Push-Fit Fitting Adapter With Telescoping Sleeve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for connecting piping systems, such as soldering, are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and require numerous materials, while push-fit technologies face challenges with imperfect pipe lengths, necessitating precise cutting and additional connections.
Innovation Solution
A push-fit fitting adapter assembly with a telescoping sleeve member that slidably engages a mounting plate, allowing for adjustable length connections and easy disassembly, featuring a release pusher element to facilitate the removal of pipes without the need for precise cutting or additional connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If soldering is used to connect piping systems, then strong and reliable joints are achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming, labor-intensive, and requires numerous materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal/mechanical soldering process with a purely mechanical push-fit connection system. The fitting includes internal features such as grip rings with teeth that mechanically engage the pipe outer surface, and O-rings that provide sealing through elastic deformation, eliminating the need for heat, flux, and solder while achieving both reliability and speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The push-fit connection is self-aligning and self-sealing. The pipe is simply pushed into the fitting where it automatically bottoms out against the bottom surface, ensuring proper positioning. The O-rings automatically seal against the pipe outer surface through elastic recovery, and the grip rings self-adjust to secure the connection without requiring external tools or materials.
2Adaptability or versatility
If push-fit technology is used with imperfect pipe lengths, then installation flexibility is improved, but precise cutting and additional connections are still required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a telescoping sleeve member that can slide axially along the pipe. This dynamic adjustment mechanism allows the effective connection length to vary, accommodating pipes of different lengths without requiring precise cutting. The sleeve maintains proper sealing and gripping engagement regardless of the pipe length variation.
Solution Approach 2:
The fitting is divided into distinct functional segments: a body portion with the push-fit connection, a separate telescoping sleeve member for length adjustment, and a mounting plate for wall attachment. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, with the sleeve providing length compensation without affecting the sealing or gripping functions.
3Reliability
If traditional mounting methods are used, then secure wall mounting is achieved, but solid tubing stub mounts and additional connections are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the mounting function directly into the fitting body by integrating a mounting plate with attachment features (such as screw holes or flanges) onto the fitting structure. This integration eliminates the need for separate solid tubing stub mounts and additional connection hardware, reducing overall complexity while maintaining secure wall mounting capability.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated fitting arrangement includes a mounting plate having a base portion and a stem portion, along with a sleeve member adapted to slidingly engage the stem portion of the mounting plate. By having sliding and/or telescoping capability, the sleeve can adapt its length to couple a piping element with a fitting element in a variety of applications. A release pusher element is provided as part of the sleeve member to facilitate the release of tubing, piping and other cylindrical objects inserted into a fitting.