Pipe coupling for a venting system

Abstract

A leak proof coupling is accomplished by the combination of the spreading of an end of a pipe and by the insertion of a silicone gasket over the female side of each pipe section. When the sections are put together, the gasket lip is deflected downward to a predetermined amount established by the dimensions of the joint. This deflection generates the compression required to seals the gap between the male and female sides of the coupling. Because of the choice of thickness of the gasket material in combination with the inside and outside diameter of the gasket, assembly of different components of the venting system with each other is facilitated without using special tools or fixtures. Disassembly of the same components for routine maintenance is also easier to accomplish with this coupling design.

1 . A pipe coupling for components of a venting system comprising: 
 a male pipe member on an end of a first one of said, components, said male pipe member comprising a flue pipe having an outer diameter at an outer end of said flue pipe;    a female pipe member on a corresponding end of a second one of said components, said female pipe member receiving the male pipe member and comprising: 
 a flue sleeve having variable inner diameters expanding in a step-like manner from an inner end to an outer end of said flue sleeve, a first of said inner diameters at the inner end similarly sized with respect to the outer diameter of the flue pipe, said flue sleeve having a second of said inner diameters being sized larger than the outer diameter of the flue pipe at the outer end;  
 an enlargement located proximate the outer end of the flue sleeve; and  
 a compressible gasket held within the enlargement having an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the flue pipe;  
 wherein the flue pipe remains in circumferential contact with the compressible gasket when the male pipe member is inserted into the female pipe member.  
   
   
   
       2 . The pipe coupling according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a male outer casing surrounding at least a part of the male pipe member and having a first outer casing circumference; and    a female outer casing surrounding at least a part of the female pipe member and having a second outer casing circumference,    wherein the first outer casing circumference is similar sized with respect to the second outer casing circumference.    
   
   
       3 . The pipe coupling according to  claim 2 , wherein the male outer casing and the female outer casing are sized such that the male outer casing remains in contact with the female outer casing when the male pipe member is inserted into the female pipe member.  
   
   
       4 . The pipe coupling according to  claim 1 , wherein the gasket is made of one of silicone or rubber.  
   
   
       5 . The pipe coupling according to  claim 1 , wherein the gasket comprises an inwardly extending projection.  
   
   
       6 . The pipe coupling according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one fastener joining the male pipe member to the female pipe member.  
   
   
       7 . The pipe coupling according to  claim 4 , wherein the gasket comprises an inwardly extending projection.  
   
   
       8 . The pipe coupling according to  claim 7 , further comprising at least one fastener joining the male pipe member to the female pipe member.  
   
   
       9 . A venting system comprising components that are coupled with the coupling defined in  claim 1 .  
   
   
       10 . The venting system according to  claim 9 , further comprising a fully rotational and configurable cap at an extremity of the venting system for redirecting a vented flue gas in a selected direction.  
   
   
       11 . The venting system according to  claim 9 , further comprising an attic shield surrounding components of the venting system traversing a ceiling.  
   
   
       12 . The venting system according to  claim 9 , wherein one of said components is selected from the group consisting of a stove adaptor, a standard length, an adjustable length, a tee, an elbow, and an increaser.  
   
   
       13 . A component of a venting system, said venting system having a flue pipe of a defined diameter, said component comprising: 
 a female pipe member on a first end of said component, said female pipe member comprising: 
 a flue sleeve having variable inner diameters expanding in a step-like manner from an inner end to an outer end of said flue sleeve, a first of said inner diameters at the inner end similarly sized with respect to the defined diameter of the flue pipe, said flue sleeve having a second of said inner diameters being sized larger than the defined diameter of the flue pipe at the outer end;  
 an enlargement located proximate the outer end of the flue sleeve; and  
 a compressible gasket held within the enlargement having an inner diameter smaller than the defined diameter of the flue pipe.  
   
   
   
       14 . The component according to  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 a male pipe member on a second end of said component, said male pipe member being similarly sized with respect to the defined diameter of the flue pipe.    
   
   
       15 . The component according to  claim 13 , wherein the gasket is made of one of silicone or rubber.  
   
   
       16 . The component according to  claim 13 , wherein the gasket comprises an inwardly extending projection.  
   
   
       17 . The component according to  claim 13 , wherein the component is selected from the group consisting of a stove adaptor, a standard length, an adjustable length, a tee, an elbow, and an increaser.  
   
   
       18 . The component according to  claim 14 , wherein the component is selected from the group consisting of a standard length, an adjustable length, a tee, an elbow, and an increaser.  
   
   
       19 . The component according to  claim 14 , wherein the gasket is made of one of silicone or rubber.  
   
   
       20 . The component according to  claim 19 , wherein the gasket comprises an inwardly extending projection.