IP Library Granted Patent US 12,320,459
Granted Patent B2
US 12,320,459 · App. 17/658,915 · Granted Jun 3, 2025

Conduit coupling with indicator of bend plane

Inventors: Bailey Justin Ferkel (Menominee, MI); Gary M Steen (Dunlap, IL)
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
F16L43/001B21D7/063F16L27/0837F16L2201/60
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,320,459
App. No.
17/658,915
Granted
Jun 3, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A conduit coupling includes a first connector at a first end of the conduit coupling, a second connector at a second end of the conduit coupling, and a stem between the first connector and the second connector. A first end of the stem is attached to the first connector. A second end of the stem is attached to the second connector. The stem is bent at a particular bend angle along a bend plane. The first connector includes an indicator that indicates an orientation of the bend plane.

Claims (50)

1. A conduit coupling, comprising:

a first connector at a first end of the conduit coupling;

a second connector at a second end of the conduit coupling; and

a stem between the first connector and the second connector, wherein:

a first end of the stem is attached to the first connector,

a second end of the stem is attached to the second connector,

the stem is bent, along a bend plane, between a first portion of the stem and a second portion of the stem at a particular bend angle that is less than 90 degrees, and

the first connector includes an indicator that indicates an orientation of the bend plane.

2. The conduit coupling of claim 1 , wherein the indicator is:

an indentation on a surface of the first connector, or

an imprint on the surface of the first connector.

3. The conduit coupling of claim 1 , wherein the indicator is shaped as at least one of:

one or more lines,

one or more arrows,

one or more polygons, or

one or more round shapes.

4. The conduit coupling of claim 1 , wherein the indicator is on a surface of the first connector and is aligned with the bend plane.

5. The conduit coupling of claim 1 , wherein the indicator is disposed on a surface of the first connector and the surface of the first connector has a cylindrical profile, and

wherein the indicator has a width that is less than or equal to a portion of a circumference of the surface of the first connector that is associated with a particular degree value.

6. The conduit coupling of claim 5 , wherein the particular degree value is less than or equal to 1 degree.

7. The conduit coupling of claim 1 , wherein the indicator further indicates an amount of precision associated with indicating the orientation of the bend plane.

8. The conduit coupling of claim 1 , wherein the indicator is an indentation on a surface of the first connector.

9. A conduit assembly, comprising:

a conduit;

a first conduit coupling attached to a first end of the conduit; and

a second conduit coupling attached to a second end of the conduit, wherein:

the first conduit coupling includes a first stem bent, along a first bend plane, between a first portion of the first stem and a second portion of the first stem at a particular bend angle that is less than 90 degrees

the first conduit coupling includes a first indicator that indicates an orientation of the first bend plane,

the second conduit coupling includes a second stem bent at a second bend angle along a second bend plane, and

the second conduit coupling includes a second indicator that indicates an orientation of the second bend plane.

10. The conduit assembly of claim 9 , wherein:

the first indicator is on a surface of the first conduit coupling and is aligned with the first bend plane; and

the second indicator is on a surface of the second conduit coupling and is aligned with the second bend plane.

11. The conduit assembly of claim 9 , wherein each of the first indicator and the second indicator is shaped as at least one of:

one or more lines,

one or more arrows,

one or more polygons, or

one or more round shapes.

12. The conduit assembly of claim 9 , wherein each of the first indicator and the second indicator is:

an indentation, or

an imprint.

13. The conduit assembly of claim 9 , wherein:

the first indicator is disposed on a first surface of the first conduit coupling that has a cylindrical profile,

a width of the first indicator is less than or equal to a portion of a circumference of the first surface that is associated with a particular degree value,

the second indicator is disposed on a second surface of the second conduit coupling that has a cylindrical profile, and

a width of the second indicator is less than or equal to a portion of a circumference of the second surface that is associated with the particular degree value.

14. The conduit assembly of claim 13 , wherein the particular degree value is less than or equal to 1 degree.

15. The conduit assembly of claim 9 , wherein:

the first indicator further indicates an amount of precision associated with indicating the orientation of the first bend plane; and

the second indicator further indicates an amount of precision associated with indicating the orientation of the second bend plane.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 12, 2022
From: FERKEL, BAILEY JUSTIN; STEEN, GARY M.
To: CATERPILLAR INC.
Reel/Frame 059575/0690 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230323992A1 · Oct 12, 2023
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