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US4046387A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Device for indicating the presence of a gasket

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-09-16
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Granted: 1977-09-06
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Expires: 1996-09-16
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Abstract

Abstract A plastic pipe system is provided with a device for indicating the presence of a gasket after final system installation. The pipe system preferably is constructed from a suitable plastic material, and includes a first pipe and a second pipe, the second being formed to receive an end of the first pipe along a connection part formed in the pipe. The connection part includes a receptacle sized to receive a suitable gasket. The gasket is inserted in the receptacle and provides a fluid seal between the two pipe ends. The second pipe has an opening formed in a side wall of the pipe defining the gasket receiving receptacle, and an indicator tab is placed through the opening. The tab preferably is attached to or integrally formed with the gasket, and aids in ensuring proper positioning of the gasket in the receptacle. After insertion, the tab permits easy visual inspection of the pipe system, enabling verification of actual gasket presence in the pipe system.

Inventors

  • 👤 Dalton I. Lee

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-03 08:16
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L47/00; F16L47/06; F16L47/08; F16J; F16J15/00; F16J15/16; F16J15/32; F16J15/3296; F16L17/00; F16L17/02; F16L17/03; F16L17/035; F16L2201/00; F16L2201/10

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim 123 words
In a plastic pipe system including a first pipe, a second pipe, said second pipe having a first end formed to receive an end of said first pipe, said first end having a groove formed in it for receiving a gasket for sealing the joint between said first and said second pipes, the improvement comprising means for indicating proper placement and presence of the gasket after joining of said first and said second pipes, said gasket present indicating means comprising a tab extending axially outwardly from said gasket, said second pipe having an opening in it along said groove for permitting passage of said tab, said tab extending in a direction generally parallel to the axis of said first and said second pipe.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 123 words
In a plastic pipe system including a first pipe, a second pipe, said second pipe having a first end formed to receive an end of said first pipe, said first end having a groove formed in it for receiving a gasket for sealing the joint between said first and said second pipes, the improvement comprising means for indicating proper placement and presence of the gasket after joining of said first and said second pipes, said gasket present indicating means comprising a tab extending axially outwardly from said gasket, said second pipe having an opening in it along said groove for permitting passage of said tab, said tab extending in a direction generally parallel to the axis of said first and said second pipe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 29 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said first and said second pipes have an indicating code system arranged linearly along it, said tab being aligned with said code system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 12 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said tab has an enlarged end.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 17 words
The improvement of claim 3 wherein said tab is constructed from the same material as said gasket.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 14 words
The improvement of claim 4 wherein said tab is integrally formed with said gasket.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 117 words
In a pipe system including a first pipe, a second pipe, said second pipe having a first end formed to receive an end and a predetermined length of said first pipe, said first end having a groove formed in it for receiving a gasket for sealing the joint between the first and said second pipes, the improvement comprising means for indicating proper placement and the presence of said gasket after joining said first and said second pipes, said gasket present indicating means comprising a tab extending outwardly from said gasket, said second pipe having an opening in it along said groove for permitting passage of said tab, said tab being visible after installation of said pipe system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 117 words
In a pipe system including a first pipe, a second pipe, said second pipe having a first end formed to receive an end and a predetermined length of said first pipe, said first end having a groove formed in it for receiving a gasket for sealing the joint between the first and said second pipes, the improvement comprising means for indicating proper placement and the presence of said gasket after joining said first and said second pipes, said gasket present indicating means comprising a tab extending outwardly from said gasket, said second pipe having an opening in it along said groove for permitting passage of said tab, said tab being visible after installation of said pipe system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 29 words
The improvement of claim 6 wherein said first and said second pipes have an indicating code system arranged linearly along it, said tab being aligned with said code system.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 12 words
The improvement of claim 7 wherein said tab has an enlarged end.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 17 words
The improvement of claim 8 wherein said tab is constructed from the same material as said gasket.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3573871A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1980-09-05 1981-03-07 1981-09-06 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1984-09-05 1985-03-07 1985-09-06 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1988-09-05 1989-03-07 1989-09-06 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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