US4248460A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Plastic pipe fitting
Assignee: Hughes Supply Inc
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Filing: 1977-12-15
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Granted: 1981-02-03
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Expires: 1997-12-15
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a plastic pipe fitting having a connecting portion for attachment to another fitting and a joining portion to be fuse bonded to a length of pipe, whereby successive lengths of plastic pipe may be releasably connected. The connecting portion consists only of plastic suitably reinforced to increase its mechanical strength, primarily the flexural modules above the flexural modulus of the joining portion of the fitting and compatible with the flexural modulus of a mechanical couplings to provide a reliably effective connection between adjoining pipe lengths. The connecting portion of the pipe lengths desirably shaped to conform with the configuration of a conventional coupling commonly used to connect metallic pipe lengths.
Inventors
- 👤 Coyt E. Murray
- 👤 Jack L. Workman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 13:24
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C66/00; B29C66/01; B29C66/05; B29C66/10; B29C66/11; B29C66/114; B29C66/1142; B29C65/00; B29C65/02; B29C65/56; B29C65/562; B29C66/13; B29C66/131; B29C66/1312; B29C66/50; B29C66/51; B29C66/52; B29C66/522; B29C66/5221; B29C66/5229; B29C66/52296; B29C66/52298; B29C66/53; B29C66/534; B29C66/5344; B29C66/70; B29C66/72; B29C66/721; B29C66/73; B29C66/739; B29C66/7392; B29C66/7394; F; F16; F16L; F16L47/00; F16L47/20; B29C66/52291; B29C66/52292; B29C66/71; B29C66/7212; B29C66/731; B29C66/7315; B29C66/73921; B29C66/73941; B29K; B29K2995/00; B29K2995/0037; B29K2995/0089; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S285/00; Y10S285/916; Y10S285/923
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
245 words
Means for connecting lengths of plastic pipe having a given flexural modulus with a mechanical coupling having a higher flexural modulus than the said given flexural modulus of the plastic pipe whereby the plastic pipe has an objectionable tendency to cold flow or move relative to the mechanical coupling responsive to changes in temperature and pressure, said means comprising a plastic pipe fitting with a joining portion extending inwardly from a first end of said plastic fitting for attachment to the length of plastic pipe and a connecting portion extending inwardly from a second end of said plastic fitting for attachment to the mechanical coupling, said first end of the fitting having a flexural modulus sufficiently the same as the said given flexural modulus of the plastic pipe to enable a reliably effective connection of the first end of the fitting to the plastic pipe as by butt fusion, and the flexural modulus of the plastic fitting gradually increasing from the first end of the fitting toward the second end of the fitting, and the connecting portion at the second end of the fitting being shaped to conform with the mechanical coupling and having a higher flexural modulus than the first end of the fitting and sufficiently the same as the flexural modulus of the mechanical coupling to enable a reliably effective connection without the said objectionable tendency to cold flow or move relative to the mechanical coupling responsive to changes in temperature and pressure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
245 words
Means for connecting lengths of plastic pipe having a given flexural modulus with a mechanical coupling having a higher flexural modulus than the said given flexural modulus of the plastic pipe whereby the plastic pipe has an objectionable tendency to cold flow or move relative to the mechanical coupling responsive to changes in temperature and pressure, said means comprising a plastic pipe fitting with a joining portion extending inwardly from a first end of said plastic fitting for attachment to the length of plastic pipe and a connecting portion extending inwardly from a second end of said plastic fitting for attachment to the mechanical coupling, said first end of the fitting having a flexural modulus sufficiently the same as the said given flexural modulus of the plastic pipe to enable a reliably effective connection of the first end of the fitting to the plastic pipe as by butt fusion, and the flexural modulus of the plastic fitting gradually increasing from the first end of the fitting toward the second end of the fitting, and the connecting portion at the second end of the fitting being shaped to conform with the mechanical coupling and having a higher flexural modulus than the first end of the fitting and sufficiently the same as the flexural modulus of the mechanical coupling to enable a reliably effective connection without the said objectionable tendency to cold flow or move relative to the mechanical coupling responsive to changes in temperature and pressure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
79 words
Means for connecting lengths of plastic pipe according to claim 1 wherein said plastic pipe fitting has a relatively low molecular weight at its said first end, and wherein the molecular weight of said plastic pipe fitting gradually increases along its length in a direction toward said second end with the molecular weight of the plastic pipe fitting at its said second end being higher than the molecular weight at the first end of the said plastic pipe fitting.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
77 words
Means for connecting lengths of plastic pipe according to claim 1 wherein said plastic pipe fitting has a relatively high percentage of reinforcing agents added to said connecting portion, and wherein the percentage of said reinforcing agents added to said plastic pipe fitting gradually decreases along the length of said fitting in a direction toward said joining portion with the percentage of said reinforcing agents being substantially zero at said first end of said plastic pipe fitting.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
Means for connecting lengths of plastic pipe according to claim 1 wherein the plastic pipe fitting is formed from a thermoplastic material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
A structure according to claim 4 wherein the thermoplastic is polyethylene.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
A structure according to claim 4 wherein the thermoplastic is polypropylene.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
A structure according to claim 4 wherein the thermoplastic is polybutylene.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
A structure according to claim 4 wherein the thermoplastic is polyvinylchloride.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
A structure according to claim 4 wherein the thermoplastic is fluorinated ethylene polymer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
A structure according to claim 4 wherein the thermoplastic is ABS.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
A structure according to claim 4 wherein the thermoplastic is polyester.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
A structure according to claim 4 wherein the thermoplastic is polyurethane.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
A structure according to claim 4 wherein the thermoplastic is a copolymer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
A structure according to claim 4 wherein the thermoplastic is a plastic alloy.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
Means for connecting lengths of plastic pipe according to claim 1 wherein the plastic pipe fitting is formed from a thermosetting material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
A structure according to claim 15 wherein the thermosetting material is phenolic.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
A structure according to claim 15 wherein the thermosetting material is polyester.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
A structure according to claim 15 wherein the thermosetting material is polyether.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
A structure according to claim 15 wherein the thermosetting material is urethane.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
A structure according to claim 3 wherein said connecting portion includes from five to forty percent by weight of reinforcing agents.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
A structure according to claim 20 wherein the reinforcing agents are organic.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
12 words
A structure according to claim 20 wherein the reinforcing agents are inorganic.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
A structure according to claim 20 wherein the reinforcing agents are a combination of organic and inorganic materials.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
A structure according to claim 20 wherein the reinforcing agents are carbon fibers and glass fibers.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
A structure according to claim 21 wherein the organic reinforcing agent is carbon fiber.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
A structure according to claim 21 wherein the organic reinforcing agent is polyaramide fiber.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
13 words
A structure according to claim 22 wherein the inorganic reinforcing agent is fiberglass.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
A structure according to claim 22 wherein the inorganic reinforcing agent is glass beads.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
A structure according to claim 22 wherein the inorganic reinforcing agent is ceramic fibers or beads.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
A structure according to claim 22 wherein the inorganic reinforcing agent is selected from a mineral group including talc or mica.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
13 words
A structure according to claim 22 wherein the inorganic reinforcing agent is boron.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
13 words
A structure according to claim 22 wherein the inorganic reinforcing agent is tungsten.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
A structure according to claim 1 wherein the shaped area at the connecting portion of the fitting comprises an annular groove engageable with the mechanical coupling.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
A pipe fitting according to claim 1 wherein the shaped area at the connecting portion of the fitting comprises an annular flange.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
22 words
A structure according to claim 1 wherein the joining portion and the length of plastic pipe are made from the same polymer.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
A structure according to claim 1 wherein the flexural modulus of the connecting portion at the second end of the fitting is at least 250,000.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
25 words
A structure according to claim 1 wherein the flexural modulus of the connecting portion at the second end of the fitting is at least 300,000.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
24 words
A structure according to claim 2 wherein the molecular weight of the said second end of the plastic pipe fitting is at least 500,000.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
70 words
A structure according to claim 3 wherein the percentage of reinforcing agents by weight at said connecting portion is about forty percent and wherein the percentage of reinforcing agents in the plastic pipe fitting reduces in the direction from the connecting portion to the joining portion from about forty percent to twenty percent to zero percent at the juncture of the plastic pipe fitting with a length of plastic pipe.
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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) | 1984-02-03 | 1984-08-04 | 1985-02-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-02-03 | 1988-08-04 | 1989-02-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-02-03 | 1992-08-04 | 1993-02-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |