Patent ID: 7661722
Filing Date: 2010-02-16
Classification: F16L

Abstract:
1. A gas riser apparatus, comprising: a swivel-nut, a nipple fitting, a rigid conduit, a flexible conduit section, a rubber seal having a bore therein, and a metallic ferrule; the nipple fitting having one end thereof threaded for operative connection to a meter and an opposite end forming a hose bib connection, over which an end of a gas supply line may be inserted; the opposite end of the nipple fitting also having a threaded portion thereof, disposed about the hose bib and threadably engaging with the swivel-nut, to thereby secure the swivel-nut to the nipple fitting; the swivel-nut having a hollow body defining a centerline of the nut and first and second ends of the swivel-nut; the swivel-nut also having an annular collar extending axially from the first end of the body about the centerline, and having an outwardly opening groove therein; the second end of the swivel-nut having a threaded portion thereof for receiving the mating threaded portion of the opposite end of the nipple fitting; the swivel nut further defining an internal cavity thereof for receiving the rubber seal for applying a compressive force to an outer surface of the gas supply line as the swivel-nut is tightened onto the opposite end of the nipple fitting; the rigid conduit having a first end thereof, and a second end thereof attached to the swivel-nut by a swaged/crimped joint, in a manner allowing the swivel-nut to rotate with respect to the conduit; the rigid conduit also having an annular end portion thereof, including a radially inward projecting annular ring adapted for receipt within the outwardly opening groove in the annular collar of the swivel-nut, when the end portion of the conduit is swaged/crimped onto the swivel-nut by radially inward directed pressure applied to an outer surface of the conduit opposite the annular ring; the flexible conduit section being attached to the first end of the conduit by a swaged/crimped joint, the first end of the rigid conduit including a counterbore for receiving an end of the flexible conduit section, and the swaged/crimped joint being formed by applying radially inward directed pressure to the outer surface of the rigid conduit opposite the counterbore at a magnitude sufficient to permanently deform the first end of the rigid conduit inward to clamp the end of the flexible conduit section within the counterbore; a plastic liner being disposed within the flexible conduit section; and wherein the metallic ferrule is disposed within the bore in the rubber seal, and having surfaces thereof configured for biting into the outer surface of the gas supply line and the rubber seal, as the swivel-nut is tightened on the nipple fitting, to thereby clamp the end of the gas supply line onto the hose bib of the nipple fitting.