Patent ID: 7017951

Claim:
A strengthened pipe fitting for connecting to an externally threaded member, the strengthened pipe fitting comprising: (a) a pipe fitting having an internally threaded surface extending from an attachment end of the fitting to at least a plane of normal wrench tight engagement, the internally threaded surface having (i) a pitch diameter along the internally threaded surface and (ii) an effective thread length which extends from the attachment end to the plane of normal wrench tight engagement; and (b) a tubular, hollow, metal compression band, fitted onto the attachment end of the pipe fitting, without the externally threaded member connected to the pipe fitting, the compression band radially compressing the attachment end of the pipe fitting and radially and uniformly reducing the pitch diameter along substantially the entire effective thread length from the pitch diameter as originally produced in the pipe fitting; wherein the compression band is made from stainless steel and has an external surface which is covered by a non-corrosive material.