# US 2009/0260216 A1 · Device and method for coupling a pipe fitting to a pipe > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2009/0260216 A1 - Document ID: US20090260216A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/374,310 - Filed: 2007-07-23 - Published: 2009-10-22 - Earliest claimed: 2006-07-23 - Assignees: Sagiv Shitufit Chaklait Be'am - Inventors: Moty Avnon - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20090260216A1 ## CPC - B25B 27/10: inserting fittings into hoses - Y10T 29/49895: Associating parts by use of aligning means [e.g., use of a drift pin or a "fixture"] - Y10T 29/49899: by multiple cooperating aligning means - Y10T 29/49902: by manipulating aligning means - Y10T 29/49945: by driven force fit - Y10T 29/53039: with control means energized in response to activator stimulated by condition sensor - Y10T 29/53657: to apply or remove a resilient article [e.g., tube, sleeve, etc.] - Y10T 29/5367: Coupling to conduit - Y10T 29/53952: Tube sleeve or ferrule applying or removing - B25B: TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING, OR HOLDING - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A device and method for coupling a pipe and a fitting. The device includes a pipe holder for releasably gripping a pipe, a fitting retainer for releasably retaining a pipe fitting substantially coaxially with a pipe in the pipe holder, and means for driving together the pipe holder and the fitting retainer along a longitudinal axis in a relative motion between them. The device may optionally slide a reinforcing sleeve along the pipe to cover the end of the pipe on the fitting. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for coupling a pipe and a fitting, the device comprising a pipe holder for releasably gripping a pipe; a fitting retainer, for releasably holding a pipe fitting substantially co-axially with a pipe in said pipe holder; and a drive mechanism for driving together said pipe holder and said fitting retainer in a relative motion between them for coupling a pipe in said pipe holder to a fitting in said fitting retainer. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein said pipe holder includes at least one pair of retractable jaws, each jaw pivotally mounted on a stationary rod. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The device according to claim 2, further comprising a retractable wedge adapted and configured for driving each of said jaws to pivot towards the other around its said stationary rod for releasably engaging a pipe therebetween; and actuating means for driving said wedge. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein said retractable jaws are spring-loaded and adapted and configured for retractably moving away from a pipe held between said jaws for loosening a grip of said jaws on said pipe. ### Claim 5 (canceled) ### Claim 6 (canceled) ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein said pipe holder is mounted on a shaft and said fitting retainer is mounted on said shaft, said pipe holder and said fitting retainer being adapted and configured for relative sliding motion therebetween. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, further including a controller for controlling said drive mechanism for driving said pipe holder and said fitting retainer in a relative movement therebetween. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The device according to claim 8, wherein said controller further controls said actuating means for driving said retractable wedge to shut and retract said jaws. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The device according to claim 6, further including means for sensing abutting of a pipe leading edge against said stopper. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) The device according to claim 6, further including means for sensing when a leading edge of a sleeve pre-mounted on said pipe abuts said stopper. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The device according to claim 10, wherein said sensing means comprises an optical sensor. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The device according to claim 10, wherein said sensing means comprises a limiting switch. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein said pipe holder is adapted and configured for pushing a sleeve pre-mounted on a pipe slidingly onto a portion of said pipe mounted on a fitting. ### Claim 15 A method for coupling a pipe and a fitting, the method comprising: providing a pipe holder for gripping a pipe; providing a pipe fitting retainer for holding a fitting substantially coaxially with a pipe in said pipe holder; driving together said pipe holder and said fitting retainer in relative motion therebetween; and causing said pipe holder to retract when said pipe holder reaches a first pre-selected distance from said fitting retainer. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method according to claim 15, further comprising: limiting said opening of said pipe holder not to exceed an outer diameter of a reinforcing sleeve mountable on a pipe; driving said pipe holder and said fitting retainer further together until said pipe holder reaches a second pre-selected distance from said fitting retainer. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method for coupling a pipe and a fitting according to claim 15, further comprising the step of sensing abutting of a pipe against a stopper of a fitting in said fitting retainer. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method for coupling a pipe and a fitting according to claim 17, further comprising the step of sensing abutting of a sleeve against said stopper. ### Claim 19 A method for coupling a pipe and a fitting, the method comprising: gripping a pipe by a pipe holder; retaining a pipe fitting by a fitting retainer; driving together said pipe holder and fitting retainer substantially along a common longitudinal axis in a relative motion between them until said pipe engages said fitting to form a joint; and retracting said pipe holder from said pipe. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method according to claim 19, further comprising: mounting a sleeve on said pipe before said step of gripping; sensing forming of said joint before said step of retracting; limiting motion of said pipe holder away from said pipe during said step of retracting so that an opening formed by said pipe holder does not exceed an outer diameter of said sleeve; further driving together said pipe holder and fitting retainer substantially along said common longitudinal axis, thereby causing said sleeve to slide along said pipe and to engage an end portion of the pipe substantially covering said joint; sensing said sleeve substantially covering said joint; and retracting said pipe holder. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method according to claim 20, further comprising: providing a stopper on said fitting; said step of sensing the forming of said joint comprising sensing said pipe abutting said stopper; and said step of sensing said sleeve substantially covering said joint comprising sensing said sleeve abutting said stopper. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The method according to claim 19, further comprising the step of returning said pipe holder and said fitting retainer to an original position after said step of retracting.