# US 11,898,683 B2 · Plumbing fitting > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,898,683 B2 - Document ID: US11898683B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/382,563 - Filed: 2021-07-22 - Published: 2023-01-26 - Granted: 2024-02-13 - Earliest claimed: 2021-07-22 - Assignees: Lake Products Limited - Applicants: Lake Products Limited - Inventors: Andrew Leo Haynes - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11898683B2 ## CPC - F16L 55/1108: {fixed by screwing or by means of a screw-threaded ring} - F16L 29/007: {Joints with cut-off devices controlled separately} - F16L 43/02: adapted to make use of special securing means - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL ## Abstract A plumbing fitting for selectively allowing the passage of a fluid therethrough includes an elongate body with a first open end and a second open end, with a passageway providing for fluid communication between the first open end and the second open end, where at least one of the first open end and/or the second open end include a connection arrangement for connection with a further plumbing fitting or fixture, and a valve for selectively sealing or unsealing the passageway to allow for a flow of fluid between each of the open ends, with the valve being operable from the first open end or the second open end. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A plumbing fitting for selectively allowing passage of a fluid therethrough, said plumbing fitting comprising: an elongate body comprising a first open end and a second open end, with a passageway providing for fluid communication between each of said first open end and said second open end; said first open end comprising a connection arrangement for connection with a further plumbing fitting or fixture; and a valve located at the first open end for selectively sealing or unsealing said passageway to allow for a flow of fluid between each of said open ends, the valve comprising a head and a shank, the head having a first recess and the shank having a second recess; wherein the valve is operable by engagement of the first recess from the first open end or the second recess through the second open end by a tool, said valve being a rotatable valve for threaded connection with the elongate body, and the valve being rotatable for selectively sealing or unsealing said passageway to allow for the flow of fluid between each of said open ends, wherein a rotation direction of the valve to unseal said passageway and a rotation direction of the connection arrangement to tighten the elongate body to the further plumbing fitting are the same direction. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fitting as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elongate body is of a pre-determined length. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The fitting as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pre-determined length is sufficient for said elongate body, when connected to the further plumbing fitting or fixture, to provide for one of said open ends to be located outside of a wall cavity or a wall cavity to be formed. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The fitting as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the elongate body is viewed in an axial direction between said first open end and said second open end, an exterior surface: i. is substantially circular, or ii. is of a profile, or is of a maximum outer profile, circumscribed by an axial rotation of said elongate body that is substantially circular, or iii. is shaped such that a maximum exterior diameter of said elongate body provided for connection with the further plumbing fitting or fixture is of substantially the same or a reduced exterior diameter with respect to a maximum exterior diameter of said elongate body adjacent to either the first open end or the second open end of said elongate body provided for the connection to the further plumbing fitting or fixture. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The fitting as claimed in claim 1, wherein an end of said elongate body provided for connection to the further plumbing fitting of fixture is of a reduced maximum exterior diameter with respect to the remainder of said elongate body. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The fitting as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of said first open end or said second open end is of a smaller maximum exterior diameter with respect to the other open end. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The fitting as claimed in claim 1, wherein one end of said elongate body comprises a region. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The fitting as claimed in claim 7, wherein the region of an end of said elongate body is provided for connection with the further plumbing fitting or fixture and has a substantially smooth exterior surface, or a substantially uninterrupted exterior surface. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The fitting as claimed in claim 8, wherein each end of said elongate body comprises of said region, each of said regions being of a substantially smooth exterior surface, or a substantially uninterrupted exterior surface. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The fitting as claimed in claim 8, wherein the region is provided directly at an end and extends for a pre-determined longitudinal length along said elongate body. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The fitting as claimed in claim 10, wherein said pre-determined longitudinal length is a length sufficient to extend from the end connected to the further plumbing fitting or fixture to a location outside or beyond of a wall cavity or a wall cavity to be formed. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The fitting as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elongate body comprises of one or more exterior surface recesses, said recesses spaced about or along the elongate body. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The fitting as claimed in claim 12, wherein one or more of said recesses: extends substantially longitudinally along said elongate body, and/or extends substantially radially about said elongate body, and/or are positioned between each of said first open end and said second open end. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The fitting as claimed in claim 12, wherein said one or more exterior surface recesses are positioned away from an end which is to be connected to the further plumbing fitting or fixture. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The fitting as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connection arrangement for connection with the further plumbing fitting or fixture comprises a threaded member configured to attach to the further plumbing fitting or fixture. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The fitting as claimed in claim 15, wherein a first sealing member seals the threaded member against the plumbing fitting. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The fitting as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first sealing member is a washer. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The fitting as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elongate body comprises a groove around the circumference of the first open end. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The fitting as claimed in claim 18, wherein a first sealing member sits in the groove. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The fitting as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve is located at one of the following: the first open end, or the second open end, or between the first open end and the second open end. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The fitting as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve comprises a plug, and a second sealing member. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The fitting as claimed in claim 21, wherein the plug seals the valve and can be unsealed by the tool inserted from the first open end and/or the second open end. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The fitting as claimed in claim 21, wherein the plug comprises at least one drainage channel. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The fitting as claimed in claim 21, wherein the plug is a screw. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The fitting as claimed in claim 24, wherein the screw is receivable or engageable by the tool. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The fitting as claimed in claim 24, wherein the screw is located at one of the following: the first open end, or the second open end, or between the first open end and the second open end. ### Claim 27 (depends on 24) The fitting as claimed in claim 24, wherein the screw is operable by the tool inserted from the first open end and/or the second open end. ### Claim 28 (depends on 24) The fitting as claimed claim 24, wherein the screw comprises at least one drainage channel. ### Claim 29 (depends on 21) The fitting as claimed in claim 21, wherein the second sealing member is an O-ring. ### Claim 30 (depends on 1) The fitting as claimed in claim 1, wherein releasing the valve allows fluid in the plumbing fitting to flow from the first open end to the second open end. ### Claim 31 (depends on 1) The fitting as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first open end comprises the connection arrangement for connection with the further plumbing fitting or fixture. ### Claim 32 (depends on 1) The fitting as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second open end is an outlet end. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The fitting as claimed in claim 32, wherein the second open end comprises a sealing washer. ### Claim 34 (depends on 1) The fitting as claimed in claim 1, wherein said connection arrangement is configured for rotatable connection with the further plumbing fitting or fixture. ### Claim 35 (depends on 1) The fitting as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connection arrangement is a threaded connection and the valve is a rotatable valve, each comprising of a threaded connection. ### Claim 36 A plumbing fitting for selectively allowing passage of a fluid therethrough, said plumbing fitting comprising: an elongate body comprising a first open end and a second open end, with a passageway providing for fluid communication between each of said first open end and said second open end; at least one of said first open end or said second open end, or both of the first open end and the second open end, comprises a connection arrangement for threaded connection with a further plumbing fitting or fixture; and a valve for selectively sealing or unsealing said passageway to allow for a flow of fluid between each of said open ends, the valve being operable from the first open end or the second open end; wherein said elongate body comprises of one or more exterior surface recesses, said recesses spaced about or along the elongate body. ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) The fitting as claimed in claim 36, wherein one or more of said recesses: extends substantially longitudinally along said elongate body, and/or extends substantially radially about said elongate body, and/or are positioned between each of said first open end and said second open end. ### Claim 38 (depends on 36) The fitting as claimed in claim 36, wherein said one or more exterior surface recesses are positioned away from an end which is to be connected to the further plumbing fitting or fixture. ### Claim 39 (depends on 36) The fitting as claimed in claim 36, wherein said elongate body is of a pre-determined length. ### Claim 40 (depends on 39) The fitting as claimed in claim 39, wherein the pre-determined length is sufficient for said elongate body, when connected to the further plumbing fitting or fixture, to provide for one of said open ends to be located outside of a wall cavity or a wall cavity to be formed. ### Claim 41 (depends on 36) The fitting as claimed in claim 36, wherein when the elongate body is viewed in an axial direction between said first open end and said second open end, an exterior surface: i. is substantially circular, or ii. is of a profile, or is of a maximum outer profile, circumscribed by an axial rotation of said elongate body that is substantially circular, or iii. is shaped such that a maximum exterior diameter of said elongate body provided for connection with the further plumbing fitting or fixture is of substantially the same or a reduced exterior diameter with respect to a maximum exterior diameter of said elongate body adjacent to either the first open end or the second open end of said elongate body provided for the connection to the further plumbing fitting or fixture. ### Claim 42 (depends on 36) The fitting as claimed in claim 36, wherein an end of said elongate body provided for connection to the further plumbing fitting of fixture is of a reduced maximum exterior diameter with respect to the remainder of said elongate body. ### Claim 43 (depends on 36) The fitting as claimed in claim 36, wherein one of said first open end or said second open end is of a smaller maximum exterior diameter with respect to the other open end. ### Claim 44 (depends on 36) The fitting as claimed in claim 36, wherein one end of said elongate body comprises a region. ### Claim 45 (depends on 44) The fitting as claimed in claim 44, wherein the region of an end of said elongate body is provided for connection with the further plumbing fitting or fixture and has a substantially smooth exterior surface, or a substantially uninterrupted exterior surface. ### Claim 46 (depends on 45) The fitting as claimed in claim 45, wherein each end of said elongate body comprises of said region, each of said regions being of a substantially smooth exterior surface, or a substantially uninterrupted exterior surface. ### Claim 47 (depends on 45) The fitting as claimed in claim 45, wherein the region is provided directly at an end and extends for a pre-determined longitudinal length along said elongate body. ### Claim 48 (depends on 47) The fitting as claimed in claim 47, wherein said pre-determined longitudinal length is a length sufficient to extend from the end connected to the further plumbing fitting or fixture to a location outside or beyond of a wall cavity or a wall cavity to be formed. ### Claim 49 (depends on 36) The fitting as claimed in claim 36, wherein the connection arrangement for connection with the further plumbing fitting or fixture comprises a threaded member configured to attach to the further plumbing fitting or fixture. ### Claim 50 (depends on 36) The fitting as claimed in claim 36, wherein a first sealing member seals the threaded member against the plumbing fitting. ### Claim 51 (depends on 50) The fitting as claimed in claim 50, wherein the first sealing member is a washer. ### Claim 52 (depends on 36) The fitting as claimed in claim 36, wherein the elongate body comprises a groove around the circumference of the first open end. ### Claim 53 (depends on 52) The fitting as claimed in claim 52, wherein a first sealing member sits in the groove. ### Claim 54 (depends on 36) The fitting as claimed in claim 36, wherein the valve is located at one of the following: the first open end, or the second open end, or between the first open end and the second open end. ### Claim 55 (depends on 36) The fitting as claimed in claim 36, wherein the valve comprises a plug, and a second sealing member. ### Claim 56 (depends on 55) The fitting as claimed in claim 55, wherein the plug seals the valve and can be unsealed by a tool inserted from the first open end and/or the second open end. ### Claim 57 (depends on 55) The fitting as claimed in claim 55, wherein the plug comprises at least one drainage channel. ### Claim 58 (depends on 55) The fitting as claimed in claim 55, wherein the plug is a screw. ### Claim 59 (depends on 58) The fitting as claimed in claim 58, wherein the screw is receivable or engageable by a tool. ### Claim 60 (depends on 58) The fitting as claimed in claim 58, wherein the screw is located at one of the following: the first open end, or the second open end, or between the first open end and the second open end. ### Claim 61 (depends on 58) The fitting as claimed in claim 58, wherein the screw is operable by a tool inserted from the first open end and/or the second open end. ### Claim 62 (depends on 58) The fitting as claimed claim 58, wherein the screw comprises at least one drainage channel. ### Claim 63 (depends on 55) The fitting as claimed in claim 55, wherein the second sealing member is an O-ring. ### Claim 64 (depends on 36) The fitting as claimed in claim 36, wherein releasing the valve allows fluid in the plumbing fitting to flow from the first open end to the second open end. ### Claim 65 (depends on 36) The fitting as claimed in claim 36, wherein the first open end comprises the connection arrangement for connection with the further plumbing fitting or fixture. ### Claim 66 (depends on 36) The fitting as claimed in claim 36, wherein the second open end is an outlet end. ### Claim 67 (depends on 66) The fitting as claimed in claim 66, wherein the second open end comprises a sealing washer. ### Claim 68 (depends on 36) The fitting as claimed in claim 36, wherein said connection arrangement is configured for rotatable connection with the further plumbing fitting or fixture. ### Claim 69 (depends on 36) The fitting as claimed in claim 36, wherein said valve is a rotatable valve for selectively sealing or unsealing said passageway to allow for a flow of fluid between each of said open ends. ### Claim 70 (depends on 69) The fitting as claimed in claim 69, wherein a rotation direction of the valve to unseal said passageway and a rotation direction of the connection arrangement to tighten the elongate body to the further plumbing fitting are the same direction. ### Claim 71 (depends on 36) The fitting as claimed in claim 36, wherein the connection arrangement is a threaded connection and the valve is a rotatable valve, each comprising of a threaded connection.