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US 4,046,387 AGranted
Device for indicating the presence of a gasket
OwnerDalton I. Leeinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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OwnerDalton I. Leeinventor
Estimating the term…
A plastic pipe system is provided with a device for indicating the presence of a gasket after final system installation. The pipe system preferably is constructed from a suitable plastic material, and includes a first pipe and a second pipe, the second being formed to receive an end of the first pipe along a connection part formed in the pipe. The connection part includes a receptacle sized to receive a suitable gasket. The gasket is inserted in the receptacle and provides a fluid seal between the two pipe ends. The second pipe has an opening formed in a side wall of the pipe defining the gasket receiving receptacle, and an indicator tab is placed through the opening. The tab preferably is attached to or integrally formed with the gasket, and aids in ensuring proper positioning of the gasket in the receptacle. After insertion, the tab permits easy visual inspection of the pipe system, enabling verification of actual gasket presence in the pipe system.
In a plastic pipe system including a first pipe, a second pipe, said second pipe having a first end formed to receive an end of said first pipe, said first end having a groove formed in it for receiving a gasket for sealing the joint between said first and said second pipes, the improvement comprising means for indicating proper placement and presence of the gasket after joining of said first and said second pipes, said gasket present indicating means comprising a tab extending axially outwardly from said gasket, said second pipe having an opening in it along said groove for permitting passage of said tab, said tab extending in a direction generally parallel to the axis of said first and said second pipe.
In a pipe system including a first pipe, a second pipe, said second pipe having a first end formed to receive an end and a predetermined length of said first pipe, said first end having a groove formed in it for receiving a gasket for sealing the joint between the first and said second pipes, the improvement comprising means for indicating proper placement and the presence of said gasket after joining said first and said second pipes, said gasket present indicating means comprising a tab extending outwardly from said gasket, said second pipe having an opening in it along said groove for permitting passage of said tab, said tab being visible after installation of said pipe system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.