US 12,449,071 B2
Compression fitting
Ryan Fairchild Larson, Decatur, IL (US)
Assigned to Mueller International, LLC, Atlanta, GA (US)
Filed by Mueller International, LLC, Atlanta, GA (US)
Filed on May 24, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/201,544.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/345,725, filed on May 25, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0383876 A1, Nov. 30, 2023
Int. Cl. F16L 21/08 (2006.01); F16L 21/06 (2006.01)
CPC F16L 21/08 (2013.01) [F16L 21/065 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A compression fitting for engaging a piping component, the compression fitting configurable in a loosened configuration and a tightened configuration and comprising:
a fitting body having a front end defining a front body portion and a rear end defining a rear body portion, the front body portion defining a first end, a second end, and a gap defined between the first end and the second end in the loosened configuration;
a fastener assembly mounted to the fitting body and configured to tighten the compression fitting from the loosened configuration to the tightened configuration; and
a fastener alignment device having a first device end and a second device end, the first device end defining an alignment hole that receives a portion of the fastener assembly therein, the first device end being disposed between the first end and the second end of the fitting body;
wherein, in the tightened configuration, the first end of the fitting body contacts and stops against the second end of the fitting body, and wherein contact between the first end and the second end in the tightened configuration indicates to a user that the fastener assembly is tightened to a required torque for the compression fitting to properly engage the piping component, and wherein the fitting body defines a locking projection, the fastener assembly comprises a threaded nut and a threaded fastener rotationally engaging the threaded nut, and the locking projection contacts the threaded nut to prohibit rotation of the threaded nut.