Pipe Connector Gripper

Abstract

A gripper for a pipe connector includes a body, a first tooth, and a second tooth. The body has a first side, a second side adjacent the first side, a third side adjacent the first side and opposite the second side, and a fourth side adjacent the second side and the third side and opposite the first side. The first tooth extends from the fourth side of the body at a first distance from the first side of the body perpendicular to the first side of the body. The second tooth extends from the fourth side of the body at a second distance from the first side of the body perpendicular to the first side of the body, the second distance less than the first distance.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A gripper for a pipe connector, comprising:
 a semi-annular body having a center axis, a first side, a second side adjacent the first side, a third side adjacent the first side and opposite the second side, and a fourth side adjacent the second side and the third side and opposite the first side;   a first tooth extending from the fourth side of the body at a first distance from the first side of the body perpendicular to the first side of the body; and   a second tooth extending from the fourth side of the body at a second distance from the first side of the body perpendicular to the first side of the body, the second distance less than the first distance;   wherein the fourth side includes a first step from which the first tooth extends and a second step from which the second tooth extends, the first step being at a first radial distance from the center axis, the second step being at a second radial distance from the center axis, the first radial distance less than the second radial distance.   
     
     
         2 . A gripper for a pipe connector, comprising:
 a body having a first side, a second side adjacent the first side, a third side adjacent the first side and opposite the second side, and a fourth side adjacent the second side and the third side and opposite the first side;   a first tooth extending from the fourth side of the body at a first distance from the first side of the body perpendicular to the first side of the body; and   a second tooth extending from the fourth side of the body at a second distance from the first side of the body perpendicular to the first side of the body, the second distance less than the first distance;   wherein the first tooth comprises a second-side-facing surface facing the second side of the body, and a third-side-facing surface facing the third side of the body, and wherein the fourth side of the body includes a first step and a second step, the first step radially inward relative to the second step, the second-side-facing surface extending from the first step, the third-side-facing surface extending from the second step.