Device and method for assembling components of a plumbing fitting
AssigneeReliance Worldwide Corporation
InventorsWilliam Vernon KLUSS, Derres CATALANO, Sai Kishore RAVISANKAR, Randy GRAVES, Eliana PIPPEN, Samantha KELLY
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A pressing tool is provided. The pressing tool includes an adapter sleeve, an adjustment sleeve, a collet sleeve, a tool body that has a socket for holding a retainer sleeve including a plurality of latches, and a plurality of latch engagement members equally spaced about the tool body. A method of manufacturing a connector assembly. The method comprising obtaining a connector body; obtaining a retainer sleeve configured for receipt over at least part of the connector body and extending around the axis.
Claims20
A pressing tool comprising:
- an adapter sleeve, an adjustment sleeve, a collet sleeve, a tool body having a socket for holding a retainer sleeve including a plurality of latches, and a plurality of latch engagement members equally spaced about the tool body;
- wherein each of the plurality of latch engagement members is configured to align with a respective one of the plurality of latches of the retainer sleeve to press the respective one of the plurality of latches of the retainer sleeve inwardly;
- wherein the tool member is configured to push the retainer sleeve over a connector body and press the plurality of the latches simultaneously and all in a single action to provide an effective latch or engagement with a catch surface of the connector body.
A tool acted upon by an actuating fixture, the tool being configured to join components of a connector assembly, the connector assembly including a connector body and a retainer sleeve, the retainer sleeve having a plurality of latches, the tool comprising:
- a tool housing;
- and
- a plurality of latch engagement members equally spaced about the tool housing, each of the plurality of latch engagement members being aligned with a respective one of the plurality of latches of the retainer sleeve, each of the plurality of latch engagement members being configured to engage the respective one of the plurality of latches of the retainer sleeve for pressing inwardly the plurality of latches simultaneously and all in a single action to provide an effective latch or engagement with the connector body.
A method of manufacturing a connector assembly, the method comprising:
- obtaining a connector body;
- obtaining a retainer sleeve configured for receipt over at least part of the connector body and extending around the axis, the retainer sleeve comprising:
- a plurality of latches;
- a first sleeve end and a second sleeve end opposite to the first sleeve end;
- and
- an inner sleeve surface having an inner sleeve diameter;
- positioning an interference portion circumferentially about the connector body, the interference portion being an annular body having a retaining diameter greater than the inner sleeve diameter;
- positioning a plurality of internal components;
- and
- pressing via a pressing tool the retainer sleeve around the connector body and the interference portion such that the interference portion is interposed between the retainer sleeve and the connector body and such that the interference portion engages a portion of the inner sleeve surface proximate to the second sleeve end and causes the portion of the inner sleeve surface proximate to the second sleeve end to expand in diameter to a coupling diameter greater than the inner sleeve diameter in response to deformation of the retainer sleeve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.