Pipe fitting with assembly window
A pipe fitting includes a fitting body defining an inner body surface, an outer body surface, a first axial fitting end, and a second axial fitting end, the inner body surface defining a fitting bore extending from the first axial fitting end to the second axial fitting end, and an assembly window extending through the fitting body from the outer body surface to the inner body surface.
1 . A pipe fitting comprising:
a fitting body defining an inner body surface, an outer body surface, a first axial fitting end, and a second axial fitting end, the inner body surface defining a fitting bore extending from the first axial fitting end to the second axial fitting end, an assembly window extending through the fitting body from the outer body surface to the inner body surface; and
a clamp assembly arranged at least partially within the fitting bore and comprising a fitting gasket and a fitting clamp, the fitting clamp comprising a first fastener catch, a second fastener catch, and a tightening fastener, each of the first fastener catch and the second fastener catch arranged within the assembly window;
wherein:
the fitting clamp defines a clamp void and the fitting gasket is arranged within the clamp void;
the clamp assembly is configurable in an untightened configuration and a tightened configuration; and
in the tightened configuration, the tightening fastener is tightened to draw the first fastener catch towards the second fastener catch.
2 . The pipe fitting of claim 1 , wherein each of the first fastener catch and the second fastener catch extend radially through the assembly window.
3 . The pipe fitting of claim 1 , wherein at least one reinforcing rib is arranged across the assembly window such that the assembly window is divided into a first window section and a second window section.
4 . The pipe fitting of claim 3 , wherein at least a portion of the first fastener catch is arranged within the first window section and wherein at least a portion the second fastener catch is arranged within the second window section.
5 . The pipe fitting of claim 4 , wherein the tightening fastener is arranged radially outside of the fitting body.
6 . The pipe fitting of claim 1 , wherein the fitting gasket comprises a gasket portion and a tear-away portion.
7 . The pipe fitting of claim 1 , wherein the fitting clamp comprises a plurality of fitting clamp segments.
8 . The pipe fitting of claim 1 , further comprising a grip ring arranged within clamp void.
9 . The pipe fitting of claim 8 , wherein the fitting clamp comprises a clamp body, the clamp body defining a first end and a second, wherein the first fastener catch is arranged at the first end and the second fastener catch is arranged at the second end.
10 . The pipe fitting of claim 8 , wherein the grip ring comprises a plurality of gripping segments.
11 . The pipe fitting of claim 8 , wherein the grip ring defines at least one outer surface and at least one inner surface, wherein at least one of the inner surfaces comprises a plurality of gripping teeth.
12 . The pipe fitting of claim 11 , wherein the grip ring is substantially C-shaped and defines a first circumferential end and a second circumferential end, wherein a gap is defined between the first circumferential end and the second circumferential end, and wherein the gap is configured to be smaller in the tightened configuration than in the untightened configuration.
13 . The pipe fitting of claim 12 , further comprising a washer, the washer arranged within the fitting clamp and contacting each of the fitting gasket and the grip ring.
14 . A fitting body for use to join a clamp assembly to a pipe, the fitting body comprising:
a substantially cylindrical tubular body having an axis, a first axial fitting end, and a second axial fitting end, the body defining an outer body surface;
a fitting bore defined by the body, the fitting bore being defined through an entirety of the body from the first axial fitting end to the second axial fitting end, the fitting bore defining an inner body surface of the body, the body comprising at least one wall defined by the inner body surface and the outer body surface;
at least one assembly window defined through the wall of the body; and
a reinforcing rib;
wherein:
the body comprises an upper portion on one side of the axis and a lower portion on another side of the axis, wherein the assembly window is arranged on the upper portion; and
the reinforcing rib crosses the assembly window such that the assembly window is divided into a first window section and a second window section.
15 . The fitting body of claim 14 , wherein an intermediate reinforcing rib connects to a portion of the outer surface.
16 . A pipe fitting comprising:
a fitting body defining a fitting bore and an assembly window; and
a clamp assembly arranged at least partially within the fitting bore and comprising:
a fitting clamp comprising a flexible C-shaped clamp body, a first fastener catch, and a second fastener catch, the clamp body defining a clamp void, the first fastener catch and the second fastener catch extending radially outwardly through the assembly window;
a flexible C-shaped grip ring arranged within the clamp void and defining a plurality of gripping ridges; and
a gasket arranged within the clamp void and defining a gasket sealing surface.
17 . The pipe fitting of claim 16 , wherein the fitting body defines a retention shoulder proximate an end of the fitting body, wherein the fitting body defines an inner shoulder axially apart from the retention shoulder, and wherein the clamp assembly is arranged between the retention shoulder and the inner shoulder.
18 . The pipe fitting of claim 16 , a retention rib crosses the assembly window such that the assembly window is divided into a first window section and a second window section.
19 . The pipe fitting of claim 18 , wherein the first fastener catch is arranged within the first window section and wherein the second fastener catch is arranged within the second window section.