NIBCO INC. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20160069483 | LEAD-FREE HIGH TEMPERATURE/PRESSURE PIPING COMPONENTS AND METHODS OF USE - A piping component for controlling the flow of fluids that includes a piping body having an inlet end and an outlet end, including methods of operating such components within a piping system. The piping body may be sized for fluids operating at temperatures from approximately 350° F. up to approximately 500° F., and up to approximately 650° F. In addition, the piping body is made from a silicon-copper alloy consisting essentially of less than 16% zinc, less than trace amounts of lead, less than trace amounts of bismuth, 2 to 6% silicon and a balance of copper (by weight). In certain aspects, less than 0.09% of lead and/or less than 0.09% bismuth are contained in the silicon-copper alloy. | 03-10-2016 |
20150369411 | PLUMBING ADAPTER COUPLING - An adapter coupling for coupling PEX tubing to a schedule 40 or schedule 80 fitting has a disk-shaped body with a central axially extending aperture and a PEX tube receiving barbed outlet tube extending outwardly from one side in coaxial relationship to the aperture. The face of the opposite side of the disk-shaped member is smooth to engage a face seal member in a coupling to which the PEX adapter coupling adapter is mounted. | 12-24-2015 |
20150159794 | PUSH-TO-CONNECT FITTING - A housing for receiving a fluid conduit has an internal annular shoulder. A cylindrical first cartridge is positioned in the housing and has an internal annular groove an outer annular groove. An O-ring in the internal annular groove provides a seal with a fluid conduit. A second O-ring is positioned within the outer annular groove to provide a seal between the first cartridge and the housing. A gripping ring is positioned adjacent and in contact with the first cartridge and has inwardly projecting annularly spaced tines for gripping and holding a fluid conduit inserted into the housing. A second cylindrical cartridge is positioned adjacent the gripping ring on a side opposite the first cartridge. The housing includes a lip at one end to engage the second cartridge for holding the first and second cartridges and the gripping ring against the annular shoulder in the housing. | 06-11-2015 |
20150159792 | SELF-LOCKING PUSH-TO-CONNECT INSERT - A universal self-locking push-to-connect plumbing insert assembly provides flexibility to an installer to use the assembly in the field with a variety of different plumbing fittings for coupling conduits to such fittings. The assembly comprises first and second interlocking cartridges holding a dual function gripping ring. The gripping ring has inwardly projecting tines for gripping and holding a fluid conduit and outwardly projecting tines for holding the assembly within a plumbing fitting. A sealing ring is captively held by the first cartridge and is positioned to seal the insert assembly to a plumbing fitting when inserted therein and also seal a conduit extended into the assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly further includes a release ring held within the second cartridge for selectively engaging the inwardly projecting tines of the gripping ring to allow a fluid conduit to be removed from the insert assembly. | 06-11-2015 |
20150159782 | LEAD-FREE HIGH TEMPERATURE/PRESSURE PIPING COMPONENTS AND METHODS OF USE - A piping component for controlling the flow of fluids that includes a piping body having an inlet end and an outlet end, including methods of operating such components within a piping system. The piping body may be sized for fluids operating at temperatures from approximately 350° F. up to approximately 500° F., and up to approximately 650° F. In addition, the piping body is made from a silicon-copper alloy consisting essentially of less than 16% zinc, less than trace amounts of lead, less than trace amounts of bismuth, 2 to 6% silicon and a balance of copper (by weight). In certain aspects, less than 0.09% of lead and/or less than 0.09% bismuth are contained in the silicon-copper alloy. | 06-11-2015 |
20150101684 | VALVE HANDLE LOCK - A locking collar slideably fits over the control handle of a valve, such as a ball valve, and can be moved to locking and unlocking positions. The collar includes a pair of fork-like tines which are spaced apart to span a stop member on the valve body. One of the tines includes a tab with a threaded aperture for receiving a threaded adjustment screw. When tightened against the stop member, the screw secures the locking collar and, therefore, the valve handle in a fixed position, preventing inadvertent changing of the valve position. An aperture in the handle allows a lock to be inserted through the handle preventing movement of the locking collar to prevent changing of the valve position by unauthorized tampering. | 04-16-2015 |
20140360422 | UNIVERSAL INDICATOR POST - An indicator post has a head assembly for use with an underground post indicator valve or a wall mounted post indicator valve. The head assembly includes an upper body having a removable cap rotatably supporting an operating stem coupled to an operating rod for engaging the valve. A leading bogie assembly threadably mated to a threaded sleeve of the operating stem and includes open and shut targets slideably supported on the bogie assembly to allow adjustment of the targets for valves that open and shut with different numbers of revolutions. | 12-11-2014 |
20140090714 | LEAD-FREE HIGH TEMPERATURE/PRESSURE PIPING COMPONENTS AND METHODS OF USE - A piping component for controlling the flow of high-temperature fluids that includes a piping body having an inlet end and an outlet end, including methods of operating such components within a piping system. The piping body may be sized for fluids operating at temperatures from approximately 350° F. up to approximately 500° F., and 650° F. The piping body may also be sized for high-temperature fluids (e.g., steam) operating at pressures of up to approximately 400 psi, and 600 psi. In addition, the piping body is made from a silicon-copper alloy consisting essentially of less than 16% zinc, less than 0.25% lead, less than 0.25% bismuth, 2 to 6% silicon and a balance of copper (by weight). | 04-03-2014 |
20130300105 | HYDRO-FORMED T-FITTING - A punch for forming opposite ends of a copper tube into a T includes a tapered or shovel-nose such that the spacing between the ends of the opposed punches is reduced, thereby reducing the excess copper remaining in the T once formed. A method of forming the fitting employs the shovel-nose punches in a hydro-forming process to accommodate such results. | 11-14-2013 |
20130277964 | COUPLING - A plumbing fitting for coupling a water supply line to a second plumbing fitting includes a polymeric tailpiece having one end for coupling to a conduit and an opposite end with an outwardly extending annular flange having an annular face surface. A circular recess is formed in the face surface for receiving a seal. A nut is positioned over the tailpiece and has an inwardly extending annular rim engaging a side of the flange opposite the face surface. The nut is formed of a polymeric material having internal threads and integrally includes a metal insert extending in concentric spaced relationship to the threads of the nut. The insert includes an end which is threaded and forms a lead-in thread that is coaxial with the threads of the nut. | 10-24-2013 |
20130192709 | LEACH-RESISTANT LEADED COPPER ALLOYS - Copper alloys exhibiting enhanced oxidation resistance are provided by adding an amount of sulfur that is effective to enhance oxidative resistance. Such sulfur addition can be achieved by combining elemental forms of copper and sulfur and heating the mixture to form a molten alloy, or by forming a sulfur-rich pre-mix that is added to a base alloy composition. Forming a pre-mix provides improved homogeneity and distribution of the sulfur predominantly in the form of a metal sulfide. | 08-01-2013 |
20130115128 | SULFUR-RICH CORROSION-RESISTANT COPPER-ZINC ALLOY - Copper-zinc alloys exhibiting enhanced oxidation resistance are provided by adding an amount of sulfur that is effective to enhance oxidative resistance. Such sulfur addition can be achieved by forming a sulfur-rich pre-mix that is added to a base alloy composition. This technique provides improved homogeneity and distribution of the sulfur predominantly in the form of a metal sulfide. | 05-09-2013 |
20130068900 | PIPE-TO-PIPE BRACE ASSEMBLY - A pipe brace assembly includes a main clamp body that can be secured to a brace pipe. A cable, or other flexible tensioning member, can be wrapped around a braced pipe and secured to the main clamp body. The pipe brace assembly includes a method or mechanism for tensioning the cable or flexible tensioning member around the braced pipe. In some embodiments, the tensioning method or mechanism involves moving, such as rotating, the main clamp body to tension the cable or tensioning member. The clamping of the main clamp body and tensioning of the cable or tensioning member can occur simultaneously. | 03-21-2013 |
20130020447 | BEAM CLAMP - A beam clamp for mounting to a flange of a beam or other support, having a main body and a set screw. The main body has an end wall, a first side wall and a second side wall. The first and second side walls each define a slot having an open end and a closed end. The end wall, the first side wall and the second side wall of the main body are formed by a unitary piece of material having a wall thickness. The main body further includes a first protrusion and a second protrusion that extend unitarily from the end wall. A first threaded opening and a second threaded opening pass through the end wall and a respective one of the first and second threaded openings such that each of the first threaded opening and the second threaded opening define a thread length that is greater than the wall thickness. | 01-24-2013 |
20120305723 | SWAY BRACE ATTACHMENT - A sway brace attachment for firmly connecting to a beam and other flanged structures, and a method for manufacturing the sway brace attachment. The sway brace attachment includes a main body and an insert that is captured within the main body by a pair of set screws which also engage the flange. Preferably, a third set screw is supported by the main body and engages the opposite side of the flange from the pair of set screws. The main body can be generally rectangular in shape, with a top wall, a pair of side walls extending from the top wall and a pair of bottom walls, which extend inwardly from respective side walls in an overlapping relationship. The sway brace attachment can be used for bracing pipes and other loads, suspended below ceilings and floors, against sway and seismic disturbances. | 12-06-2012 |
20110204624 | UNIVERSAL CONNECTION SOCKET - A universal connection socket includes in one embodiment a plurality of spaced radially inwardly projecting barbs spanning opposite sides of a circumferential O-ring receiving groove and dimensioned to grip, when crimped, a fluid conduit in sealable engagement within the socket. In another embodiment of the invention, an annular recess adjacent the O-ring groove releasably receives a locking sleeve for a push-type connector for compressing the O-ring during insertion of a conduit. The sleeve is subsequently partially withdrawn and has an inwardly extending locking barb to engage the conduit, lockably holding the conduit in place. An outwardly extending gripping edge cams the locking barb as a locking wedge is inserted between the end of the socket and the annular flange of the sleeve. | 08-25-2011 |
20110101678 | SWIVEL ATTACHMENT AND BRANCH LINE RESTRAINT - A swivel attachment and/or branch line restraint device with angular versatility and mobility for facilitating connection of installation components to support a pipe or other load relative to a support surface is provided. Advantageously, embodiments of the device provide a plurality of rotational or swivel degrees of freedom, which are substantially independently controllable, for its mating portions, which respectively engage corresponding mating portions of other installation components. The device embodiments can desirably be configured in male-female, male-male or female-female arrangements to enhance device utility and/or versatility, thereby advantageously allowing for use in a myriad of applications and installations, such as construction, utilities and the like, among others, to reliably support loads. | 05-05-2011 |
20110067469 | T-FITTING MANUFACTURING METHOD AND TOOL - A punch for forming opposite ends of a copper tube into a T includes a tapered or shovel-nose such that the spacing between the ends of the opposed punches is reduced, thereby reducing the excess copper remaining in the T once formed. A method of forming the fitting employs the shovel-nose punches in a hydro-forming process to accommodate such results. | 03-24-2011 |
20100294895 | OFFSET HANGER - An offset hanger has a central retainer portion, a first leg and a second leg. The central retainer portion defines a segment of a generally cylindrical shape and retains a conduit, pipe, tube or the like. | 11-25-2010 |
20100171302 | PUSH-TWIST CONNECTOR - A push-in plumbing connector includes a ring seal, a backing member, a threaded seal compression member, and a locking ring insert which moves between a locked and unlocked position for the insertion and locking of a pipe within the connector. The connector cooperates with a threaded socket of a plumbing fitting having a tapered side wall for engaging the seal which surrounds a pipe inserted into the connector. | 07-08-2010 |
20100146906 | SWAY BRACE FITTING - A versatile sway brace fitting, includes a pair of spaced jaws, for firmly and deformingly gripping a brace, and a method for manufacturing the fitting. The fitting can withstand substantial loads and is adaptable to receive a variety of braces such as bracing pipes, angle irons, channels, plates, among others. The fitting includes a set screw, preferably angled, and a sharp-cornered recess which assist in resisting withdrawal of the brace from the jaws. The method of manufacturing is desirably simple and expeditious, thereby ensuring that the fitting is inexpensive. | 06-17-2010 |
20100107518 | SEISMIC ATTACHMENT MEMBER - A seismic bracing assembly has a first subassembly and a second subassembly that are connected by a sleeve. The first subassembly has a structural yoke used to secure the first subassembly to a structural member. The second subassembly has another yoke used to secure the second subassembly to an anchoring member. The first and second subassembly have a sufficient length to allow rough in assembly of the two subassemblies with the sleeve that couples them together. | 05-06-2010 |
20100025992 | CRIMP EVIDENT SEAL - An O-ring has a flange which includes a plurality of slots, such that, when inserted into an annular groove of a pipe fitting before crimping, the slots allow the flow of fluid therethrough, such that an installation would not pass pressure tests until such time as a proper crimp has been made. Such a design allows the use of conventional push-on pipe connections by utilizing a unique O-ring seal which works in conjunction with standard push-on crimp-type pipe fittings and conventional crimping tools for subsequently sealing the connection. The O-ring is either circular or elliptical in cross section and the slots define equally spaced annular segments. | 02-04-2010 |
20100006729 | CLEVIS HANGER AND METHOD OF INSTALLING THE CLEVIS HANGER - A clevis hanger has an upper strap and a lower strap. The upper strap can be supported by a hang rod or the like. The lower strap and the upper strap can be snapped open and snapped closed such that the lower strap can be secured to the upper strap without additional hardware. | 01-14-2010 |
20090146418 | CONNECTION WITH TAIL PIECE FOR A PRESS-FITTING - An adapter integrates a tail piece and connection for coupling to plumbing fittings utilizing a union nut or flange and provides a press-fit connection to the tail piece for installation in the system. The method of manufacturing the adapter comprises the steps of forming a flange on a section of conduit; placing a threaded union nut or mounting flange over the flange fitting; roll-forming an internal, concave annular recess into the section of conduit extending from the nut and inserting an O-ring into the recess for completing the adapter. The adapter can then be sealably attached to a plumbing fitting, such as a valve or the like, utilizing a conventional flat gasket between the flange of the adapter and the plumbing fitting. The installation is completed by inserting a conduit into the adapter to clear the O-ring and crimping the bead formed by the recess to complete the sealed connection. | 06-11-2009 |
20090065657 | HANGER FOR FIRE SPRINKLER PIPE - A one-piece hanger is formed with a pair of spaced segments or legs joined by an end wall. Each segment has a recess formed in an edge which is open towards the recess on an edge of the opposite segment. The two recesses are aligned so as to create a substantially full opening to receive a pipe. The hanger may be positioned on a pipe with the segments extending substantially parallel to the pipe axis, and the hanger can then be rotated about 90° so that the pipe extends through the substantially full opening formed by the recesses. The hanger end is formed with mounting holes. | 03-12-2009 |
20080258461 | SWIVEL ATTACHMENT AND BRANCH LINE RESTRAINT - A swivel attachment and/or branch line restraint device with angular versatility and mobility for facilitating connection of installation components to support a pipe or other load relative to a support surface is provided. Advantageously, embodiments of the device provide a plurality of rotational or swivel degrees of freedom, which are substantially independently controllable, for its mating portions, which respectively engage corresponding mating portions of other installation components. The device embodiments can desirably be configured in male-female, male-male or female-female arrangements to enhance device utility and/or versatility, thereby advantageously allowing for use in a myriad of applications and installations, such as construction, utilities and the like, among others, to reliably support loads. | 10-23-2008 |