Pipe nipple

Abstract

A pipe nipple has a bore therethrough, with an entrance chamber at one end of the bore having a larger diameter adjacent a drive configuration of narrower diameter for receiving a tool therein to rotate the nipple about its longitudinal axis. The exterior of the nipple has a surface formation as a stop against which a hose can be inserted over the nipple, and a threaded length for attaching the nipple to another device.

1 . A method of manufacturing a pipe nipple for an automobile cooling system, comprising: 
 cold-forming material into the shape of the nipple, said cold forming including steps of: 
 creating a substantially cylindrical body having first and second ends and a bore therethrough; and  
 shaping the bore at one of the ends to include an entrance chamber of relatively larger diameter and a drive configuration narrower in diameter than the entrance chamber, the drive configuration being between the entrance chamber and the other end and being shaped to receive a tool therein for rotating the nipple about a longitudinal axis of the nipple; and  
   creating a thread along a portion of the body from the end thereof opposite the end having the entrance chamber.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , said shaping step including forming angles in the bore inwardly from the entrance chamber for receiving a hex tool therein.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , said cold-forming including forming an angled shoulder as a transition between the entrance chamber and the drive configuration.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , including a step of forming an outwardly extending formation on the nipple between and spaced from the first and second ends.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , including a further step of coating at least a portion of the nipple with a layer of surface protecting material.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , including a step of coating the thread with a layer threaded joint sealing material.  
   
   
       7 . A nipple comprising: 
 a cylindrical body having an outer surface, first and second ends and a longitudinal bore there through;    said first end having a helical thread thereon on the outside thereof,    said second end having an outwardly extending enlargement and being configured to receive a hose thereover; and    said bore configured at said second end with an entrance chamber of comparatively larger diameter and a drive configuration of comparatively narrower diameter, said drive configuration being shaped for receiving a tool therein for axially rotating said nipple, said drive configuration disposed inwardly from said entrance chamber relative to said second end.    
   
   
       8 . The nipple of  claim 7 , said drive configuration being of a shape for receiving a hex tool therein.  
   
   
       9 . The nipple of  claim 8 , including a layer of surface protectant on at least a portion of said nipple.  
   
   
       10 . The nipple of  claim 7 , said layer of surface protectant being zinc plating.  
   
   
       11 . The nipple of  claim 7 , including a radially inwardly directed angular shoulder from said entrance chamber to said drive configuration.  
   
   
       12 . The nipple of  claim 7 , including a layer of threaded joint sealing material on said thread.  
   
   
       13 . The nipple of  claim 7 , said outer surface of said nipple having at least one outwardly extending formation between said thread and said enlargement for functioning as a stop for a hose inserted on said nipple.  
   
   
       14 . A pipe nipple for an automobile cooling system, said nipple comprising: 
 a cylindrical body having an outer surface, a first end having a thread adapted for engagement with threads of a cooling system component, a second end adapted to be received in a cooling system hose, and an axial bore extending there through; and    said bore defining an entrance chamber at said second end and a drive configuration between said entrance chamber and said fust end, said drive configuration being shaped for receiving a tool therein for rotating said nipple about the axis thereof, and said entrance chamber being of larger diameter than said drive configuration.    
   
   
       15 . The nipple of  claim 14 , said drive configuration being of a shape for receiving a hex tool therein.  
   
   
       16 . The nipple of  claim 14 , said outer surface of said nipple having at least one outwardly extending formation between said thread and said second end functioning as a stop for a hose inserted on said nipple.  
   
   
       17 . The nipple of  claim 14 , including a layer of surface protecting material on at least a portion thereof.  
   
   
       18 . The nipple of  claim 17 , said layer comprised of zinc plating or nickel.  
   
   
       19 . The nipple of  claim 14 , including a shoulder at an end of said drive configuration nearest said first end.  
   
   
       20 . The nipple of  claim 14 , including an angled shoulder transition between said entrance chamber and said drive configuration.  
   
   
       21 . The nipple of  claim 14 , including a layer of threaded joint sealing material on said thread.  
   
   
       22 . A manufacturing system for making a pipe nipple for an automobile cooling system, comprising: 
 means for cold-forming material into the shape of the nipple, said means for cold forming including: 
 means for creating a substantially cylindrical body having first and second ends and a bore therethrough; and  
 means for shaping the bore at one of the ends to include an entrance chamber of relatively larger diameter and a drive configuration narrower in diameter than the entrance chamber, the drive configuration being between the entrance chamber and the other end and being shaped to receive a tool therein for rotating the nipple about a longitudinal axis of the nipple; and  
   means for creating a thread along a portion of the body from the end thereof opposite the end having the-entrance-chamber.