# US 7,862,089 B2 · Piping joint assembly system and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,862,089 B2 - Document ID: US7862089B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/807,072 - Filed: 2007-05-25 - Published: 2010-03-18 - Granted: 2011-01-04 - Earliest claimed: 2007-05-25 - Assignees: Quick Fitting, Inc. - Inventors: David B. Crompton - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7862089B2 ## CPC - F16L 19/08: with metal rings which bite into the wall of the pipe {(F16L19/045 takes precedence)} - Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining - Y10T 29/5367: Coupling to conduit - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A pipe fitting assembly package and fastening ring removal tool allow re-use and repair of push-fit piping fittings and valves without damage to the fitting or valve elements or the pipe. The quick connection pipe fitting assembly package of the present invention employs a threaded retaining cap that when removed, exposes the clamping, sealing and fastening mechanism of the fitting or valve. In one embodiment, the present invention further includes a removable packing gland mounted on a body about an axis of an orifice. The fastening ring removal device provided as part of the present invention is manually pushed onto the cylindrical object and is capable of expanding to traverse over the installed fastening ring. The fastening ring removal device includes a parallel angular surface to lift the fastening ring off of the pipe member. In one embodiment of the present invention, the removal device has a plurality of cut areas or slits extending axially along its surface to allow for the expansion of the upper rim portion of the fastener removal tool as it slides over a remaining fastening ring. The present invention facilitates re-use of existing fittings and valves by allowing the internal components to be removed, repaired and/or replaced. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A piping joint assembly package for securely and removably maintaining piping elements together, comprising: a fitting or valve body member having at least one pipe receiving end, said body member being at least partially hollow and internally threaded with threads at the pipe receiving end; a hollow end cap member having a cap portion and a substantially cylindrical body portion extending from the cap portion to a contact edge, the body portion being externally threaded with threads; and a packing arrangement secured between the body member and the end cap, the packing arrangement including in sequence from the body member to the end cap, a hollow O-ring, a hollow packing gland and a hollow fastening ring having a plurality of teeth angled inwardly from and along the circumference of the ring, and a split washer member, with the O-ring, packing gland and fastening ring having an internal diameter substantially the same as the cap member body portion internal diameter, such that the cap member body portion can exert pressure on the fastening ring, packing gland and O-ring as it threadingly engages the body member and such that one or more of the fastening ring, packing gland and O-ring can be removed when the end cap member is unscrewed from the body member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The package of claim 1 wherein the split washer is substantially frusto-conical in shape with a cap-engaging surface and a fastener ring-engaging surface, with the cap-engaging surface being of larger diameter than the fastener ring-engaging surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The package of claim 1 wherein the fitting or valve body member is one of: a coupling joint, an elbow joint, a tee joint, a stop end, a ball valve member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The package of claim 1 further including a fastening ring member removal tool comprising a generally frusto-conically shaped hollow body having a base portion and a top rim portion, said body having a lower base outer platform extending outwardly from the base, said rim portion being angled upwardly from a lateral edge to a peak, such that the peak defines the circumference of a substantially circular opening that extends through the body to make it hollow, wherein the tool is capable of removing an exposed fastening ring from the body of a piping element. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The package of claim 4 wherein the tool rim portion includes a surface from the lateral edge to the peak, and wherein the rim portion surface and the fastening ring member teeth are both angled at substantially the same angle from the normal pipe line such that application of force to the removal tool will lift the fastening ring member teeth slightly above the surface of any secured pipe such that the fastening ring member can be removed without damaging the pipe or the fitting. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The package of claim 5 wherein the end cap member can be used to apply force to the removal tool. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The package of claim 4 wherein the removal tool is positionable around a pipe element and entirely between the end cap and the packing arrangement. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The package of claim 1 wherein the fitting or valve body member has two pipe receiving ends and wherein the first end receives a pipe that is of one material type and the second end receives a pipe that is of a different material type from that received in the first end. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The package of claim 1 wherein the packing arrangement can be removed from the body member, and a portion of the packing arrangement can be replaced or repaired, such that the body member can be re-used when the packing arrangement is re-assembled with the body member and end cap member. ### Claim 10 A pipe joint assembly package for securely and removably maintaining piping elements together, comprising: a fitting or valve body member having at least one pipe receiving end, said body member being at least partially hollow and internally threaded with threads at the pipe receiving end; a hollow end cap member having a cap portion and a substantially cylindrical body portion extending from the cap portion to a contact edge, the body portion being externally threaded with threads; and a packing arrangement secured between the body member and the end cap, the packing arrangement including in sequence from the body member to the end cap, a hollow O-ring, a hollow packing gland, a hollow fastening ring having a plurality of teeth angled inwardly from and along the circumference of the ring and a split washer member, with the O-ring, packing gland and fastening ring having an internal diameter substantially the same as the cap member body portion internal diameter, the packing arrangement assisting the package in securely retaining a pipe member within the body member when the cap member is threadedly engaged with the body member and permitting the packing arrangement to be removed when the end cap member is unscrewed from the body member. ### Claim 11 A method for assembling a pipe joint assembly so as to facilitate re-use of a fitting or valve body member, comprising the steps of: providing a fitting or valve body member having at least one pipe receiving end, said body member being at least partially hollow and internally threaded with threads at the pipe receiving end; providing a hollow end cap member having a cap portion and a substantially cylindrical body portion extending from the cap portion to a contact edge, the body portion being externally threaded with threads; and providing a packing arrangement secured between the body member and the end cap, the packing arrangement including in sequence from the body member to the end cap, a hollow O-ring, a hollow packing gland, a hollow fastening ring having a plurality of teeth angled inwardly from and along the circumference of the ring and a split washer member, with the O-ring, packing gland and fastening ring having an internal diameter substantially the same as the cap member body portion internal diameter, the packing arrangement assisting the package in securely retaining a pipe member within the body member when the cap member is threadedly engaged with the body member and permitting the packing arrangement to be removed when the end cap member is unscrewed from the body member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein the split washer is substantially frusto-conical in shape with a cap-engaging surface and a fastener ring-engaging surface, with the cap-engaging surface being of larger diameter than the fastener ring-engaging surface. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein the fitting or valve body member is one of: a coupling joint, an elbow joint, a tee joint, a stop end, a ball valve member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 further including the step of providing a fastening ring member removal tool comprising a generally frusto-conically shaped hollow body having a base portion and a top rim portion, with the body having a lower base outer platform extending outwardly from the base, and with the rim portion being angled upwardly from a lateral edge to a peak, such that the peak defines the circumference of a substantially circular opening that extends through the body to make it hollow. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 wherein the removal tool is positionable entirely between the end cap and the packing arrangement.