Abstract:
A lightweight quick connector system that is a more unitized, installation and dismantling structure and method for joining the ends of straight grooved pipe that uses o-ring fluid sealing. The connector system includes a grooved pipe receiving structure for support and stabilization of the o-ring sealing structure. The quick connector system also has the capability to operate as a size adapter for grooved pipe of different sizes and has the capability to act as a fitting adapter to enable interfitting of a grooved pipe to another size and type of pipe.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to high reliability lightweight quick connector system that utilizes a locking clip having curved section members for increased locking groove engagement of grooved pipe and that will save time in piping installations, especially water piping service replacing the rubber and opposing coupling systems currently used for such water distribution. 
     Description of the Prior Art 
     An industrial standard for water pipe service runs in an industrial facility has involved the use of cut groove steel and other iron pipe size “IPS” piping. Generally, for a nominal size standard, the pipe, regardless of the alloys, and for each nominal size, there is a given outside diameter that&#39;s standard, with the outside diameter never changing, but with the wall thickness and inner diameter changing for different types and materials from which the pipe is made, but generally a pipe&#39;s outer diameter does not change for that pipe&#39;s nominal outer diameter size. Standard cut groove size, dimensions and specifications for grooved pipe may be found at a variety of references. For one example for illustration only, in two inch diameter pipe, a groove width of about 0.313 inches and at a depth of about 0.063 inches is placed about 0.625 inches from the end of the pipe. Where the flow path at two ends of such pipe are to be made continuous, a method of joining has been conventionally provided as part of a grooved pipe system. 
     A connection between two ends of this grooved pipe is typically accomplished by providing an annular rubber sleeve having an internal land circumferentially inward about its inner periphery. When two ends of the grooved pipe are brought together, they are supported, aligned and then inserted into the annular rubber sleeve seal with each pipe&#39;s end surface urged against a lateral side of the internal land. A pair of heavy half circle “U” shaped couplings, also known as a split double bolt clamp, are provided to overfit and compress the exterior of the annular rubber sleeve seal and engage the adjacent grooves of the two ends of the grooved pipe. 
     The pair of heavy half circle “U” shaped couplings have a cross sectional wide shallow “u” profile that envelops and compresses the annular rubber sleeve seal as the outer rims of the heavy half circle “U” shaped couplings begin engaging the grooves adjacent the ends of the pipe. Each of the pair of heavy half circle “U” shaped couplings have aligning apertures adjacent their opposite ends so that large threaded bolts can be used to extend through the aligning apertures and by engagement of a nut on the threaded bolt compress the couplings toward each other and around the grooved pipe using wrenches. Proper compression can possibly achieve a configuration where the internal land hopefully completely evenly enters into the area between the pipe ends where it may be compressed between the ends of the grooved pipe. The fittings also presses portions of the annular rubber sleeve seal on opposite sides of the land against the outer surface of the grooved pipe at an area between the groove and end of each pipe. The above details of joining and sealing may be referred to as the “prior seal and coupling system”. 
     The amount of labor and cost of material for using this prior seal and coupling system are significant. As the pipe flow paths are being extended or constructed throughout a facility, lengths of pipe, seals and couplings must be used periodically along the flow paths in order to complete the construction. 
     The time and effort in constructing the “prior seal and coupling system” is significant. Supporting and aligning the pipe segments, putting the two adjacent ends of the grooved pipes to be joined into the relatively tight fitting double seal, then bringing the pair of heavy half circle “U” shaped couplings together around the made up ends of the engaged double seal and the grooves in the pipe ends, threading bolts through apertures in the pair of heavy half circle “U” shaped couplings, attaching the tightening nuts to the bolts and then carefully and evenly tightening both sides of the pair of heavy half circle “U” shaped couplings to make sure that the sides compress evenly and that the double seal is evenly compressed, takes a significant amount of time. Ideally each bolt on either side of a coupler must be turned only slightly at a time so that the coupler will come together evenly. 
     Multiplying the construction time expenditure for each of the junctions in the water distribution piping system using the “prior seal and coupling system” creates a significant addition to any piping total project expenditure. The “prior seal and coupling system” is of necessity a significant addition of weight and cost. The coupling alone may weigh 2 or 3 pounds. In many cases it requires two workers, with one to manipulate or hold the non connected pipe section and another to fit the seal and assemble the seal compressing and pipe groove engaging coupler around the seal and pipe ends and tighten to the recommended strength. 
     Reliability is another issue with the “prior seal and coupling system”. After a water distribution system it is typically statically tested. Leaks require repair, and the labor intensive painstaking, time consuming process the occurred in making a connection must be reversed in order to try to ascertain any leakage problem. In many cases the problem may have been uneven tightening. Uneven tightening is cured by re-assembling the joint but with greater care. 
     Another problem with the “prior seal and coupling system” is the provision of so many sealing structures and forces that must be coordinated to give a good and positive seal. Each connection involves the face of the connected pipes against the internal land, and also a band compressed against the exterior of the pipe between the face of the connected pipes and their respective grooves. The coupling member is meant to engage the two grooves simultaneously in a way that urges the pipes against the internal land in one direction and which compresses the circular bands sealing member of the seal compressed against the exterior of the pipe between the face of the connected pipes. Mismatch of these two simultaneous forces are often possible if the coupler is not assembled mindfully. The care with which the coupler must be assembled and engaged can contribute to leakage failure, even if it is temporary and repairable with further expenditure of time and labor. 
     Any solution which can significantly reduce cost and at the same time enable installations to be built with fewer workers would provide a significant advantage, particularly since grooved pipe systems are used for relatively low pressure service, including water sprinkler systems and water supply service and the like. What is needed is a structure and method that will enable a less expensive process of assembling a grooved pipe system and which will enable the work to be done with fewer workers and in some cases a single worker. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is the general purpose and object of the present invention to provide a lightweight quick connector system that is simpler, easier to handle, time saving structure and method for joining the ends of grooved pipe. A body on one side carries an opening having a diameter bore that is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the grooved pipe. The bore of the body carries an internal groove more distal from the end opening for fitting an o-ring sealing member to seal against the exterior of the grooved pipe between the end and the groove. The body also has a pair of splits, or slots to admit a locking clip which has curved section members for increased locking engagement of the pipe groove that is spaced apart from the end of the grooved pipe. The other side of the quick connector can be a flange, another body, or a threaded connector or any other type of structure that promotes connection and fluid flow, including NPT, MPSH and NH threads. 
     The result is a lightweight quick connector system connection body that can be: lightweight and have enough of an extension that the grooved pipe is angularly supported as it is guided into the quick connector; can provide a positive o-ring seal; a positive clip locking mechanism; and joinder and disconnectivity in a matter of seconds rather than five or ten minutes required for the “prior seal and coupling system.” In terms of troubleshooting, the lightweight quick connector makes it easier to trace any sealing failure as liquid will leak only from the side of the fitting with an o-ring failure and not from an interpipe area in addition to the seal around the exterior of the pipe. 
     Test and trouble-shoot after a pipe project is constructed results in quicker break-down, inspection and re-assembly than can be achieved for the “prior seal and coupling system”. This translates into long-term savings for maintenance and the need to change service use through replacement of the pipe, connectors, or both. Further, the lightweight quick connector system can have different types and sizes of ends that form adapters by providing two sides that allow transition from a grooved pipe connection on one side to another side having a different size and/or type of connector, such as a flange connection, or different sized grooved pipe, or a threaded connector, to name a few. This “adapterization” will enable a few number of adapters to be kept for different types of installations and which will cut the labor time for transition from one type of connection service to another. 
     Where the lightweight quick connector system is used with flexible piping, even the need for having exact lengths of grooved pipe is relaxed to further facilitate the ability for manual assembly of a complete piping run with a need for tools at all only possibly at the terminal end of the run. The positive and secure nature of the interconnection system includes the use of a groove engagement locking clip which may preferably be made of music wire and that may preferably have a rectangular or a square profile to reliably resist grooved pipe being dislodged from engagement with the quick connector body. The groove engagement locking clip is also set to springingly resist opening and uses its spring force to engage the groove adjacent an end of a grooved pipe and through a pair of slots formed in the body. Groove engagement clip may preferably be produced from rectangular or square wire and is preferably at least double the depth of the pipe groove with which it interfits, so that, for example ½ of the Groove engagement clip width may occupy the pipe groove and so that for example ½ of the Groove engagement clip width extends out of the pipe groove to an extent of occupying the space above the pipe groove so that it will achieve a high strength lock with the slots of quick connector female socket to lock the grooved pipe into the quick connector. Engagement and the ability to engage the clip through the pair of slots and onto the groove in the grooved pipe can provide positive visual proof that the grooved end of the grooved pipe is properly inserted into the bore of the side of the body into which the grooved pipe is placed sufficient for the o-ring within an internally disposed groove in the body to engage and seal the exterior end of the grooved pipe. When the pipe is seated with respect to the female coupling member “socket” the start of the groove on the grooved pipe is exposed within the split or slot to allow the grooved pipe retaining, groove engagement clip to retain the grooved pipe in place in a sealed condition with respect to the quick connector. 
     Thus, the making of a joint includes grooved pipe insertion into the body of the quick connector to the extent of seating, securing a grooved pipe retaining groove engagement clip into the engagement clip slots, visually verifying that the clip is seated, to thus complete sealed connection of the pipe with the quick connector body. Breaking down a join involves simply removal of the clip followed by removal of the pipe from the body side from which it was previously inserted. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side sectional view of one example of a prior art seal and coupling system to illustrate sealing in two directions; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a hydraulic connector and fittings and utilizing straight pins inserted into a termination block; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of a first embodiment of a lightweight quick connector with one side having a grooved pipe receiving structure and an opposite side having a flange for bolted attachment; 
         FIG. 4  is an end view, looking into the grooved pipe receiving structure side of the lightweight quick connector of  FIG. 3  and shown with a groove engagement clip shown resting loosely within the side slots seen in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view of the groove engagement clip seen in  FIG. 4 , and having a number of marked dimensions in order to show typical dimensions for some standard pipe sizes; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4  and to facilitate a comparison with subsequently shown embodiments. 
         FIG. 7  is a second embodiment of a lightweight quick connector seen as a double female quick connector which can be constructed with different sizes of grooved pipe receiving structure to accommodate different diameter grooved pipe to facilitate the flow transition from one size of grooved pipe to another without the need for a heavier more custom set of transition structures; 
         FIG. 8  is a third embodiment of a lightweight quick connector seen as a female-male pipe size transition quick connector that includes grooved pipe receiving structure attached to an abbreviated length grooved pipe structure; 
         FIG. 9  is a fourth embodiment of a lightweight quick connector is seen as a female-male threaded pipe adapter quick connector that includes grooved pipe receiving structure attached to an abbreviated length male threaded pipe structure; 
         FIG. 10  is a fifth embodiment of a lightweight quick connector is seen as a female-female threaded pipe adapter quick connector that includes grooved pipe receiving structure attached to an abbreviated length female threaded pipe structure; and 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective model illustrating pipe insertion and connection in the embodiment of  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a side sectional view of one example of a conventional “prior seal and coupling system” 51  is shown. A first grooved pipe  53  includes a groove  55  spaced apart from a butt end  57  and is seen approaching from the left side of  FIG. 1 . A second grooved pipe  63  includes a groove  65  spaced apart from a butt end  67  and is seen approaching from the right side of  FIG. 1 . A polymeric seal  71  has a somewhat “M” shaped cross section with a middle internally directed land  73  which extends into a separated space between the butt end surfaces  57  and  67  as the first and second grooved pipes  53  and  63  are urged together. 
     Polymeric seal  71  includes a pair of gap spaces  77  separating the internally directed land  73  from a pair of exterior pipe engaging seal portions  79 , possibly used to make the engagement more independent which may lead to sealing problems. A covering seal compressing and pipe groove engaging coupler is seen as having an upper coupler member  83  and a lower coupler member  85  that have rim portions  89  which are seen engaging grooves  55  and  65 . The upper and lower coupler members  83  and  85  may be urged together by bolt engaging ears including one set that would be behind the structures in  FIG. 1  and another set that would be not seen as removed in order to show the sectional view. 
       FIG. 1  is helpful in illustrating the environment of grooved pipe sections  53  and  63  and the problems associated with joint makeup. Both pipe sections  53  and  63  have to be supported and aligned, and seal failure can occur where the middle internally directed land  73  is damaged, bent or folded or where one pipe section is pushed so far that it fails to seal. Further, the sealing pressure generally must be applied evenly to both sides so that the polymeric seal  71  will not be urged out of a side of the pipe sections  53  and  63  that has pressure more loosely applied. Referring to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of a hydraulic connector  91  for accepting fittings  93  secured by straight pin sets  95  into a heavy termination block  97  is illustrated. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a side view of a first embodiment of a lightweight quick connector  101  is shown with one side having a grooved pipe receiving structure  103  and an opposite side having a flange  105  for bolted attachment to another structure. The quick connector  101  grooved pipe receiving structure  103  is seen to have a slot  109  that may be formed with a tangential cut through the material making up the grooved pipe receiving structure  103  and which may form exposed surfaces  111  of the material making up the grooved pipe receiving structure  103 . Material behind exposed surfaces  111 , which is not removed in the forming of the slots  109 , regardless of how slots  109  are formed, represents the material which will determine the axial holding strength of the slots  109 . 
     The slot  109  extends deeply enough into the material of grooved pipe receiving structure  103  that it cuts through and removes portions of the internal surface  115  of the quick connector  101 . An opposite slot  109 , not directly seen in  FIG. 3  preferably mirrors the slot  109  seen in  FIG. 2 . Once the slots  109  are formed, the remaining connective material will determine the strength of the quick connector  101  to keep an inserted grooved pipe  53  in a made-up, locked position. The strength of the resulting quick connector  101  will therefore also be determined by the choice of materials, in addition to the area of material not removed for the slots  109 . 
     A transitional frusto-conical surface  117  is seen from the slot  108  to a surface  119  of flange  105 . The surface  119  of flange  105  is seen as having bolt apertures  121  at its corners. The thickness of the flange  105  may contain structures to limit insertion of a grooved pipe  53  past the limit of the flange  105 , particularly to indicate that the grooved pipe  53  is seated. Flange  105  need have no internals other than its physical connection and some opening for enabling flow to pass through the flange  105 . The dimensions and thickness of the quick connector  101  will depend upon the size of the grooved pipe  53 , the magnitude of the pressure service for which the grooved pipe  53  and quick connector  101  will be employed, as well as the materials from which the grooved pipe  53  and quick connector  101  are constructed. An outer surface  123  of the grooved pipe receiving structure  103  is also seen. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , an end view, looking into the grooved pipe receiving structure  103  side of the lightweight quick connector  101  illustrates further details within a bore  129 . Also seen within bore  129  is a partial view of a grooved pipe retaining, groove  55  engagement clip  131 . Engagement clip  131  is seen partially inserted over and well cleared of contact with the upper exposed surface  111  seen in  FIG. 3 , and resting supported by the lower exposed surface  111  seen in  FIG. 3 . Groove  55  engagement clip  131  may preferably be hi-strength spring steel. metal injection molding (mim) and have 258,469 PSI tensile strength, and may be plated to prevent environmental corrosion. Groove  55  engagement clip  131  may also have a break that exceeds 6,375 with a hardness of Rockwell C-43. Although the groove  55  engagement clip  131  is not engaged with a grooved pipe  53 , and although it is shown in a vertically higher position than it would be when engaged with the grooved pipe  53 , it does illustrate the extent to which the curved sides of the engagement clip  131  may lie withing the bore  129  through the slots  109 . 
     Although the slots  109  were shown as having been simply formed on a vertical cut, such as by a saw, with material removal, the slots  109  could be formed radially with some shape variation of the clip  131  to accommodate a radial cut. In addition, the inside perimeter of the bore  129  interrupted by the slots  109  are seen to be from about 105 to about 115 degrees each, leaving from about 65 to 75 degrees for each area not interrupted for the slots  109  (which were seen  FIG. 3  as associated with the material of and behind exposed surface  111 . 
     Thus, of the connected perimeter within the bore  129  is from about 35 to about 42 percent. Of course, the vertically formed slots  109  leave less connection material than would be the case for a radial formation of the slot  109 . However, as previously stated, the axial holding strength of the resulting lightweight quick connector  101  depends more upon materials of construction, and the gross minimum area of material connection of each area not interrupted for the slots  109  which is associated with the material behind and between exposed surfaces  111 . A difference between the diameter of the bore  129  and the outer diameter of the grooved pipe receiving structure  103  generally measured at the outer surface  123  and across an end surface  135  will also contribute to the gross minimum area of material connection of each area not interrupted for the slots  109 . The choice of vertical slots  109  is for the purpose of making the formation of the slots easier quicker, and less expensive. Different shapes for slots  109  might also dictate a slightly different shaped groove  55  engagement clip  131 . 
     From the end surface  135  and in a direction axially across a length of the bore  129  and then across the slots  109 , an o-ring  141  is seen supported within an o-ring groove  145 , of which an edge can be seen adjacent the o-ring  141 . The o-ring  141  can be made or any material, including but not limited to acrylonitrile-Butadiene, aegis, aflas, Buna-N, chemraz, chloroprene, EPDM, ethylene Propylene, ethylene Acrylic, ethylene Propylene, ethylene acrylate, fluorosilicone, flurocarbon, Kalrez, Neoprene, Nitrile, Parofluor, Polyacrylate, Polyurethane, Silicone, Teflon Encapsulated, Teflon, and Viton to name a few. Selection of o-ring  141  will depend upon the pressure and type of fluid service to which the lightweight quick connector  101  is put. 
     Beyond the o-ring  141  an optional stop land  147  is seen as a reduced diameter opening which acts as a stop to the extent of travel of an inserted grooved pipe  53  so that it will not continue through the flange  105 . Stop land  147  also defined a flow opening  149  having an abbreviated axial surface through the flange  105 . The material from which the lightweight quick connector  101  is made includes and is not limited to any metal, alloyed steel, CPVC and PEX PEX XLPE or high density polyethylene to name a few. The material used will have a strength associated with it and will set the material thicknesses. The length of the grooved pipe receiving structure  103  will be chosen with respect to the material of construction to provide angular support and resistance to damage due to such angular support. It is understood that optional stop land  147  can be omitted, and the slot  109  can be made narrow enough to axially register the groove  55  and the first grooved pipe  53 . In this case a worker may have to more carefully insert the first grooved pipe  53  into the grooved pipe receiving structure  103  and visually register the groove  55  with respect to the slot  109 , and this may add a few seconds to the construction process. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5  an isolated plan view of the groove  55  engagement clip  131  is seen. Just as different diameter grooved pipe  53  will dictate a different set of overall sizes for the lightweight quick connector  101 , the different sizes of groove  55  associated with each size of grooved pipe  53  will dictate different sizes and shapes of groove engagement clip  131 . Dimensions seen in  FIG. 5  will include overall height H, distance from top to the midpoint of turn of the angled legs TT, upper heigh UH, width W, midline diameter D, opening guide flair angle F, and flair guide length FGL, flair width FW and out turn curve width OCW. 
     The groove  55  engagement clip  131  may have differences in a variety of shaped portions with the more important attributes being portions that are for occupying a significant circumferential portion of the groove  55 , and an open flaring portion to help guide the clip  131  onto the quick connector  101  and groove  55 . A midline connector member  151  is high enough to facilitate manual engagement for pushing the engagement clip  131  onto and pulling it from engagement with the quick connector  101  when the grooved pipe  53  it inserted into it so as to expose groove  55  within the slot  109 . From the midline connector member  151 , a pair of generally mirror image extensions are seen. A pair of extensions  153  help to form an opening with A midline connector member  151  to enable finger or thumb grasping of the engagement clip  131 , and help to set the overall clip spring tension. It is understood that extension members  153  and midline connector member  151  can be replaced by any members that are permissible or desired and that can supply a structure for grasping and provide inwardly urged spring tension. 
     A pair of curved transition sections  155  set the beginning of a transition from extension members  153  to a pair of curved section members  157  that each have an inside curvature of diameter D which will engage a significant circumferential portion of the groove  55  of the grooved pipe  53 . The portions of curved sections must enter and engage the groove  55  through the slots  109 , which as noted earlier take up from about 105 to about 115 degrees of the circumference of the bore  129  each. However note that part of the curvature inside the slot  109  is involved with entry and orientation of the curved section members  157  and that the actual amount the radius of each of the curved section members  157  which will lie wholly against the groove  55  may be from about 95 to about 110 degrees each, with some additional measure of radius still contributing to the locking action that the engagement clip  131  provides between the groove  55  and the slot  109 . 
     At the end of the curved section members  157  most distal to the midline connector member  151 , a second pair of curved transition members  161  turn the extent of the engagement clip  131  outward to enable the lower portion of the engagement clip  131  to emerge from the slot  109 . From the second pair of curved transition section members  161  a pair of possibly curved or straight section members  165  flair outward. The flaring sections  165  help the user providing some assisted opening of the clip  131  when the clip is begun to be attached to the quick connector  101  by enabling a user to push directly onto the quick connector  101  and without having to otherwise directly urge portions the clip  131  sections springingly open with respect to each other. 
     Referring below to Table I, a series of dimensions of the clip  131  keyed to the legend of  FIG. 5  is seen. Just as different diameter grooved pipe  53  will dictate a different set of overall sizes for the lightweight quick connector  101 , the different sizes of groove  55  associated with each size of grooved pipe  53  will dictate different sizes of groove engagement clip  131 . The goal is to have adequate axial holding within the quick connector  101  with enough of the clip  131  well supported within the groove  55  and extending outwardly of the groove  55  and into the slot  109  to securely make a secure connection. It is understood that many of the dimensions shown in Table I can be varied although it is generally desired to set an orientation that balances as much curved length of pair of curved section members  157  as possible without reducing the cross sectional area not occupied by the slots  109  and generally between the exposed surfaces  111  in order provide plenty of strength of the grooved pipe receiving structure  103  given the materials of construction of the quick connector  101 . 
     
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE I 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 CLIP DIMENSIONS IN INCHES 
               
               
                   
                 UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 SIZE 
                 1 Inch 
                 1.5 Inch 
                 2.0 Inch 
                 2.5 Inch 
                 3.0 Inch 
               
               
                 H 
                 2.763 
                 3.486 
                 4.005 
                 4.898 
                 5.603 
               
               
                 TT 
                 2.01 
                 2.702 
                 3.23 
                 3.845 
                 4.550 
               
               
                 UH 
                 0.75 
                 1.00 
                 1.25 
                 1.50 
                 1.50 
               
               
                 W 
                 0.875 
                 1.25 
                 1.650 
                 2.124 
                 2.249 
               
               
                 D 
                 1.094 
                 1.652 
                 2.103 
                 2.545 
                 3.119 
               
               
                 F 
                 36.0 deg 
                 26.0 deg 
                 30.0 deg 
                 30.0 deg 
                 30.0 deg 
               
               
                 FGL 
                 0.75 
                 0.75 
                 0.75 
                 1.00 
                 1.00 
               
               
                 FW 
                 1.585 
                 1.680 
                 2.134 
                 2.924 
                 3.044 
               
               
                 OCW 
                 0.40 
                 0.75 
                 1.10 
                 1.50 
                 1.62 
               
               
                 Wire 
                 0.156 
                 0.125 
                 0.125 
                 0.187 
                 0.187 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , a cross sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4  is illustrated and is introduced both to illustrate further details of the interior of the quick connector  101  and also to serve as a point of reference to best illustrate variations of further embodiments in later Figures. The basic elements of the grooved pipe  53  receiving structure  103  of sufficient support and axial length to help support grooved pipe  53 , some portion of the bore  129  and internal surface  115  to guide and engage the grooved pipe  53 , slot  109  to facilitate engagement access of the groove  55  engagement clip  131  to the groove  55  of a grooved pipe  53  when it is fully inserted through the grooved pipe receiving structure  103 , perhaps limited only by engagement of butt end  57  of the first grooved pipe  53  against a stop land  147  or some other interfering structure, and an o-ring  141 , within o-ring groove  145 , for engagement with an external section of the first grooved pipe  53  between its butt end  57  and groove  55 . In  FIGS. 2,3 , &amp;  5  the flange  105  represents material extended away from the axis of flow only for the purpose of attachment to a structure. The quick connector  101  structure should be able to withstand a pressure of 2000 PSI and take around 7 to 10 SECONDS to assemble to complete a connection. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , a second embodiment of a lightweight quick connector is seen as a double female quick connector  201 . The numbering convention used for lightweight quick connector  101  will be preserved for all subsequently shown embodiments except for changed or to differentiate duplicated structures as needed for clarity. Double female quick connector  201  includes a first grooved pipe receiving structure  203  which may be integrally formed with a second grooved pipe receiving structure  205 . 
     Both the first and second grooved pipe receiving structure  203  and  205  include an end surface  135 , bore  129 , internal surface  115 , slot  109 , o-ring groove  145 , o-ring  141 , stop land  147  and a flow opening  149 . It may be preferable that the stop lands  147  match an internal diameter of the grooved pipe  53  to prevent pressure drop due to a change in flow cross sectional area and direction. The stop land  147  may ideally form the center of the double female quick connector  201 . 
     Note that although the first and second grooved pipe receiving structure  203  and  205  are shown has having the same internal and external diameters and axial lengths, the elements associated with the first grooved pipe receiving structure  203  need not be the same length, diameter, and width as the structures associated with the second grooved pipe receiving structure  205 . In this manner, the double female quick connector  201  can facilitate the flow transition from one size of grooved pipe  53  to another, and it can do so without the need for a heavy set of transition structures. This can be useful in a factor setting where a large run of large diameter grooved pipe  53  is provided for later use as a feeder pipe, but where the piping beyond a given point in the run will only need to be a smaller diameter of pipe. As an example, with the prior seal and coupling system  51  a pair of coupler members  83  &amp;  85  cannot effectively change diameters, especially due to the lack of even, two-sided pressure on the middle internally directed land  73  of the polymeric seal  71 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , a third embodiment of a lightweight quick connector is seen as a male-female pipe size transition quick connector  231 . Size transition quick connector  231  has a left side that includes a grooved pipe receiving structure  233 . The stop land  147  is also provided, but has a frusto-conical transition member  235  that is either attached or integral to a grooved pipe structure  237  that is an abbreviated length of pipe that is shown as having a larger diameter than the diameter of grooved pipe  53  that would otherwise fit into bore  129 . Grooved pipe structure  237 , other than its being attached to the grooved pipe receiving structure  233  has the same grooved pipe end elements seen in  FIG. 1 , including a short segment grooved pipe  241 , groove  55  and butt end  57 . Thus, either the double female quick connector  201  or the a male-female pipe size transition quick connector  231  can be used to enable a pipe run to transition from one size to another. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , a fourth embodiment of a lightweight quick connector is seen as a female-threaded pipe adapter quick connector  251 . Adapter quick connector  251  has a left side that includes a grooved pipe receiving structure  253 . The stop land  147  is also provided. To further show the possibilities of size difference a threaded pipe member  255  is shown attached to the grooved pipe receiving structure  253  adjacent the stop land but is sized to be radially smaller in diameter than structures on the left side. Threaded Pipe member  255  includes threads  257  that can be of any type, depth and pitch necessary for interconnection. Threaded Pipe member  255  has an internal bore  259 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , a fifth embodiment of a lightweight quick connector is seen as a female-female threaded pipe adapter quick connector  271  that includes grooved pipe receiving structure  273  attached to an abbreviated length female threaded pipe structure  277 . The stop land  147  is also provided. To further show the possibilities of size difference, the female threaded pipe structure  277  is shown attached to the grooved pipe receiving structure  273  adjacent the stop land  147  but is sized to be radially larger in diameter than structures on the left side. Female threaded pipe structure  277  includes internal threads  279  that can be of any type, depth and pitch necessary for interconnection. Female threaded pipe structure  277  has a cylindrical outer surface  281  has a diameter that is of significantly greater than the diameter of the grooved pipe receiving structure  273 , and includes a frusto-conical transition member  285  to transition between the two. One feature of all of the grooved pipe receiving structure  103 ,  203 ,  233 ,  253  &amp;  273  seen in  FIGS. 3-11  is that it allows turning adjustment of the quick connectors  101 ,  201 ,  231 ,  251 , &amp;  271  while engaged to a grooved pipe  53 . This feature may be advantageous for installation or pressure testing or leak troubleshooting. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , a perspective view of the double female quick connector  201  illustrates a part of the attachment process. Double female quick connector  201  is shown as being attached to second grooved pipe  63  with groove  55  engagement clip  131  attached to the double female quick connector  201  and groove  65  (not seen in  FIG. 11 ) of second grooved pipe  63 . To the left of double female quick connector  201  the first grooved pipe  53  is shown on approach to the bore  129  while the with groove  55  engagement clip  131  is shown over the assembly waiting to be clipped into the slot  109  once first grooved pipe  53  is inserted far enough in its side of the double female quick connector  201  to enable groove  55  to present itself within the slot  109  and be engageable by the clip  131 . 
     While the present invention has been described in terms of a quick connector structure and system used in conjunction with grooved piping, and in which both the grooved piping and quick connector structure may be made from a wide variety of materials, one skilled in the art will realize that the structure and techniques of the present invention can be applied to many appliances and systems. The present invention may be applied in any situation where conduit and piping is desired to be constructed in a precise manner at greater speed and with greater savings. 
     Although the invention has been derived with reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, included within the patent warranted hereon are all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of this contribution to the art.