Two step branch forming attachment

The method of attaching a branch pipe to a main tubing comprising the following steps:

• placing a first mating member and a second mating member having identical self mating latching mechanisms around a main tubing;
• forcing said first mating member toward said second mating member together until said first mating member and said second mating member latch together to form a top region for threadingly receiving a coupling and a bottom portion for engaging the main tubing;
• inserting a coupling cutter into the region for threadingly receiving a coupling in said top portions created by said first mating member and said second mating members, said coupling cutter having a through passageway therein with an open end cutting portion at one end of said passageway, a sealing surface being disposed on an outer surface of said coupling cutter and at least one flow opening being positioned proximate said open end cutting portion;
• rotating said coupling cutter to cut out a coupon in the main tubing to form a hole in the main tubing;
• and
• retaining the coupon within and blocking said coupling cutter open end, while said coupling cutter permits fluid flow through said at least one flow opening and through said passageway while said sealing surface engages an exterior portion of said main tubing after said coupon has been retained and said at least one flow opening have been received within said main tubing to thereby provide a branch connection to the main tubing while retaining a cut out portion of the main tubing in the coupling cutter.

A branch connector for forming a branch line to a main tubing comprising;

• a first mating member, said first mating member having a top portion for coupling to a branch tubing and a first bottom portion for engaging a main tubing, said first bottom portion having first latching means, said top portion having a first threaded portion for receiving a coupling, said bottom portion having a region which fastens around the main tubing;
• a second mating member, said second mating member having a top portion for coupling to a branch tubing and a bottom portion for engagin the main tubing, said top portion of said second mating member having a second threaded portion for receiving a coupling, said first threaded portion and said second threaded portion having identical portions that when mated together form a threaded recess for receiving a coupling, said bottom portion of said second mating member having second latching means, said first latching means and said second latching means having identical portions for latching said bottom portion of said first mating member to said bottom portion of said second mating member, to thereby form a pipe saddle clamp around the main tubing;
• and
• a coupling cutter for forming a hole in the main tubing and for sealing the junction between the main tubing and said coupling cutter to prevent leakage of fluid, said coupling cutter having a through passageway therein with an open end cutting portion at one end of said passageway, a sealing surface being disposed on an outer surface of said coupling cutter and at least one flow opening being positioned proximate said open end cutting portion, said coupling cutter rotatable threaded for cutting out a coupon in the main tubing to form a hole in the main tubing and retaining the coupon within and blocking said coupling cutter open end, said coupling cutter permitting fluid flow through said at least one flow opening and through said passageway, said sealing surface engaging said main tubing after said coupon has been retained and said at least one flow opening have been received within said main tubing so that said coupling cutter connects said branch tubing to the main tubing.

A branch attachment for forming a hole in a main tubing and for sealing the junction between the main tubing and a coupling cutter to prevent leakage of fluid comprising:

• means for holding a main tubing in a position to form a branch line, said means including two members with identical parts for snapping said means around a main tubing;
• a coupling cutter, having through passageway therein with an open end cutting portion at one end of said passageway, a sealing surface being disposed on an outer surface of said coupling cutter and at least one flow opening being positioned proximate said open end cutting portion, said coupling cutter rotatable threaded for cutting out a coupon in the main tubing to form a hole in the main tubing and retaining the coupon within and blocking said coupling cutter open end, said coupling cutter permitting fluid flow through said at least one flow opening and through said passageway, said sealing surface engaging an exterior portion of said main tubing after said coupon has been retained and said at least one flow opening have been received within said main tubing;
• and
• sealing means connected to said coupling cutter for preventing leakage of fluid from the main tubing to permit said coupling cutter to connect said branch line to the main tubing.