# US 12,181,080 B2 · Push-fit pipe fitting with a visual indicator

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- Number: US 12,181,080 B2
- Document ID: US12181080B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/295,968
- Filed: 2023-04-05
- Published: 2023-10-12
- Granted: 2024-12-31
- Earliest claimed: 2022-04-06
- Assignees: Philmac Pty Ltd
- Applicants: Philmac Pty Ltd
- Inventors: Raghunath Prabhu; Stuart Watson
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12181080B2

## CPC

- F16L 19/005: {comprising locking means for the threaded member}
- F16L 37/0925: {with rings which bite into the wall of the pipe}
- F16L 19/0206: {the collar not being integral with the pipe}
- F16L 37/091: by means of a ring provided with teeth or fingers
- F16L 2201/10: Indicators for correct coupling
- F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL

## Abstract

A push-fit type fitting that can be used to connect a pipe to either another pipe or a variety of other fittings. The fitting includes a visual indicator that provides a visual confirmation to the user once the pipe has been correctly retained in the device.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A pipe fitting system, comprising:
a pipe fitting with an inner body, an outer body, and a pipe;
the outer body comprising a plurality of transparent windows and a receiving end configured to receive the inner body;
the inner body comprising a visual indicator and an inlet configured to receive an end of the pipe;
wherein the pipe and the inner body are advanced into the outer body when the pipe end is inserted into the inner body inlet;
wherein the visual indicator is visible through the plurality of transparent windows when the pipe is correctly installed in the pipe fitting;
wherein the pipe is insertable into the pipe fitting when the pipe fitting is in a fully assembled state;
a locking nut having a threaded end;
wherein the receiving end of the outer body comprises a threaded surface;
wherein the locking nut is threaded onto the receiving end of the outer body; and
wherein the inner body is enclosed when the locking nut is threaded onto the outer body.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The pipe fitting system of claim 1, further comprising
a connection means between the inner body and the outer body;
wherein the inner body comprises a plurality of protruding clips configured to engage a raised surface on an interior of the outer body; and
wherein the connection means prevents the inner body from being withdrawn from the outer body.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The pipe fitting system of claim 1, wherein the visual indicator is only observable when the pipe is correctly installed in the pipe fitting and the connection means between the inner body and the outer body is engaged.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The pipe fitting system of claim 1, wherein the inner body is advanced along the inner body by threading the locking nut onto the outer body.

### Claim 5

A pipe fitting, comprising:
an inner body comprising a visual indicator and a plurality of protruding clips;
an outer body comprising a plurality of transparent windows and a receiving end configured to receive the inner body, wherein the receiving end includes a threaded surface;
a locking nut configured to engage the threaded surface of the receiving end of the outer body;
wherein the inner body is advanced into the outer body as the locking nut is screwed onto the outer body;
wherein the inner body is fully enclosed when the locking nut is fully engaged with the outer body; and
wherein the visual indicator is observable through the plurality of transparent windows when the locking nut is fully engaged with the outer body.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The pipe fitting of claim 5, wherein the outer body comprises a raised surface configured to receive the plurality of clips of the inner body; and wherein the visual indicator is only observable when the locking nut is fully engaged with the outer body and the plurality of clips of the inner body is engaged with the raised surface of the outer body.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The pipe fitting of claim 5, wherein the inner body includes an inlet configured to receive an end of a pipe.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The pipe fitting of claim 7, wherein the inner body includes an inner ring protrusion configured to align the pipe as the pipe is inserted into the inner body.

### Claim 9 (depends on 5)

The pipe fitting of claim 5, further comprising a compression fitting.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The pipe fitting of claim 9, wherein the compression fitting is tapered.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The pipe fitting of claim 9, wherein the compression fitting includes longitudinal slits.

### Claim 12

A method of verifying if a pipe is correctly installed in a pipe fitting, said method comprising:
providing the pipe fitting comprising an inner body and an outer body;
providing the inner body with a visual indicator, an inlet configured to receive an end of a pipe, and a plurality of protruding clips;
providing the outer body with a plurality of transparent windows, a receiving end configured to receive the inner body, and a raised surface configured to engage the inner body protruding clips;
inserting the end of the pipe into the inner body inlet;
advancing the inner body and pipe into the outer body;
wherein upon the inner body protruding clips reaching the outer body raised surface, observing the visual indicator through the plurality of windows to ensure that the pipe is correctly installed.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, further comprising providing the pipe fitting with a locking ring and inserting the pipe end through the locking ring and into the inner body inlet.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, further comprising providing a compression fitting on the pipe fitting and inserting the pipe end through the compression fitting, then through the locking ring and into the inner body inlet.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, further comprising a locking nut on the pipe fitting and inserting the pipe end being through the locking nut, then through the compression fitting, and then through the locking ring and into the inner body inlet.