Push-to-connect fitting integrated packing arrangement, device and methods

A push fitting joint packing arrangement, comprising:

• a fitting having an outer wall, and an inner wall, wherein the inner wall defines a locking compartment and a pipe receiving cavity extending along a longitudinal axis of the fitting;
• a pusher locking member maintained within the locking compartment, wherein the pusher locking member comprises a substantially ring-shaped body forming a locking member opening extending therethrough, wherein the locking member body has a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface, with at least one nipple member extending radially into the locking member opening from the radially inner surface;
• and
• a release pusher having a substantially cylindrical outer wall having an axially outer end, a substantially cylindrical inner wall having an axially outer end, and an axially outer wall connecting the axially outer end of the outer wall and the axially outer end of the inner wall, wherein the release pusher is secured to the locking member such that the inner wall is axially movable into the cavity, and rotatable about the fitting longitudinal axis, wherein the cylindrical inner wall of the release pusher has a wing extending radially outwardly around the circumference of the inner wall, and wherein the inner wall is further formed so as to include at least one access channel and at least one stop channel, wherein the at least one access channel and the at least one stop channel are engageable with the at least one nipple member of the pusher locking member.

A method of enabling a fitting to receive a pipe through push connection, comprising:

• providing a fitting having an outer wall, and an inner wall, wherein the inner wall defines a locking compartment and a pipe receiving cavity extending along a longitudinal axis of the fitting;
• inserting a pusher locking member into the fitting so as to be maintained within the locking compartment, wherein the pusher locking member comprises a substantially ring-shaped body forming a locking member opening extending therethrough, wherein the locking member body has a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface, with at least one nipple member extending radially into the locking member opening from the radially inner surface;
• and
• securing a release pusher to the pusher locking member, the release pusher having a substantially cylindrical outer wall having an axially outer end, a substantially cylindrical inner wall having an axially outer end, and an axially outer wall connecting the axially outer end of the outer wall and the axially outer end of the inner wall, wherein the release pusher is secured to the locking member such that the inner wall is axially movable into the cavity, and rotatable about the fitting longitudinal axis, wherein the cylindrical inner wall of the release pusher has a wing extending radially outwardly around the circumference of the inner wall, and wherein the inner wall is further formed so as to include at least one access channel and at least one stop channel, wherein the at least one access channel and the at least one stop channel are engageable with the at least one nipple member of the pusher locking member.