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US 10,119,640 B2Granted
Apparatus and method for a plumbing connector
OwnerMark E Goodsoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention provides an apparatus for a threaded plumbing connector to electrically ground pipes. The apparatus includes wire terminal block(s), connecting the threaded plumbing connector body to a wire or other conductive material. In the event that a pipe becomes electrically energized, the grounding connection of the threaded plumbing connector would be able to shunt the electrical current away from the pipes and reduce the risk of fire.
Claims30
A pipe connector, which comprises:
- a first end of a hollow cylinder, the first end of a hollow cylinder having a flared fitting;
- a second end of the hollow cylinder, distal from the first end, the second end of a hollow cylinder having a flared or black iron pipe fitting;
- a protruded section along an outer surface of the hollow cylinder, between the first end and the second end;
- a wire connection terminal, affixed to one or more of an outer surface of the protruded section;
- wherein the protruded section extends radially outward from the outer surface of the hollow cylinder along the entire circumference of the hollow cylinder;
- and
- wherein the first end is for fastening the hollow cylinder to a first pipe fitting, and the second end is for fastening the hollow cylinder to a second pipe fitting.
4 more elements
A pipe connector, which comprises:
- a first end of a hollow cylinder, the first end of a hollow cylinder having a flared fitting;
- a second end of the hollow cylinder, distal from the first end, the second end of a hollow cylinder having a flared or black iron pipe fitting;
- an outer surface cylinder, wherein the outer surface cylinder has a protrusion;
- wherein the protrusion extends radially outward from the outer surface of the hollow cylinder along the entire circumference of the hollow cylinder;
- and
- a plurality of wire connection terminals within the protrusion.
3 more elements
A method of reducing current along a pipe comprising:
- (1) attaching a first pipe, the first pipe having a flared fitting, to a plumbing connector, the plumbing connector having a flared fitting corresponding to the flared fitting of the first pipe;
- (2) attaching a second pipe, the second pipe having a flared or black iron pipe fitting, to the plumbing connector, the plumbing connector having a flared or black iron pipe fitting corresponding to the flared or black iron pipe fitting of the second pipe;
- (3) connecting a wire to hollow feedthrough bored through the side of a protruded section of the hollow cylinder, wherein the protruded section extends radially outward from the outer surface of the hollow;
- and
- (4) shunting current away from said first pipe and said second pipe.
2 more elements
A pipe connector, which comprises:
- a first end of a hollow cylinder, the first end of a hollow cylinder having a flared fitting;
- a second end of the hollow cylinder, distal from the first end, the second end of a hollow cylinder having a black iron pipe fitting;
- a protruded section along an outer surface of the hollow cylinder, between the first threaded end and the second threaded end;
- a hollow feedthrough, the hollow feedthrough bored through one or more of the outer surface of the protruded section;
- wherein the protruded section extends radially outward from the outer surface of the hollow cylinder along the entire circumference of the hollow cylinder;
- and
- wherein the first end is for fastening the hollow cylinder to a first connection, and the second end is for fastening the hollow cylinder to a second connection.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.