| |
| United States Patent
|
6,510,748 |
| Cooper |
January 28, 2003 |
Pipe connection system
Abstract
A pipe connection system has a non-threaded, quick-pipe
connection for connecting pipe in a pressurized system, for
connecting piping components within a fire sprinkler system,
including a flow switch to a fire sprinkler system riser port. A
male and female member are attached through the use of a
through-slot in the female member that aligns with a groove in the
male member such that a locking clip may be inserted through the
female and male members when they are joined, thereby blocking the
members from being dis-joined. An O-ring seal in a groove on the
male member and sealable bore on the female member allow for a
sealed and pressurized piping system.
| Inventors: |
Cooper; Michael S.
(Phoenix, AZ) |
| Appl. No.:
|
09/736,546 |
| Filed: |
December 13, 2000 |
| Current U.S.
Class: |
73/861.74
; 137/360; 200/81.9R |
| Current
International Class: |
G01F
1/20 (20060101); G01F 1/28 (20060101); G01F 001/28 (); A62C
035/60 () |
| Field of
Search: |
73/866.5,861.74
138/155 200/81.9 215/80,81,321 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent
Documents
Primary Examiner: Patel; Harshad
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Stoneman; Martin L.
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application is related to my co-pending application Ser.
No. 09/596,627, filed Jun. 19, 2000, entitled "Fire Control
Sprinkler System"; which was a continuation-in-part of my
application Ser. No. 09/376,112, filed Feb. 1, 1999, entitled
"Unitary Valve System", now abandoned; which was a
continuation-in-part of my application Ser. No. 09/074,758, filed
May 8. 1998, entitled "Unitary Valve System", now abandoned. The
present application is also related to my issued U.S. Pat. No.
6,076,545. This patent and all of these applications are
incorporated herein by this reference; and none are admitted to be
prior art with respect to the present invention by their mention in
this cross-reference section.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A pipe connection system for direct no-pipe-thread attachment,
comprising: a. a first pipe portion, structured and arranged to
contain a liquid under pressure, comprising an end portion having a
longitudinal central axis; and b. a second pipe portion, structured
and arranged to contain a liquid under pressure, comprising an end
portion having a longitudinal central axis; c. wherein one said end
portion of one said pipe portion comprises a male portion and the
other said end portion of the other said pipe portion comprises a
female portion structured and arranged to hold said male portion; d.
wherein said male portion comprises at least one external groove
lying in a plane perpendicular to said longitudinal central axis of
said end portion of said one pipe portion; e. wherein said female
portion comprises at least one slot passing through a wall of said
female portion and lying in a plane perpendicular to said
longitudinal central axis of said end portion of said other pipe
portion; and f. wherein said slot and said groove are structured and
arranged to be substantially in the same plane and substantially
adjacent when said male and female portions are joined; and g. at
least one seal structured and arranged to act to seal the pipe
connection system when said male and female portions are joined; and
h. at least one blocker structured and arranged to block disjoinder
of said male and female portions, when joined, by entry of portions
of said blocker into said slot and said groove; i. whereby, when
said end portion of said first pipe portion and said end portion of
said second pipe portion are co-axial and said male and female
portions are joined, entry of said portions of said blocker into
said slot and groove block disjoinder of said male and female
portions, thereby securing a connection between said first pipe
portion and said second pipe portion.
2. The pipe connection system according to claim 1 wherein one said
end portion comprises a flow switch.
3. The pipe connection system according to claim 1 further
comprising a retainer structured and arranged to prevent inadvertent
removal of said portions of said blocker from said entry.
4. The pipe connection system according to claim 1 wherein: a. said
at least one slot comprises at least two respective parallel
co-planar slots; and b. said at least one groove comprises at least
two respective parallel co-planar grooves, each said respective
groove being substantially adjacent each said respective slot.
5. The pipe connection system according to claim 4 wherein said
blocker comprises at least two respective said portions of said
blocker, said blocker being structured and arranged to provide entry
of a first said respective portion of said blocker into a first said
respective slot and a first said respective groove concurrently with
entry of a second said respective portion of said blocker into a
second said respective slot and a second said respective groove.
6. The pipe connection system according to claim 5 wherein said
blocker comprises: a. at least two substantially parallel legs, each
said leg comprising a said blocker portion; and b. at least one
blocker leg-connector portion.
7. The pipe connection system according to claim 6 further
comprising a retainer structured and arranged to prevent inadvertent
removal of said portions of said blocker from said entry.
8. The pipe connection system according to claim 7 wherein said
retainer comprises said blocker leg-connector portion.
9. The pipe connection system according to claim 8 further
comprising: a. a flow switch having a first face plate; b. wherein
one said end portion of one said pipe portion comprises a flange
having a first face and a second face; and c. wherein said first
face of said flange is structured and arranged to connect with said
first face plate.
10. The pipe connection system according to claim 9 wherein said
second face of said flange comprises a flange groove structured and
arranged to removably retain said blocker leg-connector portion.
11. The pipe connection system according to claim 1 wherein said
seal comprises an O-ring seal.
12. A connector element for connecting a flow switch comprising a
housing including a face plate, connected by screw attachments for
connecting the face plate to a flange member, a sensing switch
within the housing, a connector member from the sensing switch
extending through the face plate and further extending outside the
housing to a sensing paddle, to a fire sprinkler riser port
comprising a female second connector element, comprising, in
combination: a. a pipe, having a longitudinal central axis,
comprising a first end portion of a first end and a second end
portion of a second end; b. wherein said first end portion of said
pipe comprises a cylindrical male extension structured and arranged
to fit with the female second connector element; c. wherein said
second end portion of said pipe comprises a flange having a first
face and a second face; d. wherein an outer surface of said male
extension comprises: i. at least one first groove lying in a first
plane perpendicular to said longitudinal central axis; and ii. at
least one circumferential second groove, lying in a second plane
perpendicular to said longitudinal central axis, structured and
arranged to receive a seal; iii. wherein said second groove is
nearer said first end than is said first groove; and e. wherein said
first face of said flange is structured and arranged to connect with
the face plate of the flow switch.
13. The connector element according to claim 12 wherein said second
face of said flange comprises a third groove structured and arranged
to removably retain a portion of a structural element.
14. The connector element according to claim 12 further comprising a
seal held in said circumferential second groove.
15. The connector element according to claim 14 wherein said seal
comprises an O-ring seal.
16. The connector element according to claim 15 further comprising a
flow switch attached with said first face of said flange of said
connector element.
17. The connector element according to claim 16 further comprising
the riser port comprising the female second connector element
attached with said cylindrical male extension.
18. A connector element for connecting a flow switch male connector
element to a fire sprinkler riser port, comprising, in combination:
a. a pipe portion, having a longitudinal central axis, comprising a
first end portion at a first end and a second end portion at a
second end; b. wherein said first end portion of said pipe portion
comprises a female cylindrical recess structured and arranged to
hold the male connector-element; c. wherein said second end of said
pipe comprises the fire sprinkler riser port; d. wherein a pipe wall
of said female cylindrical recess comprises at least one slot
pas-sing through said pipe wall and lying in a plane perpendicular
to said longitudinal central axis; and e. wherein said female
cylindrical recess comprises a sealable inner surface.
19. The connector element claim according to claim 18 further
comprising a flow switch assembly attached with said female
cylindrical recess.
20. A flow switch, adapted for a direct no-pipe-thread connection to
a riser port comprising a female cylindrical recess, comprising, in
combination: a. a pipe, having a longitudinal central axis,
comprising a first end portion of a first end and a second end
portion of a second end; b. wherein said first end portion of said
pipe comprises a cylindrical male extension, structured and arranged
to fit with the female cylindrical recess, and further comprises a
protruding sensing paddle; c. wherein said second end portion of
said pipe comprises a flow switch housing containing a flow switch
having said sensing paddle attached; d. wherein an outer surface of
said cylindrical male extension comprises: i. at least one first
groove lying in a first plane perpendicular to said longitudinal
central axis; and ii. at least one circumferential second groove,
lying in a second plane perpendicular to said longitudinal central
axis, structured and arranged to receive a seal; and iii. wherein
said second groove is nearer said first end than is said first
groove.
Description
BACKGROUND
Typically, commercial buildings and an increasing number of
residential structures are provided with fire suppression systems
which dispense a fire suppression medium in the event of a fire.
These fire sprinkler systems typically have a central pipe conduit
to which are attached a labyrinth of individual piping systems
containing a fire suppression medium under pressure. In the event of
a fire, sensors which are attached to the individual piping systems
are activated, thereby releasing the pressurized fire suppression
medium in the hopes of quenching the fire. In many instances, the
sudden release of system pressure activates a silent and/or audible
alarm which alerts both those persons who are on the premises and
the local fire authority that a fire is in progress. One such sensor
device, which.monitors the flow in the sprinkler system piping and
is usually attached to the alarm system, is a flow switch.
Further, in plumbing fire-control sprinkler connections to a
building water supply, the lower end of a riser pipe will be
connected to a water supply pipe and the upper end will be connected
to an outlet pipe to the sprinkler system, the riser pipe being
typically stabilized in position by connecting it to the building
structure, as by tying it to a beam. And certain useful components
will be attached by porting to the riser pipe, usually the
following: a flow switch to ascertain whether or not there is a flow
in the riser pipe to the fire sprinkler system and to relay this
information where needed, e.g., to fire departments; a test and
drain valve to open the. riser pipe to a drain for the purposes of
testing, bleeding, etc.; a pressure gauge to deliver a read-out of
the water pressure in the riser pipe; and a relief valve to open the
riser pipe to a drain in the event a certain water pressure is
exceeded in the riser pipe.
Efficient riser port and component arrangements have not yet
achieved their potentials in terms of improved structures and
efficient connections. This is especially true in the areas of
adapting plastics techniques in novel ways to such efficient riser,
port, and component arrangements. Flow switches are normally
manufactured for connection plumbing by way of pipe threads, usually
tapered pipe threads; however, there are many inefficiencies in such
a connection. Eliminating such inefficient connections would permit
elimination of: an unnecessary joint which may be a point of current
or future leakages; a large brass adapter fitting which is supplied
with the flow switch for threaded pipe mounting; the use and need
for thread sealing materials such as Teflon tape or pipe dope; the
need for a large size wrench or pipe wrench (to tighten a 1" N.P.T.
tapered fitting requires a large amount of torque which, in turn,
puts a great stress upon the entire manifold and pipe system; this
stress could work loose the mounting brackets, screws, etc.); and
the need to carefully orient the final positioning of the flow
switch when rotating (tightening) the switch onto a threaded port
for proper switch operation. Thus, a threaded attachment means:
utilizing tapered pipe thread; a potential point of leakage;
additional labor to assemble; unnecessary components; and added
cost. There is a need in the industry for improved systems, methods
and products for flow switch connection and for lower overall cost.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
A primary object and feature of the present invention is to fulfill
the above-mentioned needs by the provision of a pipe connection
system that would provide a non-threaded, quick pipe connection for
connecting pipe in a pressurized system. A further primary object
and feature of the present invention is to provide a pipe connection
system that would provide a non-threaded, quick pipe connection for
connecting piping components to a fire sprinkler system riser port.
And, a still further primary object and feature of the present
invention is to provide a pipe connection system that would provide
a non-threaded, quick pipe connection for connecting a flow meter to
a fire sprinkler system riser port. Yet a further primary object and
feature of the present invention is to provide such a pipe
connection system which is efficient and inexpensive, as well as
overcoming the other above-mentioned problems. Other objects of this
invention will become apparent with reference to the following
invention descriptions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, this
invention provides a pipe connection system for direct
no-pipe-thread attachment, comprising: a first pipe portion,
structured and arranged to contain a liquid under pressure,
comprising an end portion having a longitudinal central axis; and a
second pipe portion, structured and arranged to contain a liquid
under pressure, comprising an end portion having a longitudinal
central axis; wherein one such end portion of one such pipe portion
comprises a male portion and the other such end portion of the other
such pipe portion comprises a female portion structured and arranged
to hold such male portion; wherein such male portion comprises at
least one external groove lying in a plane perpendicular to such
longitudinal central axis of such end portion of such one pipe
portion; wherein such female portion comprises at least one slot
passing through a wall of such female portion and lying in a plane
perpendicular to such longitudinal central axis of such end portion
of such other pipe portion; and wherein such slot and such groove
are structured and arranged to be substantially in the same plane
and substantially adjacent when such male and female portions are
joined; and at least one seal structured and arranged to act to seal
the pipe connection system when such male and female portions are
joined; and at least one blocker structured and arranged to block
disjoinder of such male and female portions, when joined, by entry
of portions of such blocker into such slot and such groove; whereby,
when such end portion of such first pipe portion and such end
portion of such second pipe portion are co-axial and such male and
female portions are joined, entry of such portions of such blocker
into such slot and groove block disjoinder of such male and female
portions, thereby securing a connection between such first pipe
portion and such second pipe portion.
It also provides such a system wherein one such end portion
comprises a flow switch. And it provides such a system further
comprising a retainer structured and arranged to prevent inadvertent
removal of such portions of such blocker from such entry. Further,
it provides such a system wherein: such at least one slot comprises
at least two respective parallel co-planar slots; and such at least
one groove comprises at least two respective parallel co-planar
grooves, each such respective groove being substantially adjacent
each such respective slot. Also, it provides such a system wherein
such blocker comprises at least two respective such portions of such
blocker, such blocker being structured and arranged to provide entry
of a first such respective portion of such blocker into a first such
respective slot, and a first such respective groove concurrently
with entry of a second such respective portion of such blocker into
a second such respective slot-and a second such respective groove;
and also, wherein such blocker comprises at least two substantially
parallel legs, each such leg comprising a such blocker portion, and
at least one blocker leg-connector portion.
Moreover, it provides such a system further comprising a retainer
structured and arranged to prevent inadvertent removal of such
portions of such blocker from such entry and wherein such retainer
comprises such blocker leg-connector portion. And it provides such a
system further comprising: a flow switch having a first face plate;
wherein one such end portion of one such pipe portion comprises a
flange having a first face and a second face; and wherein such first
face of such flange is structured and arranged to connect with such
first face plate. Also it provides such a system wherein such second
face of such flange comprises a flange groove structured and
arranged to removably retain such blocker leg-connector portion.
Further, it provides such a system wherein such seal comprises an
O-ring seal.
Even additionally, according to a preferred embodiment of this
invention, this invention provides a connector element for
connecting a flow switch, of the type comprising a housing including
a face plate, connected by screw attachments for connecting the face
plate to a flange member, a sensing switch within the housing, a
connector member from the sensing switch extending through the face
plate and further extending outside the housing to a sensing paddle,
to a fire sprinkler riser port comprising a female second connector
element, comprising, in combination: a pipe, having a longitudinal
central axis, comprising a first end portion of a first end and a
second end portion of a second end; wherein such first end portion
of such pipe comprises a cylindrical male extension structured and
arranged to fit with the female second connector element; wherein
such second end portion of such pipe comprises a flange having a
first face and a second face; wherein an outer surface of such male
extension comprises: at least one first groove lying in a first
plane perpendicular to such longitudinal central axis; and at least
one circumferential second groove, lying in a second plane
perpendicular to such longitudinal central axis, structured and
arranged to receive a seal; wherein such second groove is nearer
such first end than is such first groove; and wherein such first
face of such flange is structured and arranged to connect with the
face plate of the flow switch.
Further, it.provides such a system wherein such second face of such
flange comprises a third groove structured and arranged to removably
retain a portion of a structural element. Even further, it provides
such a system further comprising a seal held in such circumferential
second groove; wherein.such seal comprises an O-ring seal. Still
further, it provides such a system further comprising a flow switch
attached with such first face of such flange of such connector
element; and, also, further comprising a riser port attached with
such cylindrical male extension.
Still in addition, according to a preferred embodiment of this
invention, this invention provides a connector element for
connecting a flow switch male connector element to a fire sprinkler
riser port, comprising, in combination: a pipe portion, having a
longitudinal central axis, comprising a first end portion at a first
end and a second end portion at a second end; wherein such first end
portion of such pipe portion comprises a female cylindrical recess
structured and arranged to hold the male connector element; wherein
such second end of such pipe comprises the fire sprinkler riser
port; wherein a pipe wall of such female cylindrical recess
comprises at least one slot passing through such pipe wall and lying
in a plane perpendicular to such longitudinal central axis; and
wherein such female cylindrical recess comprises a sealable inner
surface. And it provides such a system further comprising a flow
switch assembly attached with such female cylindrical recess.
Even moreover, according to a preferred embodiment of this
invention, this invention provides a flow switch, adapted for a
direct no-pipe-thread connection to a riser port comprising a female
cylindrical recess, comprising, in combination: a pipe, having a
longitudinal central axis, comprising a first end portion of a first
end and a second end portion of a second end; wherein such first end
portion of such pipe comprises a cylindrical male extension,
structured and arranged to fit with the female cylindrical recess,
and further comprises a protruding sensing paddle; wherein such
second end portion of such pipe comprises a flow switch housing
containing a flow switch having such sensing paddle attached;
wherein an outer surface of such cylindrical male extension
comprises at least one first groove lying in a first plane
perpendicular to such longitudinal central axis, and at least one
circumferential second groove, lying in a second plane perpendicular
to such longitudinal central axis, structured and arranged to
receive a seal, and wherein such second groove is nearer such first
end than is such first groove.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side view, partially in section, of a preferred
embodiment of the pipe connection system of the present invention,
illustrating an improved connection between a flow switch and a
sprinkler system fire riser vertical pipe.
FIG. 2 is a front view, partially in section, through section 2--2
of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional plan view through section 3--3 of FIG.
1.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the
present invention illustrating an improved piping connection
(between a flow switch and a pipe.)
FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the flow meter sprinkler system fire
riser vertical.pipe components according to the preferred embodiment
of the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
FIGS. 1 and 5 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the pipe
connection system 19 of the present invention illustrating an
improved connection between a flow switch 20 and a fire sprinkler
system vertical manifold riser 22. Illustrated in FIG. 1 is vertical
manifold riser 22, with an attached flow switch 20, which utilizes
its included sensing paddle 24 (also shown in FIG. 3 and comprising
paddle portion 24a and connector member, or rod portion, 24b) to
monitor water flow within the interior of riser 22. Riser 22
typically consists of a cylindrical pipe body with one port 23
(embodying herein a riser port attached with such cylindrical male
extension) or multiple ports. In the event of fire sprinkler
activation (or testing), water flow through riser 22 is recognized
by flow switch 20, which activates in well-known ways, and typically
sends an electrical signal. This electrical signal may typically
then be used to actuate an alarm or bell within the environment and
may additionally be used to notify a fire station. The operation and
use of a flow switch 20 in fire system alarms is well-known by those
skilled in the art and not further discussed.
In a preferred embodiment of the pipe connection system 19, the flow
switch 20 mates and secures to the riser 22 by means of a mounting
flange 26, as shown, (this arrangement embodying herein wherein such
first face of such flange is structured and arranged to connect with
the face plate of the flow switch; and wherein a flow switch is
attached with such first face of such flange of such connector
element) attached to the face 27 (the attached subassembly of the
flow meter and the flange 26 connector embodying herein a flow
switch assembly attached with such female cylindrical recess) of
flow switch 20 (embodying herein a flow switch having a first face
plate; and wherein one such end portion of one such pipe portion
comprises a flange having a first face and a second face; and
wherein such first face of such flange is structured and arranged to
connect with such first face plate) in combination with a mounting
flange 32, which is preferably integral with the riser 22 (embodying
herein wherein such second end of such pipe comprises the fire
sprinkler riser port). The above arrangement embodies herein a pipe
connection system 19.
As further illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, the mounting flange 26 is
appropriately sized, spaced, and oriented.to be compatible with the
mounting requirements of flow switch 20 (embodying herein wherein
one such end portion comprises a flow switch). Mounting flange 26 is
preferably screwed onto.the face 27 of flow switch 20 with mounting
screws 28 and 29. Illustrated are mounting screws 28 and 29 which
are preferably externally threaded and screwed into an appropriately
sized orifice in face 27 with matching internal threads.
Mounting flange 26 preferably comprises a male pipe portion 30.
Preferably, male pipe portion 30 has at least one O-ring seal 34
(embodying herein at least one seal structured and arranged to act
to seal the pipe connection system when such male and female
portions are joined) inserted into a circumferential groove 36
(embodying herein wherein such male portion comprises at least one
external groove lying in a plane perpendicular to such longitudinal
central axis of such end portion of such one pipe portion) recessed
into the leading portion 40 of the male pipe portion 30. The
mounting flange 32 on riser 22 is embodied as the female pipe
portion 33 and includes an equivalent and appropriately sized
counterbore recess 42 (embodying herein a flow switch assembly
attached with such female cylindrical recess), as shown in FIG. 5,
with depths and diameters required for accepting the male pipe
portion 30, along with sensing paddle 24 and O-ring seal 34. The
above arrangement embodies herein a pipe connection system 19 for
direct no-pipe-thread attachment, comprising: a first pipe portion,
structured and arranged to contain a liquid under pressure,
comprising an end portion having a longitudinal central axis; and a
second pipe portion, structured and arranged to contain a liquid
under pressure, comprising an end portion having a longitudinal
central axis; wherein one such end portion of one such pipe portion
comprises a male portion 30, and the other such end portion of the
other such pipe portion comprises a female portion 33, structured
and arranged to hold such male portion 30. Those skilled in the art
will recognize that the pipe sizing and associated counterbore
recess 42 may be varied in size, due to the flow requirements of the
system and as such, no specific size is stated. In addition, those
skilled in the art will recognize the usefulness that the male pipe
portion 30 and female pipe portion 33 may, in appropriate
circumstances, be reversed in order such that the riser comprises
the male portion and the flow switch comprises the female portion.
When mounting the flow switch 20 (shown in FIG. 1) to the riser 22,
the sensing paddle 24 along with male pipe portion 30 and attached
O-ring seal 34 is inserted into the counterbore recess 42 of the
mounting flange 32, with the sensing paddle 24 oriented
perpendicular to the axis of the riser 22. Preferably, the
aforementioned attachment firmly sandwiches the O-ring seal 34
between the male pipe portion 30 and the wall of the counterbore
recess 42, thus retaining the sensing paddle 24 and providing a seal
within the now combined pipe 45 (embodying herein a pipe, having a
longitudinal central axis, comprising a first end portion of a first
end and a second end portion of a second end).
Preferably, and uniquely, in the above embodiment, the mounting
flange 32 has two slots 43 and 44 (embodying herein wherein such
female portion comprises at least one slot passing through a wall of
such female portion and lying in a plane perpendicular to such
longitudinal central axis of such end portion of such other pipe
portion). Preferably, "parallel" (as shown) slots 43 and 44 are
formed as two opposing slots perpendicular to the longitudinal axis
in the mounting flange 32 (embodying herein at least one slot
comprising at least two respective parallel co-planar slots).
Preferably male pipe portion 30 has two grooves 46 and 47. Grooves
46 and 47 are formed as two opposing grooves perpendicular to the
longitudinal first axis in male pipe portion 30 (embodying herein at
least one groove comprising at least two respective parallel
co-planar grooves, each such respective groove being substantially
adjacent each such respective slot; and wherein an outer surface of
such male extension comprises at least one first groove lying in a
first plane perpendicular to such longitudinal central axis). As
illustrated in FIG. 3, preferably, slot 44 is structured and
arranged to match up with adjacent groove 46; and slot 43 is
structured and arranged to match up with adjacent groove 47 (as
shown) cut into the structure of male pipe portion 30, as shown
(embodying herein wherein such slot and such groove are structured
and arranged to be substantially in the same plane and substantially
adjacent when such male and female portions are joined). Although it
may be possible to use a single slot and groove, it is preferable
(primarily for structural stability) to use two slots and two
grooves. Preferably, a blocking element or locking clip 50 is
inserted simultaneously into slots 43 and 44, and grooves 46 and 47,
such that locking clip 50 firmly blocks mounting flange 32 and
mounting flange 26 from coming apart, thereby connecting the flow
switch 20 to the riser 22 (the arrangement above embodying herein at
least one blocker structured and arranged to block disjoinder of
such male and female portions, when joined, by entry of portions of
such blocker into such slot and such groove; and whereby, when such
end portion of such first.pipe portion and such end portion of such
second pipe portion are co-axial and such male and female portions
are joined, entry of such portions of such blocker into such slot
and groove block disjoinder of such male and female portions,
thereby securing a connection between such first pipe portion and
such second pipe portion). Those skilled in the art will recognize
that the width and depth of slots 43 and 44, and grooves 46 and 47
will vary according to what is required to block the pipe portions
(e.g., male pipe portion 30 and female pipe portion 33) under a
prescribed pressure within the pipe, pipe thickness dimensions and
overall pipe pressure requirements (200 pounds per square inch in a
typical fire sprinkler pipeline). However, preferably, the slots 43
and 44 are about 1/8- to about 1/4-inch in width extending in a
vertical plane such that the slot penetrates completely through the
mounting flange 32 pipe, as shown in FIGS. 1-5. Preferably, grooves
46 and 47 are about 1/8- to about 1/4-inch in width and about 1/8-
to about 1/4-inch in depth, (depending on the pipe diameter, pipe
thickness and the associated pressure requirements that the pipe is
required to contain).
Locking clip 50 is preferably sized to fit tightly into slots 43 and
44, and grooves 46 and 47 (embodying herein wherein such blocker
comprises at least two respective such portions of such blocker,
such blocker being structured and arranged to provide entry of a
first such respective portion of such blocker into a first such
respective slot and a first such respective groove concurrently with
entry of a second such respective portion of such blocker into a
second such respective slot and a second such respective groove).
Preferably, locking clip 50 is made of a metal (or similarly strong
material) such that it will effectively block mounting flange 32 and
mounting flange 26 from coming apart. Locking clip 50 is preferably
U-shaped, as shown clearly in FIG. 5. Locking clip 50, therefore,
has a bridging piece 55 (the above arrangement embodying herein
wherein such blocker comprises: at least two substantially parallel
legs, each such leg comprising a such blocker portion; and at least
one blocker leg-connector portion). The bridging piece 55 is
preferably integral to the locking clip 50 and bridges the two
blocking legs 61 and 63. Further, locking clip 50 has a bent portion
52 which is made from a material that has innate spring tension
(e.g., sprung steel). Preferably, there is a groove 56 in the face
60 (embodying herein such second face of such flange comprising a
third groove structured and arranged to removably retain a portion
of a structural element) of mounting flange 26 (embodying herein a
retainer structured and arranged to prevent inadvertent removal of
such portions of such blocker from such entry), arranged such that
it will receive the end 54 of locking clip 50, when locking clip 50
is fully and completely engaged in slot 44 and groove 46 (the above
arrangement embodying herein wherein such retainer comprises such
blocker leg-connector portion; and wherein such second face of such
flange comprises a flange groove structured and arranged to
removably retain such blocker leg-connector portion). Further, the
end 54 of locking clip 50, will "lock" into groove 56 (utilizing the
engineering of the bent portion 52) when it is inserted (i.e., snaps
into the groove 56 while being inserted) into the slot 44 and groove
46, as shown. Preferably, the removal of the locking clip 50 means
that the end 54 of locking clip 50 must be unsprung (utilizing the
engineering of the bent portion 52) and removed from groove 56.
Those skilled in the art may choose to do this by hand, a specially
designed tool, or even a screwdriver. In fact, there may be many
possibilities, selectable by those skilled in the art, to perform
this unlocking function.
FIG. 2 even further illustrates the connection of the locking clip
50 connection. As illustrated, the locking clip 50 is shown
positioned such that it simultaneously penetrates through slots 43
and 44, and grooves 46 and 47, whereby locking clip 50 firmly locks
into place mounting flange 32 and mounting flange 26.
An example of the use of the above described embodiment of the pipe
connection system 19 in operation is as follows: Preferably, in one
preferred embodiment, the pipe connection system is used to attach a
flow switch to a fire riser as part of a complete fire sprinkler
system. The fire riser 22 has at least one port which has an
integral female pipe portion 33 mounting flange 32 attached.
Preferably, the fire riser 22 is installed first in a stationary
location. The fire riser 22 is preferably installed in a vertical
position, as shown in FIG. 1. The flow switch 20 is preferably
pre-assembled with the mounting flange 26 attached to the face 27 of
the flow switch 20, preferably screwed onto the face 27 of flow
switch 20 with mounting screws 28 and 29. As stated above, mounting
flange 26 preferably comprises a male pipe portion 30. Preferably,
male pipe portion 30 has at least one O-ring seal 34 inserted into a
circumferential groove 36 (embodying herein at least one
circumferential second groove, lying in a second plane perpendicular
to such longitudinal central axis, structured and arranged to
receive a seal; and a seal held in such circumferential second
groove) recessed into the leading portion 40 of the male pipe
portion 30 (embodying herein wherein such second groove is nearer
such first end than is such first groove). In this position, the
sensing paddle 24 protrudes through the male pipe portion 30
(embodying herein wherein such first end portion of such pipe
comprises a cylindrical male extension, structured and arranged to
fit with the female cylindrical recess, and further comprises a
protruding sensing paddle). The flow switch 20 is carefully inserted
into the mounting flange 32 on riser 22 embodied as the female pipe
portion 33 with an equivalent and appropriately sized counterbore
recess 42 (embodying herein wherein such first end portion of such
pipe portion comprises a female cylindrical recess structured and
arranged to hold the male connector element), along with the sensing
paddle 24 and O-ring seal 34. The pipe portions are sized such that
the sensing paddle 24 will be positioned in the riser 22 as shown in
FIG. 3, approximately in the center of riser 22, and that the O-ring
seal will seal against the inside surface 65 (see FIG. 5) of the
female pipe portion 33 (embodying herein wherein such female
cylindrical recess comprises a sealable inner surface). Preferably,
the male pipe portion 30 and female pipe portion 33 are sized such
that the slots 43 and 44, and grooves 46 and 47 will align in a
preferably vertical position such that locking clip 50 may be
inserted .so that it simultaneously penetrates through slots 43 and
44 and grooves 46 and 47. When firmly in place, locking clip 50
locks mounting flange 32 and mounting flange 26 so that they cannot
be pulled apart. Further, locking clip 50 has a bent portion 52
which is made from a material that has innate spring tension (e.g.,
sprung steel). Preferably, there is a groove 56 in the face 60 of
mounting flange 26, arranged such that it will receive the end 54 of
locking clip 50, when locking clip 50 is fully and completely
engaged in slots 43 and 44, and grooves 46 and 47. Locking clip 50
is fully inserted into slots 43 and 44, and grooves 46 and 47 and
the end 54 is then snapped into groove 56 in the face 60 of mounting
flange 26. This completes the connecting operation. The dis-connecting
operation works in reverse of the connecting operation.
In addition, many other advantages of applicant's invention will be
apparent to those skilled in the art from the above descriptions and
the below claims.
* * * * *
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