Description:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 OF 1970)

&

THE PATENTS RULE, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See Section 10, Rule 13]

CONNECTION ASSEMBLY

THE SUPREME INDUSTRIES LTD., A COMPANY INCORPORATED UNDER THE INDIAN COMPANIES ACT, 1913, WHOSE ADDRESS IS 612, RAHEJA CHAMBERS, NARIMAN POINT, MUMBAI – 400021, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA

THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED
 
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a piping system, in particular the present invention relates to a connection assembly used in the piping system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A piping system is a network of pipes, connection assembly and other components that can be combined to form a conduit for a fluid (liquid or gas) flow. The piping system is used to convey fluid from one location to another in residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural facilities. The connection assembly is often used to connect one or more components in the piping system. The connection assembly has an end connected to other component of the piping system through a variety of possible connection types. For example, a threaded connection can be used at one or more portions of the connection assembly. Further, a solvent cement allows the connection assembly made from plastic, to be attached to the pipe made from plastic. However, misapplication or excessive application of the solvent cement may interfere with other features or elements of the connection assembly and thus increases a risk of damaging the connection assembly.
For example, a ball valve (1000) uses a rotating ball (2) with a hole that aligns with the pipe (4) to allow flow or blocks it when the ball (2) is rotated with the help of a handle (3), as shown in figures 1-3. Figure 1 shows a side view of a ball valve (1000) and figures 2-3 show a cross-sectional view of the ball valve (1000) along an axis A-A. The valve (1000) has an open end (1), the open end is connected to an end of a pipe (4) by applying a solvent cement (5) on an inner surface of the open end (1) and external surface of the pipe (4). The end of the pipe (4) is then inserted into the open end (1) of the valve (1000). During the insertion, the solvent cement (5) gets diffused between a clearance formed on an outer surface of the pipe (4) and the inner surface of the open end (1) and a secure connection is achieved once the solvent cement is cured. However, the application of the solvent cement (5) varies person to person, if less amount of solvent cement (5) is applied the connection becomes weak. It leads to problem of leakage or slippage of the pipe (4) from the valve (1000). Further, in case of misapplication or excessive application the solvent cement (5), the excess solvent cement (5) exits the clearance and may move towards the rotating ball (2) causing obstructions in the movement of the rotating ball (2) as shown in figures 2-3. Thus, a desired control over the flow is not achieved and desired performance of the ball valve (1000) is compromised. Further, the excess solvent cement (5) after curing may restrict the movement of the rotating ball (2) leading to the failure of the ball valve (1000).
Hence, there is a need of a connection assembly that can overcome at least one of the drawbacks or problems mentioned above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In this respect, before explaining the current embodiments of a connection assembly in detail, it is to be understood that the connection assembly is not limited in its applications to the details of construction and arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustration. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the concept of this disclosure may be readily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the connection assembly.
An object of the present invention is to provide a connection assembly that restricts the movement of the excess solvent cement inside the connection assembly ensuring that the excess solvent cement does not affect the other features or elements of the connection assembly.
In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the connection assembly comprises a cylindrical body section having at least two open ends facilitating passage of a fluid through a hollow interior thereof. The connection assembly further comprises a socket configured to be positioned on at least one open end of the cylindrical body section. The socket having an inner surface configured to receive an end of a tubular element thereon. The end of the tubular element being secured within the inner surface by infusing a solvent cement therebetween. The socket having a stepped surface defined therein. The stepped surface having a groove portion confined by a linear profile at a lower end and an upper end thereof.
In an embodiment, the stepped surface is formed at an end of the socket connected to the cylindrical body section.
In an embodiment, the cylindrical body section and the socket are integrally formed.
In an embodiment, the stepped surface is perpendicular to the inner surface of the socket limiting entry of the tubular element within the socket.
In an embodiment, the groove portion having a curved configuration to accumulate an excess amount of the solvent cement.
In an embodiment, the curved configuration of the groove portion deflects the excess amount of solvent cement towards an inner surface of the tubular element when the groove portion is filled with the solvent cement.
In an embodiment, the linear profile at the lower end has filled edges at both sides thereof.
In an embodiment, the linear profile at the lower end has an arcuate shape.
In an embodiment, the curved configuration of the groove portion has a deepest point (A) at a distance which is 0.6 to 0.7 times the thickness of the tubular element measured from the inner surface of the socket.
It is therefore important that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the connection assembly. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. They are meant to be exemplary illustrations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to practice the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures.
Figure 1 shows a side view of a conventional ball valve;
Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of figure 1 along an axis A-A;
Figure 3 shows an enlarged view of figure 2;
Figure 4 shows a schematic sectional view of a connection assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 5 shows an enlarged view of figure 4;
Figure 6 shows schematic sectional view of a connection assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 7 shows an enlarged view of figure 6;
Figure 8 shows an exploded view of a ball valve according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 9 shows a schematic view of the ball valve of figure 8, depicting a cylindrical body section and a socket in disengaged state;
Throughout the drawing, it should be noted that like reference numbers are used to depict the same or similar elements, features, and structures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of the invention as defined by the description. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.
The terms and words used in the following description are not limited to the bibliographical meanings but are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of the present invention is provided for illustration purposes only.
It is to be understood that the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
The present invention relates to a connection assembly (100) used in the piping system. The connection assembly (100) is used to connect one or more components in a piping system or sometimes the connection assembly (100) is connected to a single component in the piping system. Such connection assembly (100) may include, but are not limited to, valve, coupling, adapter, tap, plug, sprinkler head, nozzle, hose, flexible tubing, and the like. In an embodiment, the connection assembly (100) is a valve assembly. The valve assembly is a ball valve, check valve, gate valve or foot valve. In an embodiment, the connection assembly (100) is made from plastic, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (uPVC).
Figure 4 shows the connection assembly (100) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The connection assembly (100) uses a handle (15) for the movement of at least one moving element of the connection assembly (100) to allow the fluid to flow or block the flow of the fluid. The moving elements of the connection assembly (100) can be a ball in a ball valve, a disc in a check valve and the like. The fluid is either a liquid, or a gas or a combination of both. In an embodiment, the fluid is water. In an embodiment, the fluid is at least a liquid, or a gas used in residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural facilities.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the connection assembly (100) comprises a cylindrical body section (10) having at least two open ends (11, 12) facilitating passage of a fluid through a hollow interior of the cylindrical body section (10). A socket (20) is configured to be positioned on at least one open end (11, 12) of the cylindrical body section (10). In an embodiment, the socket (20) is fastened to the cylindrical body section (10). In an embodiment, the cylindrical body section (10) and the socket (20) are integrally formed, i.e., they are formed as a single piece.
Figure 5 shows an enlarged view of the socket (20). As shown in figure 5, the socket (20) has an inner surface (21) forming an internal conduit for the flow of the fluid, the inner surface (21) of the socket (20) configured to receive an end of a tubular element (30). In an embodiment, the tubular element (30) is pipe. In an embodiment, the tubular element (30) is made from plastic, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (uPVC). The end of the tubular element (30) is secured within the inner surface (21) of the socket (20) by infusing a solvent cement between them. In an embodiment, the end of the tubular element (30) is secured on the inner surface (21) of the socket (20) by infusing a solvent cement between them. In an embodiment, the solvent cement is applied on the inner surface (21) of the socket (20). In an embodiment, the solvent cement is applied on an external surface of the tubular element (30). In an embodiment, the solvent cement is applied on the inner surface (21) of the socket (20) and the external surface of the tubular element (30). The solvent cement is also known as adhesive, glue, solvent or sealant.
The socket (20) further having a stepped surface (22) defined within the socket (20). In an embodiment, the stepped surface (22) is formed at an end of the socket (20) which is connected to the cylindrical body section (10). In an embodiment, the stepped surface (22) is formed at an end of the socket (20) which is proximal to the cylindrical body section (10). In an embodiment, the stepped surface (22) is perpendicular to the inner surface (21) limiting entry of the tubular element (30) within the socket (20). The stepped surface (22) has a groove portion (23) positioned between a linear profile at a lower end (24) and an upper end (25). The groove portion (23) has a curved configuration, the curved configuration is configured to accumulate an excess amount of the solvent cement. In an embodiment, the curved configuration has an arcuate shape. In an embodiment, the curved configuration has an asymmetrical arch shape. The curved configuration of the groove portion (23) deflects the excess amount of solvent cement towards an inner surface of the tubular element (30) when the groove portion (23) is filled with the solvent cement. The curved configuration of the groove portion (23) has a geometry profile similar to a velocity distribution profile of a Couette flow. The Couette flow is the flow between two parallel plates, wherein one plate is stationary, and the other is moving. The Couette flow is similar to a flow of the solvent cement between the socket (20) and the tubular element (30), wherein the socket (20) is stationary, and the tubular element (30) is moving during the insertion. Thus, the geometry profile of the curved configuration of the groove portion (23) is selected to be similar to the velocity distribution profile of the Couette flow considering a maximum flow velocity of the solvent cement. Accordingly, the curved configuration of the groove portion (23) ensures that the excess solvent cement does not flow towards the moving elements of the connection assembly (100) and also deflects a flow direction of the solvent cement in a direction opposite to moving elements of the connection assembly (100). In an embodiment, the curved configuration of the groove portion (23) has a deepest point (A) at a distance which is 0.6 to 0.7 times a thickness of the tubular element (30) measured from the inner surface (21) of the socket (20). In an embodiment, the groove portion (23) has a width in the range of 0.5-0.8 times the thickness of the tubular element (30). In a preferred embodiment, the width of the groove portion (23) is in the range of 0.65-0.75 times the thickness of the tubular element (30). In an embodiment, the groove portion (23) has a maximum depth in the range of 0.3-0.7 times the thickness of the tubular element (30). In a preferred embodiment, the groove portion (23) has a maximum depth in the range of 0.4-0.5 times the thickness of the tubular element (30). In an embodiment, the maximum depth of the groove portion (23) is in the range of 0.55-0.75 times the width of the groove portion (23). In a preferred embodiment, the maximum depth of the groove portion (23) is in the range of 0.6-0.7 times the width of the groove portion (23).
The linear profile at the lower end (24) restricts the movements of the tubular element (30) inside the socket (20). In an embodiment, the linear profile at the lower end (24) has filled edges at both sides thereof. In an embodiment, the linear profile at the lower end (24) has an arcuate shape. In an embodiment, the linear profile at the upper end (25) has filled edges at both sides thereof. In an embodiment, the linear profile at the upper end (25) has an arcuate shape.
Accordingly, when the tubular element (30) is inserted in the socket (20), with the solvent cement applied either on the external surface of the tubular element (30) or internal surface (21) of the socket (20) or both. As shown in the figure 6 and 7, the linear profile at the lower end (24) restricts or limits the movements of the tubular element (30) inside the socket (20) such that a part of the tubular element (30) is accommodated inside the socket (20). The solvent cement (40) gets diffused between a clearance formed on an outer surface of the tubular element (30) and the inner surface (21) of the socket (20). However, in case of misapplication or excessive application the solvent cement (40), the excess solvent cement (40) exits the clearance and moves towards a gap formed between the tubular element (30) and the stepped surface (22) wherein the excess solvent cement (40) gets accumulated in the groove portion (23). The curved configuration of the groove portion (23) increases the surface tension of the solvent cement (40), thus reducing the further flow of the solvent cement (40), as per Tolman effect, wherein the surface tension of curved surface is higher than flat surface. In addition, the curved configuration of the groove portion (23) deflects the excess amount of solvent cement (40) towards the inner surface (31) of the tubular element (30) when the groove portion (23) is filled with the solvent cement (40). Accordingly, the curved configuration of the groove portion (23) accumulates the excess solvent cement (40) and deflects the flow direction of the solvent cement (40) in the direction opposite to moving elements of the connection assembly (100). Thus, the connection assembly (100) ensures that the excess solvent cement (40) does not interfere and affect the other features or elements of the connection assembly (100). Further, the connection assembly (100) ensures a strong connection with the tubular element (30), further facilitates a leakproof and slip proof connection with the tubular element (30).
In an embodiment, the connection assembly (100) is a multi-way ball valve i.e. the ball valve comprises at least two open ends. In an embodiment, the connection assembly (100) is a multi-piece ball valve, i.e. the ball valve comprises a main body, at least one connecting end, for example, a two-piece ball valve or a three-piece ball valve. In an embodiment, the tubular element (30) is either the connecting end or a pipe.
Figure 8 shows a schematic view of a two-way and two-piece ball valve (200) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ball valve (200) uses a rotating ball (213) with a hole that allows the fluid to flow or blocks the flow of the fluid, when the ball is rotated using a handle (215). The ball valve (200) comprises a cylindrical body section (210) having at least two open ends (211, 312) facilitating passage of a fluid through a hollow interior of the cylindrical body section (210). In an embodiment, the cylindrical body section and the socket are integrally formed, i.e., they are formed as a single piece integral structure. In an embodiment, the socket is fastened to the cylindrical body section on at least one open end, whereas a single piece integral structure formed by the cylindrical body section and the socket at the other ends.
As shown in figure 8-9, the socket (320) is shown in a disengaged state with respect to the open end (312) of the cylindrical body section (210), whereas the other end (211) shows an integrally formed structure (210A) of the cylindrical body section (210) and the socket (220).
Considering the open end (211), wherein a part of the cylindrical body section (210) and the socket (220) are integrally formed as a single piece integral structure (210A). The integral structure (210A) has an inner surface configured to receive an end of a tubular element thereon through the open end (211). The end of the tubular element is secured within the inner surface of the integral structure (210A) by infusing a solvent cement therebetween.
Further, considering the open end (312), wherein the socket (320) is fastened to the cylindrical body section (210). The socket (320) is fastened to the cylindrical body section (210) through the open end (312). Accordingly, the structure formed after the fastening of the socket (320) and the cylindrical body section (210) has features similar to the aforesaid socket (20) of the connection assembly (100) to accommodate a new tubular element therein.
In an embodiment, the connection assembly (100) and the ball valve (200) of the present invention can be manufactured using an injection molding process.
Although but one preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated, it will be obvious to those skilled in this art that other embodiments may be readily designed within the scope and teachings thereof.
Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is only to be limited by the following claims.
, Claims:
1. A connection assembly (100) comprising:
- a cylindrical body section (10) having at least two open ends (11, 12) facilitating passage of a fluid through a hollow interior thereof;
- a socket (20) configured to be positioned on at least one open end (11, 12) of the cylindrical body section (10), the socket (20) having an inner surface (21) configured to receive an end of a tubular element (30) thereon, the end of the tubular element (30) being secured within the inner surface (21) by infusing a solvent cement therebetween, the socket (20) having a stepped surface (22) defined therein, the stepped surface (22) having a groove portion (23) confined by a linear profile at a lower end (24) and an upper end (25) thereof.

2. The connection assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stepped surface (22) is formed at an end of the socket (20) connected to the cylindrical body section (10).

3. The connection assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cylindrical body section (10) and the socket (20) are integrally formed as a single piece integral structure.

4. The connection assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stepped surface (22) is perpendicular to the inner surface (21) of the socket (20) limiting entry of the tubular element (30) within the socket (20).

5. The connection assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the groove portion (23) having a curved configuration to accumulate an excess amount of the solvent cement.

6. The connection assembly (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the curved configuration of the groove portion (23) deflects the excess amount of solvent cement towards an inner surface (31) of the tubular element (30) when the groove portion (23) is filled with the solvent cement.

7. The connection assembly (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the curved configuration has an asymmetrical arch shape.

8. The connection assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the linear profile at the lower end (24) has filled edges at both sides thereof.

9. The connection assembly (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the curved configuration of the groove portion (23) has a deepest point (A) at a distance which is 0.6 to 0.7 times the thickness of the tubular element (30) measured from the inner surface (21) of the socket (20).