Plumbing Connections
OwnerJames Edward McAlpineinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A plumbing fitting of a first plastic material comprises at least one annular branch defining a hollow port. A sleeve of a second plastic material can be inserted into the hollow port. The sleeve is retained within the hollow port by a retaining member which is fitted to the outer end and outer wall of the annular branch. The sleeve is configured to facilitate attachment of the plumbing fitting to a second plumbing fitting by insertion of the second plumbing fitting into the hollow port, wherein the second plumbing fitting is of the second plastic material.
Claims23
A first plumbing fitting of a first plastic material comprising:
- at least one annular branch defining a hollow port;
- a sleeve insertable into the hollow port, wherein the sleeve is of a bondable plastic material and the sleeve comprises a sleeve bore;
- and
- a retaining member receivable on an outer end and outer wall of the annular branch such that the retaining member is operable to retain the sleeve within the hollow port;
- wherein the sleeve is configured to facilitate attachment of the first plumbing fitting to a second plumbing fitting by insertion of the second plumbing fitting into the sleeve bore, wherein the second plumbing fitting is of bondable plastic material.
A method of joining a first plumbing fitting of a first plastic material to a second plumbing fitting of a second plastic material, the method comprising the steps of:
- taking a first plumbing fitting of a first plastic material;
- inserting an adapter comprising a sleeve of a second plastic material into a hollow port defined by an annular branch of the first plumbing fitting,
- attaching a retaining member to an end of the annular branch such that the adapter is retained within the hollow port;
- taking a second plumbing fitting of a second material;
- applying an adhesive component compatible with the second plastic material to at least an inside surface of the sleeve and/or an outside surface of the second plumbing fitting;
- and
- inserting the second plumbing fitting into the adapter.
(canceled)
(canceled)
An adapter operable to facilitate joining a first plumbing fitting of a first plastic material to a second plumbing fitting of a second plastic material, wherein the first plumbing fitting comprises an annular branch defining a hollow port configured to receive the adapter, which is configured to receive the second plumbing fitting, wherein the adapter comprises:
- a sleeve of a plastic material compatible with the second plastic material, wherein the sleeve is insertable into the hollow port;
- and
- a retaining member receivable on an outer wall of annular branch defining the hollow port such that the sleeve is retained within the hollow port.
23-37. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.