MXPA00008783A - Versatile air test apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a single compact fitting for air, CO2, or nitrogen pressure testing either gas piping or waste piping. An air-pressure test of gas piping is conducted by feeding air through an air valve (10), passing the air through an air inlet pipe (12), and passing the air through an inner body (6) to gas piping that is connected to the exterior end of the inner body (6). Since waste pipes may comprise many different diameters, a cap (8) is used to connect the waste pipe to the air-pressure tester by fitting the waste pipe over the inner body (6). A single air-pressure gauge is used to test either type of piping system.

Description

VERSATILE APPARATUS FOR AIR TESTS DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention is generally related to drain pipe, venting and venting test devices. 'gas and more specifically with test devices for sewage, ventilation and gas pipes at the site used after the construction of the building is completed and before water and gas are supplied to the building site. 10 In the past, pipes installed in a building for the purpose of bringing gas service to the building or removing the drains from the building being tested at the time that gas and water are supplied to the site through public services. However, in last 7 years there has been an increased tendency to reduce the costs of developing real estate in its early housing by delaying the installation of public services until a building has a planned occupancy date. In that case, the real estate company faces the problem that the pipeline installed complies with the Uniform Plumbing Regulation (UPC) for gas and waste before the public services are supplied. This is achieved using pressurized air to test the integrity of the pipes. 25 The air test procedure is described in the UPC book. The standards published in the UPC 1994 book must be fulfilled until January 1999. After January 1999, the standards published in the UPC 1997 book will be implemented. Section 712.3 establishes the air test procedures 5 and the standards for the drain pipes. Section 1204.3.2 establishes air testing procedures and standards for gas pipelines. Drain piping systems have been tested with air using a pressure fitting constructed to fit the standard drain pipe, having, for example, an internal diameter (id) IV, 2", 3", or 4"corresponding to the outer diameter (od), 2, 2,%", or AH, respectively. Unless otherwise specified, when describing a pipeline, having a specific diameter, such as a 4"pipe, the dimension refers to the inner diameter (id) of the pipe.The air test is done by attaching an air compressor test apparatus to a cleaning log or other opening adequate in the pipe system, closing all the other inputs and outputs of the system, forcing air into the system until a uniform pressure gauge of five pounds per square inch (5 psi or 34.5 kPa) is obtained. The outside air pressure source is then disconnected, the pressure of 5 psi must be maintained for the piping system without the introduction of additional air for at least 15 minutes. The pressure should be measured using a manometer that has at least an increase of 1/10 pounds; The range of the manometer is not limited by the drain tests. 5 Gas pipe systems have been tested using an air pressure fitting to conform to standard gas lines, for example, diameters of V, h ", or 1. Up to 1999, the pipe system must be tested at a uniform pressure of 15 psi and maintained by not less than 15 minutes. The pressure is measured using a 30-pound manometer that has an increase of one pound. After 1999, the pipes shall be tested at a uniform pressure of not less than 10 psi and shall be maintained for not less than 15 minutes without any noticeable decrease in pressure. The The pressure should be measured using a pressure gauge that has an increase of 1/10 pounds and a range that does not exceed twice the test pressure applied, in this case 20 pounds. Because gas and drainage systems have different pipe sizes and are tested at different gas pressures that require different air gauges, the people who carry out the tests have been burdened with carrying clogged air pressure accessories, attached to one or another type of system. To use an air test on the drain pipe, the plumbers in the field have resorted to assembling heavy complicated devices to be able to connect a small 3/8 inch air valve to a drain pipe that has an internal diameter between approximately 1H "and approximately 4". Additionally, due to the complicated construction of the air valve for the drain pipe adapters, the delicate pressure gauges are constantly broken, as they are transported in an accessory box, resulting in high replacement costs. To repair them in the field, or make them new is frustrating and often results in fingers cut from the hose clamps or other parts. A typical structure of an air valve for a drain pipe fitting used by plumbers in the field comprises, 1) a threaded sleeve capable of connecting on one side to an air supply and on the other side to a gas line; 2) a hexagonal pipe that is closed at one end, except for a hole through which the air valve is threaded and sealed and a second hole on the side through which an air pressure gauge fits and seals; 3) a round male connector pipe joined to the hexagonal pipe on one side; 4) a fin connected, at its small end to the second end of the connector and at its wide end to the male adapter; and 5) connected to the other end of the ABS adapter a set of double elbows, and gaskets, sized to fit the diameter of the drain pipe, secured in place by a corrugated flare and 2 hose clamps surrounding the rubber gasket. This arrangement of standard parts found in a plumber's supply toolbox is approximately 14 inches long. Most of the length is occupied with adapters and connectors that increase the diameter of the accessory. This utensil serves the purpose of connecting an air valve to a drain pipe, although it is extremely complicated and cumbersome. Additionally, it is necessary to transport several of these around, each adapting the 3/8"air valve to a drain pipe of different diameter.It would be very desirable to have a compact resistant unit that can also be used for drainage piping systems. It would be even more desirable to have a single compact unit that could also be used to test the air of both the gas pipeline and drainage systems, and it would be even more desirable to have a single compact unit that can be used for Test the gas and drainage pipe systems without changing the pressure gauge It is an object of this invention to provide a compact heavy duty air test unit having an air valve at one end which is coupled to a pressure source of air, and that is coupled to the drain pipe on the other side.It is a further object of the invention to provide a single unit of p Compact air pump that can be used to test the air of both gas and drainage piping systems. It is yet another object of the invention to provide a simple compact air test fitting, having a simple air pressure gauge that meets both gas and drainage test standards, the accessory is capable of being coupled to the systems of both drainage and gas pipes. The present invention comprises an apparatus for testing gas pressure comprising: a) at least two concentric couplings, each coupling having a diameter that is different from the others, wherein each coupling has an inner part and an outer part and each The coupling is approximately centered on a long axis of the fitting and located so that each coupling is capable of joining a target pipe in the presence of the other couplings; b) a test gas inlet valve located on a portion of the long axis of the fitting that is adjacent to the outside of the coupling having the largest diameter; and c) a test gas pressure gauge located on a portion of the long axis of the fitting that is adjacent to the outside of the coupling having the larger diameter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.

Figure IA: shows the inventive air test fixture, used for drainage and gas pipes. Figure IB: shows the interior parts of the inventive air test fixture. Figure 2A: shows a detailed view of the air inlet section. Figure 2B: shows a perspective view of the air intake section. Figure 3: shows a detailed view of the inner body. Figure 4: shows a detailed view of the rubber tire The present invention comprises an apparatus for testing the gas pressure comprising: a) at least two concentric couplings, each coupling having a diameter that is different from the others, in wherein each coupling has an inner part and an outer part and each coupling is approximately centered on a long axis of the fitting and located so that each coupling is capable of joining a target pipe in the presence of the other couplings; b) a test gas inlet valve located on a portion of the long axis of the fitting that is adjacent to the outside of the coupling having the largest diameter; and c) a test gas pressure gauge located on a portion of the long axis of the fitting that is adjacent to the outside of the coupling having the larger diameter. The present invention further comprises an apparatus for testing the gas pressure comprising, a) a gas inlet section having a threaded opening for accepting a gas pressure valve, a second threaded opening for accepting a gas pressure manometer , and a third threaded opening for accepting one end of a connector; b) a connector having a hollow center and which is connected on a first side of the gas inlet section; c) an inner body section connected at an inner end to a second side of the hollow connector, the inner body section is capable of engaging at its outer end a target pipe for the gas pressure test; and d) a cover having an inner diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of the inner body section, the cover is interposed between the gas inlet section and the inner body section, wherein the cover is essentially concentric with the inner body and opens in the same direction. In another embodiment, the present invention comprises, an apparatus for testing gas pressure comprising: a) a gas valve connected to a gas inlet section, the gas inlet section has a female end; b) a gas pressure gauge connected to the gas inlet section; c) an outer screw sleeve having a first end attached to the female end of the gas inlet section; d) a flexible cover having an opening in its upper part to accommodate the outer screw sleeve; and e) an inner body having a female end connected to a second end of the outer threaded sleeve, and having a threaded male end for connecting to a fuel gas line. In addition, the present invention comprises a method for conducting a gas pressure test of a pipeline comprising the steps of: a) providing a source of gas; b) provide a pipe to be tested (target pipe); c) providing an accessory for connecting the gas source to the target pipe, the accessory comprises, i) at least two concentric couplings, each having a different diameter from the other, wherein each coupling has an inner part and an outer part and each coupling is approximately centered on a long axis of the fitting and is located so that each coupling is capable of joining a target pipe in the presence of the other coupling; ii) a gas inlet valve located in a portion of the long axis of the fitting that is adjacent to the outside of the coupling having the larger diameter; and iii) a gas pressure gauge located on a portion of the long axis of the fitting that is adjacent to the outside of the coupling having a larger diameter. Figure 1 shows the inventive test apparatus 2 configured to be connected to either a fuel gas line or a drain line. The inventive apparatus is designed to test the pressure of the pipes with any of many suitable test gases, for example, compressed air, manually pumped air, C02, nitrogen, and other gases that are acceptable under the Uniform Plumbing Regulation. Because air is commonly used as a test gas in a pressure test, and because pressure testing with a gas is commonly referred to as an "air test" even when the test gas is not air, example, even when C02 is used, the test gas is uniformly referred to herein as air. Thus, in this document, when referring to an 'air pressure manometer', an 'air inlet section', an 'air valve 1, or the like, it should be understood that any test gas may be replaced by 'air'. Referring to the test gas as 'air' also avoids confusion with any of the pipe systems that are intended for testing, such as those intended to transport a combustible gas such as natural gas. A pipe system designed to treat combustible gas as natural gas is commonly referred to by practitioners as 'gas pipe' or 'gas pipe'. In this document, the terms gas pipe, gas pipe, and gas pipe system refer to the pipe intended to finally transport a combustible gas. In Figure 1, an air inlet section 4 is shown coupled to an inner body 6 through a rubber cover 8. The cover is made of rubber for the current modality because rubber is believed to be the best material currently available, having both flexibility and strength. However, other satisfactory materials for the purpose of coupling to the pipe for the air pressure test (target pipe) can be replaced. For example, new plastics or even a metal that has threads, can be used depending on the specific intended use and the environment. In this document, the cover 8 may be referred to as rubber, but other materials may be substituted if desired. The air inlet section 4 has an air valve 10 which penetrates through a solid end and an air inlet pipe 12 into the interior of the pipe. The other end of the air inlet pipe 12 is threaded as a female connector to be joined with a sleeve 20 of hollow male external thread. The air gauge 14 penetrates into the interior of the air inlet pipe 12 through its side wall. The air inlet section 4 fits snugly against the solid upper portion of the cover 8 by means of a washer or fin 16. A central hole in the upper portion 7 of the cover 8 is encompassed by a hollow externally threaded sleeve 20 . There is a tight seal between the edges of the hole in the upper part of the cover 8 and the threaded sleeve. The outer screw sleeve serves as a small male connector between the air inlet section 4 and the inner body 6, so that the pressurized air entering the air inlet section 4 through the air valve 10 passes. inside the inside of the body 6 inside. The inner body section 6 has a fin or washer at one end which allows it to fit tightly against the inner wall of the upper part of the cover 8 when it is tightly screwed against the air inlet section 4 by means of the threaded sleeve 20 outer and inner threads on the male end of the inner body. The other end of the inner body 6 is also threaded as a female member to accept the standard gas pipe having a male connector. To conduct a gas pipe air pressure test, the pressurized air is fed inwardly through the air pressure valve 10, passing through the air inlet pipe 12, the screw sleeve connector 20 outside and the body 6 inside the gas pipe that is connected to the outer end of the inner body. When the target pipe is coupled to the inner body 6, cover 8 is not used. The same inventive accessory that is used for gas testing air pipes is also used for test drain pipes. Since the drain pipes can have any of several different diameters, a user chooses an inventive accessory having a cover diameter that matches the diameter of the target pipe coupling. The o.d. of the inner body 6 is always significantly smaller than the inner diameter of the cover 8. In this way, a drain pipe will fit around the inner body and be connected to the open end of the cover 8. To conduct an air pressure test of the drain pipe, the pressurized air is fed in through the air valve 10, passes through the air inlet pipe 12, the outer screw sleeve connector 20 and the inner body 6 into the line target drain that is sealed to the cover 8. The entire accessory is approximately fifteen point twenty-four centimeters (six inches) long. It provides the user with a breakthrough in convenience during use in combination with storage facility. Additionally, the inventive accessory is more versatile than the air test accessories found in the prior art. The present invention comprises the first dual-purpose accessory where a single fitting has concentrically mounted couplings so as to be useful for air testing for both the drain pipe and the gas pipe. Air Inlet Section Air inlet pipe 12 is shown in Figures 2A and 2B. It comprises a pipe 18 having a closed end and an open end. It is convenient for the pipe 12 to be hexagonal because it provides a flat surface through which an air pressure gauge 14 joins, although this configuration is not required for the invention. The pipe 12 can, for example, have an octagonal configuration, coupling with rounded band, simply round and another section in cross section. The important point is that an air tight seal is obtained between the pipe 12 and the air pressure gauge 14. The closed end 18 has a hole 22 through which an air valve is inserted. Typically a 3/8"air valve is used, although it is not necessary for the invention.The air valve must match the air pressure valve in the selected air source.The air valve 10 is secured to the air valve. pipe 12 in any manner generally known to practitioners In the example shown in Figures 2A and 2B, a hexagonal nut 5/16"is used. The other end of the pipe 12 has internal NPT threads to receive a short outer thread sleeve. If, for example, a 3/4"external threaded sleeve 20 is used, then the threads at the open end of the pipe 12 are made 3/4" NPT. In the best mode, a fin 16 is placed on the end open to the pipe 12. The fin is pressed against the upper closed surface of the cover 8 to achieve an air tight fit. However, a fin is not necessary. Instead, a washer can be used to achieve a very tight fit against the cover 8. There are several alternative ways to build the air inlet section 4 that will be readily apparent to practitioners in plumbing techniques. For example, the pipe 12 can be made of a piece of pipe having two open ends, one of the ends having external threads. That end can then be closed by fixing a metal cover that has matching internal threads. The inventive accessory includes many ordinary ways to construct the air inlet section 4. A custom made gauge 14 is used to adapt to the air test standards for both gas and sewer pipes, as stated in sections 712.3 and 1204.3.2 and 319.0 of the UPC 1997. The pressure gauge reads in 10 pounds of air pressure in tenths of a pound increments and up to 20 pounds of air pressure in one-pound increments among 10 pounds and 20 pounds. Of course, any manometer that conforms to UPC standards in strength and time of use can be used. The manometer described above was chosen because it meets both current UPC standards and those that came into effect when the new standards are adopted, which is expected in 1999. After 1999, if one wishes, for example, to minimize the Device size, a pressure gauge that reads 10 pounds of air pressure in tenths of a pound increments can be used instead of a pressure gauge that has a range of 20 pounds. The air manometer 14 is mounted through the side wall of the pipe 12 using standard methods. In order to make a good airtight seal, it is preferred to mount the pressure gauge through a flat section of the pipe having, for example, a hexagonal cross section. The important feature is that an air tight seal is achieved. The air inlet pipe 12 is typically about 7.6 cm (3") long, however it can be considerably longer.The fittings currently used by the plumbers have a total length of 38 cm (15") and the invention Current may retain the inventive utility even if it were - made to have a total length of 38 cm (15") or more.When making the pipe 12 longer than between approximately 5 cm (2") to approximately 10.16 cm (4") it would result in some loss of convenience, particularly if the total length of the attachment became much longer than approximately 30.48 cm (12"). Alternatively, the inlet pipe 12 may be as short as 3.85 or 5 cm (1.5 or 2"). Its i.d. is typically about 1" but may be between about 3/8"and about 1-1 / 4". Your o.d. it is typically between about 1/2"and about 3/4" greater than the i.d. Typically, the air inlet pipe is made of galvanized steel. However, it can be made of any other material such as, for example, unpolished steel, bronze, second brass, aluminum, or other materials known to those skilled in the art. Section of the inner body Figure 3 shows a detail of the section 6 of the inner body. It is open at both ends and has internal threads on one end 32 that engage the target gas pipe. The second end has internal threads to match one side of the outer thread sleeve 20. The second end preferably has fins for easily providing an airtight fit adjacent to the inner surface of the upper part of the cover 8. Alternatively, a flat end and a washer or other means may be used to achieve a tight fit. The inner body is typically about 7.6 cm (3") long, like the inlet pipe 12, it can be as long as 30.48 cm (12") or 38.10 cm (15") or even more although the attachment typically It becomes less convenient as it gets longer.To provide an accessory that has a short overall length, the inner body is approximately between 2.54 cm (1") and approximately 10.16 cm (4"). short, it can visually be obscured by the edges of the cover 8, requiring the threaded end to engage a target gas pipe by touch instead of by sight.The inner body section 6 has an id typically of about 1"but it can be between approximately 1/4"and approximately 2". Your i.d. it is typically chosen to match the target gas pipeline with which it is intended to be coupled, but an adapter can be used to increase the number of target pipe diameters to which a single inner body can be attached. Standard gas lines have 1/4"o.d.s, 3/8", 1/2", 3/4", 1", 1-1 / 2", or 2". Of course there are other sizes but this list includes the most common ones. The ID. of the inner body 6 is typically around 1.5". The od is typically between about 1/2" and about 3/4"larger than the id but is not so limited.The preferred method for building section 6 of inner body comprises a) providing a piece of tube having the appropriate dimensions and a finned end; b) tapping the finned end to match the male conductor 20; and c) thread the other end with internal threads that engage the target gas line. An alternative construction, also found to perform in a satisfactory manner comprises using an externally threaded pipe section having two flat ends and one o.d. that matches the i.d. of the target gas pipeline. The inner end 30, which is the end that will fit against the inner surface of the cover 8, is internally threaded to match the male connector 20. An internally threaded flap or ring with an appropriate configuration is screwed into the inner end 30. A connector that is internally threaded to match the external thread of both the tube and the target gas pipe is screwed onto the other end of the pipe. Practitioners of ordinary skill in the art will be able to discern a wide variety of equivalent ways to assemble the individual sections without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Section of the inner connector The air inlet section 4 and the inner body 6 are connected through the center of the cover 8. There are many types of connectors that can be used. A 3/4"external threaded sleeve 20 provides a convenient connector for the present embodiment.Alternatively, a compression fitting or other connecting element can be used.To maintain good air flow dynamics, it is preferred that the connector id match that of the air source.The connector is fixed on the side to the open end of the air inlet tube 12 and on the other side to the inner end 30 of the inner body 6. Rubber cover Figure 4 shows a cover 8 , which is sized to be attached to a target drain pipe, vent pipe, second gas pipe or other pipeline having a larger diameter than the gas pipe indicated by the inner body, it is likely that deck 8 is more commonly used for coupling to a ventilation or drainage pipe The cover 8 can be formed of a cover of ventilation or drain pipe standard or of greater preference s It uses a thick version that will wear better and keep the air pressure well. The cover is secured around the target pipe using fastening means. A hose clamp 26, shown in Figure 4, illustrates a means for securing the cover to the target pipe. More than one clamp can be used in some cases, particularly for large decks without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is helpful, though not necessary, to provide indentations 28, slots, lugs, or other means to hold one or more hose clamps in place as they are tightened. The diameter of the hole in the upper part 7 of the cover 8 is made slightly smaller than the o.d. of the outer thread sleeve 20, so that when the sleeve with external thread is pushed through the hole, the edges of the hole are pressed against and firmly clamped to the outside of the sleeve, making a good seal. The sleeve 20 shown in Figure IB has an o.d. of 1"and an i.d. of 3/4". In this way, a 7/8"hole is made in the upper part of the cover 8 to accept the sleeve 20 with external thread, while the cover is typically made of rubber, it can be made of any other material, including plastic , which complies with UPC standards, and is flexible and resilient.For example, other materials satisfactory for the purpose of attaching to the target pipe as new plastics or even having threads can be replaced by the rubber.After the sleeve with external thread is inserted through the hole in the closed upper part of the cover 7, the inlet section 4 is screwed into the upper side of the cover and the inner body 6 is screwed into the lower part of the cover., the invention provides a simple compact accessory for air pressure test pipes having different diameters, such as, for example, gas pipes and drainage pipes. The fitting is coupled to the objective pipe through either the inner body 6 or the cover 8, which are arranged essentially concentrically in the fitting and which open in the same direction. Each accessory is made to be attached to, for example, a gas tube of an o.d. particular and single-diameter larger drain pipe. A typical plumber would probably use a set of adapters to allow the gas pipe fitting to join any of the possible gas pipe diameters. Still, the typical plumber would have a set, for example four of the inventive accessories available, where the set of four accessories each would have, for example, a cover 8 of 1-1 / 2", 2", 3" , and 4", one for each size of drain pipe, vent, or other pipe coupling that is intended for air pressure testing. That is, in a particular embodiment, the inner body would be coupled to, for example, a 3/4"gas pipe or other pipe and the cover 8 could, for example, be attached to a 2" drain pipe, of ventilation, second gas pipe or other pipe. Without compromising compaction, standard adapters can be used to attach the 3/4"inner body to other sizes of target tubing.The inventive accessory is easily attached to either a drain pipe or a gas pipeline. Gas pressure is used to test both pipe systems.The inventive accessory, in addition to being more versatile than conventional accessories because it is attached to conventional fuel and waste gas pipes, is also stronger and more compact than the accessories In addition, in several of its modalities, the inventive accessory is less expensive to make than the accessories that the plumbers had been doing conventionally.In some modalities, the cost of production has been reduced by a factor between four, five, six and even seven.Description of illustrative modalities and best mod In order to carry out the present invention, they are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Various modifications, alternative constructions and equivalents may be employed without departing from the true spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims (37)

1. CLAIMS 1. An apparatus for testing gas pressure characterized in that it comprises, a) at least two concentric couplings, each coupling having a diameter that is different from the others, wherein each coupling has an inner part and an outer part and each The coupling is approximately centered on a long axis of the fitting and located so that the coupling is capable of joining a target pipe in the presence of the other couplings; b) a test gas inlet valve located on a portion of the long axis of the fitting that is adjacent to the outside of the coupling having the larger diameter; and c) a test gas pressure gauge located on a portion of the long axis of the fitting that is adjacent to the outside of the coupling having the largest diameter.
2. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the total length of the accessory is less than 50.80 cm (20 inches).
3. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a total length of between about 10.16 cm (4 inches) and about 38.10 cm (15 inches)
4. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a length total between approximately 12.70 cm (5 inches) and approximately 30.48 cm (12 inches).
5. 5. The apparatus in accordance with the claim 1, characterized in that it has a total length of between about 15.24 cm (6 inches) and about 22.86 cm (9 inches).
6. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas is selected from the group consisting of air, nitrogen and C02.
7. 7. An apparatus for testing gas pressure characterized in that it comprises: a) a hollow test gas inlet section having a threaded opening for accepting a test gas pressure valve, a second threaded opening for accepting a pressure gauge test gas pressure, and a third threaded opening to accept one end of a connector; b) a connector having a hollow center and connected to a first side of the test gas inlet section; c) a hollow inner body section connected at an inner end to a second side of the hollow connector, the inner body section is capable of engaging at its outer end a target pipe; and d) a cover having an inner diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of the inner body section, the cover is interposed between the gas inlet section and the inner body section, wherein the cover is essentially concentric with the inner body and opens in the same direction.
8. 8. The apparatus in accordance with the claim 7, characterized in that the test gas pressure valve is attached to the test gas inlet section.
9. 9. The apparatus in accordance with the claim 8, characterized in that the gas valve is connected through an opening at one end of the air inlet section.
10. The apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that a gas pressure gauge is attached to the gas inlet section.
11. The apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the gas pressure gauge is connected through one side of the air inlet section.
12. 12. The apparatus in accordance with the claim 10, characterized in that the gas pressure gauge has a range of 0 to 20 pounds of pressure and the first 10 pounds have increments of 0.1 pounds.
13. The apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the gas inlet section comprises a pipe having a closed end and an internally threaded female end.
14. The apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the female end has fins.
15. 15. The apparatus in accordance with the claim 7, characterized in that the inner body section comprises a pipe having a female end and a male end.
16. 16. The apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the female end has fins.
17. 17. The apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that the male end is threaded to match the gas line.
18. 18. The apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the cover comprises a flexible durable material.
19. 19. The apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that the cover is made of rubber.
20. The apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that the cover further comprises hose clamps joined to its outer circumference.
21. 21. The apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that it has a total length that is less than about 50.80 cm (20 inches).
22. 22. The apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that it has a total length between about 10.16 cm (4 inches) and about 38.10 cm (15 inches).
23. 23. The apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that it has a total length between about 12.70 cm (5 inches) and about 30.48 cm (12 inches).
24. 24. The apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that it has a total length of between about 15.24 cm (6 inches) and about 22.86 cm (9 inches).
25. 25. The apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the test gas is selected from the group consisting of air, nitrogen and C02.
26. 26. An apparatus for testing test gas pressure characterized in that it comprises: a) a test gas valve connected to a hollow test gas inlet section, the gas inlet section has a female end; b) a test gas pressure gauge connected to the gas inlet section; c) a sleeve with a hollow external thread having a first end connected to the female end of the gas inlet section; d) a flexible cover having an opening in its upper part, through which the sleeve with external thread is screwed; and e) a hollow inner body having a female end connected to a second end of the sleeve with an external thread, and having a threaded male end for connecting to a fuel gas line.
27. 27. The apparatus according to claim 26, characterized in that the gas valve and the gas pressure gauge each are joined through a flat portion of the gas inlet section.
28. 28. The apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the gas pressure gauge has a range of 20 pounds and the first 10 pounds have increments of 0.1.
29. 29. The apparatus in accordance with the claim 26, characterized in that the cover is comprised of rubber and has hose clamps for compressing it around a pipe fitting.
30. 30. The apparatus according to claim 26, characterized in that the total length is between about 10.16 cm (4 inches) and about 38.10 cm (12 inches).
31. 31. The apparatus according to claim 29, characterized in that the rubber cover is coupled to a pipe having an inside diameter of 2 inches.
32. 32. The apparatus according to claim 31, characterized in that the inner body is coupled to a male NPT pipe having an inner diameter of 3/4"of an inch
33. 33. The apparatus according to the claim 26, characterized in that an adapter is connected to the male end of the inner body.
34. 34. The apparatus according to claim 26, characterized in that the gas is selected from the group consisting of air, nitrogen and C02.
35. 35. A method for conducting a pipe gas pressure test characterized in that it comprises the steps of: a) providing a source of test gas; b) provide pipe to be tested (target pipe); c) provide an accessory for connecting the gas source to the target pipe, the accessory comprises: i) at least two concentric couplings, each coupling has a diameter different from the others, wherein each coupling has an inner part and a part outer and each coupling is approximately centered on a long axis of the fitting and located so that each coupling is capable of joining a target pipe in the presence of the other couplings; ii) a test gas inlet valve located on a portion of the long axis of the fitting that is adjacent to the outside of the coupling having the larger diameter; and iii) a test gas pressure gauge located on a portion of the long axis of the fitting that is adjacent to the outside of the coupling having the larger diameter.
36. 36. The method according to claim 35, characterized in that the gas is chosen from the group consisting of air, nitrogen and C02.
37. 37. The method according to claim 35, characterized in that the accessory has a total length of less than about 50.80 cm (20 inches).