Water systems

Abstract

A sealing member and a preemptive system and a preemptive method of preventing or stopping a primary joint leak between a pipe and a pipe fitting by securing a sealing ring to the pipe and the pipe fitting to form a secondary joint that inhibits or prevent leakage between the primary joint between the pipe and the pipe fitting without knowing if the primary joint is faulty.

We claim: 
     
         1 .- 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A water system to inhibit or prevent leaks comprising:
 a source of high pressure water;   a water pipe connected to the source of high pressure water with at least a portion of the water pipe concealed from view;   a water outlet;   a fitting, said fitting connected to said water pipe to form a first joint;   a sealing member in sealing engagement with a circumferential region of the water pipe and the fitting to form a second joint therebetween to inhibit or prevent water under pressure from leaking from said second joint from high pressure water in said water pipe.   
     
     
         9 . The water system of  claim 8  where the water system is an irrigation system with the irrigation system including a controller. 
     
     
         10 . The water system of  claim 8  where the water system is a building water system with the water outlet comprises a faucet for opening and closing the water pipe. 
     
     
         11 . The water system of  claim 8  wherein the sealing member comprises either a split sealing ring or a closed sealing ring proximate each of the fittings. 
     
     
         12 . The water system of  claim 9  including a drain valve connected to said water pipe. 
     
     
         13 . The water system of  claim 9  including sprinkler head connected to said water pipe. 
     
     
         14 . The water system of  claim 9  wherein the sealing member is a thermoplastic pipe and the fitting is a thermoplastic fitting. 
     
     
         15 . The water system of  claim 9  wherein the sealing member is a one-piece, split-sealing ring. 
     
     
         16 . The water system of  claim 9  wherein the sealing member includes an annular surface having a diameter sufficiently larger than the diameter of the pipe so as to slide axially along an exterior pipe surface but sufficiently small so that a diametrical clearance between the exterior pipe surface and the annular surface on the sealing member permits solvent joining the exterior pipe surface and the annular surface to each other. 
     
     
         17 . A preemptive method of ensuring the integrity of a water supply system comprising the steps:
 securing a fitting to a pipe to form a primary joint between the pipe and the fitting; and   securing a sealing member to the pipe and proximate the fitting to form a secondary joint between the pipe and the fitting with the secondary joint being in series with the primary joint so that if a leak should occur in the primary joint the secondary joint inhibits or prevents water leakage therefrom.   
     
     
         18 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A sealing member for leak proofing a joint between a pipe and a fitting comprising:
 an inner surface on the sealing member for engaging with a circumferential surface of the pipe proximate the fitting;   an outer grasping surface on said sealing member; and   a chamfer on an edge of the inner surface of said sealing member.   
     
     
         22 . The sealing member of  claim 21  including an end face and a sealant on said inner surface and said end face for sealingly securing the sealing member to the pipe to prevent leakage between the pipe and the fitting. 
     
     
         23 . The sealing member of  claim 21  including an end connector, said end connector including a first connectable end on said sealing member and a second connectable end on said sealing member for mating engagement with first connectable end to form a closed ring. 
     
     
         24 . The sealing member of  claim 21  wherein the sealing member comprises a first cylindrical pipe engaging section and a second cylindrical pipe engaging section having a hinge. 
     
     
         25 . The sealing member of  claim 23  wherein the sealing member includes a further end connector comprising a third connectable end and a fourth connectable end. 
     
     
         26 . The sealing member of  claim 24  wherein the hinge is integral to the sealing member and an inner annular surface of the sealing member includes a film of solvent. 
     
     
         27 . The sealing member of  claim 25  wherein the end connector and the further end connector are laterally engageable. 
     
     
         28 . The sealing member of  claim 21  wherein the outer grasping surface of the sealing member includes finger-gripping protrusions. 
     
     
         29 . The sealing member of  claim 21  wherein the first end connector includes a cylindrical pin for engagement with a web on the further end connector. 
     
     
         30 . The sealing member of  claim 21  for engagement with a pipe and a fitting wherein an internal diameter of the sealing member and the fitting are substantially equal. 
     
     
         31 . The sealing member of  claim 21  wherein the sealing member is a thermoplastic ring. 
     
     
         32 . A sealing member for leak proofing a joint between a pipe and a fitting comprising:
 an inner surface on the sealing member for engaging with a circumferential surface of the pipe proximate the fitting;   an outer grasping surface on said sealing member; and   a sealant on said inner surface for sealingly securing the sealing member to the pipe to prevent leakage between the pipe and the fitting.