US3840255A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tapping or branch sleeve for plastic pipe or the like
Assignee: Mueller Co
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Filing: 1973-02-09
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Granted: 1974-10-08
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Expires: 1993-02-09
Abstract
Abstract A sleeve-type fitting adaptable for use as a branch sleeve or a tapping sleeve especially when such fitting is used with plastic pipe such as polyethylene (PE) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe. The fitting includes a service sleeve member having a through bore and having a saddle at one end through which the through bore extends and opens. The saddle has a curved surface for encompassing a portion of the pipe and it carries a gasket ring of a particular configuration in a recess spaced from the opening of the through bore, the gasket ring providing for variation in pipe dimensions and a seal which supports the service sleeve member off of the pipe surface. Clamping means including a saddle clamp member cooperates with the saddle of the sleeve member to substantially encompass the pipe, the clamping means being provided with a support gasket covering the curved surface of the saddle clamp member and protecting the pipe from damage. The support gasket also protects the threads of the bolts for clamping the lower saddle clamping member to the upper saddle of the service sleeve member.
Inventors
- 👤 J Daghe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 23:08
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L47/00; F16L47/26; F16L47/28; F16L47/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
287 words
A fitting for use as a sleeve for plastic pipe comprising: a service sleeve member having a through bore, said sleeve member having a saddle at one end thereof through which said through bore extends and opens, said saddle having a curved surface substantially complementary to a portion of the surface of the plastic pipe and having flanges extending from each longitudinal edge thereof, said curved surface of said saddle having an annular recess extending about and spaced from the opening of said through bore; sealing means carried in said annular recess to support said sleeve member away from the plastic pipe and to provide a seal between said saddle and said pipe around said opening; a saddle clamp member having a curved surface substantially complementary with a portion of the surface of the plastic pipe, said curved surface of said saddle clamp member having flanges extending from each longitudinal edge thereof, said saddle clamp member cooperating with the saddle of said sleeve member to embrace the plastic pipe therebetween with their respective flanges opposing one another; a support gasket carried by said saddle clamp member and completely covering the curved surface of the same, said support gasket extending between the respective opposing flanges of said saddle and said saddle clamp member, said support gasket being made of a softer material than said plastic pipe so as to protect the same, said support gasket further providing resistance of movement of said fitting with respect to said pipe; and bolt means clamping said first And second saddles about the plastic pipe, said bolt means including threaded bolts extending through said flanges and said support gasket, said threaded bolts having their threads protected from corrosion by said support gasket.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
287 words
A fitting for use as a sleeve for plastic pipe comprising: a service sleeve member having a through bore, said sleeve member having a saddle at one end thereof through which said through bore extends and opens, said saddle having a curved surface substantially complementary to a portion of the surface of the plastic pipe and having flanges extending from each longitudinal edge thereof, said curved surface of said saddle having an annular recess extending about and spaced from the opening of said through bore; sealing means carried in said annular recess to support said sleeve member away from the plastic pipe and to provide a seal between said saddle and said pipe around said opening; a saddle clamp member having a curved surface substantially complementary with a portion of the surface of the plastic pipe, said curved surface of said saddle clamp member having flanges extending from each longitudinal edge thereof, said saddle clamp member cooperating with the saddle of said sleeve member to embrace the plastic pipe therebetween with their respective flanges opposing one another; a support gasket carried by said saddle clamp member and completely covering the curved surface of the same, said support gasket extending between the respective opposing flanges of said saddle and said saddle clamp member, said support gasket being made of a softer material than said plastic pipe so as to protect the same, said support gasket further providing resistance of movement of said fitting with respect to said pipe; and bolt means clamping said first And second saddles about the plastic pipe, said bolt means including threaded bolts extending through said flanges and said support gasket, said threaded bolts having their threads protected from corrosion by said support gasket.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A fitting as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sleeve member and said saddle clamp member are cast iron and in which said support gasket is an elastomeric material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A fitting as claimed in claim 2 wherein said elastomeric material of said support gasket is a duck covered rubber material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A fitting as claimed in claim 3 wherein said cast iron sleeve member and said saddle clamp member have a corrosive protective coating thereon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A fitting as claimed in claim 4 wherein said corrosive protective coating is an epoxy.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
A fitting as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sealing means carried in the recess in said saddle of said sleeve member is an annular gasket ring having a major and a minor axis and a shore A durometer hardness in the range of 60 to 80.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
111 words
A fitting as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sealing means carried in the recess in said saddle of said sleeve member is an annular elastomeric gasket having a bulbous portion extending about its outer periphery for compensating for variation in pipe dimension, a thin protruding lip extending about its inner periphery for sealing between the exterior of the plastic pipe and a surface area of the curved surface of said saddle of said sleeve member between the recess and the opening of the through bore, and a plurality of alternate ridges and valleys, said ridges engaging the wall of the recess and flowing into said valleys upon application of pressure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A fitting as claimed in claim 7 wherein said recess on the curved surface of the saddle of said sleeve member and said annular gasket are concentric with said through bore.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
287 words
A fitting for use as a sleeve for pipe or the like comprising: a service sleeve member having a through bore, said sleeve member having a saddle at one end thereof and through which the through bore extends and opens, said saddle having a curved surface substantially complementary to a portion of the surface of the pipe, said curved surface of said saddle having a recess extending about and spaced from an opening of said through bore; sealing means carried in said recess to support said saddle of said sleeve member away from the pipe and to provide a seal between said sleeve and said pipe around said opening, said sealing means being an endless elastomeric gasket ring having a bulbous portion positioned in said recess and extending about said gasket ring''s outer periphery for compensation in variation of pipe dimension and sealing therewith and also resisting extrusion of said gasket ring outwardly of said recess between the saddle and the exterior of the pipe, a thin protruding lip extending from one side only of said bulbous portion about said gasket ring''s inner periphery, said protruding lip being partially in the recess and partially out of said recess and capable upon application of pressure to said gasket ring of extruding and sealing between the exterior of the pipe and a surface area of the curved surface of said saddle between the recess and the opening of the through bore, and a plurality of alternate ridges and valleys on one side of said gasket ring, said ridges engaging only the wall of the recess and flowing into said valleys upon application of pressure to said gasket ring; and clamping means for clamping said sleeve member on said pipe.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
287 words
A fitting for use as a sleeve for pipe or the like comprising: a service sleeve member having a through bore, said sleeve member having a saddle at one end thereof and through which the through bore extends and opens, said saddle having a curved surface substantially complementary to a portion of the surface of the pipe, said curved surface of said saddle having a recess extending about and spaced from an opening of said through bore; sealing means carried in said recess to support said saddle of said sleeve member away from the pipe and to provide a seal between said sleeve and said pipe around said opening, said sealing means being an endless elastomeric gasket ring having a bulbous portion positioned in said recess and extending about said gasket ring''s outer periphery for compensation in variation of pipe dimension and sealing therewith and also resisting extrusion of said gasket ring outwardly of said recess between the saddle and the exterior of the pipe, a thin protruding lip extending from one side only of said bulbous portion about said gasket ring''s inner periphery, said protruding lip being partially in the recess and partially out of said recess and capable upon application of pressure to said gasket ring of extruding and sealing between the exterior of the pipe and a surface area of the curved surface of said saddle between the recess and the opening of the through bore, and a plurality of alternate ridges and valleys on one side of said gasket ring, said ridges engaging only the wall of the recess and flowing into said valleys upon application of pressure to said gasket ring; and clamping means for clamping said sleeve member on said pipe.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
A fitting as claimed in claim 9 wherein said through bore is circular in cross section intermediate its ends and wherein said recess is concentric with the opening of said through bore on the curved surface of said saddle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
A fitting as claimed in claim 10 in which said endless gasket ring is oval shaped in plan elevation and has a minor axis and a major axis, said minor axis lying parallel to the axis of the pipe when said sleeve member is in position thereoN.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
A fitting as claimed in claim 11 wherein said gasket ring has a shore A durometer hardness in the range of 60 to 80.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
A fitting as claimed in claim 12 wherein said gasket ring has a concave depression between said bulbous portion and said lip on its side opposite the side having the alternate ridges and valleys.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
68 words
A fitting as claimed in claim 9 in which said clamping means includes a saddle clamp member having a curved surface substantially complementary to the surface of the pipe and bolt means for attaching said saddle clamp to said sleeve member to embrace the pipe, and a support gasket covering the curved surface of said saddle clamp member and being made of a softer material than said pipe.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
A fitting as claimed in claim 14 in which said sleeve member and said saddle clamp member are made of cast iron and in which said pipe is a plastic material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-07 | 1978-04-08 | 1978-10-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-07 | 1982-04-08 | 1982-10-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-07 | 1986-04-08 | 1986-10-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |