Patents Assigned to Elkhart Products Corporation, c/o Aalberts Industries N.V.
  • Patent number: 9523451
    Abstract: A system comprising a visual element for indicating the security of a pipe fitting and associated method. The visual element is configured to adhere to an outer surface of a pipe fitting and disjoin from the outer surface of the pipe fitting according to a set of disjoining criteria. The criteria comprises at least one of application of a sufficient force at the outer surface of the pipe fitting to form a fluid-tight seal between the pipe fitting and another pipe and a circumferential change of the visual element greater than a threshold amount of circumferential change. The visual element may be placed on a pipe fitting into which a pipe is inserted, and the connection between the pipe fitting and the pipe may be secured. Determination of whether the pipe fitting and the pipe are properly connected is performed based on monitoring of the visual element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: ELKHART PRODUCTS CORPORATION, C/O AALBERTS INDUSTRIES N.V.
    Inventor: Robert Nichols
  • Publication number: 20140097274
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a sprinkler assembly that includes a sprinkler head and a fitting. The fitting has a recess in a distal end for receiving a pipe end. The fitting also has a sealing ring in the recess to provide a fluid-tight seal between the sprinkler head and the pipe end upon installation of the pipe. In one embodiment, the pipe is installed by pushing the pipe end into the fitting (i.e., pushing actuates the fitting). In another embodiment, the pipe is installed by inserting the pipe end into the fitting and using a tool to press-actuate the fitting. During installation, a sharp-edged grip-ring or grab-ring in the recess of the fitting, which in some embodiments has a plurality of teeth, engages the outer surface of the pipe end, holding the pipe securely in place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Elkhart Products Corporation, c/o Aalberts Industries N.V.
    Inventor: Robert J. Smyrl