Abstract:
A T-connector holding tool is a tool for immobilizing or applying a torque to a T-connector. The tool has an elongated handle portion and a head portion fixed to the handle portion. The head portion includes a pair of rigid claws, each including an interior surface sized to capture a corresponding one of two aligned nuts of the T-connector. When applying a torque to the third nut of a T-connector, the T-connector is immobilized by capturing the aligned first and second nuts and applying a counteracting torque to the T-connector, the counteracting torque being opposite the torque applied to the third nut.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a tool for the pipe fitting trades, particularly in gas pipe plumbing. In particular, the invention relates to a tool for holding a T-connector in position when torquing the perpendicular third nut on the T-connector to prevent damage to the other connections. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   When plumbing gas lines, e.g., propane or natural gas, T-connectors with compression or flared fittings are often used to divide gas flow from a source to two or more appliances. The T-connectors are generally made of brass and include three nuts for compression fit of three copper lines. Each copper line must be flared before tightening the nut down on the T-connector. For purposes of the present application, the first and second nut will be the two that are in-line, or coaxial, while the third nut will be perpendicular to the first two, thus forming the downwardly extending leg of the “T”. 
   A problem occurs when torquing (either tightening or loosening) the third nut while one or both of the first and second nuts are attached to copper line. Torque applied to the third nut is transmitted to the T-connector body, which places strain on the first and/or second connections. An opposite torque should be applied to the T-connector itself to balance and counteract the torque applied to the third nut to prevent damage to the flared ends of the copper lines at the first and/or second connections. Past practice has been to use an adjustable wrench extending at an odd angle from the top of the “T” in an attempt to hold the T-connector in place while torquing the third nut. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to prevent a significant net torque against the T-connector using an adjustable wrench on the T-connector itself. If the net torque is too great, damage to the flared ends of the copper pipe could result, in which case a leak can occur. 
   It has not, to the inventors&#39; knowledge, heretofore been recognized that many such leaks can be prevented if the T-connector is properly immobilized during the torquing operation. Neither has there been a satisfactory tool available to immobilize the T-connector when torquing the third nut by applying a counteracting torque to the T-connector. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,821, issued Aug. 2, 1994 to Lee, discloses a fan pipe holder for a soldering iron. The device comprises a plurality of opposed ribs connected by spine. The ribs and spine are bent into a desired configuration from a single sheet of flat stainless steel. This device is not suitable for holding a T-connector, since it is not sized to fit over the first two nuts of a T-connector, is not stiff enough to immobilize the T-connector, and does not include a handle. 
   Japanese Patent No. 54-6,126 teaches a rain-pipe holder for supporting rigid cylinders on either side of soft bellows. This device is also not suitable since it not sized to fit over the first two nuts of a T-connector, nor is it stiff enough to immobilize the T-connector when torquing the third nut. In addition, it does not include a handle. 
   Japanese Patent No. 08-300,267 discloses a pipe holder used when making a coaxial connection. This device uses spring-loaded clips to maintain two pipes in alignment when making a connection. It is not suitable for immobilizing a T-connector. The clips would not be strong enough to maintain a firm hold on the T-connector, even if they were positioned close enough together to both engage the T-connector. Furthermore, the handle extending between the clips does not enhance a person&#39;s leverage over what would be available simply by grasping the T-connector itself. 
   None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus a T-connector holding tool and method solving the aforementioned problems is desired. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The T-connector holding tool of the present invention is a hand tool for immobilizing or applying a torque to a T-connector. The tool has an elongated handle portion and a head portion fixed to the handle portion. The head portion includes a pair of rigid claws, each including an interior surface sized to capture a corresponding one of two aligned nuts of the T-connector. When applying a torque to the third nut of a T-connector, the T-connector is immobilized by capturing the aligned first and second nuts and applying a counteracting torque to the T-connector, said counteracting torque being opposite the torque applied to said third nut. 
   Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to prevent leaks at T-connector connections. 
   It is another object of the invention to prevent leaks at T-connector connections by immobilizing the T-connector while torquing the third nut. 
   It is a further object of the invention to immobilize the T-connector by capturing the first and second nuts in a pair of claws. 
   Still another object of the invention is to immobilize the T-connector by allowing a person to apply a counteracting torque to the T-connector on an axis that is coincident with the axis of the third nut. 
   It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. 
   These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an environmental, elevational view of a T-connector holding tool according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an interchangeable head of the T-connector holding tool shown in  FIG. 1  as seen from the bottom of the head. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a handle of the T-connector holding tool of the present invention, matable with the interchangeable head of  FIG. 2   
       FIG. 4  is an elevational view of the T-connector holding tool according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is an environmental, elevational view showing an intermediate step in the operation of the T-connector holding tool. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the interchangeable head shown in  FIG. 2 . 
   

   Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The T-connector holding tool of the present invention is useful in immobilizing a T-connector when torquing the third nut thereof. The tool will now be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 1–4 . A T-connector is a connector having three pipe connections generally used for splitting off a flow of fluid. For the purposes of discussion, a first and second connection are in-line or coaxial, forming the top of the “T” shape of the T-connector. The third connection is on a stem extending perpendicularly from the axis of the first two connections, forming the depending leg of the “T”. 
     FIG. 1  shows a T-connector  20  that includes a body with three compression fittings disposed in the shape of a “T”, as described above. When torquing third nut  22  of T-connector  20 , it is commonly required that some counteracting torque be applied to the body of T-connector  20 , to prevent damage to flared ends (not shown) of copper pipes  24 ,  26  fit to the first and second nuts of T-connector  20 . 
   T-connector holding tool  50  can be used to immobilize, or apply a counteracting torque, to T-connector  20  when torquing third nut  22 , thereby ensuring no damage to the remaining connecting pipes  24 ,  26  and reducing the overall potential for leaks. 
   Handle  54  is placed so that it extends parallel to pipes  24  and  26 . Head  52  is attached to handle  54 . Head  52  includes two pairs of rigid claws  56 ,  58 . Claws  56 ,  58  extend on either side of the first and second nuts of T-connector  20 . Thus, when a lateral force is applied to handle  54 , a torque is generated in T-connector  20  that is coincident with the axis of third nut  22 . 
   The structure of head  52  will now be described in more detail with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 4 . Head  52  includes a cylindrical body  60  extending between a claw  56  and a claw  58 . Each claw  56 ,  58  is formed from two jaws rigidly connected to body  60  and has a cylindrical inner surface  57 . The claws  56  and  58  are in parallel, spaced relation, so that the cylindrical inner surfaces  57  define an imaginary cylinder having axis  59 . Each cylindrical surface extends more than halfway around the circumference of the imaginary cylinder. Axis  59  extends parallel to body  60 , and the radius of cylindrical surface  57  is chosen to be slightly larger than the corner-to-corner diameter of the first and second nuts of the T-connector. Thus, each claw  56 ,  58  is shaped and positioned to capture one of the first and second nuts of the T-connector. By “capture” it is meant that lateral movement, i.e., translation in a direction other than along its axis, is prevented. For each size T-connector (each used for different pipe diameters), there will be a different size head  52 . Head  52  may be thought of as two parallel, spaced apart crow&#39;s foot wrenches joined together by a cylindrical body, except that claws  56  and  58  have a smooth, arcuate bore instead of having hexagonal points defined therein adapted for gripping the nut. Of course, claws  56  and  58  may have hexagonal points defined therein if so desired. 
   Head  52  includes hole  64  extending through body  60  and a socket portion  62  for engaging handle  54  as will now be described. Head  52  can be detached and reattached to handle  54  using a snap connection. Handle  54 , shown by way of example in  FIG. 3 , includes a handle portion  70  and a lug  74  extending longitudinally from and coaxially with handle portion  70 . Handle portion  70  may be about eight inches long (20 cm) and lug  74  may be about 3 inches long (8 cm). Handle  54  also includes a square drive snap connector  72 , e.g., a ½ inch square drive, having a spring-loaded ball bearing  75  extending partially therefrom in the manner well known and understood in the art of hand tools. Spring-loaded ball bearing  75  engages one of detents  65  formed inside the socket  62  at the bottom end of head  52 . Thus, head  52  is attached to handle  54  simply by inserting lug  74  of handle  54  into hole  64  formed in head  52  until snap connector  72  snaps into place, i.e., spring-loaded ball bearing  75  engages one of detents  65 . The top end of lug  74  is cylindrical, sliding into a cylindrical bore defined in the top end of head  52 . 
     FIG. 6  shows an alternative embodiment of head  52  wherein socket portion  62  extends transversely through cylindrical body  60 . Thus, when inserted in socket  62 , handle  54  will extend generally perpendicularly axis  59  but not in the same plane. 
   Handle  54  and head  52  are made of machined aluminum or aluminum alloy, but of course other known materials and manufacturing methods that are well known in the hand tool industry are contemplated. However, it is desirable that T-connector holding tool  50  be rigid and durable. For example, steel, stainless steel, and/or lightweight composite materials may be used in the production of T-connector holding tool  50 . Handle portion  70  of handle  54  may be dipped in or otherwise coated or covered with elastomeric material (not shown) to provide an improved grip and comfort. Handle portion  70  may be knurled, etched, or finished in another known fashion to improve the grip and aesthetics. 
   An additional head  52  is manufactured for each commonly sized T-connector. T-connectors are most commonly are made for quarter-inch pipe, three-eighths inch pipe, one-half inch pipe, and five eighths inch pipe. It is contemplated that a head  52  be produced for each size T-connector. By providing interchangeable heads, considerable space can be saved in the technician&#39;s toolbox. However, it is of course also within the scope of the invention that each size head  52  have a handle  54  such that handle  54  and head  52  are produced as a single contiguous piece of metal or other rigid durable material. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 5 , a short explanation of the use of T-connector holding tool will now be described. Because cylindrical surface  57  extends more than halfway around the circumference of the (imaginary) cylinder it defines, claws  56 ,  58  cannot slide laterally over first and second nuts  29  ( FIG. 5 ). As shown in  FIG. 5 , T-connector holding tool  50  is first placed in the intermediate position shown, with one of claws  56 ,  58  placed between first and second nuts  29  and the other of claws  56 ,  58  placed adjacent T-connector  20 . Then, T-connector holder  50  is slid axially in the direction of arrow  80  until it is in the position shown in  FIG. 1 , with each of claws  56  and  58  snuggly encircling each of first and second nuts  29 . 
   Now, the technician, using a wrench to torque (i.e., tighten or loosen) third nut  22 , uses handle  54  of T-connector holding tool  50  to balance torque transferred from third nut  22  to T-connector  20 . Handle  54  can be held relative to pipe  24 , or the technician can simply utilize handle  54  to push against as leverage against the handle of the wrench (not shown) used to torque third nut  22 . When a lateral force is applied to handle  54 , opposite lateral forces are applied to each of the first and second nuts of T-connector  20 , thereby providing a net torque against T-connector  20  that is coincident with the axis of the third nut. Thus, it is possible to apply a balancing or counteracting torque when torquing the third nut. 
   Various modifications of the instant tool are envisioned. For example, cylinder  60  may include one or more holes to permit handle lug  74  of handle  54  to enter at various angles to accommodate T-connectors in locations otherwise inaccessible to T-connector holding tool  50 . For example, an additional hole extending through cylinder  60  having an axis perpendicular to hole  64  and skew to axis  59  can be provided. Additionally, rather than snap connection, a screw connection or other known type of temporary connection may be used. 
   It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.