Abstract:
A snap fitting for use in plumbing is provided. The snap fitting includes a main body formed of plastic and shaped to extend partially around a cylindrical pipe to snap over the pipe and an inset for extending from an interior side of the main body into a hole in the cylindrical pipe.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to provisional application Ser. No. 61/530,446 filed Sep. 2, 2011, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to plumbing. More particularly, the present invention relates to snap fittings which may be used in various plumbing applications including in pipe repairs and in providing wye or T fittings. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Often times in plumbing, pipes must be cut as part of the process of repairing a leak or adding another line (such as a T or wye connection). Whenever a pipe is cut additional problems are introduced. 
         [0004]    One example of such a problem is the access area. When a pipe is cut as a part of repair, there needs to be sufficient access to the area to perform the necessary repair. If the pipe is in the wall this may involve cutting out a large area of drywall. If the pipe is under the floor this may involve cutting out a large portion of flooring. If the pipe is underground this may involve needing to dig out a large area. After the repair is complete the drywall or flooring will also need to repaired or the ground covering (dirt, concrete, etc.) replaced. It would be desirable to limit the size of the access area. 
         [0005]    Another problem which occurs when a pipe is cut and a portion with a leak is removed and replaced involves aligning the ends of the pipe with the replacement portion. For example when the pipe is underground the ground may settle differently on opposite sides of the removed portion making it more difficult to obtain proper alignment of the pipe once the repair is made. If the ground settles differently after the repair additional stresses may be placed on the repaired portion of the pipe which may result in new complications requiring further repairs. It would be desirable if a pipe could be repaired without cutting it. 
         [0006]    Another related problem with pipe repairs is that any repairs or installation of a wye or T fitting should leave the interior surface of the pipes smooth so as to not disrupt flow within the pipe and to avoid the build-up of debris. 
         [0007]    Because of these and/or other issues repairs such as fixing a pipe can take significant amounts of time to perform. What is needed is a way to avoid these problems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Therefore, it is a primary object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to improve over the state of the art. 
         [0009]    It is a further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to provide a fitting for a pipe which allows repairs to be easily and quickly made. 
         [0010]    It is a still further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to provide a fitting for a pipe which allows wyes, t&#39;s, or other types of connections to be made. 
         [0011]    It is a further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to provide for pipe repairs and/or the installation of a wye or T fitting that leaves the interior surface of pipes smooth so as not to disrupt flow within the pipe and to avoid build-up of debris within the pipe. 
         [0012]    One or more of these and/or other objects, features, or advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the specification and claims that follow. 
         [0013]    According to one aspect of the present invention, a snap fitting for use in plumbing is provided. The snap fitting includes a main body formed of plastic and shaped to extend partially around a cylindrical pipe to snap over the pipe and an inset for extending from an interior side of the main body into a hole in the cylindrical pipe. 
         [0014]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a snap fitting for use in plumbing, is provided. The snap fitting includes a main body formed of plastic and shaped to extend partially around a cylindrical pipe to snap over the pipe and a connector integral with the main body for an additional line extending from the main body. The snap fitting is sized and shaped to fit over a hole in the cylindrical pipe while maintaining smooth interior walls of the cylindrical pipe. The connector can provide a T-connection or other type of connection. 
         [0015]    According to another aspect of the present invention a method includes providing a snap fitting having a main body formed of plastic and shaped to extend partially around a cylindrical pipe to snap over the pipe, the snap fitting having an inset for extending around an interior side of the main body. The method further includes drilling a hole in the pipe at a place in need of repair and snapping the snap fitting into place over the hole in the pipe such that the inset is inserted into the hole. 
         [0016]    According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method includes providing a snap fitting having a main body formed of plastic and shaped to extend partially around a cylindrical pipe to snap over the pipe and a connector for an additional line extending from the main body. The method further includes creating a hole in the pipe at a place in which the additional line is needed and snapping the snap fitting into place over the hole in the pipe, such that an interior surface of the pipe remains smooth and fluid flow within the pipe is not disrupted. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a snap fitting in use to repair a pipe. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the snap fitting shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the snap fitting being used to provide a T-fitting. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the snap fitting shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the snap fitting being used to provide a wye connection. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the snap fitting shown in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the snap fitting installed on a pipe. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the snap fitting shown in  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]      FIG. 1  illustrates a snap fitting  10  positioned on a pipe  12 . The snap fitting  10  has a main body  14  which extends generally annularly around a portion of the pipe  12 . The main body  14  preferably extends over 50 percent around the pipe  12  which allows the snap fitting  10  to snap fit in place. Although not shown, solvents and glues may coated on the interior of the main body  14  and the exterior of the pipe  12  to attach the fitting  10  to the pipe  12 . 
         [0026]    There is an inset  16  which may be an integral portion of the snap fitting  10  or may be a separate piece which is attached to the snap fitting  10  (such as through a solvent cement or otherwise). The inset  16  fits within a hole  18  in the pipe  12  to plug the hole  18 . 
         [0027]    The snap fitting  10  may be made out of any number of plastic materials. One such type of material which is used in plumbing is polyvinylchloride, although other types of plastic materials may be used. The snap fitting may have a wall thickness substantially the same as the pipe on which it is being used. 
         [0028]      FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-section of the snap fitting  10  positioned on the pipe  12 . Note that the inset  16  or wafer portion of the snap fitting  10  is positioned within the hole  18 . Note also that the main body  14  of the snap fitting  10  extends more than about 50 percent around the pipe  12  to provide a tight fit. 
         [0029]    In a typical scenario in which the snap fitting  10  is used, first the location of the leak in the pipe is identified. Next, a drill may be used to form a uniform hole  18  in the pipe  12  at the location of the hole  18  preferably the edges of the hole  18  are beveled. Then the snap fitting  10  may be chemically welded in place with a solvent or otherwise affixed in place such that the inset  16  fits within the hole  18  on the pipe  12 . Thus, the pipe  12  has now been repaired without cutting. Because the pipe is repaired without cutting, problems associated with cutting are avoided and the amount of time to repair the pipe  12  is greatly reduced in comparison to conventional methods. 
         [0030]    The snap fitting  10  of the present invention may be used for purposes other than repairing. For example, the snap fitting  10  may be used to provide a T or wye.  FIG. 3  illustrates one example where the snap fitting  10  provides a T-connection. As shown in  FIG. 3 , a second line  20  (which may be in a T-configuration as shown, a wye configuration, or other configuration), extends from the main body  14  of the snap fitting  10 .  FIG. 4  provides a cross-sectional view. 
         [0031]    Thus, in situations where an additional line is needed it is not necessary to cut the pipe. Instead, a hole  18  may be drilled out from the existing pipe and the snap fitting  10  may be snap fit in place. A glue or other bonding agent may be used to affix the pipe fitting in place. 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6  illustrate the snap fitting  10  being used to provide a wye. As shown in  FIG. 5 , a second line  24  extends from the main body  14 . Note that as shown in  FIG. 6 , after the installation, the pipe  12  has a smooth interior surface. The smooth and continuous interior surface is advantageous because it does not disrupt fluid flow through the pipe  12 . In addition, there are no discontinuities where debris may build-up or accumulate. 
         [0033]    Where the snap fitting  10  is used to provide a second line, the hole  18  may be drilled or cut or melted. A specialized jig or melting tool may be used to remove a portion of the plate pipe. 
         [0034]      FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8  illustrate another embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment shown here reduces the surface area of the main body  14  and thus potentially the amount of glue or other bonding agent which is used to affix the main body  14  to the pipe  12 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the main body includes spaced part members  40  that extend partially around the pipe  12 . Also, as best shown in  FIG. 8 , nubs  42  are present on the edges of each member  40 . The nubs  42  assist in preventing glue or other bonding agent from being removed from the surface of a pipe  12  while the main body  14  is snapped into place. As shown there are two nubs, one on each corner of each of the members  42 . It is contemplated, however, that more or fewer nubs may be used and the position of the nubs may be varied. 
         [0035]    Although various embodiments of the invention have been shown it is to be appreciated that the present invention contemplates numerous variations, options and alternatives. These include the type of material, sizes, configurations, whether the snap fitting has an integral inset or a removable inset, how far the main body of the snap fitting extends around a pipe, and other variations, options, and alternatives. It is further to be understood that features from different embodiments may be combined. For example, all embodiments may include the nubs. The present invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments shown here.