AU2012200536A1 - Engagement element and coupling system for a pipe fitting - Google Patents

Abstract

Some embodiments relate to a plastically deformable engagement element for a plumbing fitting, the engagement element comprising: a hollow generally cylindrical body, the body having first and second opposed open ends; wherein the body comprises a projection portion projecting radially outward from a cylindrical circumference of the body, the projection portion defining an outward face and having a detent formed radially inwardly in the outward face, whereby tangentially directed crimping of the projection portion causes circumferential tightening of the body; wherein the body further comprises at least one extension portion extending in a direction away from the projection portion for engaging with a retention member. 118 136 132 138 130 j 14 116 512 j " 1110 134 10 115 112 110 124 1212 130 FIG. 1A FIG. 1B 114 116) Z115 138 FIG. 1F 1132 1 2 122 138 1000\115 100 13110 116 115 &1121 FIG. 1G 116

Description

I AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 SWAN HARDWARE & STAFF PTY LIMITED COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: Engagement element and coupling systemfor pipe fitting The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to us:- 2 Cross-Reference to Related Applications The present application claims priority from US Patent Application No 61/449,265, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 5 Technical Field Described embodiments relate generally to clamps and coupling systems for pipe fittings. Some embodiments also involve a kit of parts that includes at least one clamp 10 and a crimping tool to crimp the clamp. Background In various plumbing applications, it is necessary to couple a pipe to a fitting in order to 15 form an appropriate fluid flow path. Some plumbing applications may use flexible pipes cut to a desired length. Such pipes generally do not have any features that allow them to be coupled to the fitting without mechanical assistance. Such pipes must therefore be clamped or otherwise fixed to the fitting, for example around a nozzle of the fitting that is received at least partly within the pipe. 20 Some devices exist for clamping pipes to fittings. However, some such devices can be difficult to manipulate or clamp to the pipe where the fitting is positioned up against a wall and/or there is little room to manipulate the necessary tools to effect the clamping. 25 Further, some clamping devices are provided as completely separate items to the plumbing fittings to which they are to be clamped and must therefore be fitted over the pipe and held in position while effecting the clamping. Depending on the particular arrangement in which the clamping takes place, the person performing the clamping may find it difficult to hold all of the pieces in place while manipulating the tools 30 necessary to perform the clamping. This difficulty can be exacerbated where the work needs to be carried out in cramped spaces. It is desired to address or ameliorate one or more shortcomings or disadvantages associated with existing clamps or coupling systems for plumbing fittings and pipes, or 35 to at least provide a useful alternative thereto.

3 Summary 5 Some embodiments relate to a plastically deformable engagement element for a plumbing fitting, the engagement element comprising: a hollow generally cylindrical body, the body having first and second opposed open ends; wherein the body comprises a projection portion projecting radially outward 10 from a cylindrical circumference of the body, the projection portion defining an outward face and having a detent formed radially inwardly in the outward face, whereby tangentially directed crimping of the projection portion causes circumferential tightening of the body; wherein the body further comprises at least one extension portion extending in a 15 direction away from the projection portion for engaging with a retention member. The at least one extension portion may comprise a cylindrical wall portion between the projection portion and the second end. The element may further comprise a structural variation of the at least one extension portion, the structural variation being arranged to 20 permit circumferential tightening of the body and/or the cylindrical wall portion. The structural variation may be defined by at least one circumferentially or longitudinally extending gap in the cylindrical wall. The at least one circumferentially or longitudinally extending gap may extend through 25 the cylindrical wall. Alternatively, the at least one circumferentially or longitudinally extending gap may extend part-way into the cylindrical wall. The at least one circumferentially or longitudinally extending gap may comprise multiple circumferentially or longitudinally extending gaps. The at least one extension 30 portion may comprise engagement structure to removably engage the body with a retention member on the plumbing fitting. The projection portion may be a first projection portion and the body may comprise a second projection portion projecting radially outward from a cylindrical circumference 35 of the body, the second projection portion defining an outward face and having a detent formed radially inwardly in the outward face.

4 The first projection portion and the second projection portion may be longitudinally aligned. The first projection portion and the second projection portion may be separated by a structural variation of a cylindrical wall of the body, the structural variation being 5 arranged to permit the circumferential tightening along part of the body without affecting the whole body. The projection portion may comprise a radially outward variation of part of the cylindrical circumference. The projection portion may define opposed side surfaces for 10 engagement by a crimping tool to effect the tangentially directed crimping. The detent may be arranged to hinder the projection portion returning to an expanded state from a crimped state. The element may be formed of stainless steel or mild steel, for example. 15 Some embodiments relate to a plumbing fitting comprising: a fitting body defining at least one fluid flow path, the fitting body defining at one end an opening for the fluid flow path; a retention member coupled to the fitting body at a position spaced from the one 20 end; and the engagement element described above partially received by the retention member and positioned to at least partially surround the fitting body at or adjacent the one end; wherein the engagement element and the one end of the fitting body are sized to 25 receive a cylindrical pipe wall therebetween so that, upon circumferential tightening of the engagement member, the pipe wall is secured between the engagement element and the fitting body. The one end of the fitting body may comprise a coupling nozzle. The coupling nozzle 30 may comprise at least one external barbed flange to assist in securely engaging the pipe wall. The coupling nozzle may comprise at least one externally positioned sealing member. The at least one external barbed flange may comprise at least one external barbed flange on each side of the at least one sealing member. 35 The at least one externally positioned sealing member may comprise two externally positioned sealing members. The at least one external barbed flange may comprise at 5 least one external barbed flange positioned between the two sealing members. The at least one externally positioned sealing member may comprise an o-ring. Some embodiments relate to a kit of parts comprising the plumbing fitting described 5 above and a crimping tool, the crimping tool comprising jaws sized to engage the projection portion of the engagement element and activation levers to cause the jaws to effect the tangentially directed crimping. Some embodiments relate to a kit of parts comprising the engagement element 10 described above and a kit of parts comprising the plumbing fitting described above and a crimping tool, the crimping tool comprising jaws sized to engage the projection portion of the engagement element and activation levers to cause the jaws to effect the tangentially directed crimping. 15 Brief Description of the Drawings Embodiments are described in further detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 20 Figure 1 A is a top perspective view of an engagement element, useable as a clamp for a plumbing fitting; Figure 1 B is a bottom perspective view of the engagement element of Figure 1 A; 25 Figure IC is a plan view of the engagement element of Figure IA; Figure ID is a side view of the engagement element of Figure IA; Figure IE is a bottom view of the engagement element of Figure IA; 30 Figure IF is one end view of the engagement element of Figure IA; Figure IG is an opposite end view of the engagement element of Figure IA; 35 Figure 2 is an end view corresponding to Figure IG of a larger diameter version of the engagement element of Figure IA; 6 Figure 3 is a perspective view of a coupling system including a plumbing fitting and engagement elements as shown in Figures IA to IG and 2; 5 Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the system of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a plan view of a crimping tool usable with the engagement element; Figure 6 is a perspective end view of the crimping tool of Figure 5, showing jaws of the 10 crimping tool parted for engaging and crimping a portion of the engagement element; Figure 7 is a side view of the coupling system of Figures 3 and 4; Figure 8A is a cross-sectional view along line A-A of Figure 7 of the engagement 15 element positioned around a pipe and a nozzle of the plumbing fitting, shown with jaws of the crimping tool positioned to engage a portion of the engagement element; Figure 8B is a cross-sectional end view corresponding to Figure 8A, but showing the jaws of the crimping tool engaged in crimping part of the engagement element; 20 Figure 9A is a side view of the plumbing fitting; Figure 9B is a close up view of a nozzle of the plumbing fitting of Figure 9A; 25 Figure I0A is a perspective view of a retention member receivable on the plumbing fitting to retain the engagement element thereon; Figure 1OB is another perspective view of the retention member of Figure I0A; 30 Figure 1 OC is an end view of the retention member of Figure 10 A; Figure 1OD is a side view of the retention member of Figure I0A; Figure IE is a cross-sectional view of the retention member of Figure IA, taken 35 along line B-B; 7 Figure 11 A is a top perspective view of another form of engagement element, usable as a clamp for a plumbing fitting; Figure 1 B is a bottom perspective view of the engagement element of Figure 1 I A; 5 Figure II C is a plan view of the engagement element of Figure 1 A; Figure I I D is a side view of the engagement element of Figure 1 IA; 10 Figure I1E is a bottom view of the engagement element of Figure I 1 A; Figure 1 IF is one end view of the engagement element of Figure 1 IA; Figure 1 IG is an opposite end view of the engagement element of Figure 1 A; 15 Figure 12A is a top perspective view of an engagement element, useable as a clamp for a plumbing fitting; Figure 12B is a bottom perspective view of the engagement element of Figure 12A; 20 Figure 12C is a plan view of the engagement element of Figure 12A; Figure 12D is a side view of the engagement element of Figure 12A; 25 Figure 12E is a bottom view of the engagement element of Figure 12A; Figure 12F is one end view of the engagement element of Figure 12A; Figure 12G is an opposite end view of the engagement element of Figure 12A; 30 Figure 13A is a top perspective view of an engagement element, useable as a clamp for a plumbing fitting; Figure 13B is a bottom perspective view of the engagement element of Figure 13A; 35 Figure 13C is a plan view of the engagement element of Figure 13A; 8 Figure 13D is a side view of the engagement element of Figure 13A; Figure 13E is a bottom view of the engagement element of Figure 13A; 5 Figure 13F is one end view of the engagement element of Figure 13A; Figure 13G is an opposite end view of the engagement element of Figure 13A; 10 Figure 14A is a top perspective view of an engagement element, useable as a clamp for a plumbing fitting; Figure 14B is a bottom perspective view of the engagement element of Figure 14A; 15 Figure 14C is a plan view of the engagement element of Figure 14A; Figure 14D is a side view of the engagement element of Figure 14A; Figure 14E is a bottom view of the engagement element of Figure 14A; 20 Figure 14F is one end view of the engagement element of Figure 14A; Figure 14G is an opposite end view of the engagement element of Figure 14A; 25 Figure 15 is an exploded perspective view of a coupling system including a plumbing fitting and engagement elements as shown in Figures 14A to 14G; and Figure 16 is a close up perspective view of the engagement element of Figure 14A in relation to a modified form of the retention member of Figures 1 OA to I OE. 30 Detailed Description Described embodiments relate generally to engagement elements, for example in the form of a clamp, and coupling systems for pipe fittings. Some embodiments also 35 involve a kit of parts that includes at least one clamp and a crimping tool to crimp the clamp.

9 Referring firstly to Figures IA to IG, an engagement element 100 is shown, in the form of a clip or clamping component to be used for clamping a pipe onto a nozzle of a plumbing fitting (as described in more detail below). Engagement element 100 is 5 formed of a plastically deformable material, such as a metal of suitable strength and rigidity to act as a clamp on a plumbing fitting. One example of such material is mild steel. Engagement element 100 has a generally cylindrical body 110, with a first opening 120 10 at one end communicating through the hollow body 110 to a second opening 122 at the opposite end. Body 110 has an interior surface 124 to be fitted around pipe 340 (Figure 3) and comprises first and second body portions 112, 114 separated by an area of structural variation 115 in the body 110, extending at least partly around a circumference of the body 110. This structural variation 115 may be in the form of one 15 or more slots 116, for example, or may involve grooves, deformations or other structural variations allowing circumferential tightening of the first body portion 112 without causing appreciable structural deformation of the second body portion 114. The second body portion 114 has a flared or flanged end rim 118 around opening 122 20 sized to engage in an interference fit with an interior wall of a retention member 330. Second body portion 114 is otherwise generally cylindrical and extends between one of the two structural variations 115 and the second open end of the engagement element 100. 25 First body portion 112 is also generally cylindrical, but for a projection portion 130 that projects radially outwardly from a cylindrical circumference of the body 110. This projection portion 130 is shaped to define opposed engagement surfaces 136, 134 on each side of an outward face 132, which may be generally flat. Outward face 132 has a detent 138 formed generally centrally therein. Detent 138 provides a structural 30 variation to projection portion 130 that assists in maintaining engagement element 100 in a crimped state (i.e. by providing a structure to resist the crimped projection portion 130 elastically tending away from its crimped shape towards its original shape). Projection portion 130 may extend the length of the first body portion 112 between the 35 first open end 120 and the structural variation 115. Projection portion 130 may have a partially rectanguloid appearance, in that opposed side surfaces 134, 136 may be 10 orientated at approximately right angles to outward face 132 and opposed side surfaces 134, 136 have a shorter depth than the width of the outward face 132. The depth of opposed side surfaces 134, 136 is such that, upon inwardly directed force being applied simultaneously to opposed side surfaces 134, 136 sufficient to plastically deform the 5 material of body 110, opposed side surfaces 134, 136 collapse inwardly to contact (or nearly contact) each other. When projection portion 130 is crimped by inwardly directed forces on side surfaces 134, 136, detent 138 and outward face 132 remain generally un-deformed. 10 Figure 2 shows an end view of a larger diameter version 200 of engagement element 100, in a view corresponding generally to Figure 1G. Engagement element 200 is generally the same as engagement element 100, and is provided to illustrate a version of engagement element 100 that has the same features and functions, but with a larger 15 diameter of the cylindrical body. The features, functions and elements of engagement element 100 described above thus apply to engagement element 200 and are not repeated here. Depending on the particular application, one or more of engagement elements 100 or 200 (or other versions having different diameters) may be used in order to provide a suitable clamping effect. 20 Referring now to Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8A and 8B, application of engagement element 100 in the context of a coupling system 300 is described in further detail. Coupling system 300 comprises a plumbing fitting 310, which in the drawings is shown by way of example only as a T-junction type plumbing fitting, with at least one nozzle 320 25 around which a pipe 340 is fitted. Nozzle 320 has a hollow body defining a passage therein and an open end 325. The pipe 340 is fitted around nozzle 320 so that the free end of the pipe 340 abuts a retention member 330 coupled to a body of the plumbing fitting 310. 30 The engagement element 100 is also held in position around the nozzle 320 by an interference fit (or other retaining engagement) between the retention member 330 and flared end 118, so that pipe 340 can be fitted around nozzle 320 and within the generally cylindrical body of engagement element 100. When pipe 340 is thus fitted, with its free end pushed as far as it can go onto nozzle 320, projection portion 130 can 35 be crimped (as illustrated in Figure 3 and Figures 8A and 8B) to tighten first body portion 112 circumferentially around the pipe 340 and thereby press pipe 340 radially I1 inwardly against the structure of nozzle 320, thereby promoting and retaining a sealing engagement therewith. Plumbing fitting 310 may have different sizes and configurations while still operating 5 in conjunction with engagement element 100 and retention member 330 to clamp a pipe in the manner described. In particular, plumbing fitting 310 may have only a single nozzle 320 or multiple nozzles 320. The body of the plumbing fitting 310 may adopt different configurations, so long as it has structure on which retention member 330 can be retained or, in alternative embodiments in which a separate retention member 330 10 may not be needed, plumbing fitting 310 should provide a similar structure or means to engage with the second body portion 114 of engagement element 100. As part of a kit of parts to be sold with one or more engagement elements 100, 200 and/or 1100 (see, e.g. Figures 1 IA to I IG), a crimping tool 500 may also be provided. 15 Crimping tool 500 is shown in plan view in Figure 5 and in perspective view in Figure 6. Crimping tool 500 comprises a levering mechanism 510, actuable by handles, for example, to allow opposed jaws 521, 522 on a clamping end 520 to be opened and closed. Levering mechanism 510 is preferably configured to provide a mechanical advantage to the jaws 521, 522 in order to assist manual actuation of the crimping 20 function of the tool 500. In order to perform the crimping function, jaws 521, 522 are positioned to be in contact with, or closely adjacent to, opposed side surfaces 134, 136 of projection portion 130, as shown in Figure 8A. The handles (or other actuation mechanism) of the crimping tool 500 are then manipulated to cause the jaws to apply inwardly directed force (generally tangential to the circumference of the cylindrical 25 body 110) to opposed side surfaces 134, 136 and thereby crimp the projection portion 130 in the manner shown in Figures 3 and 8B. Referring now to Figures 9A and 9B, nozzle 320 of plumbing fitting 310 is described in further detail. Nozzle 320 is of a generally cylindrical form, but for a series of 30 circumferential variations along its length as it extends away from the main body portion 312 of plumbing fitting 310. Nozzle 320 has a shoulder 370 adjacent the main body portion 312 and a back swept retention flange 372, with a reduced diameter portion 374 in between retention flange 372 and shoulder 370 to receive and retain an annular portion 392 of a first end 390 of retention member 330 (shown in more detail in 35 Figures 1OA to lOB).

12 Progressing distally along the nozzle 320 (if the main body 312 is taken to be proximal), a series of barbed flanges 352 are positioned along the nozzle 320, separated into three groups of barbed flanges 362, 364, 366 by two o-rings 350. The barbed flanges 352 serve to assist in retaining the pipe 340 on the nozzle 320 when clamped by 5 a suitably crimped engagement element 100, 200 or I100, while o-rings 350 assist in providing suitable sealing between the nozzle 320 and the pipe 340. O-rings 350 are received in suitably shaped circumferential grooves formed in nozzle 320. Each of the groups of barbed flanges 362, 364, 366 may comprise one or more barbed 10 flanges 352. Groups 362, 364, 366 may each have a different number of barbed flanges 352. For example, o-rings 350 may be separated by a non-barbed flat section 354 and a group 364 of one or two barbed flanges 352, while group 366 may have three or more barbed flanges 352 arranged in series. Distal-most group 362 may comprise two, three or more barbed flanges 352, for example. Some of the barbed flanges 352 within one or 15 more of the groups 362, 364, 366 may be separated by a short flat section of reduced diameter, such as is illustrated in Figure 9B with respect to group 362. The diameter of o-rings 350 is selected to be slightly greater than or equal to the diameter of barbed flanges 352, so that the o-rings 350 provide a suitable sealing effect against the inside wall of pipe 340 when clamped. 20 The length of body 110 of engagement element 100 or 200 or body 1110 of engagement element 1100 is chosen to generally align the first body portion 112 (or in the case of engagement element 1100, the first and second body portions 1112, 1113) to overlie the o-rings 350 and at least some of the barbed flanges 352 to create a 25 suitable clamped sealing coupling. Referring also to Figures IOA to 1OE, retention member 330 is shown and described in further detail. Retention member 330 is generally formed to have a smaller diameter annular wall 392 defining a first opening at a first end 390 opposite a larger diameter 30 wall 382 defining a second opening at a second end 380. First end 390 is to be positioned up against shoulder 370 of plumbing fitting 310, while second end 380 surrounds part of nozzle 320 and is of sufficiently large diameter to receive part of pipe 340 and engagement element 100, 200 or 1100, with the flared end 118 being snapped into engagement with internal structure defined by an inner annular wall 382 adjacent 35 the second opening at second end 380 of retaining member 330.

13 Referring now to Figures 1 lA to 11 G, a further version of engagement element 100 or 200 is shown in the form of engagement element 1100. Engagement element 1100 is similar in the form and structure to engagement elements 100, 200, except that it has an additional cylindrical body portion 1113, with an additional projection portion 130 5 projecting radially outwardly therefrom. Engagement element 1100 has a generally cylindrical body 1 110, with a first opening 1120 at one end communicating through the hollow body 1110 to a second opening 122 at the opposite end. Body 1110 has an interior surface 1124 to be fitted around pipe 10 340 and comprises first, second and third body portions 1112, 1113, 1114 separated by two areas of structural variation 115 in the body 1110, extending at least partly around a circumference of the body 1110. This structural variation 115 may be in the form of one or more slots 1116, for example, or may involve grooves, deformations or other structural variations allowing circumferential tightening of the first and second body 15 portions 1112, 1113 without causing appreciable structural deformation of the third body portion 1114. Third body portion 1114 has a flared or flanged end rim 118 around opening 122 sized to engage in an interference fit with an interior wall of a retention member 330. Third 20 body portion 1114 is otherwise generally cylindrical and extends between one of the two structural variations 115 and the second open end of the engagement element 100. First body portion 1112 is also generally cylindrical, but for a projection portion 130 that projects radially outwardly from a cylindrical circumference of the body 1110. 25 This projection portion 130 is shaped to define opposed engagement surfaces 136, 134 on each side of an outward face 132, which may be generally flat. Outward face 132 has a detent 138 formed generally centrally therein. Detent 138 provides a structural variation to projection portion 130 that assists in maintaining engagement element 1100 in a crimped state (i.e. by providing a structure to resist the crimped projection portion 30 130 elastically tending away from its crimped shape towards its original shape). Second body portion 1113 is also generally cylindrical, but for another projection portion 130 that projects radially outwardly from a cylindrical circumference of the body 1110. This projection portion 130 has the same shape, features and functions as 35 the projection portion 130 on the first body portion, including opposed side walls 134, 136, outward face 132 has a detent 138 formed generally centrally therein.

14 One projection portion 130 may extend the length of the first body portion 1112 between the first open end 120 and the first structural variation 115. The second projection portion 130 may extend the length of the second body portion 1113 between 5 the first structural variation 115 and the second structural variation 115. Each projection portion 130 may have a partially rectanguloid appearance, in that opposed side surfaces 134, 136 may be orientated at approximately right angles to outward face 132 and opposed side surfaces 134, 136 have a shorter depth than the width of the outward face 132. The depth of opposed side surfaces 134, 136 is such that, upon 10 inwardly directed force being applied simultaneously to opposed side surfaces 134, 136 sufficient to plastically deform the material of body 110, opposed side surfaces 134, 136 collapse inwardly to contact (or nearly contact) each other. When projection portion 130 is crimped by inwardly directed forces on side surfaces 15 134, 136, detent 138 and outward face 132 remain generally un-deformed. The additional cylindrical body portion 1113 and projection portion 130 of engagement element 1100 can be helpful in providing additional clamping surface area for pipe couplings that require greater clamping security than would be achievable with just the 20 first body portion 112 of engagement element 100 or 200, for example. It should be understood that the embodiment descriptions provided herewith are made by way of example and are not intended to be limiting on the spirit and scope of the invention. In particular, further arrangements of engagement elements 100, 1100 may 25 be employed, possibly in conjunction with further arrangements of retention member 330 and/or plumbing fitting 310. In some further embodiments, modified forms of engagement elements 100, 1100 are shown in Figures 12A to 12G (for element 100), Figures 13A to 13G (for element 30 1100) and Figure 14A to 14G (for elements 100 and 1100, but depicted only in relation to element 100). In these modified forms, the structural variation of the body that permits circumferential tightening may take the form of at least one longitudinally extending 35 slot 1210 (for element 100) or 1310 (for element I100) extending from the projection portion 130 to the second end. This longitudinal slot 1210 or 1310 allows for opposed 15 wall edges defining the slot to be brought together when the crimping occurs, so that the wall edges either just abut or are slightly apart from each other. Such arrangements (shown in Figures 12A to 12G and 13A to 13G) may reduce or mitigate the natural resistance of the steel of the element 100, 1100 to deformation during the crimping. 5 Such resistance is likely to be more difficult to overcome if there is steel wall material in place of the slot. The flanged or flared end 118 is still receiveable in the retention member 330 in the same manner as is described above. In such embodiments and in other embodiments described herein, the part of body I10 extending toward the second end and away from the projection portion 130 may be considered to comprise or form 10 an extension portion for engaging with the retention member 330. In further arrangements (illustrated in Figures 14A to 14G, 15 and 16), the body portion 114 of element 100, 1100 extending away from projection portion 130 may be somewhat truncated between the second end 122 and the projection portion 130, with 15 the flared end 118 having an interrupted profile defining a plurality of circumferentially arrayed extension portions/engagement prongs/locking projections 1418 for engaging with the retention member 330. Body portion 114 may also define a longitudinally extending slot 1210 or 1310 as in the embodiments described above. 20 Retention member 330 may be as described above or may have a number of corresponding circumferentially arrayed slots 1618 (see Figure 16) defined between radially inwardly projecting lips 1619 on the inner face of wall 382, whereby the locking projections 1418 on the second end of the engagement element 100, 1100 can fit into the slots 1618 of the retention member 330 and then be rotated slightly to bring 25 them under the projecting lips 1619 to hold the engagement element 100, 1100 in place. Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, 30 integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge 35 in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

16 It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims (26)

1. 2. The element of claim 1, wherein the at least one extension portion comprises a cylindrical wall portion between the projection portion and the second end.
2. 3. The element of claim I or claim 2, further comprising a structural variation of 20 the at least one extension portion, the structural variation being arranged to permit circumferential tightening of the body and/or the cylindrical wall portion.
3. 4. The element of claim 3, wherein the structural variation is defined by at least one. circumferentially or longitudinally extending gap in the cylindrical wall. 25
4. 5. The element of claim 4, wherein the at least one circumferentially or longitudinally extending gap extends through the cylindrical wall.
5. 6. The element of claim 4, wherein the at least one circumferentially or 30 longitudinally extending gap extends part-way into the cylindrical wall.
6. 7. The element of any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the at least one circumferentially or longitudinally extending gap comprises multiple circumferential ly or longitudinally extending gaps. 35 18
7. 8. The element of any one of claims I to 7, wherein the at least one extension portion comprises engagement structure to removably engage the body with a retention member on the plumbing fitting. 5 9. The element of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the projection portion is a first projection portion and the body comprises a second projection portion projecting radially outward from a cylindrical circumference of the body, the second projection portion defining an outward face and having a detent formed radially inwardly in the outward face. 10
8. 10. The element of claim 9, wherein the first projection portion and the second projection portion are longitudinally aligned.
9. 11. The element of claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the first projection portion and the 15 second projection portion are separated by a structural variation of a cylindrical wall of the body, the structural variation being arranged to permit the circumferential tightening along part of the body without affecting the whole body.
10. 12. The element of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the projection portion 20 comprises a radially outward variation of part of the cylindrical circumference.
11. 13. The element of any one of claims I to 12, wherein the projection portion defines opposed side surfaces for engagement by a crimping tool to effect the tangentially directed crimping. 25
12. 14. The element of any one of claims I to 13, wherein the detent is arranged to hinder the projection portion returning to an expanded state from a crimped state.
13. 15. The element of any one of claims I to 14, wherein the element is formed of mild 30 steel.
14. 16. A plumbing fitting comprising: a fitting body defining at least one fluid flow path, the fitting body defining at one end an opening for the fluid flow path; 35 a retention member coupled to the fitting body at a position spaced from the one end; and 19 the engagement element of any one of claims 1 to 14 partially received by the retention member and positioned to at least partially surround the fitting body at or adjacent the one end; wherein the engagement element and the one end of the fitting body are sized to 5 receive a cylindrical pipe wall therebetween so that, upon circumferential tightening of the engagement member, the pipe wall is secured between the engagement element and the fitting body.
15. 17. The plumbing fitting of claim 16, wherein the one end of the fitting body 10 comprises a coupling nozzle.
16. 18. The plumbing fitting of claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the coupling nozzle comprises at least one external barbed flange to assist in securely engaging the pipe wall. 15
17. 19. The plumbing fitting of claim 18, wherein the coupling nozzle comprises at least one externally positioned sealing member.
18. 20. The plumbing fitting of claim 19, wherein the at least one external barbed flange 20 comprises at least one external barbed flange on each side of the at least one sealing member.
19. 21. The plumbing fitting of claim 19 or claim 20, wherein the at least one externally positioned sealing member comprises two externally positioned sealing members. 25
20. 22. The plumbing fitting of claim 21, wherein the at least one external barbed flange comprises at least one external barbed flange positioned between the two sealing members. 30 23. The plumbing fitting of any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein the at least one externally positioned sealing member comprises an o-ring.
21. 24. A kit of parts comprising the plumbing fitting of any one of claims 16 to 23 and a crimping tool, the crimping tool comprising jaws sized to engage the projection 35 portion of the engagement element and activation levers to cause the jaws to effect the tangentially directed crimping. 20
22. 25. A kit of parts comprising the engagement element of any one of claims I to 15 and a kit of parts comprising the plumbing fitting of any one of claims 16 to 23 and a crimping tool, the crimping tool comprising jaws sized to engage the projection portion 5 of the engagement element and activation levers to cause the jaws to effect the tangentially directed crimping.
23. 26. An engagement element substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings. 10
24. 27. A plumbing fitting substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.
25. 28. A kit of parts substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the 15 drawings.
26. 29. The features, structure, steps, features, functions, components, elements, means, materials and arrangements described herein, either alone or in any combination.