US3692044A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tapping tee
Assignee: R and G Sloane Manufacturing Co Inc
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Filing: 1971-01-18
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Granted: 1972-09-19
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Expires: 1991-01-18
Abstract
Abstract A tapping tee comprising a body portion defining a drive socket and one or more outlet sockets in communication with the drive socket, and a saddle portion adapted to mate with and be mounted on the exterior of a main pipeline formed of a plastic material or the like. A stem member is mounted within the drive socket for rotatable and axial movement therein, such as by threaded connection. At its inner end, the stem member comprises a cylindrical cutter having a thin annular wall with a downwardly and inwardly, uniformly tapering exterior surface. When the stem member is rotated within the drive socket, such as by a suitable tool engaged with its outer end, the cutter is rotated and advanced inwardly into engagement with the plastic main pipeline. The cutter severs a circular coupon from the main pipeline and this coupon is retained within the cutter, owing to the slight deformation inwardly of the lower portion of the thin annular wall of the cutter as it is advanced through the pipeline. The tapered outer surface of the cutter creates a complementary annular tapered surface defining the opening in the pipeline. The cutter can thereafter be mated with this annular tapered surface of the pipeline to seal the opening cut therein, with the resultant advantage that the cutter can serve as a valve member for sealing the cut opening in the pipeline after the coupon is removed therefrom. A stop member is provided on the stem member above the cutter for the purpose of limiting the upward movement of the stem member and also preventing the cutter from extending too far into the main pipeline.
Inventors
- 👤 Eugene H Wise
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 10:26
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L47/00; F16L47/26; F16L47/34; F16L41/00; F16L41/04; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/598; Y10T137/612; Y10T137/6123
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
A tapping tee adapted to be mounted on a main pipeline to connect a service line thereto, said tapping tee comprising: a body portion defining a threaded drive socket and an outlet socket in communication with said drive socket, said outlet socket being adapted to be connected to the service line, a stem member mounted in said drive socket for rotary and axial movement therein, said stem member having exterior threads in engagement with the drive socket threads, and an annular cutter connected to the inner end of said stem member and adapted to cut through the pipeline and retain therein a substantially circular coupon from the pipeline when said stem member is rotated and advanced inwardly in said drive socket, the outer annular surface of said cutter being tapered downwardly and inwardly in a uniform manner throughout substantially the entire length thereof so as to form a complementary tapered annular cut surface on the pipeline when the coupon is removed therefrom, whereby said tapered cut pipeline surface serves as a seat adapted to sealingly engage said outer annular cutter surface when the cutter is moved inwardly into engagement therewith to close the opening cut in the pipeline.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
A tapping tee adapted to be mounted on a main pipeline to connect a service line thereto, said tapping tee comprising: a body portion defining a threaded drive socket and an outlet socket in communication with said drive socket, said outlet socket being adapted to be connected to the service line, a stem member mounted in said drive socket for rotary and axial movement therein, said stem member having exterior threads in engagement with the drive socket threads, and an annular cutter connected to the inner end of said stem member and adapted to cut through the pipeline and retain therein a substantially circular coupon from the pipeline when said stem member is rotated and advanced inwardly in said drive socket, the outer annular surface of said cutter being tapered downwardly and inwardly in a uniform manner throughout substantially the entire length thereof so as to form a complementary tapered annular cut surface on the pipeline when the coupon is removed therefrom, whereby said tapered cut pipeline surface serves as a seat adapted to sealingly engage said outer annular cutter surface when the cutter is moved inwardly into engagement therewith to close the opening cut in the pipeline.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The tapping tee of claim 1 wherein said cutter comprises a thin, flexible deformable annular wall which is adapted to be deformed inwardly to a sufficient extent as it cuts through the pipeline to retain the cut coupon therein and to prevent it from falling into the pipeline.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The tapping tee of claim 1 wherein stop means is provided on said stem member and is adapted to engage the outer surface of the pipeline to limit the extent of movement of said cutter into the pipeline.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The tapping tee of claim 3 wherein said stop means is positioned to engage said body portion when said stem member is movEd outwardly within said drive socket to limit the outward movement of said stem member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The tapping tee of claim 4 wherein said stop means comprises an annular stop ring mounted on said stem member adjacent the outer end of said cutter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The tapping tee of claim 1, further comprising a saddle portion integrally formed with said body portion and adapted to mate with the adjacent outer surface of the pipeline.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The tapping tee of claim 1 wherein said stem member threads are of a slightly different pitch than that of said drive socket threads to effect an interference fit therewith and to prevent the passage of fluid therebetween.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The tapping tee of claim 1 wherein said body portion is molded of a plastic material, and said stem member and cutter are formed of metal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The tapping tee of claim 1 wherein a cap member is removably receivable on the outer end of said body portion defining said drive socket for the purpose of closing said drive socket.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
177 words
A tapping tee adapted to be mounted on a main pipeline to connect a service line thereto, said tapping tee comprising: a body portion defining a drive socket and an outlet socket in communication with said drive socket, said outlet socket being adapted to be connected to the service line, a stem member mounted in said drive socket for axial movement therein, an annular cutter connected to the inner end of said stem member and adapted to cut through the pipeline and retain therein a substantially circular coupon cut from the pipeline when said stem member is moved axially inwardly in said drive socket, the outer annular surface of said cutter being tapered downwardly and inwardly throughout substantially the entire length thereof so as to form a complementary tapered annular cut surface on the pipeline when the coupon is removed therefrom, whereby said tapered cut pipeline surface serves as a seat adapted to sealingly engage said outer annular cutter surface when the cutter is moved inwardly into engagement therewith to close the opening cut in the pipeline.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
177 words
A tapping tee adapted to be mounted on a main pipeline to connect a service line thereto, said tapping tee comprising: a body portion defining a drive socket and an outlet socket in communication with said drive socket, said outlet socket being adapted to be connected to the service line, a stem member mounted in said drive socket for axial movement therein, an annular cutter connected to the inner end of said stem member and adapted to cut through the pipeline and retain therein a substantially circular coupon cut from the pipeline when said stem member is moved axially inwardly in said drive socket, the outer annular surface of said cutter being tapered downwardly and inwardly throughout substantially the entire length thereof so as to form a complementary tapered annular cut surface on the pipeline when the coupon is removed therefrom, whereby said tapered cut pipeline surface serves as a seat adapted to sealingly engage said outer annular cutter surface when the cutter is moved inwardly into engagement therewith to close the opening cut in the pipeline.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-19 | 1976-03-20 | 1976-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-19 | 1980-03-20 | 1980-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-19 | 1984-03-20 | 1984-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |