Abstract: A reinforcing and a plastic fitting incorporating such a reinforcing ring are disclosed. The reinforcing ring and plastic fitting have particular utility with respect to fire sprinkler heads in buildings. The reinforcing ring has a single starter thread which is integrally formed with a guide portion which guides a male part to be axially in line with the female fitting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a PVC-pipe, axially-tensioned joint. The pipe joint comprises a first PVC pipe having a spigot end, wherein the spigot end has a circumferential groove in and circumferentially around the outer surface of the spigot end. An inner ring is fitted into the groove in the spigot end and has a radial edge which forms a substantially radial shoulder circumferentially around the inner ring. The pipe joint also comprises a second PVC pipe having a bell end, wherein a plurality of angularly-spaced-apart holes extend radially through the bell end. The bell end of the second PVC pipe is fitted onto the spigot end of the first PVC pipe. There is a set of radial fasteners, wherein each given one of the radial fasteners extends through one of the plurality of angularly-spaced-apart holes in the bell end such that a first end portion of the fastener abuts against a shoulder of the inner ring.

Abstract: An improved joining assembly employs a retainer ring member to hold in place a gasket member in a pipe or fitting. A resilient annular gasket member is placed inside a first conduit member (pipe or fitting). An annular retainer member is provided to secure the annular gasket member inside the first conduit member against longitudinal movement towards the open end of the first conduit member. A second conduit member is received by the assembled components comprising the retainer member, gasket member and first conduit member. The retainer ring member is fixed in place by a suitable adhesive or a suitable welding technique.

Abstract: An improved joining assembly employs a retainer ring member to hold in place a gasket member in a pipe or fitting. A resilient annular gasket member is placed inside a first conduit member (pipe or fitting). An annular retainer member is provided to secure the annular gasket member inside the first conduit member against longitudinal movement towards the open end of the first conduit member. A second conduit member is received by the assembled components comprising the retainer member, gasket member and first conduit member. The retainer ring member is fixed in place by a suitable adhesive or a suitable welding technique.

Abstract: A color pressure-sensitive fastener capable of providing a visual indication of a pressure threshold applied to the fastener is disclosed. The fastener includes a fastening portion which is actuated to fasten by way of application of a sufficient actuating pressure on an actuating surface of the fastening portion; and a pressure-sensitive substance associated with the actuating surface such that the actuating surface visibly changes color after the sufficient actuating pressure is applied to the actuating surface. This invention at least partially overcomes some of the disadvantages of typical fasteners, such as the lack of visual indication of proper installation of the fastener.

Abstract: A backwater valve (for preventing the flow of liquid in a reverse direction when water backs up in the valve) has a gate which sealingly engages the input opening to the valve chamber so as to prevent the flow of water out of or into the input opening. The gate is angularly moveable about a pivot point between a lower, closed position in which the input opening is closed by the gate and an upper, open position in which the input opening is open. Linked to the gate, but positioned angularly away from the gate, is a float. The float and the gate are linked such that gravity normally maintains the float in a lower position and the gate in the upper, open position but, when liquid backs up into the value, the float will float to an upper position thereby moving the gate into the lower, closed position thereby closing the input opening and preventing liquid from flowing out of the valve through the input opening.

Abstract: An electrical divider for installation in an electrical outlet box is disclosed. The electrical divider has a first part made up of two movable portions. The movable portions are biased away from each other. The first part is inserted into an electrical box and the two portions allowed to move relative to each other such that the first part becomes secured to the electrical box in a desired position. The first part also has at least one locking tab which engages a port of the electrical box to secure the first part in the desired position and also to position the first part into the desired position. A conduit is attachable to an opening in the first part and also an opening in a second part. In this way, a passage can be defined from one port to an opening of the electrical box. The first part can be inserted into and secured to any type of electrical box and is adjustable to accommodate electrical boxes having different dimensions and shapes.

Abstract: A resilient gasket is disclosed for providing a seal between corrugated pipes having a plurality of concentric ribs on their outer surfaces, such as drain and sewer pipes to be buried in soil. The gasket comprises a base which is received around a first pipe over top of a rib adjacent an end of the first pipe, with an inner surface adapted to mate with a radially outer surface of the rib, and with legs adapted to extend along forward and rearwardly-sloped faces of the rib. The outer surface of the base is provided with sealing elements to engage the inner surface of the bell adjacent the end of a second pipe. The gasket also has a flap extending outwardly and forwardly from the forwardly extending leg. The flap and the forward leg form a V-shaped member. The flap engages the inner surface of the bell when the first pipe is inserted into the second pipe, and the gasket is rotated rearwardly relative to the rib.

Abstract: This invention relates to a modular, conduit end-frame comprising at least one peripheral modular element and at least one intermediate modular element, and the peripheral and intermediate modular elements themselves. The conduit end-frame has utility in orienting the ends of conduit in a work area. Each of the modular elements has flanges extending from its ends. During the installation process, the modular elements are secured in place during the pouring of concrete, by nails or screws connecting the flanges to a wooden frame. The flanges are at a sufficiently safe distance from openings in the end-frame through which electrical cable, and sometimes live electrical cable, will pass.

Abstract: This invention relates to liner pipes and to their use in the repair of pipes, preferably in the trenchless reconstruction of underground pipes such as sewer lines. The liner pipe of the present invention comprises two layers, an outer layer comprised of flexible thermoplastic material and an inner layer comprised of rigid thermoplastic material. When heated, the inner layer becomes sufficiently pliable to allow the cross-sectional shape and size of the liner pipe to conform to the inner cross-sectional shape and size of a host pipe. Because of its structure, the liner pipe of the present invention at least partially overcomes some of the disadvantages of prior art liner pipes relating to ease and expense of installation.