GB2278172A - A pipe connector - Google Patents

Abstract

A connector 1 for connection with a pipe 2, comprises a body 3, an insert 4 adapted for insertion into a pipe 2, and securing means 6 adapted to cooperate with the insert 4 to hold the pipe 2 in the body 3. The connector 1 is suitable for connecting plastic water pipes with metal or other pipes in a straight or other connection. <IMAGE>

Description

A CONNECTOR The invention relates to a connector, particularly to a connector which is a cold water fitting for connecting plastic water pipes with metal or other pipes in a straight or other connection.

According to the invention there is provided a connector for connection with a pipe, the connector comprising a body, an insert adapted for insertion into a said pipe, and securing means adapted to cooperate with the insert to hold the pipe in the body.

The insert may include an extension adapted for insertion into the body, and the insert may comprise grip means adapted to engage the pipe.

The securing means may comprise a deformable ring and a separate cap, which cap may be removably mountable on the body and may have a surface complementary with a surface of the ring, whereby to force the ring into engagement with a pipe for connection thereof with the connector. A suitable form of deformable ring is a split ring.

It is preferred that the deformable ring comprises grip means adapted to engage the pipe.

The body may comprise stop means for determining the depth of insertion of the insert, and the stop means may comprise a shoulder with the insert comprising an abutment for butting against the shoulder.

The stop means may be removably mounted in the body.

The connector may include a radially arrayed shoulder in a through bore of the body and which is adapted to butt against a free end of the insert.

The connector may comprise a plastics material.

A connector embodying the invention is hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing. The drawing shows, partly in longitudinal section, a connector according to the invention for use as a straight connector for connection of cold water pipes.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown a connector 1 for connection with a pipe 2, comprising a body 3, an insert 4 adapted for insertion into a pipe 2, and securing means 6 adapted to cooperate with the insert 4 to hold the pipe 2 in the body 3.

The body 3 is tubular, having a through bore 7 and an external surface bearing longitudinally extending ribs or splines 8. At each end (the right hand end as viewed being shown in section, the left hand end being a mirror image thereof) the body 3, and thus the bore 7, have a larger diameter portion 9 which provides an inner (to the left as viewed) step or shoulder 10 for receiving a seal means in the form in the embodiment of an 'O'-ring 11. The outside diameter of the portion 9 is identical in the embodiment to that of the splines 8. The portion 9 has an outer (to the right as viewed) step 12 providing a shoulder or seat for receiving a flange 13 of a retainer ring 14 which maintains the 'O'-ring 11 in place, and also forms a stop for a radial flange 15 of the insert 4. The insert 4 has a larger diameter part 4a in the form of an extension which is a sliding or push fit in the bore 7 of the body 3, and a smaller diameter part 4b which has external grip means in the form of teeth or barbs 16 as shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the insert 4 thus has two diameter bore parts 17, 18 the one of lesser diameter 18 being sufficient to receive a pipe or tube pushed in from left to right, as viewed.

The barbs 16 grip on the end of the pipe 2 when it is pushed over the part 4b when it is secured by the securing means 6 in the form of a split grip ring 19 of frusto-conical configuration having internal barbs or teeth 20 inclined in an opposite direction to the teeth 16. The split ring 19, or grip ring, is suitably made of nylon and has a frusto-conical outer surface 21 of complementary inclination to an inner inclined surface 22 of a cap 23 which has an internal thread in a part for screw engagement with a thread 24 on the exterior of the portion 9.

There are longitudinally extending splines 25 on the external surface of the cap 23, which splines have a configuration such that they can be engaged by a spanner or wrench to be turned. When thus turned in a tightening direction, with the pipe 2 inserted as a push fit in the essentially annular gap 26 between the end 4b of the insert 4 and the grip ring 19, relative sliding movement of the surfaces 21, 22 can only be accommodated by the grip ring 19 contracting, as is possible because of its longitudinal gap or split, so that the annular gap 26 becomes narrower, and the teeth 20 then grip into the outer surface of the pipe 2, which is a plastic pipe. A radial component of the tightening force also results in the teeth 16 of the insert 4 being forced into the pipe to grip the inner surface of the pipe 2. The pipe 2 is thus held firmly and in a leak-proof manner as an end 27 of the grip ring 19 butts firmly against the radial flange 15 when the cap 23 is tightened. The other side (left as viewed) of the radial flange 15 is then firmly against the shoulder or flange 13 and the 'O'-ring 11 seals passage thereby, so that there is leakproof fluid connection between the pipe 2 and a pipe in the insert 4.

A modification is shown in dashed lines, where there is a radial shoulder or stop 28 in the bore of the body, which can act as a stop against over-insertion of the insert 4, and also as a support for a large diameter pipe inserted into the larger diameter part 4b of the insert.

In a further embodiment (not illustrated) the insert 4 is configured without the larger diameter part 4a or the radial flange 15, and fits entirely inside the end of the pipe 2 to give support thereto. The pipe 2 is then inserted into the body 3, past the 'O'-ring 11 and the cap 23 is tightened as explained above.

It will be understood that the body, insert and stop are made of suitable material such as a plastics material, and that the connectors and inserts may be supplied in a range of sizes to match industry standards.

Claims (12)

1. A connector for connection with a pipe, the connector comprising a body, an insert adapted for insertion into a said pipe, and securing means adapted to cooperate with the insert to hold the pipe in the body.

2. A connector according to claim 1, the insert including an extension adapted for insertion into the body.

3. A connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, the insert comprising grip means adapted to engage the pipe.

4. A connector according to any preceding claim, the securing means comprising a deformable ring and a separate cap, which cap is removably mountable on the body and has a surface complementary with a surface of the ring, whereby to force the ring into engagement with a pipe for connection thereof with the connector.

5. A connector according to claim 5, the deformable ring comprising a split ring.

6. A connector according to claim 4 or claim 5, the ring comprising grip means adapted to engage the pipe.

7. A connector according to any of claims 2 to 6, the body comprising stop means for determining the depth of insertion of the insert.

8. A connector according to claim 7, the stop means comprising a shoulder and the insert comprising a shoulder and the insert comprising an abutment for butting against the shoulder.

9. A connector according to claim 7 or claim 8, the stop means being removably mounted in the body.

10. A connector according to any of claims 2 to 9, including a radially arranged shoulder in a through bore of the body and which is adapted to butt against a free end of the insert.

11. A connector according to any preceding claim, comprising a plastics material.

12. A connector for connection with a pipe, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.