposed
members and pivotable about a second axis that is generally
perpendicular to the first axis.
9. The tool of claim 8, wherein the jaw is rotatably disposed about
the first axis.
10. A method for forming a fluid conduit system, the method
comprising: providing a fitting having a structural portion and a
seal portion, the seal portion being removably coupled to the
structural portion; selecting one of a plastic tube and an annealed
copper tube; if the plastic tube is selected: installing a crimp
collar about the plastic tubing; inserting only the structural
portion of the fitting into the plastic tubing such that at least a
first portion of the structural portion outwardly extends from an
end of the plastic tubing; and deforming the crimp collar to fix
the plastic tubing to the structural portion of the fitting;
otherwise, inserting the fitting into the annealed copper tube such
that the seal portion is proximate an inside surface of the
annealed copper tube and at least a second portion of the
structural portion outwardly extends from an end of the annealed
copper tube; and deforming only the annealed copper tube to couple
the fitting to the annealed copper tube.
11. A method for forming a fluid conduit system, the method
comprising: providing a fitting having a structural portion and a
seal portion, the structural portion defining a first tube stop and
a second tube stop that are spaced apart from one another, the seal
portion being mounted on the structural portion; inserting the
structural portion into a tube such that the seal portion sealingly
engages an inside surface of the tube and a portion of the
structural portion outwardly extends from an end of the tube; and
deforming the tube to couple the fitting to the tube; wherein
relative axial movement between the tube and the structural portion
of the fitting is inhibited by contact between the tube and the
first and second tube stops.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first tube stop includes a
circumferentially extending flange.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein the second tube stop includes a
circumferentially chamfered surface on the structural portion, the
circumferentially chamfered surface being generally transverse to a
longitudinal axis of the structural portion.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one of the first and
second tube stops includes a circumferentially-extending groove
formed at least partially about the structural portion.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the circumferentially-extending
grooves are disposed on opposite sides of the seal portion.
16. The method of claim 11, wherein the seal portion comprises a
pair of O-rings.
17. The method of claim 11, wherein the seal portion extends
between the first and second tube stops.
18. The method of claim 11, wherein the first and second tube stops
are spaced axially apart from the seal portion.
19. A method for forming a fluid conduit system, the method
comprising: providing a fitting having a structural portion and a
seal portion, the structural portion defining a first tube stop and
a second tube stop that are spaced apart from one another, the seal
portion being mounted on the structural portion; inserting the
structural portion into a tube such that the seal portion sealingly
engages an inside surface of the tube and a portion of the
structural portion outwardly extends from an end of the tube; and
deforming the tube to couple the fitting to the tube; wherein
relative axial movement between the tube and the structural portion
of the fitting is inhibited by contact between the tube and the
first and second tube stops, wherein the first tube stop is
selected from a group consisting of circumferentially extending
flanges, circumferentially chamfered surfaces, circumferentially
extending grooves and combinations thereof; wherein the first and
second tube stops are spaced axially apart from the seal portion;
and wherein the seal portion comprises a pair of O-rings.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No.
10/739,983 filed Dec. 18, 2003, which claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/470,599 filed May 15, 2003.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to fluid conduit
systems that may be employed, for example, for routing and
delivering potable water, gases or chemicals.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Sweat soldering has long been used for the supply and
distribution of potable water, especially in single family
residential constructions, due to its durability and the relative
ease with which solder connections were made. Modern changes to
various plumbing codes, which mandate lead-free solders and water
soluble fluxes, have, however, greatly increased the difficulty in
making sweat solder connections as these lead-free solders and
water soluble fluxes tend to be less tolerant of certain variables
(e.g., the presence of oxidation or the use of excessive heat) than
the lead-based solders and acid-based fluxes that had been
previously used.
[0004] Furthermore, the sweat soldering task is relatively time
consuming as compared to the crimp-type connections that are
employed in a PEX (i.e., cross-linked polyethylene) system. A PEX
system utilizes lengths of plastic PEX tubing, barbed fittings
(which are inserted into the PEX tubing) and collars that are
employed to crimp the tubing to the fitting. As the crimping
operation may be accomplished in roughly 1/4 to 1/2 the time that
is necessary to complete the soldering of a sweat solder joint,
plumbing contractors have observed the potential for substantial
savings in labor costs by utilizing a PEX system.
[0005] In an effort to eliminate the disadvantages of sweat solder
connections, manufacturers such as Viega, have introduced fittings
that may be crimped directly to conventional lengths or sticks of
hard drawn copper tubing. The ProPress system marketed by Viega
includes an inner O-ring seal that is carried on the inner diameter
of the fitting; the O-ring sealingly engages the tubing upon
insertion of the tube into the fitting. A crimping tool is
subsequently employed to crimp the fitting to thereby fix the
fitting and the tube to one another. This system, however, is known
to suffer from several drawbacks.
[0006] One such drawback concerns the sealing of the fitting to the
outside surface of the copper tubing. It is well known in the art
that the outside surface of a copper tube is relatively susceptible
to imperfections during its formation via extrusion, such as gouges
or scratches, as well as relatively susceptible to damage during
shipping and storage. As such imperfections and damage may
adversely affect the ability of the fittings to seal against the
outer surface of the tubing, manufacturers of the copper tubing
typically subject the extruded sticks of tubing to an eddy current
test to verify the integrity of each stick's outside surface. This
testing is costly and as we have found, leaks are possible even
when the tubing conforms to published standards. Accordingly, it
appears that a relatively time consuming manual inspection must be
made of each tube prior to its coupling to a fitting.
[0007] Another drawback concerns the incompatibility of the known
systems with lengths of annealed copper tubing. In this regard, the
annealed copper tubing is readily deformable so that the crimping
process fails to secure the fitting and the annealed copper tubing
together. Accordingly, plumbing contractors must equip themselves
with two discrete sets of fittings: one set of crimp fittings that
is compatible with the hard drawn sticks of tubing, and another set
(e.g., flare or compression fittings) that are compatible with the
annealed coils of tubing.
[0008] In view of the aforesaid drawbacks, there remains a need in
the art for an improved fluid conduit system that permits the
joining of all types of copper tubing with one style of
fitting.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In one form, the present invention provides a fluid conduit
system having a fluid conduit, a crimp and a fitting. The crimp is
formed on the fluid conduit and has an inside dimension that is
smaller than the inner diameter of the fluid conduit. The fitting
has a structural portion and a seal portion. The structural portion
has at least one crimp groove into which the crimp is at least
partially received. The seal portion is carried by the structural
portion and sealingly engages the inner diameter of the fluid
conduit. The seal portion is axially offset from the crimp
groove.
[0010] In another form, the present invention provides a method for
forming a fluid conduit system. The method includes: providing a
fitting having a structural portion and a seal portion, the seal
portion being coupled to the structural portion; inserting the
structural portion into an annealed copper tube such that the seal
portion sealingly engages an inside surface of the annealed copper
tube and a portion of the structural portion outwardly extends from
an end of the annealed copper tube; and deforming only the annealed
copper tube to couple the fitting to the annealed copper tube.
[0011] In still another form, the present invention provides a tool
for securing a fitting to a tube. The tool includes a jaw and a
pair of die members. The jaw is disposed about a first axis and
includes a pair of opposed members. Each of the die members is
pivotably coupled to an associated one of the opposed members and
pivotable about a second axis that is generally perpendicular to
the first axis.
[0012] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the
description provided herein. It should be understood that the
description and specific examples are intended for purposes of
illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the
present disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] Additional advantages and features of the present disclosure
will become apparent from the subsequent description and the
appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a fluid conduit system
constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present
disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 2 is an exploded section view of a portion of the fluid
conduit system of FIG. 1, illustrating the construction of a
fitting constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present
disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 3 is an exploded section view similar to FIG. 2 but
illustrating another fitting constructed in accordance with the
teachings of the present disclosure;
[0017] FIG. 4 is an exploded section view similar to FIG. 2 but
illustrating yet another fitting constructed in accordance with the
teachings of the present disclosure;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a portion of the fluid conduit
system of FIG. 1 illustrating the fitting as coupled to a fluid
conduit;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a tool for coupling fittings
and fluid conduit to one another, the tool being constructed in
accordance with the teachings of another aspect of the present
disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 7 is another perspective view of the tool of FIG. 6,
illustrating the use of a disconnectable jaw assembly;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the tool of
FIG. 6 illustrating the employment of the tool in a crimping
operation;
[0022] FIG. 9 is an exploded section view illustrating the use of
the fitting of the present disclosure with differently sized
tubes;
[0023] FIG. 10 is an exploded section view illustrating the use of
the fitting of the present disclosure with different types of
tubing materials;
[0024] FIGS. 11 and 12 are sectional views of another style of
fitting constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present
disclosure;
[0025] FIGS. 13 and 14 are sectional views of yet another style of
fitting constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present
disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of another tool constructed
in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure;
[0027] FIG. 16 is a front view of a portion of the tool of FIG.
15;
[0028] FIG. 17 is a front view of yet another tool constructed in
accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure;
[0029] FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the tool shown in operative
association with a tube and a fitting constructed in accordance
with the teachings of the present disclosure;
[0030] FIG. 19 is an exemplary family of fittings constructed in
accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure;
[0031] FIG. 20 is an illustration of an exemplary reducing fitting
constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present
disclosure;
[0032] FIG. 21 is an illustration of another exemplary fitting
constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present
disclosure;
[0033] FIG. 22 is an side elevation of another fitting constructed
in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure;
[0034] FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken along the line 23-23 of
FIG. 22;
[0035] FIG. 24 is an illustration of a portion of yet another set
of fittings constructed in accordance with the teachings of the
present disclosure; and
[0036] FIG. 25 is a side elevation of an assembled pair of the
fittings that are shown in FIG. 24.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0037] With reference to FIG. 1 of the drawings, an exemplary fluid
conduit system constructed in accordance with the teachings of the
present disclosure is generally indicated by reference numeral 10.
The fluid conduit system 10 is illustrated to include a plurality
of tubes 12 and a plurality of fittings 14 that are employed to
join the tubes 12 to one another. In the example provided, the
fluid conduit system 10 is employed to route and deliver potable
water and as such, the tubes 12 may be constructed of copper and
include conventional commercially available hard drawn tubing
sticks 12a and conventional soft tubing 12b (also referred to
herein as "annealed", or "flexible metal" tubing) of the type that
is commercially available in a coiled form from sources such as
Mueller Industries, Inc. of Memphis, Tenn. Those skilled in the art
will appreciate, however, that the tubes 12 may be made out of any
suitable metal or plastic material and that the teachings of the
present disclosure have application to fluid conduit systems that
route and deliver other types of fluids, including gases. With
reference to FIG. 2, each tube 12 is constructed such that it
defines an internal diameter 20 of a predetermined size and it's
inside surface 22 is generally smooth and suited for sealing
against an associated fitting 14.
[0038] The fitting 14 includes a structural portion 30 and a seal
portion 32. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that although
the particular fitting illustrated is a coupling or union, the
teachings of the present disclosure have applicability to various
other types of fittings, including elbows, tees, caps, adapters,
reducers, bushings, etc.
[0039] The structural portion 30 may be made from any structural
material, such as plastic, ceramic, copper, brass, bronze,
stainless steel or another metal. In the example provided, the
structural portion 30 is made of copper so as to eliminate the
potential for a galvanic reaction with the copper of the tubes 12.
The structural portion 30 may include a tubular end 40 that is
configured to be inserted into an end 42 of an associated tube 12.
Optionally, the structural portion 30 may further include an
abutting flange 44 that abuts the tubular end 40 and which may
serve as a "stop" that limits the distance in which the tubular end
40 may be inserted into the tube 12.
[0040] The inner surface 48 of the tubular end 40 may be smooth and
may include a chamfer 50 or similar feature that is configured to
minimize turbulence and pressure losses, while the outside surface
51 of the tubular end 40 may include one or more discontinuities
52. Where employed, each discontinuity 52 aids in axially fixing
the tubular end 40 to the seal portion 32 and as such may be a
step, a groove or recess, a tooth-like feature or a barb-like
feature, for example, that abuts or engages the seal portion 32. In
the example provided, we employed four equally spaced apart barbs
52a that are tapered to facilitate the insertion of the tubular end
40 into the seal portion 32, but which tend to engage the seal
portion 32 to thereby inhibit the axial separation or withdrawal of
the tubular end 40 from the seal portion 32.
[0041] Those skilled in the art will appreciate from this
disclosure, however, that despite the discrete and independent
construction of the seal portion 32 in the particular embodiment
illustrated, various other processes may be employed to fabricate
the seal portion 32 and couple it to the tubular end 40. For
example, overmolding may be employed to form the seal portion 32
directly onto the tubular end 40 of the structural portion 30.
[0042] The seal portion 32 is engaged to the tubular end 40 and may
be configured to seal against both the inside surface 22 of the
tube 12 and the outside surface 51 of the tubular end 40. In the
particular embodiment illustrated, the seal portion 32 is a collar
or sleeve 60 that may be made of a suitable material, such as
nylon, TEFLON.RTM., EPDM, or a material permitted under NSF 61
standards. Those skilled in the art will appreciate, however, that
the seal portion 32 could be otherwise configured. For example, the
seal portion 32 may include one or more seal members, such as
O-rings 62, as illustrated in FIG. 3, or may include a sleeve 66
that carries one or more seal members 68 as illustrated in FIG. 4.
Furthermore, in those embodiments that employ a seal portion 32
with a sleeve (e.g., sleeve 60 or sleeve 66), the sleeve could be
configured with an annular collar 70 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4,
which may be configured to abut (and optionally seal against) the
end 42 of the tube 12. In these embodiments, the structural portion
30 may include an abutting flange 44 that is positioned against the
annular collar 70 opposite the end 42 of the tube 12 to thereby
support the annular collar 70 as well as to serve as a "stop" that
limits the distance in which the tubular end 40 may be inserted
into the tube 12. Alternately or in addition to any of the
aforementioned seal configurations, a sealant, such as an anaerobic
sealant, may be applied to the fitting 14 and/or the tube 12 to
further ensure sealing engagement between the fitting 14 and the
tube 12.
[0043] Returning to FIG. 2, the fitting 14 in this example may be
readily withdrawn from the tube 12 and as such, a means for axially
securing the tube 12 and the fitting 14 to one another is
necessary. Furthermore, in this example the sleeve 60 does not seal
against either the inside surface 22 of the tube 12 or the outside
surface 51 of the tubular end 40 upon its insertion into the end 42
of the tube 12, since the sleeve 60 is about 0.002 to about 0.005
inch smaller in diameter than the internal diameter 20 of the tube
12. Accordingly, a tool 80 (FIGS. 6 and 7) is employed in this
example to form a crimp 81 or otherwise deform the end 42 of the
tube 12 (see, e.g., FIG. 5) to inhibit the withdrawal of the
fitting 14 from the tube 12 as well as to cause the sleeve 60 to
sealingly engage both the inside surface 22 of the tube 12 and the
outside surface 51 of the tubular end 40 of the fitting 14.
Employment of the crimp 81 or another such deformation to secure
the tube 12 and the fitting 14 to one another is significant in
that no flames are employed and the process can be completed on
tubing in some instances where a fluid, such as water, is still
contained in the tube 12.
[0044] Although the crimp 81 has been illustrated as being
continuous about the perimeter of the tube 12, those skilled in the
art will appreciate from this disclosure that the crimp 81 may be
formed otherwise. For example, the crimp 81 may consist of one or
more crimp sections that extend about a portion of the perimeter of
the tube 12.
[0045] In FIGS. 6 and 7, a tool constructed in accordance with
another aspect of the present disclosure is generally indicated by
reference numeral 80. The tool 80 may include a tool body 82 and a
jaw assembly 84. The tool body 82 may be generally similar to a
Model 320-E Crimp Tool that is commercially available from the
Ridge Tool Company and as such, a detailed discussion of the tool
body 82 need not be provided herein. Briefly, the tool body 82 may
include a linear actuator 86 that may be selectively actuated to
operate the jaw assembly 84. The linear actuator 86 may include a
barrel 88, which is optionally rotatable about its longitudinal
axis 90. Those skilled in the art will appreciate from this
disclosure that the tool body 82 may alternatively be powered in
another manner, such as manually or hydraulically. As the plumbing
contractor will likely employ several different sizes of tubing,
several differently sized jaw assemblies 84 are provided, allowing
the plumbing contractor to remove a jaw assembly 84 of one size
from the tool body 82 and install a jaw assembly 84 of another size
to the tool body 82 as needed.
[0046] With additional reference to FIG. 8, the jaw assembly 84 may
include a jaw 90 and a pair of discrete die members 92a and 92b.
The jaw 90 may include a pair of opposed members 94 that may be
coupled to the barrel 88 of the tool body 82. Operation of the
linear actuator 86 opens and closes the opposed members 94 in a
conventional and well known manner. The die members 92a and 92b
cooperate to define a die cavity 96 that delineates the shape and
configuration of the crimp or deformation. The die members 92a and
92b may be coupled to the opposed members 94 so as to be pivotable
relative to one another about an axis 98 that may be generally
normal to the longitudinal axis 90 of the barrel 88. In the
particular example provided, each die member 92a and 92b may
include a stem 100 that may be inserted into an associated one of
the opposing members 94. A fastener, such as a conventional
external snap ring (not shown), may be employed to retain the stem
100 to the opposing member 94 in a manner that permits rotation of
the stem 100 yet inhibits its withdrawal from the opposing member
94.
[0047] Configuration of the jaw assembly 84 with pivotable die
members 92a and 92b permits the crimp or deformation to be formed
more precisely. More specifically, the die members 92a and 92b tend
to self-center on the tube 12 (i.e., so that the longitudinal axis
of the die cavity 96 is generally coincident with the longitudinal
axis of the tube 12) so that in those instances where the user does
not align the jaw 90 absolutely perpendicular to the tube 12, the
die members 92a and 92b will pivot upon contact with the tube 12
such that the axis 96a of the die cavities 96 is coincident with
the axis 12d of the tube 12 as is illustrated in FIG. 8.
[0048] With regard to the embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4, crimping or
deformation of the tube 12 may be employed to secure the fitting 14
to the tube 12 in an axial direction. Depending on the size and
sealing capacity of the seal portion 32, however, crimping or
deformation in an area proximate the seal portion 32 or portions
thereof may be unnecessary or undesirable. In FIG. 3, for example,
the O-rings 62 of the seal portion 32, which are located in a seal
groove 62b formed in the structural portion 30, are sized to
sealingly engage the inside surface 22 of the tube 12 upon
insertion of the fitting 14 into the tube 12 so that deformation of
the tube 12 in the area proximate the O-rings 62 is not necessary
to create a seal between the fitting 14 and the tube 12. Given that
each O-ring 62 is configured to seal against both the tube 14 and
the structural portion 30, the use of multiple O-rings 62 provides
a level of sealing redundancy. Of course, those skilled in the art
will appreciate that sealing redundancy is optional and need not be
employed.
[0049] As another example, the O-ring 68 of the seal portion 32
illustrated in FIG. 4 also seals against the inside surface 22 of
the tube 12 upon insertion of the fitting 14 into the tube 12. The
tube 12, however, is crimped or deformed so that the inside surface
22 of the end 42 of the tube 12 is abutted against the collar 66.
The collar 66 serves to limit the deformation of the end 42 of the
tube 12 so that the O-ring 68 is deformed in a predetermined
manner, while the crimp or deformation serves to inhibit the
withdrawal of the fitting 14 from the tube 12. Optionally, the
collar 66 may also be deformed so as to provide additional sealing
capacity between the tubular end 40 and the inside surface 22. In
the example provided, a groove 102 in the collar 66 constrains the
O-ring 68 to limit the manner and degree to which the O-ring 68
deforms and thereby ensure that the sealing integrity of the O-ring
68 is not compromised during the installation of the fitting
14.
[0050] One aspect of the flexibility of our fluid conduit system is
shown in FIG. 9 wherein the structural portion 30 of the fitting 14
is illustrated as being suitable for use with several differently
sized tubes 12e and 12f. In this example, seal portions 32e and 32f
are provided which vary in their outer diameter so as to be readily
employed to seal against the inside surface of the tubes 12e and
12f, respectively. This flexibility is noteworthy since it permits
significant reductions in the fabrication costs (e.g., tooling,
losses in productivity as a result of change-over) of the fittings
as compared to the known fittings, which are associated with a
single and specific tube size.
[0051] Another aspect of the flexibility of our fittings 14 is
illustrated in FIG. 10. In this example, the seal portion 32 is
illustrated as being optional, so that the fitting 14 may be
coupled to a tube 12 in accordance with the teachings of the
present disclosure or to a different conduit material, such as
commercially available PEX tubing 110. In situations where the
structural portion 30 is to be coupled to a tube 12 in accordance
with the teachings of the present disclosure, the seal portion 32
may be coupled or otherwise associated with the tubular end 40 and
the fitting 14 installed into the tube 12. If, on the other hand, a
different tubular material is to be employed, a different seal (not
shown) may be employed or the seal portion 32 may be omitted
altogether. In the example shown, the tubular end 40 of the
structural portion 30 may be inserted into the PEX tubing 110 and
coupled thereto in a conventional manner (as through an external
crimp ring 112, for example). This flexibility is noteworthy since
it facilitates a reduction in the overall quantity and cost of
plumber's inventory through the stocking a single type of fitting
that is suitable for use with several types of fluid conduit
systems.
[0052] While the fitting 14 has been described thus far as
including a generally cylindrical tubular end 40, those skilled in
the art will appreciate that the disclosure, in its broader
aspects, may be constructed somewhat differently. For example, the
fitting may be formed with a bullhead 120 or such as shown in FIGS.
11 and 12 to further resist axial separation of the fitting 14 and
the tube 12. In these embodiments, the tubular end 40a is installed
to the end 42 of the tube and the end 42 of the tube 12 is crimped
or deformed so as to define a reduced diameter portion 124 that
abuts the bullhead 120 to thereby inhibit the withdrawal of the
tubular end 40a from the tube 12. The fittings 14 of FIGS. 11 and
12 are illustrated to be substantially similar to one another,
differing only in that the fitting 14 of FIG. 11 employs two O-ring
seals 62, whereas the fitting 14 of FIG. 12 employs a sleeve 60
that is similar to that shown in FIG. 2 but which is overmolded
onto or otherwise permanently secured to the tubular end 40a of the
structural portion 30.
[0053] FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate yet another embodiment of the
fitting 14. In this embodiment, the tubular end 40b includes one or
more grooves 130, which are illustrated to be U-shaped in the
example provided. As with the fittings 14 that are illustrated in
FIGS. 3 and 4, the seal portion 32 of the fittings 14 may be
configured so as to seal against the inside surface 22 of the tube
12 upon insertion so that the tube 12 need not be deformed to
effect sealing engagement between the seal portion 32 and either of
the inside surface 22 of the tube 12 or the outside surface 51 of
the tubular end 40 of the structural portion 30. In the particular
example provided, no portion of the tube 12 in the immediate
vicinity of each seal (e.g., O-ring 62) that forms the seal portion
32 is deformed.
[0054] A tool may be employed to deform, crimp or extrude portions
142 of the tube 12 into each of the grooves 130 to thereby inhibit
axial movement of the structural portion 30 relative to the tube
12. The tool may be powered by an appropriate means (e.g.,
manually, hydraulically, pneumatically or electrically). One
suitable tool 140 is illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16. The tool 140
is similar to a conventional tube cutter (e.g., similar to a No.
152 Tubing Cutter that is manufactured by the Ridge Tool Company)
and includes a pair of rollers 146, which support and center the
tube 12, one or more forming wheels 148 (two forming wheels 148 are
employed in the example provided) and an incrementing mechanism 150
having a yoke 152 onto which the forming wheels 148 are rotatably
mounted. Each forming wheel 148 includes an edge 156 that may have
a shape that is complementary to the shape of the grooves 130 (FIG.
13). The incrementing mechanism 150 may include a screw jack 158
for adjustably moving the forming wheels 148 toward or away from
the rollers 146. In operation, the tool 140 may be rotated about
the tube 12 as the wheels 148 (via the incrementing mechanism 150)
are moved toward the rollers 146, thereby causing the wheels 148 to
push the portions 142 of the tube 12 into a corresponding one of
the grooves 130 formed in the structural portion 30 of the fitting
14. Unlike a tube cutter, however, the tool 140 preferably includes
an adjustable stop 160 for limiting the movement of the wheels 148
toward the rollers 146. Those skilled in the art will appreciate
that the tool 140 may be equipped with one wheel 148 in the
alternative.
[0055] Those skilled in the art will also appreciate from this
disclosure that the tool 140 may be configured to locate on a
surface of the abutting flange 44. Configuration of the tool in
this manner permits the "forming means" to be positioned
consistently relative to the grooves 130, provided that the
structural portion 30 of the fitting 14 is constructed such that
the distance between the surface of the abutting flange 44 and the
grooves 130 remains relatively consistent from fitting 14 to
fitting 14. Those skilled in the art will appreciate from this
disclosure that either surface of the abutting flange 44 may be
selected as the "datum surface". In the example of FIGS. 17 and 18,
the "near side" of the abutting flange 44 (i.e., the surface of the
abutting flange 44 immediately adjacent the end 40 of the
structural portion 30 being fastened to a tube 12) was chosen to
locate the crimps 81 relative to the abutting flange 44, as the
ability to locate the tool 140a by pushing it against the abutting
flange 44 was preferred.
[0056] The tool 140a may include a tool body 82a and a jaw 90a,
which may be generally similar to the configuration of a
commercially available bolt cutter. The tool 140a may further
include a pair of discrete die members 92c and 92d, which are
generally similar to the die members 92a and 92b, discussed above
(i.e., rotatable about an axis that is generally perpendicular to
the tube 12). Alternatively, the die members 92c and 92d may be
fixed in a stationary (i.e., non-rotating) position. The die
members 92c and 92d may be fixedly but removably coupled to the jaw
90a and may include projections 96c that extend into the die cavity
96. Depending on the desired configuration of the crimp 81, the
projections 96c may be formed about the perimeter of the die cavity
96 so that the crimp 81 will be substantially continuous about the
perimeter of the tube 12, or may extend partially about the
perimeter of the die cavity 96. Operation of the tool body 82a
(i.e., moving the handles of the tool body 82a relative to one
another) opens and closes the jaw 90a in a conventional and well
known manner to thereby move the die members 92c and 92d relative
to one another. In the alternative, the tool may be configured to
utilize the opposite side (i.e., "far side") of the abutting flange
44 or both sides of the abutting flange 44 to locate the tool
relative to the grooves 130 with appropriate modifications to the
tool (e.g., to the die members).
[0057] One or both of the die members (e.g., 92c and/or 92d) may
include indicia for stamping, embossing or otherwise marking the
tube 12 with a mark in an area proximate the fitting 14 so as to
identify that the crimp or crimps 81 had been formed with a
suitable (e.g., approved, licensed) tool. In the example provided,
the indicia is a raised mark identified by the reference letter T
in FIG. 17, which as those of ordinary skill in the art will
appreciate, stamps a mark into the tube 12 when the die members 92c
and 92d are closed on the tube 12 to form the crimps 81. The
indicia or mark may be of any desired form and may be a trademark
of the tool, the fittings and/or the fluid conduit system. In the
example provided, the raised mark T is a symmetrical trademark that
is associated with the tool, the fittings and the fluid conduit
system. While the raised mark T may be located anywhere along the
length of the die members 92c and/or 92d, we chose a location
proximate the abutting flange 44. Accordingly, the raised mark T
may be employed not only to identify whether a suitable tool had
been employed to form the crimps 81, but also to indicate whether
the fitting 14 had been installed to the tube 12 properly prior to
the formation of the crimps 81. For example, if the fitting 14 was
not fully installed to the tube 12, the mark on the tube 12 that is
formed by the raised mark may "fall off" the end of the tube so as
to be incomplete or missing altogether. Similarly, the position of
the mark on the tube 12 that is formed by the raised mark T
relative to the abutting flange 44 may be employed to identify
situations where the dies 92c and 92d were not abutted against the
abutting flange 44 prior to forming the crimps 81.
[0058] With reference to FIG. 19, a family of fittings constructed
in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure is
generally indicated by reference numeral 100. The family of
fittings 100 may include a 450 elbow 102, a 900 elbow 104, a cap
106, a tee 108 and a union 110. Each member of the family of
fittings 100 includes a structural portion 30 and a seal portion 32
which are generally similar to those that are illustrated in FIG.
13 except that the grooves 130 on the structural portion 30, while
still being generally U-shaped, are somewhat wider and less
rounded. Although the tee, elbow and union fittings of the family
of fittings 100 are illustrated as employing two or more structural
portions 30 and seal portions 32 that are identically sized, those
skilled in the art will appreciate from this disclosure that they
may be formed such that one or more of the structural portions 30
and/or seal portions 32 is differently sized from a remaining one
of the structural portion 30 and/or seal portion 32. For example,
the tee 108 in FIG. 20 is illustrated as having structural portions
30a, 30b and 30c and seal portions 32a, 32b and 32c wherein
structural portion 30c and seal portion 32c are sized differently
(i.e., smaller in the particular example show) than structural
portions 30a and 30b and seal portions 32a and 32b,
respectively.
[0059] Those skilled in the art will appreciate from this
disclosure that the family of fittings 100 may include various
"adapter fittings", having the above-discussed structural portion
30 and seal portion 32 on one end and another plumbing
configuration 252 on the opposite end 250, as is illustrated in the
example of FIG. 21. While FIG. 21 illustrates that the other
plumbing configuration 252 may be a solder connection, those
skilled in the art will appreciate from this disclosure that
various other known plumbing connections, such as a compression
fitting, a flare fitting, male pipe threads, and female pipe
threads, may also be employed.
[0060] Those skilled in the art will also appreciate from this
disclosure that the 45.degree. and 90.degree. elbows may be formed
somewhat differently from that which is illustrated in FIG. 19 to
provide a gradual bend as the fitting changes direction, as
conventional solder fittings are typically constructed. With
reference to FIGS. 22 and 23, an exemplary 90.degree. fitting 14
constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present
disclosure is illustrated. The structural portions 30 of the
fitting 30 may include a chamfer 50 that extends about the interior
edge of the structural portion 30.
[0061] Another fluid conduit system constructed in accordance with
the teachings of the present disclosure is illustrated in FIG. 24.
In this example, the fluid conduit system includes a family of
first fittings 300 and a family of second fittings 302. The family
of first fittings 300 may include a tee fitting 310, a 90.degree.
elbow fitting 312, a 45.degree. elbow fitting 314 and a cap fitting
316 that are generally similar to standard solder-type fittings
except that their openings 320 have an inner diameter that is
similar to the inner diameter of the tubes 12 (FIG. 1), whereas
standard solder-type fittings have openings with an inner diameter
that is similar to the outer diameter of the tubes 12. The second
fittings 302 include various types of unions, including "straight"
unions 330 and reducing unions 332, 334. One advantage of this
fluid conduit system is that the plumbing contractor need not stock
specific types of reducing fittings (i.e., tees and elbows), as any
reductions may be made through use of a reducing union. Another
advantage of this fluid conduit system is that the family of first
fittings 300 may be produced and marketed with or without
pre-installed fittings from the family of second fittings 302 as
shown in FIG. 25.
[0062] While specific examples have been described in the
specification and illustrated in the drawings, it will be
understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various
changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements
thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure
as defined in the claims. Furthermore, the mixing and matching of
features, elements and/or functions between various examples is
expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the
art would appreciate from this disclosure that features, elements
and/or functions of one example may be incorporated into another
example as appropriate, unless described otherwise, above.
Moreover, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular
situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure
without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it
is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the
particular examples illustrated by the drawings and described in
the specification as the best mode presently contemplated for
carrying out the teachings of the present disclosure, but that the
scope of the present disclosure will include any embodiments
falling within the foregoing description and the appended
claims.
* * * * *