US 12,228,231 B2
Plumbing connector
Joseph Derres Catalano, Roswell, GA (US); and Sai Kishore Ravisankar, Alpharetta, GA (US)
Assigned to RELIANCE WORLDWIDE CORPORATION, Atlanta, GA (US)
Filed by RELIANCE WORLDWIDE CORPORATION, Atlanta, GA (US)
Filed on May 9, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/659,206.
Application 18/659,206 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2023/034177, filed on Sep. 29, 2023.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/377,921, filed on Sep. 30, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0288108 A1, Aug. 29, 2024
Int. Cl. F16L 37/091 (2006.01)
CPC F16L 37/0915 (2016.05) [F16L 2201/10 (2013.01)] 30 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A connector assembly comprising:
a connector body having a first end that defines a first opening and an opposite second end that defines a second opening, the connector body defining first and second conduit stops between the first and second ends and a fluid passage that extends through the first and second ends, the connector body being entirely formed of a transparent material that extends from the first end to the second end, the transparent material being a plastic construction that is light transmissive;
a first O-ring sealing member configured to be inserted into the first opening of the connector body to form a sealing engagement with a first fluid conduit, and a second O-ring sealing member configured to be inserted into the second opening of the connector body to form a sealing engagement with a second fluid conduit;
a visible indication zone defined in a portion of the connector body, wherein the visible indication zone provides visual indication of two visual positions of the first and second fluid conduits inside the connector body, wherein a first visual position of the first and second fluid conduits includes a visual position where the first and second fluid conduits are respectively inserted beyond a seal portion of the connector body provided by the first and second O-ring sealing members but not fully inserted to a predetermined depth defined respectively by the first and second conduit stops within the connector body, and wherein a second visual position of the first and second conduits includes a visual position where the first and second conduits are sealed and fully inserted within the connector body to the predetermined depth respectively provided by the first and second conduit stops within the connector body;
a first grab ring comprising a plurality of teeth configured for coupling to the first fluid conduit, and a second grab ring comprising a plurality of teeth configured for coupling to the second fluid conduit;
a first protection ring partially positioned within the connector body at the first end thereof between the first grab ring and the first O-ring sealing member, a second protection ring partially positioned within the connector body at the second end thereof between the second grab ring and the second O-ring sealing member; and
a first end cap configured to mount on the connector body at the first end thereof, and a second end cap configured to mount on the connector body at the second end thereof;
wherein the connector assembly further comprises a tube liner.