# US 12,000,516 B2 · Male joint and pipe joint

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- Number: US 12,000,516 B2
- Document ID: US12000516B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/918,700
- Filed: 2020-10-08
- Published: 2023-05-11
- Granted: 2024-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2020-04-16
- Assignees: Nitta Corporation
- Applicants: Nitta Corporation
- Inventors: Yasunori Kusu; Mizuho Hitotsubashi
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12000516B2

## CPC

- F16L 37/32: at least one of two lift valves being opened automatically when the coupling is applied
- F16K 1/46: Attachment of sealing rings
- F16K 15/184: {Combined check valves and actuated valves}
- F16L 37/22: in which the connection is maintained by means of balls, rollers or helical springs under radial pressure between the parts
- F16L 37/23: by means of balls
- F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)}

## Abstract

A male joint includes a male joint main body and a valve element provided coaxially with a central axis of the male joint main body. The valve element includes a shaft portion and a valve portion coaxially provided at a tip end of the shaft portion. The valve portion has a first surface intersecting with the central axis and a second surface that is connected to an outer edge of the first surface and extends along the central axis from the first surface to a base end at a base end portion. The valve portion further comprising a groove having an annular shape centered on the central axis at a side portion and a deformation portion on a base end side of the groove.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A male joint comprising:
a male joint main body having a cylindrical shape; and
a valve element provided coaxially with a central axis of the male joint main body in the male joint main body,
wherein:
the valve element includes:
a shaft portion having a shaft shape; and
a valve portion having a disk shape coaxially provided at a tip end of the shaft portion;
the valve portion includes:
a base end portion to which the tip end of the shaft portion is connected;
a tip end portion opposite to the base end portion; and
a side portion between the base end portion and the tip end portion;
the base end portion includes:
a first surface intersecting with the central axis;
a second surface connected to an outer edge of the first surface and extending from the first surface to a base end of the male joint along the central axis; and
a first connection portion between the first surface and the second surface;
the side portion includes:
an annular groove centered on the central axis; and
a deformation portion provided on a base end side of the male joint from the groove;
the groove includes:
a bottom surface along the central axis;
a first inner surface extending radially outward from one of end portions of the bottom surface, the one of end portions being located on the base end side in a central axis direction;
a second inner surface extending radially outward from another of end portions of the bottom surface, and
a second connection portion between the first inner surface and the bottom surface; and
the deformation portion includes a thin portion in which a thickness between the first connection portion and the second connection portion is partially thin.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The male joint according to claim 1 comprising a coil spring inserted into the shaft portion,
wherein:
the first surface includes:
a first region having an annular shape and centered on the shaft portion; and
a second region having an annular shape and centered on the shaft portion, the second region being on an outer side in a radial direction from the first region;
a tip end of the coil spring is in contact with the first surface in the first region;
the second region is in contact with the second surface at an outer edge of the second region; and
a difference between an outer diameter and an inner diameter of the second region is larger than a difference between an outer diameter and an inner diameter of the first region.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The male joint according to claim 1 comprising an O-ring mounted to the groove,
wherein:
an axial length of the bottom surface is longer than a wire diameter of the O-ring; and
an axial length between the first and second inner surfaces in an opening provided between tip ends of the first and second inner surfaces is shorter than the wire diameter of the O-ring.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A pipe joint comprising: the male joint according to claim 1; and a female joint into which the male joint is inserted.