HIGH GRIP PIPE CONNECTION AND GASKET

RACCORD DE TUYAUTERIE ASSURANT UNE BONNE PRISE ET JOINT D'ETANCHEITE

English Abstract

A pipe connection includes a first having a male end and a second pipe having a female end and a gasket. The female end has a recess area sized to accept the gasket. The gasket has at least one flexible protrusion extending radially towards the center of the pipe forming a diameter that is less than the diameter of the male end which frictionally engages the male end of the second pipe. Optionally, the female end may include rigid dimples that exert pressure onto the male end to prevent the two pipes from separating. The pipe connection may be used in conjunction with a clamp.

French Abstract

Un raccord de tuyaux comprend un premier tuyau muni d'une extrémité mâle et un deuxième tuyau muni d'une extrémité femelle et d'un joint d'étanchéité. L'extrémité femelle a une partie renfoncée de la taille adaptée au joint d'étanchéité. Le joint d'étanchéité présente au moins un dépassement s'étendant radialement vers le centre du tuyau et formant un diamètre inférieur à celui de l'extrémité mâle du deuxième tuyau qui s'emboîte ainsi par friction. L'extrémité femelle peut optionnellement comprendre des fossettes rigides qui exercent une pression sur l'extrémité mâle et empêchent les deux tuyaux de se séparer. Le raccord de tuyau peut être utilisé conjointement avec une pince.

Claims

CLAIMS
1. A system for joining two pipes comprising:
a first pipe having a diameter and a male end; and
a second pipe comprising:
a female end sized to accept said male end;
a gasket having a plurality of flexible
protrusions; and
a recess within said female end sized to accept
said gasket and allow said flexible protrusions to
form a diameter which is less than said diameter of
said male end, wherein an outside surface of said
male end fractionally engages with said plurality of
flexible protrusions of said gasket of said second
pipe creating a seal.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said female
end further comprises at least one rigid protrusion
forming a diameter which is less than said male end.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a
retaining device.
4. The system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said
retaining device is a clamp.
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5. The system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:
a plurality of protrusions in said female end
forming a diameter which is less than said male end;
and
a clamp, wherein said clamp exerts a force upon
said female end and upon said rigid protrusions.
6. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said gasket
is made of silicone.
7. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said gasket
is made of rubber.
8. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said gasket
further includes a void area allowing said gasket to be
deformed in a radially outward direction.
9. The system as claimed in claim 3 further comprising a
retaining device.
10. The system as claimed in claim 9 wherein said
retaining device is a clamp.
11. A system for joining two pipes comprising:
a first pipe having a diameter and a male end; and
a second pipe comprising:
a female end sized to accept said male;
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at least one rigid protrusion forming a diameter
which is less than said diameter of said male end;
a gasket having a plurality of flexible
protrusions: and
a recess within said female end sized to accept
said gasket and allow said flexible protrusions to
form a diameter which is less than said diameter of
said male end, wherein an outside surface of said
male end frictionally engages with said plurality of
flexible protrusions of said gasket and said rigid
protrusion of said second pipe creating a seal.
12. The system as claimed in claim 11 further comprising
a retaining device.
13. The system as claimed in claim 12 wherein said
retaining device is a clamp.
14. The system as claimed in claim 11 wherein said gasket
is made of silicone.
15. The system as claimed in claim 11 wherein said gasket
is made of rubber.
16. The system as claimed in claim 11 wherein said gasket
further includes a void area allowing said gasket to be
deformed in a radially outward direction as said male end
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of said first pipe is slide into said female end of said
second pipe.
17. A system for joining two pipes comprising:
a first pipe having a diameter and a male end; and
a second pipe comprising:
a female end sized to accept said male;
a gasket comprising:
a plurality of flexible protrusions;
a void area allowing said gasket to be deformed
in a radially outward direction as said male end of
said first pipe is slide into said female end of said
second pipe; and
at least one rigid protrusion forming a diameter
which is less than said diameter of said male end;
and
a recess within said female end sized to accept
said gasket and allow said flexible protrusions to
form a diameter which is less than said diameter of
said male end, wherein an outside surface of said
male end frictionally engages with said plurality of
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flexible protrusions of said gasket and said rigid
protrusion of said second pipe creating a seal.
18. The system as claimed in claim 17 further comprising
a retaining device.
19. The system as claimed in claim 18 wherein said
retaining device is a clamp.
20. The system as claimed in claim 17 wherein said gasket
is made of silicone.
21. The system as claimed in claim 17 wherein said gasket
is made of rubber.
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Description

CA 02373492 2002-02-27
T
HIGH GRIP PIPE CONNECTION AND GASKET
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to pipe connections and more
particular, to a connection which allows two pipes to be
easily mated and which serves to lock them together and
prevent the escape of vented gases.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
There are many different types of pipes that must be
joined together. For example, flue pipes for heating
appliances such as hot water heaters, furnaces and the like
are generally joined together by inserting one pipe into
another. In certain situations, venting of some modern
heating appliances requires the use of a fan to push the
vent gases out under low pressure. Conventional vent pipes
with loosely fitting joints will allow gases to escape into
the surrounding area.
SUMMARY
The present invention is directed to a system for
connecting two pipes including a first pipe having a
diameter and a male end and a second pipe having a female
end sized to accept the male end and a gasket. The gasket
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CA 02373492 2002-02-27
has a plurality of flexible protrusions that engage with
the outside surface of the male end. The flexible
protrusions may be made out of silicone or a synthetic
rubber. The female end also has a recess or channel sized
to accept the gasket and allow the flexible protrusions to
extend partially onto the outside diameter of the male
end. In use, the male end frictionally engages the gasket
of the second pipe creating a leak-proof seal which
prevents the escape of gases.
In another embodiment, the system may further include
at least one rigid protrusion extending partially beyond
the diameter of the male end. In yet a further
embodiment, the system includes a retaining device such
as, but not limited to, a clamp.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and any other features and advantages of the
present invention will better understood by reading the
following detailed description, taken together with the
drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional schematic view of two
mating pipes with the gasket according to one embodiment of
the present invention;
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FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional schematic view of the
gasket according to one embodiment of the present
invention:
Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional schematic view of two
mating pipes with the gasket, clamp, and dimples according
to another embodiment of the present invention
Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional schematic view of two
mated pipes according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
Fig. 4A is an enlarged cross-sectional schematic view
of a first end of Fig. 4: and
Fig. 4B is an enlarged cross-sectional schematic view
of a second end of Fig. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The pipe connection system 8, Fig. 1, according to the
present invention, is adapted to mate with male end 18 of
pipe 20. Female end 12 of pipe 14 includes a gasket 10.
In one embodiment, the pipe 14 is a metal or stainless
steel, smooth, thin walled pipe for use in venting low to
moderate temperature gases from a heating appliance such as
a water heater or furnace. This is not a limitation of the
present invention, however, as the connection 8 of the
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CA 02373492 2002-02-27
present invention can also be used with plastic or other
types of pipe.
In use, the gasket 10 fits into a recess 16 in the
female end 12 of the pipe 14. The male end 18 of a first
pipe 20 is inserted into the female end 12 in the
direction of arrow 22. As will be shown in greater detail
below, the gasket 10, according to the present invention,
includes two or more "fillets" or areas of protrusion 24
which exert a combined frictional pressure or force
against the exterior wall 26 of mating pipe 20. This
frictional force maintains pipes 20 and 14 in reasonably
tight alignment: However, the friction does not prevent
the pipes from being disassembled. Accordingly, in one
embodiment, the pipes 14 and 20 are held together by
frictional force without the use of external elements such
as screws, clamps, bands, or cement. The areas of
protrusion 24 also create a generally air-proof and water-
proof seal.
The gasket 10 is shown in greater detail in Fig. 2.
Although this figure shows various angled configurations of
the gasket, the various angles are not a limitation of the
present invention. The present invention includes at least
a first and a second fillet or protrusion 24, which serve
to engage with the exterior surface of wall of a pipe (not
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CA 02373492 2002-02-27
shown in this drawing). The size, shape, and height of the
fillets or protrusions 24 may be altered as necessary, all
without departing from the scope of the present invention.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the gasket
10 includes a void area 28 formed by legs 32 on each end of
the underside 34 of the gasket 10. The void area 28 allows
the main body portion 30 of the gasket to be depressed or
deformed in a downward direction as a pipe is being slid
over the fillets or protrusions 24.
In the preferred embodiment, the gasket 10 is made of
a material such as silicone, which can withstand high to
moderate temperatures often associated with heating
systems. Other suitable materials can be used without
departing from the spirit of the present invention such as,
but not limited to, rubber and other synthetic polymers.
In addition, although two fillets or protrusions 24 are
shown in the exemplary drawing, this is not a limitation of
the present invention as two or more fillets or protrusions
24 may be utilized to suit the needs of the particular
application.
For example, additional fillets or protrusions 24
might be utilized for a wide gasket for larger diameter
pipes. Larger or various shaped fillets may also be
provided without departing from the present invention. The
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CA 02373492 2002-02-27
exact shape and number of protrusions 24 will depend upon
the installation requirements, and is within the knowledge
of one of ordinary skill in the art.
In another embodiment, the pipe connection system 35,
Fig. 3, includes a pipe 14 having one or more rigid
"dimples" or protrusions 36 extending inward toward the
center 38 of the pipe 14. These rigid dimples 36 aid in
maintaining the two pipes 14, 20 together. The rigid
dimples,36 may be located between the gasket 10 and the end
40 of the pipe 14, (as shown in Fig. 3), or after the
gasket 10 in the area indicated generally at 15 (not
shown). In one embodiment, the rigid dimples 36 exert
pressure onto the male pipe 20 to prevent the two pipes
from separating. Optionally, a retaining device 40, such
as a clamp, screw, rivet, etc., may be used. The use of a
retaining device 40 in conjunction with the rigid dimples
36 and gasket 10 creates a high-strength, leak-proof
coupling.
As can be seen better in the embodiment shown in Figs.
4, 4A, and 4B, the pipe connection system 35 includes the
fillets or protrusions 24, Fig. 4A, that extend radially
around the circumference of pipe 14 and one or more rigid
"dimples" or protrusions 36 extending inward toward the
center 38 of the pipe 14. The gasket 10 includes a recess
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16, Fig. 4B, which is depressed or deformed when the
fillets or protrusions 24 (not visible) engage the male end
18 of a pipe.
Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary
skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of
the present invention, which is not to be limited except by
the following claims.

Representative Drawing