Pre-assembled coupling assemblies with pipe fitting

Abstract

A sprinkler configured for engagement with a coupling, the sprinkler including a raised lip end; and a distal end disposed opposite from the raised lip end, the sprinkler defining a raised lip between the distal end and the raised lip end, the sprinkler defining a groove between the raised lip and the distal end.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pipe fitting configured for engagement with a coupling, the pipe fitting comprising:
 a raised lip end defining a raised lip;   a distal end disposed opposite from the raised lip end, the raised lip between the distal end and the raised lip end; and   a groove between the raised lip and the distal end.   
     
     
         2 . The pipe fitting of  claim 1 , wherein the pipe fitting is selected from the group consisting of an elbow, a tee, a cap, a valve, a reducer, and a sprinkler. 
     
     
         3 . The pipe fitting of  claim 1 , wherein the pipe fitting is a sprinkler that is configured for engagement with the coupling. 
     
     
         4 . The pipe fitting of  claim 3 , wherein the sprinkler further defines a sealing surface and an outer lip positioned between the raised lip and the distal end. 
     
     
         5 . The pipe fitting of  claim 1 , wherein the pipe fitting defines:
 an outer lip disposed between the groove and the distal end; and   a sealing surface between the raised lip and the groove.   
     
     
         6 . The pipe fitting of  claim 5 , wherein the pipe fitting defines an axis extending from the distal end to the raised lip end, the raised lip is disposed radially inward from the sealing surface, and the raised lip extends radially outward from the sealing surface. 
     
     
         7 . The pipe fitting of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the groove is a first groove;   a second groove is defined between the raised lip and the sealing surface; and   the raised lip is a recessed raised lip disposed radially inward from the sealing surface.   
     
     
         8 . A coupling assembly comprising:
 a coupling defining a coupling bore extending through the coupling, the coupling comprising a gasket disposed within the coupling bore; and   a pipe fitting defining a raised lip end and a distal end disposed opposite from the raised lip end, the raised lip end inserted into the coupling bore;   wherein in a relaxed position:
 the gasket is relaxed and uncompressed; and 
 the coupling is retained on the raised lip end of the pipe fitting. 
   
     
     
         9 . The coupling assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the pipe fitting is selected from the group consisting of an elbow, a tee, a cap, a valve, a reducer, and a sprinkler. 
     
     
         10 . The coupling assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the pipe fitting is a sprinkler, and the sprinkler further defines a sealing surface, a groove, and an outer lip positioned between the raised lip and the distal end. 
     
     
         11 . The coupling assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the pipe fitting defines a raised lip and a groove between the raised lip and the distal end, and the gasket of the coupling defines an inner rim that engages the groove. 
     
     
         12 . The coupling assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the pipe fitting is positioned within the coupling bore disposed radially outward from the gasket. 
     
     
         13 . The coupling assembly of  claim 8 , further comprising a groove and an outer lip on the pipe fitting, wherein the coupling defines a ridge, and the outer lip is configured to locate the ridge of the coupling above the groove of the pipe fitting. 
     
     
         14 . The coupling assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the pipe fitting defines a raised lip positioned within the coupling bore, and the raised lip extends radially outward from a sealing surface of the pipe fitting. 
     
     
         15 . The coupling assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the gasket defines a center ridge that contacts the raised lip when the coupling is in a tensioned position. 
     
     
         16 . A method for using a pre-assembled coupling assembly, the method comprising:
 providing a pipe fitting defining a raised lip end and a distal end disposed opposite from the raised lip end, the pipe fitting defining an axis extending from the raised lip end to the distal end;   axially inserting the raised lip end into a gasket, a raised lip of the pipe fitting positioned radially outward from at least a portion of the gasket relative to the axis; and   assembling a housing around the gasket, the housing and the gasket comprising a coupling, the coupling retained on the raised lip end of the pipe fitting when the coupling is in a relaxed position.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising selecting the pipe fitting from the group consisting of an elbow, a tee, a cap, a valve, a reducer, and a sprinkler. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein assembling the housing around the gasket comprises fastening at least one segment around the gasket, the at least one segment defining a gasket groove, the gasket seated within the gasket groove. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising positioning a sealing ridge of the gasket axially between the raised lip end and the distal end relative to the axis and stretching the sealing ridge of the gasket over the raised lip of the pipe fitting. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising inserting an end of a pipe into the coupling and engaging an inner rim of the gasket with a groove of the pipe fitting.