FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a method for connecting pipes, valves and any other fittings to each other. In particular this invention is aimed at the agricultural and the plumbing sector.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

There are many methods for connecting pipes. When a connection is made one must ensure that a proper seal is made and that the pipe will not pull out. The present invention seeks to fulfill these criteria.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A pipe connector fitting according to the invention comprises a pipe fitting body and a nut, the body having a spigot with an external circumferential tooth, and the nut having an internal circumferential tooth, the arrangement being such that the pipe may be threaded through the nut and pushed onto the spigot and the nut screwed onto the body so that the internal tooth of the nut and spigot bite into the pipe from the outside and inside of the pipe and the pipe is locked onto the fitting body. Further the nut may have a raised area after the thread that has a diameter that is just smaller than the thread.

Further the nut may have an extra tooth on the end of the nut. Further the teeth may be chamfered.

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The invention also covers a method for connecting pipes in which a pipe is threaded through a nut having an internal circumferential tooth and pushed onto a pipe fitting body having a spigot with an external circumferential tooth and the nut is screwed onto the body such that the tooth of the nut and spigot bite into the pipe from the outside and inside of the pipe and the pipe is locked onto the fitting body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is now described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 shows the components that make up the fitting;

Figure 2 shows a detail of the fitting body end;

Figure 3 shows a sectional detail of the end of nut type 1 ;

Figure 4 shows a sectional detail of the end of nut type 2;

Figure 5 shows the fitting assembled to an Agricultural/ plumbing pipe;

Figure 6 is a cross section of the assembled fitting shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the assembled fitting;

Figure 8 is a detailed sectioned view of the pipe in the fitting with nut type 1 ; and

Figure 9 is a detailed sectioned view of the pipe in the fitting with nut type 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The fitting consists of the following components as shown in Figure 1 :

A fitting body 1 , a nut 2a , or nut 2b and a pipe 3.The way to assemble the fitting is illustrated in figure 5 and 6. The nut 2a or 2b is pushed over the pipe 3. Ensure that the nut 2 (a or b) is facing the correct way with the hexagonal part away from the fitting body 1.

Next push the pipe 3 over the fitting body 1 until flush with the threaded part.

To complete the assembly screw the nut 2 (a or b) onto the fitting body 1 until flush to the end. A spanner may be used but is not necessary.

The method of sealing is now described with reference to Figures 2,3,4,8 and 9. As seen in Figure 2 the end of fitting body 1 has teeth 4 and 5 that can bite into the inside of pipe 3. This is to prevent the pipe 3 from pulling out after the nut 2 (a or b) has been tightened.

There are two types of nuts that can be used, either nut 2a or nut 2b.

The nut 2a has a special chamfered tooth 6 after the threaded part as shown in Figure 3. This tooth 6 provides an extra tooth to bite into the pipe 3 but this time from the outside of the pipe 3. There is a raised area 7 after the thread that has a diameter that is just smaller than the thread. Due to the nature of Agricultural / plumbing pipe the pipe 3 will form over the fitting body 1 as shown in Figure 8. The teeth 4 and 5 on the fitting body 1 and the tooth 6 on the nut 2 bite into the pipe 3 and prevent it from pulling out. The area 7 forces the pipe 3 inwards and when the nut 2a is screwed on it forces the thread of the nut 2a to push the pipe into the outside teeth 4 and 5.

The nut 2b has extra teeth 8 on the end of the nut. These teeth will bite into the pipe 3 when the nut 2b is screwed onto the pipe 3. The teeth 8 will also force the pipe 3 on to the body 1 and this ensures that the teeth 4 and 5 on the body 1 bite into the pipe 3. This means that teeth bite into the pipe 3 from both the inside and outside. To re-use the fitting assembly unscrew the nut 2 (a or b) and pull the pipe 3 off the fitting body 1.