CPC F16L 37/088 (2013.01) [F16L 2201/10 (2013.01)] | 25 Claims |
1. A pipe system comprising:
a pipe having a pipe axis and a pipe retainer groove formed in an outer surface of the pipe;
a tubular body having an axis, a bore that is axial, and a retainer groove formed in the bore of the tubular body; and
a retainer configured to be mounted in the retainer groove, and an entirety of the retainer is configured to be both axially movable and radially movable relative to the retainer groove during formation of a pipe assembly with the pipe in the bore,
wherein the retainer and the retainer groove each include a sloped surface that contact one another, that are not parallel to the axis of the tubular body, and that allow axial and radial movement of the retainer,
wherein a radial size of the retainer is configured to radially expand relative to the axis when the pipe is axially inserted through the retainer in the tubular body,
wherein the retainer includes a plurality of resilient tabs extending in a circumferential direction relative to, and protruding radially outward from, an outer circumferential surface of the retainer, and
wherein the resilient tabs aid in centering the retainer relative to the tubular body and allow radial expansion of the retainer within the retainer groove.
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