Method and apparatus for connecting piping

Abstract

A piping connector is provided having a ring configured to install around an external diameter of a pipe, the ring having at least one clamp closing portion that has an open uncrimped position and a closed crimped position, a piping shield connected to the ring, the piping shield having at least one penetration to accept the at least one clamp closing portion, wherein the piping shield covers an abutment end of the pipe to be connected, wherein a joint between the ring and the piping shield forms a connection.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A piping connector, comprising:
 a ring configured to install around an external diameter of a pipe, the ring having at least one clamp closing portion that has an open uncrimped position and a closed crimped position; and   a piping shield configured to be connected to the ring such that the ring is disposed entirely within an internal diameter of the piping shield, the piping shield including a front face configured to extend over an abutment end of a pipe and defining at least one penetration sized and configured to receive the at least one clamp closing portion of the ring therethrough such that the at least one clamp closing portion of the ring is accessible externally of the piping shield.   
     
     
         17 . The piping connector according to  claim 16 , wherein the connection formed between the piping shield and the ring is a groove arrangement. 
     
     
         18 . The piping connector according to  claim 16 , wherein the piping shield is made of plastic. 
     
     
         19 . The piping connector according to  claim 16 , wherein the piping shield includes at least two penetrations each configured to receive a respective stud piece extending from an inner ring to provide a limit of tightening the ring. 
     
     
         20 . The piping connector according to  claim 19 , wherein the ring has at least two clamp closing portions, each of the clamp closing portions penetrating a penetration of the piping shield. 
     
     
         21 . The piping connector according to  claim 16 , wherein the ring is made of stainless steel material. 
     
     
         22 . The piping connector according to  claim 16 , wherein the ring is made of copper. 
     
     
         23 . A method to connect at least one piece of pipe and a fitting, comprising:
 placing a piping connector comprising a ring and a shield over an abutment end of a first piece of pipe such that a front face of the shield extends over the abutment end of the first piece of pipe, the ring having at least one clamp closing portion penetrating and extending entirely through the shield such that the at least one clamp closing portion of the ring is accessible externally of the piping shield;   crimping the at least one clamp closing portion of the piping connector to deform the ring from an uncrimped position to a deformed closed position around the spool piece,   wherein the ring fits around an external diameter of a pipe when in the deformed closed position.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the ring defines at least one penetration sized and configured to receive a stud piece therein, the stud piece extends from an inner ring of the ring and is configured to limit tightening of the ring. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the connection between the piping shield and the ring is a groove arrangement. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the piping shield is made of plastic. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the ring connector is made of stainless steel material. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the ring connector is made of copper. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the fitting has a ribbed surface.