# US 9,869,413 B2 · Clamping ring > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,869,413 B2 - Document ID: US9869413B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/983,143 - Filed: 2012-01-31 - Published: 2013-11-21 - Granted: 2018-01-16 - Earliest claimed: 2011-02-01 - Assignees: Uponor Innovation AB - Applicants: Jyri Laakso; Mika Savolainen - Inventors: Jyri Laakso; Mika Savolainen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9869413B2 ## CPC - F16L 13/14: made by plastically deforming the material of the pipe, e.g. by flanging, rolling - B29C 45/0025: {Preventing defects on the moulded article, e.g. weld lines, shrinkage marks (preventing defects on the preformed parts or layers B29C45/14836)} - B29C 65/64: Joining a non-plastics element to a plastics element, e.g. by force (B29C65/44 takes precedence) - B29C 65/66: by liberation of internal stresses, e.g. shrinking of one of the parts to be joined - B29C 65/68: using auxiliary shrinkable elements - B29C 66/112: {Single lapped joints} - B29C 66/1122: {Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints (B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence)} - B29C 66/114: {Single butt joints} - B29C 66/52241: {with two right angles, e.g. for making T-shaped pieces} - B29C 66/5229: {involving the use of a socket} - B29C 66/5344: {said single elements being substantially annular, i.e. of finite length, e.g. joining flanges to tube ends (B29C66/5346 takes precedence)} - B29C 66/73152: {of different hardness, i.e. the hardness of one of the parts to be joined being different from the hardness of the other part} - B29C 66/742: {to metals or their alloys} - F16L 47/22: using shrink-down material - B29C 66/71: {characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined (welding bar compositions B29C65/125)} - B29C 66/73755: {the to-be-joined area of at least one of the parts to be joined being fully cured, i.e. fully cross-linked, fully vulcanized} - B29K 2023/0691: {PEX, i.e. crosslinked polyethylene} - B29L 2031/24: Pipe joints or couplings (B29L2031/26 takes precedence) - F16L 2201/10: Indicators for correct coupling - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B29K: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES ## Abstract A clamping ring that presses an end of a pipe against a connecting piece by back shrinkage. The clamping ring comprises a body comprising a plastic material having memory properties. The body has a first end to be positioned at a distance from the end of the pipe and a second end to be positioned close to the end of the pipe. The body of the clamping ring has a first position at the first end or at the distance from the first end having a first radial wall thickness. The body of the clamping ring has at least one second position between the first position and the second end such that the body of the clamping ring has a second radial wall thickness at the second position. The second radial wall thickness is smaller than the first radial wall thickness. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A clamping ring that, in use, presses a pipe against a connecting piece by back shrinkage, the clamping ring comprising: a barrel-shaped body including a plastic material having memory properties, wherein the body has: a first end to be positioned at a distance from an end of the pipe and a second end to be positioned close to the end of the pipe; a first position at the first end or at a distance from the first end having a first radial wall thickness (A); and at least one second position between the first position and the second end having a second radial wall thickness (B), wherein the second radial wall thickness (B) is smaller than the first radial wall thickness (A), wherein the body is configured to automatically shrink, without heating, so as to cause a seal between an inner surface of the pipe and an outer surface of the connecting piece, wherein the clamping ring includes a stop edge extending inward. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A clamping ring as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body has an irregular outer surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A clamping ring as claimed in claim 2, wherein the body has a cross-sectional shape such that, seen from the first end of the clamping ring, the wall thickness first increases and thereafter decreases. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) A clamping ring as claimed in claim 2, wherein the irregular outer surface is formed by ridges. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A clamping ring as claimed in claim 4, wherein the body has a cross-sectional shape such that, seen from the first end of the clamping ring, the wall thickness first increases and thereafter decreases. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) A clamping ring as claimed in claim 4, wherein the ridges are directed along the circumference of the clamping ring. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A clamping ring as claimed in claim 6, wherein the body has a cross-sectional shape such that, seen from the first end of the clamping ring, the wall thickness first increases and thereafter decreases. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A clamping ring as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body has a cross-sectional shape such that, seen from the first end of the clamping ring, the wall thickness first increases and thereafter decreases. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A clamping ring as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the clamping ring is provided with an optical indicator. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A clamping ring as claimed in claim 9, wherein the optical indicator is made of material that changes its optical appearance when the clamping ring is expanded. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A clamping ring as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body has a wall thickness that, starting from the first end, increases and thereafter decreases toward the second end. ### Claim 12 A clamping ring, that, in use, presses a pipe against a connecting piece by back shrinkage, the clamping ring comprising: a barrel-shaped body including a plastic material having memory properties, wherein the body has: a first end to be positioned at a distance from an end of the pipe and a second end to be positioned close to the end of the pipe; a first position at the first end or at a distance from the first end having a first radial wall thickness (A); and at least one second position between the first position and the second end having a second radial wall thickness (B), wherein the second radial wall thickness (B) is smaller than the first radial wall thickness (A), wherein the body is configured to automatically shrink, without heating, so as to cause a seal between an inner surface of the pipe and an outer surface of the connecting piece, wherein the clamping ring has a flat elbow at the second end and the second end of the clamping ring is shaped to have an outer bevel. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A clamping ring as claimed in claim 12, wherein the body has a cross-sectional shape such that, seen from the first end of the clamping ring, the wall thickness first increases and thereafter decreases. ### Claim 14 A clamping ring that, in use, presses a pipe against a connecting piece by back shrinkage, the clamping ring comprising: a barrel-shaped body including a plastic material having memory properties, wherein the body has: a first end to be positioned at a distance from an end of the pipe and a second end to be positioned close to the end of the pipe; a first position at the first end or at a distance from the first end having a first radial wall thickness (A); and at least one second position between the first position and the second end having a second radial wall thickness (B), wherein the second radial wall thickness (B) is smaller than the first radial wall thickness (A), wherein the body is configured to automatically shrink, without heating, so as to cause a seal between an inner surface of the pipe and an outer surface of the connecting piece, wherein the inner surface of the clamping ring is conical. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A clamping ring as claimed in claim 14, wherein the body has a cross-sectional shape such that, seen from the first end of the clamping ring, the wall thickness first increases and thereafter decreases. ### Claim 16 A clamping ring that, in use, presses a pipe against a connecting piece by back shrinkage, the clamping ring comprising: a barrel-shaped body including a plastic material having memory properties, wherein the body has: a first end to be positioned at a distance from an end of the pipe and a second end to be positioned close to the end of the pipe; a first position at the first end or at a distance from the first end having a first radial wall thickness (A); and at least one second position between the first position and the second end having a second radial wall thickness (B), wherein the second radial wall thickness (B) is smaller than the first radial wall thickness (A), wherein the body is configured to automatically shrink, without heating, so as to cause a seal between an inner surface of the pipe and an outer surface of the connecting piece, wherein the body has an irregular outer surface formed by ridges. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A clamping ring as claimed in claim 16, wherein the ridges are directed along the circumference of the clamping ring. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A clamping ring as claimed in claim 17, wherein the body has a cross-sectional shape such that, seen from the first end of the clamping ring, the wall thickness first increases and thereafter decreases. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) A clamping ring as claimed in claim 16, wherein the body has a cross-sectional shape such that, seen from the first end of the clamping ring, the wall thickness first increases and thereafter decreases. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) A clamping ring as claimed in claim 16, wherein the inner surface of the clamping ring is conical.