Pipe Fitting with Fusible Sleeve

Abstract

In a preferred embodiment, there is provided a pipe fitting comprising a coupling body having an open end and a fusible sleeve sized to be received at the open end for engagement of a pipe thereto, the coupling body comprising a sidewall defining an internal bore sized for receiving at least a portion of the pipe with the fusible sleeve interposed between the sidewall and the pipe in an engaged position, the fusible sleeve having a tapered outer surface for frictional engagement with an inner surface of the sidewall, wherein the fusible sleeve comprises a thermoplastic material and an electrically conductive material combined with the thermoplastic material, the electrically conductive material being located to heat or melt the thermoplastic material upon induction heating of the electrically conductive material, thereby joining the coupling body and the pipe in the engaged position.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.