# US 11,028,949 B2 · Fittings, components, and associated tools > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,028,949 B2 - Document ID: US11028949B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/803,613 - Filed: 2020-02-27 - Published: 2020-07-09 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2015-12-10 - Assignees: 3SC Global, LLC - Applicants: 3SC Global, LLC - Inventors: Don William Broussard; Ronald Kent Swain; Jeffery Allen Bess; Johnnie Rae Burrows; Jerad Norman Richardson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11028949B2 ## CPC - F16L 19/025: the pipe ends having integral collars or flanges - F16B 23/0069: {with holes to be engaged with corresponding pins on the tool or protruding pins to be engaged with corresponding holes on the tool} - F16L 19/02: Pipe ends provided with collars or flanges, integral with the pipe or not, pressed together by a screwed member - B22D 25/02: by its peculiarity of shape; of works of art {(cylinders, pistons B22D15/02)} - B25B 13/5091: {for operating on wing nuts, hooks, eye hooks or the like} - B25B 23/0028: {Angular adjustment means between tool head and handle} - B25B 27/10: inserting fittings into hoses - B25G 1/063: {for screwdrivers, wrenches or spanners} - B25G 1/105: {for screwdrivers, wrenches or spanners (B25G1/102, B25G1/125 take precedence)} - F16B 21/04: with bayonet catch - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) - B22D: CASTING OF METALS; CASTING OF OTHER SUBSTANCES BY THE SAME PROCESSES OR DEVICES (shaping of plastics or substances in a plastic state B29C; metallurgical processing, selection of substances to be added to metal C21, C22) - B25B: TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING, OR HOLDING - B25G: HANDLES FOR HAND IMPLEMENTS (attaching the blades or the like to handles of hand tools for soil working A01B1/22; handles of hand implements for harvesting A01D1/14; handles integral with brushware A46B) ## Abstract Fittings that generally include a unitary body having an outer surface and an inner lumen forming a void within said unitary body. The lumen is configured to receive threads for mating with the threads of a female sub end of a pipe or tube. The outer surface includes at least one aperture for receiving a tool that can be inserted within said aperture so as to rotate the fitting about an axis that extends through the lumen of the unitary body. The at least one apertures provide a safe and convenient way to tighten and loosen the fitting during the process of coupling pipe or tubing. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fitting for use in coupling pipe or tubing, comprising: a unitary body, said unitary body comprising a length, a distal end, a proximal end, an outer surface, and a lumen; wherein said outer surface extends around said length of said unitary body between said proximal end and said distal end; wherein said lumen extends within said unitary body in a distal direction from said proximal end of said unitary body, said lumen generally defining a cylindrical void within said unitary body, wherein a portion of said lumen comprises threads configured to receive a threaded female sub end of a pipe or tube; wherein said unitary body further comprises at least one aperture, said at least one aperture having an aperture wall that extends from an opening at said outer surface of said unitary body and ends at a location within said unitary body, so as to form an aperture depth and enclose said at least one aperture within said unitary body; wherein said outer surface includes at least one lower topographical portion, said at least one lower topographical portion located adjacent to said aperture wall so as to define an aperture wall thickness at said opening; wherein said at least one aperture is configured to receive a tool for rotating said fitting around an axis that extends from said proximal end to said distal end so as to permit the tightening and loosening of said fitting to a threaded female sub end of a pipe or tube; wherein said at least one aperture comprises eight apertures, each having its own opening at said outer surface of said unitary body; and wherein said at least one lower topographical portion comprises sixteen lower topographical portions that form a ridge that extends circumferentially around said unitary body, wherein said ridge contacts each of said aperture openings. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fitting of claim 1, wherein at least one of said at least one aperture further includes a protrusion extending into said at least one aperture, said protrusion configured to releasably secure a tool for tightening and loosening said fitting. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The fitting of claim 1, wherein at least one of said at least one aperture further includes a beveled surface at said opening of said at least one aperture so as to facilitate insertion of a tool for tightening and loosening said fitting. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The fitting of claim 1, wherein said at least one aperture further comprises a cylindrical shape. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The fitting of claim 4, wherein said cylindrical shape comprises a diameter of at least one inch. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The fitting of claim 5, wherein said unitary body comprises a generally circular side view. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The fitting of claim 1, wherein said unitary body comprises 4130 alloy steel. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The fitting of claim 1, wherein said lumen further comprises a first lumen length having a first lumen diameter and a second lumen length having a second lumen diameter. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The fitting of claim 8, wherein said first lumen length includes said portion of said lumen comprising threads configured to receive said threaded female sub end of said pipe or tube.