Flexible pipe fitting

Abstract

A flexible pipe fitting for joining a first length of pipe to a second length of pipe at an arbitrary angle is provided. The apparatus includes a primary fitting having a substantially circular opening at a first end thereof for receiving an end of a first length of pipe, and an enlarged opening at a second end thereof for receiving a first flexible coupling member. The first flexible coupling member includes an outer wall having an outer surface engaging an inner surface of the enlarged opening, and an inner wall having a lower end connected to a lower end of the outer wall. The inner wall further includes a substantially circular opening therein for receiving a second, rigid member. The inner surface of the second, rigid member is configured to receive an end of the second length of pipe. The enlarged opening in the primary fitting is preferably fish-mouth shaped, or alternatively, cone shaped. Adhesive, such as PVC cement may be used to bond the various fittings, and lengths of pipe together to form a sealed joint.

1 . A fitting used in gravity fed pipe plumbing systems to connect a first length of pipe to a second length of pipe at an arbitrary angle comprising:
 a primary fitting member having a first opening at a first end thereof and a second opening at a second end thereof, said first opening having a shape and dimensions corresponding to an outer shape and dimensions of an end of said first length of pipe and said second opening having a shape and dimensions that are substantially larger than an outer shape and dimensions of an end of said second length of pipe; and   a flexible boot member positioned in the second opening of the primary fitting member, said flexible boot member having a first end that sealingly engages the second opening of the primary fitting member and a second end that has a shape and dimensions that correspond to the outer shape and dimensions of said second length of pipe, wherein said flexible boot member allows the first and second lengths of pipe to be joined at an arbitrary angle.   
     
     
         2 . The fitting of  claim 1  further comprising adhesive interposed between the various components of the apparatus for bonding said components together. 
     
     
         3 . The fitting of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible boot member is formed of a polymeric material that is strong, resilient and unaffected by soil conditions. 
     
     
         4 . The fitting of  claim 3 , wherein the polymeric material is elastomeric polyvinyl chloride (PVC). 
     
     
         5 . The fitting of  claim 1 , wherein the primary fitting member is formed of a rigid plastic material. 
     
     
         6 . The fitting of  claim 5 , wherein the rigid plastic material is selected from a group consisting of PVC, CPVC, ABS, SDR 21, SDR 26 and SDR 35. 
     
     
         7 . The fitting of  claim 1 , wherein the enlarged opening is fish-mouth shaped. 
     
     
         8 . The fitting of  claim 1 , wherein the enlarged opening is substantially cone shaped. 
     
     
         9 . A flexible gravity fed pipe plumbing assembly comprising:
 a first length of pipe having an end with an outer shape and dimension;   a second length of pipe having an end with an outer shape and dimension;   a primary fitting member having a first opening at a first end thereof and a second opening at a second end thereof, said first opening having a shape and dimensions corresponding to the outer shape and dimensions of the end of said first length of pipe and said second opening having a shape and dimensions that are substantially larger than the outer shape and dimensions of the end of said second length of pipe; and   a flexible boot member positioned in the second opening of the primary fitting member, said flexible boot member having a first end that sealingly engages the second opening of the primary fitting member and a second end that has a shape and dimensions that correspond to the outer shape and dimensions of said second length of pipe, wherein said flexible boot member allows the first and second lengths of pipe to be joined at an arbitrary angle.   
     
     
         10 . The flexible gravity fed pipe plumbing assembly of  claim 9 , further comprising adhesive interposed between the various components of the apparatus for bonding said components together. 
     
     
         11 . The flexible gravity fed pipe plumbing assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the flexible boot member is formed of a polymeric material that is strong, resilient and unaffected by soil conditions. 
     
     
         12 . The flexible gravity fed pipe plumbing assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the polymeric material is elastomeric polyvinyl chloride (PVC). 
     
     
         13 . The flexible gravity fed pipe plumbing assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the primary fitting member is formed of a rigid plastic material. 
     
     
         14 . The flexible gravity fed pipe plumbing assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the rigid plastic material is selected from a group consisting of PVC, CPVC, ABS, SDR 21, SDR 26 and SDR 35. 
     
     
         15 . The flexible gravity fed pipe plumbing assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the enlarged opening is fish-mouth shaped. 
     
     
         16 . The flexible gravity fed pipe plumbing assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the enlarged opening is substantially cone shaped. 
     
     
         17 . A method of joining a first length of gravity fed plumbing pipe to a second length of gravity fed plumbing pipe at an arbitrary angle comprising the steps of:
 inserting an end of the first length of pipe into a first opening at a first end of a primary fitting member wherein said first opening in said primary fitting member has a shape and dimensions corresponding to the outer shape and dimensions of the end of said first length of pipe; and   inserting an end of the second length of pipe into a second opening in a second end of a flexible boot member, wherein said second opening in said flexible boot member has a shape and dimensions that correspond to the outer shape and dimensions of said second length of pipe, and wherein the flexible boot member is positioned in the second opening of the primary fitting member such that a first end of the flexible boot member sealingly engages the second opening of the primary fitting member.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising the step of applying adhesive between the various components prior to assembly.