Water service box and connectors for PEX pipe
AssigneeLSP Products Group, Inc.
InventorsBilly J. Hobbs, Philip A. Mulvey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A plumbing connector system having a recessed, in-wall water service box, at least one valve connected to the water service box, and connector fittings particularly adapted for use in connecting in-wall potable water supply lines made of Cross linked polyethylene (PEX) to appliances and fixtures such as washing machines, ice makers, sinks, and the like. A valve inlet extension having a barbed end is disclosed for use in releasably securing the valve to the water service box and for connecting the valve to the Cross linked polyethylene water supply line.
Claims10
A plumbing connector system comprising:
- A recessed, in-wall water service box having top, bottom, back and side walls, and at least one opening through one of the walls that is adapted to receive a valve inlet extension of desired diameter through the opening;
- At least one valve operable inside the water service box, the valve having an inlet and an outlet;
- A valve inlet extension attached to the valve in fluid communication with the valve inlet and extending through the opening in the water service box, the valve inlet extension having a barbed end opposite the valve inlet, the barbed end having a longitudinal bore and being insertable into an open end of a cross-linked polyethylene water supply line, the outside diameter of the barbed end being sized to frictionally engage the cross-linked polyethylene water supply line when inserted therein;
- Apparatus releasably securing the valve inlet extension to the wall of said water service box having said opening;
- and
- A ring positionable over and around said end of the cross-linked polyethylene water supply line to secure said end to the barbed end of the valve inlet extension.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.