Abstract: A tapping tee assembly and method is provided for fluidly connecting to a conduit. The tapping tee assembly includes a body having a conduit recess for receiving the conduit and further defining a passage having one end adjacent the conduit recess. A cutter is received in the passage and engages a threaded region of the passage for selective advancement and retraction within the passage upon rotation relative the body. The cutter comprises a first component with first and second ends and having a cutting edge at the first end for cutting through a side wall of the conduit to establish fluid communication between the main passage and the conduit. A second component is secured to the first component at the second end either by mechanically securing or molding the second component to the first component.

Abstract: A tapping tee assembly and method for tapping a conduit and fluidly connecting to the conduit include a body defining a conduit recess for receiving the conduit and further defining a main passage with a cover disposed therein. The main passage has a first end adjacent the conduit recess and a second, open end spaced apart from the first end. The second end is closed by a cap. The body of the tapping tee assembly is secured to the conduit with the conduit received in the conduit recess. The cutter is advanced along the main passage toward the conduit without removal of the cap from the body to tap the conduit and fluidly connect the conduit and the main passage.

Abstract: A tapping tee assembly and method for tapping a conduit and fluidly connecting to the conduit include a body defining a conduit recess for receiving the conduit and further defining a main passage with a cover disposed therein. The main passage has a first end adjacent the conduit recess and a second, open end spaced apart from the first end. The second end is closed by a cap. The body of the tapping tee assembly is secured to the conduit with the conduit received in the conduit recess. The cutter is advanced along the main passage toward the conduit without removal of the cap from the body to tap the conduit and fluidly connect the conduit and the main passage.

Abstract: A mechanical tapping tee assembly and a method for fluidly connecting to a conduit include a body defining a conduit recess for receiving the conduit and further defining a main passage having one end adjacent the conduit recess. A plug is disposed in the main passage preventing fluid communication between at least a portion of the main passage and the conduit recess. A cutter received in the main passage and threadedly engaged with a threaded region of the main passage is selectively advanced and retracted within the main passage upon rotation relative to the body. The cutter includes a cutting edge that taps the plug to fluidly connect the conduit recess and said at least a portion of the main passage and to tap the conduit to fluidly connect the conduit and the main passage.

Abstract: A valve operable with an associated fluid delivery system having fluid flow therethrough includes a housing, a valve body and a resetable excess flow valve. The housing has a first passage and the valve body is disposed along the first passage and including a wall at least partially defining a second passage. The excess flow valve is supported along one of the first and second passages. The valve body is displaceable between a first position permitting flow through the second passage and a second position substantially shutting-off fluid flow and resetting the excess flow valve.

Abstract: A riser assembly is provided for transmitting gas from a buried line to a meter manifold. The riser assembly includes an adapter having a mounting structure at one end for connection to a manifold and having an opening at an opposite end. An inner casing has a first end received through the opening and a second end extending therefrom for connection with an associated buried line. A seal assembly is interposed between the inner casing and the adapter for sealing therebetween. A gripping assembly holds the inner casing in the adapter. A protective tubular assembly is received over the inner casing. The tubular assembly has a first end received in the opening and a second end extending therefrom a dimension sufficient to cover the inner casing above ground.

Abstract: A heat trap assembly for a hot water tank includes a heat trap insert and a sealing member retained by the heat trap insert. The heat trap insert includes a seat having an opening that is dimensioned to be covered by the sealing member when no water is flowing through the assembly. The heat trap insert also includes a plurality of fingers to retain the sealing member when water is flowing through the heat trap assembly.

Abstract: A connector adapted for use with an associated fluid line includes a connector body having a passage dimensioned to receive the associated fluid line and a capturing member supported on said connector body. The capturing member is suitable for retaining the associated fluid line in the passage. A sealing member is disposed within the passage and is suitable for forming a fluid-tight seal between the connector body and the associated fluid line. A stiffening member is disposed within the connector body along the passage, and an indicator is disposed within the connector body and is adapted to indicate that the associated fluid line has been received a predetermined distance into the passage.

Abstract: The converter for converting a mechanical joint to a socket fusion joint includes a body having an inner surface, a stop disposed on the inner surface, and a fusion surface extending from the stop for a distance d1. The converter also includes a marker disposed on the outer surface for providing a reference location as to where the body can be severed to keep d1?FM, wherein FM is the minimum fusion surface length allowable for the fusion socket joint. A method for repairing a leaking mechanical joint is provided which includes severing the mechanical coupling from the converter and the pipe. The method also includes performing a facing operation on the converter end surface to form a faced end such that the fusion surface extends between the faced end and a stop for an axial distance d1?FM.

Abstract: A heat trap assembly for a hot water tank includes a housing and a sealing member disposed in the housing. The sealing member includes a first portion that is adapted to restrict rotational movement of the sealing member in at least two perpendicular axes. The sealing member includes a second portion that is adapted to restrict rotational movement in a third axis perpendicular to both of the at least two perpendicular axes.

Abstract: A ball valve assembly including a valve body having opposing ends and an inside wall extending between the opposing ends. The inside wall forms a central passage and includes capturing portions disposed along the inside wall adjacent each of the opposing ends. The assembly also includes a valve ball rotatably supported within the central passage of the valve body and a valve stem extending through the valve body into the central passage and interengaging a ball valve for transmitting rotational motion thereto. The ball valve has an inside wall that forms a fluid passage therethrough. A pair of retainers is positioned within the central passage on opposing sides of the valve ball. Each of the retainers forms a fluid-tight seal between the valve ball and the valve body. A pair of press rings, captured at least partially within the central passage, is each in abutting engagement a different one of the retainers.

Abstract: A riser assembly is provided for transmitting gas from a buried line to a meter manifold. The riser assembly includes an adapter having a mounting structure at one end for connection to a manifold and having an opening at an opposite end. An inner casing has a first end received through the opening and a second end extending therefrom for connection with an associated buried line. A seal assembly is interposed between the inner casing and the adapter for sealing therebetween. A gripping assembly holds the inner casing in the adapter. A protective tubular assembly is received over the inner casing. The tubular assembly has a first end received in the opening and a second end extending therefrom a dimension sufficient to cover the inner casing above ground.

Abstract: A coupling body has: (i) a central member; (ii) a first retaining member; and, (iii) a second retaining member. The first retaining member and the central member define a first pipe receiving region. The second retaining member and the central member define a second pipe receiving region having a tapered inner surface. A selectively constrictable clamp collar is located in the first pipe receiving region. A bolt or other actuation member is operably engaged with the clamp collar and is movable to constrict the clamp collar. A gripping collet is located in the second pipe receiving region and includes a tapered outer surface. At least one tie-bolt or other fastener extends between the retaining members and is selectively adjustable to draw the first and second retaining members toward each other so that the tapered inner surface engages the tapered outer surface of the collet to constrict the collet radially.

Abstract: A coupling receives a non-metallic tube (12) in an opening of a coupling body (10). A seal assembly (22, 24) disposed inside the coupling body (10) seals between the body (10) and the tube (12). A collet (16) disposed in the coupling body (10) includes a tapered external surface (50) that engages a tapered wall in the coupling body (10) to resist pull-out of the tube (12). The collet (16) includes an inner toothed (52) surface for gripping the tube (12) and has a split (70) or slots (54) that allow the collet (16) to radially expand and contract. A rotation prevention member, which in a preferred embodiment is a longitudinal rib (56) extending inwardly from the collet (16), limits relative rotation between the collet (16) and the tube (12). Moreover, edges (74) of the split (70) are rounded so that the collet can rotate relative to the coupling body (10).

Abstract: A riser assembly to transmit gas from a buried fluid line to a manifold. Inner (50) and outer (90) casings are received in a first end of an adapter (54). The other end of the adapter (60) is secured to the manifold. A gripping assembly (70) holds the inner casing in the adapter and prevents a pullout while also providing a sealed inner face between the inner casing and the adapter. A mounting assembly is provided to secure the outer casing in the adapter. It, too, prevents pullout of the outer casing and also allows the outer casing to freely rotate relative to the adapter. In selected embodiments the outer casing is formed of a non-corrosive material such as a PVC or polyethelene to address corrosion resistant properties.

Abstract: A coupling body has: (i) a central member; (ii) a first retaining member; and, (iii) a second retaining member. The first retaining member and the central member define a first pipe receiving region. The second retaining member and the central member define a second pipe receiving region having a tapered inner surface. A selectively constrictable clamp collar is located in the first pipe receiving region. A bolt or other actuation member is operably engaged with the clamp collar and is movable to constrict the clamp collar. A gripping collet is located in the second pipe receiving region and includes a tapered outer surface. At least one tie-bolt or other fastener extends between the retaining members and is selectively adjustable to draw the first and second retaining members toward each other so that the tapered inner surface engages the tapered outer surface of the collet to constrict the collet radially.

Abstract: A stab-type coupling (10) for connecting a conduit in fluid communication with a fluid receiving article or another conduit includes a coupling body (12) having an internal recess (16). A stiffener assembly (34) is positioned in the recess (16) and includes a tubular member (36) for insertion into a bore (CB) of a conduit (C) inserted into the recess (16). The stiffener assembly (34) also includes a radially enlarged retaining and spacing member (48) connected to the tubular member (36) and located in an axially inner region of the recess (16). The retaining and spacing member (48) includes a conduit end receiving channel (74) defined therein for receiving a conduit end (T) therein. The retaining and spacing member (48) also includes an integral gripping element (76) that engages an outer surface (S) of a conduit (C) seated in the groove (74) to prevent its withdrawal therefrom.

Abstract: A conduit coupling having a body with an axially extending bore formed therethrough from a first end to a second end. The bore is defined by an inner wall including a frusto-conical surface converging toward the body first end. A radially constrictible and generally annular retaining collet is positioned in the bore. The collet includes an outer frusto-conical surface mating with the frusto-conical surface defined by the inner wall and is axially movable relative thereto. The collet has an inner toothed surface defining a collet inner diameter and at least two radially inwardly extending bite-teeth defining therebetween a distance less than the collet inner diameter and less than an outer diameter of a conduit inserted into the bore so that the bite-teeth engage an outer surface of the conduit. In this manner, upon axial outward movement of the conduit, the frusto-conical surface of the collet bears against the frusto-conical surface of the body inner wall to radially constrict the collet.

Abstract: A gas riser apparatus having an O-ring sealing arrangement according to the present invention provides improved sealing between an inner pipe and an outer pipe of the riser apparatus. The riser apparatus includes an inner plastic pipe having one or more grooves for receiving resilient sealing members. A plurality of O-rings are disposed within one annular groove and an outer metal pipe is telescoped over the plastic pipe. An annular crimp extends around the outer metal pipe at a location of the plurality of O-rings and forms a seal between an inner surface of the metal pipe and an exterior of the plastic pipe by compressing the O-rings. This O-ring seal configuration provides substantially improved low temperature sealing.

Abstract: The anti-rotation bracket according to the present invention prevents a pipe from rotating with respect to an appliance in which it is installed. The bracket includes a U-shaped member, an attachment mechanism for securing the U-shaped member to an appliance, and at least one clip extending from each of two legs of the U-shaped member for securing a rectangular crimped section of a pipe. The U-shaped member has a base and first and second legs which are spaced to receive the rectangular section of the pipe therebetween. The clips extend inward from each of the legs towards an opposite one of the legs and are configured to engage one of the flat surfaces of the rectangular section of the pipe to prevent rotation of the pipe with respect to the bracket when the bracket is attached to the appliance.