Method and apparatus for connecting coupler fittings to conduit sections

Abstract

A preferred apparatus for connecting a fitting to a conduit section comprises a rigid insert designed to be affixed to the fitting and one or more retainers designed to fit over the external surface of the conduit section. A preferred insert includes at least two axially-spaced, raised detents. Suitable retainers include rigid, one-piece collars and clamps. An especially preferred method for connecting the coupler fittings and the section of pipe comprises the steps of positioning a one-piece collar over the external surface of the conduit section; pressing the insert into a receiving end of the conduit section; and pushing the one-piece collar along the external surface of the conduit section toward the receiving end to substantially align the one-piece collar between two axially-spaced, raised detents on the insert. Most preferably, a seal is positioned between the two axially-spaced, raised detents. The preferred retainer cinches the wall of the conduit section against the outer surface of the insert between the two raised detents so as to decrease the likelihood that the conduit section will leak or slip from the fitting during use.

1 . A method for connecting a fitting to a conduit section using an insert affixed to the fitting, the insert defining a first raised detent and a second raised detent, said first and second raised detents being axially spaced from one another, the method comprising the steps of: 
 positioning a one-piece collar over an external surface of the conduit section;    pressing the insert into a receiving end of the conduit section; and    pushing the one-piece collar along the external surface of the conduit section toward the receiving end of the conduit section to substantially align the one-piece collar between the first and second raised detents.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of pushing the one-piece collar along the external surface of the conduit section includes pushing the one-piece collar along the external surface until the one-piece collar straddles at least one of the first and second raised detents.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one-piece collar defines a first end, a second end and an opening extending from the first end to the second end, the opening flaring from a position intermediate the first and second ends toward the first end.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the insert includes a generally cylindrical body; the first and second raised detents are annular, raised detents; and the step of pushing the one-piece collar along the external surface of the conduit section includes pushing the one-piece collar along the external surface to substantially align the one-piece collar between the annular, raised detents.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the insert includes a generally cylindrical body; the first and second raised detents are annular barbs; and the step of pushing the one-piece collar along the external surface of the conduit section includes pushing the one-piece collar along the external surface to substantially align the one-piece collar between the annular barbs.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , including the additional step of mounting a seal on the insert between the first and second raised detents prior to the step of pressing the insert into the receiving end of the conduit section.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the insert includes a generally cylindrical body and an annular groove between the first and second raised detents; and the method includes the additional step of mounting an annular seal in the annular groove prior to the step of pressing the insert into the receiving end of the conduit section.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the insert defines a third raised detent between the first and second raised detents, the third raised detent being smaller than the first and second raised detents; and the step of pushing the one-piece collar along the external surface of the conduit section includes pushing the one-piece collar along the external surface to substantially align the one-piece collar over the third raised detent.  
   
   
       9 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the insert includes a staple; the method includes the additional steps of threading a strap defining strap end portions through the staple and bending the strap near the staple; and the step of pushing the one-piece collar along the external surface of the conduit section includes pushing the one-piece collar over one of the strap end portions.  
   
   
       10 . A method for connecting a fitting to a conduit section using a rigid, one-piece collar, the one-piece collar defining a first end, a second end and an opening extending from the first end to the second end, the opening flaring from a position intermediate the first and second ends toward the first end, the method comprising the steps of: 
 positioning the one-piece collar over an external surface of the conduit section such that the first end of the one-piece collar faces a receiving end of the conduit section;    pressing an insert affixed to the fitting into the receiving end of the conduit section; and    pushing the one-piece collar along the external surface of the conduit section toward the receiving end of the conduit section.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , including the additional step of mounting a seal on the insert prior to the step of pressing the insert into the receiving end of the conduit section.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the insert includes a generally cylindrical body and an annular groove; and the method includes the additional step of mounting an annular seal in the annular groove prior to the step of pressing the insert into the receiving end of the conduit section.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , including the additional step of mounting a seal on the insert prior to the step of pressing the insert into the receiving end of the conduit section; and wherein the step of pushing the one-piece collar along the external surface of the conduit section includes pushing the one-piece collar along the external surface to substantially align the one-piece collar over the seal.  
   
   
       14 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the insert includes a staple; the method includes the additional steps of threading a strap defining strap end portions through the staple and bending the strap near the staple; and the step of pushing the one-piece collar along the external surface of the conduit section includes pushing the one-piece collar over one of the strap end portions.  
   
   
       15 . A method for connecting a fitting to a conduit section using an insert affixed to the fitting, the insert defining a first raised detent, a second raised detent axially spaced from the first raised detent and a third raised detent axially spaced from the second raised detent, the method comprising the steps of: 
 pressing the insert into a receiving end of the conduit section;    placing a first retainer over an external surface of the conduit section in substantial alignment between the first and second raised detents; and    placing a second retainer over the external surface of the conduit section in substantial alignment between the second and third raised detents.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of placing the first retainer over the external surface of the conduit section includes placing the first retainer such that the first retainer straddles at least one of the first and second raised detents.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first retainer is a rigid, one-piece collar; and the step of placing the first retainer over the external surface of the conduit section includes: 
 positioning the first retainer over the external surface; and    pushing the first retainer along the external surface toward the receiving end of the conduit section.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first retainer is a rigid, one-piece collar, the one-piece collar defining a first end, a second end and an opening extending from the first end to the second end, the opening flaring from a position intermediate the first and second ends toward the first end; and the step of placing the first retainer over the external surface of the conduit section includes: 
 positioning the first retainer over the external surface such that the first end of the first retainer faces the receiving end of the conduit section; and    pushing the first retainer along the external surface toward the receiving end of the conduit section.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first retainer is a clamp; and the step of placing the first retainer over the external surface of the conduit section includes: 
 positioning the first retainer over the external surface in substantial alignment between the first and second raised detents; and    tightening the first retainer over the external surface.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the insert includes a generally cylindrical body; the first and second raised detents are annular, raised detents; and the step of placing the first retainer over the external surface of the conduit section includes placing the first retainer in substantial alignment between the annular, raised detents.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the insert includes a generally cylindrical body; the first and second raised detents are annular barbs; and the step of placing the first retainer over the external surface of the conduit section includes placing the first retainer in substantial alignment between the annular barbs.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 15 , including the additional step of mounting a seal on the insert between the first and second raised detents prior to the step of pressing the insert into the receiving end of the conduit section.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the insert includes a generally cylindrical body and an annular groove between the first and second raised detents; and the method includes the additional step of mounting an annular seal in the annular groove prior to the step of pressing the insert into the receiving end of the conduit section.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 15 , including the additional step of mounting a seal on the insert between the first and second raised detents prior to the step of pressing the insert into the receiving end of the conduit section; and wherein the step of placing the first retainer over the external surface of the conduit section includes placing the first retainer over the seal.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the insert defines a fourth raised detent between the first and second raised detents, the fourth raised detent being smaller than the first and second raised detents; and the step of placing the first retainer over the external surface of the conduit section includes placing the first retainer over the seal.  
   
   
       26 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the insert includes a staple; the method includes the additional steps of threading a strap defining strap end portions through the staple and bending the strap near the staple; and the step of placing one of the first and second retainers over the external surface of the conduit section includes placing that one of the first and second retainers over one of the strap end portions.  
   
   
       27 . A method for connecting a fitting to a conduit section using an insert affixed to the fitting, the insert defining two axially-spaced, raised detents and including a staple, the method comprising the steps of: 
 pressing the insert into a receiving end of the conduit section;    threading a strap defining strap end portions through the staple;    bending the strap near the staple; and    positioning a retainer over one of the strap end portions.    
   
   
       28 . The method as recited in  claim 27 , including the additional step of positioning a one-piece collar over an external surface of the conduit section; and wherein the step of positioning the retainer over one of the strap end portions includes pushing the one-piece collar along the external surface of the conduit section toward the receiving end of the conduit section.  
   
   
       29 . The method as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the retainer is a clamp and the method includes the additional step of tightening the retainer over the external surface.