An isolation valve unit with a fusion outlet including a valve body comprised of a metal, such as brass, and having at least two ports, at least one of the ports including an overmolded thermoplastic end surrounding and enclosing the port from which the fusion outlet extends. In one embodiment, the thermoplastic end is composed of a PP-RCT material and is securely formed over the port by way of an over molding technique. The valve unit further includes a ball valve accommodated within the valve body and a handle for actuating the ball valve. The isolation valve unit is configured to couple to a larger polymeric pipe and to control the flow of fluids in a plumbing system via actuation of the ball valve.

A member joining method includes: a placement process of arranging a first member and a second member inserted into the first member so that a gap surrounding the second member is provided between the first member and the second member; a filling process of filling a molten resin into the gap and applying pressure to the resin so as to cause at least one member of the first member or the second member to undergo elastic deformation; and a pressure maintaining process of maintaining the pressure until the resin that has been filled into the gap has cured.

A method of joining a non-metallic pipe to a metallic pipe. The pipe may be wrapped with one or more sheets of reinforcement material (e.g., pre-impregnated fiberglass, carbon fiber, or aramid fiber) and then fitted with an adapter or fitting that is connectable to a metallic pipe. The reinforcement material may be heated using a heating apparatus which allows the material to bond to the pipe to strengthen the joint.

A support assembly comprises a mounting bracket and a coupling component. The mounting bracket comprises a first material and has an engagement surface defining a void along a first axis. The coupling component comprises a second material, which is different than the first material. The coupling component has a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion. The intermediate portion extends through, and partially fills, the void defined by the mounting bracket. The intermediate portion defines a fluid passageway about the first axis within the void and also presents a locking surface. The locking surface abuts the engagement surface to prevent rotation of the coupling component with respect to the mounting bracket.

A support assembly comprises a mounting bracket and a coupling component. The mounting bracket comprises a first material and has an engagement surface defining a void along a first axis. The coupling component comprises a second material, which is different than the first material. The coupling component has a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion. The intermediate portion extends through, and partially fills, the void defined by the mounting bracket. The intermediate portion defines a fluid passageway about the first axis within the void and also presents a locking surface. The locking surface abuts the engagement surface to prevent rotation of the coupling component with respect to the mounting bracket.

A coupling for joining a flanged pipe element to a non-flanged pipe element has segments that are connected end to end and surround a central space. Flange portions extend from one side of the segments. Each segment defines two channels, one of which receives a split ring for gripping the non-flanged pipe; the other channel receives a seal. A flanged tube is also positioned between the segments. The flange of the tube is positioned adjacent to the flange portions of the segments. The seal engages the tube and the non-flanged pipe element. The flange portions of the segments are bolted to the flange of the flanged pipe element and the flange of the tube is captured between the flanged portions of the segments and the flange of the flanged pipe element.

A coupling for joining a flanged pipe element to a non-flanged pipe element has segments that are connected end to end and surround a central space. Flange portions extend from one side of the segments. Each segment defines two channels, one of which receives a split ring for gripping the non-flanged pipe; the other channel receives a seal. A flanged tube is also positioned between the segments. The flange of the tube is positioned adjacent to the flange portions of the segments. The seal engages the tube and the non-flanged pipe element. The flange portions of the segments are bolted to the flange of the flanged pipe element and the flange of the tube is captured between the flanged portions of the segments and the flange of the flanged pipe element.

A multi-part connector assembly is provided which realises a compact snap coupling between a hose (40) and a pipe socket (50) with only a single potential leaking position and requiring only a minimum number of parts: a first retaining member (10), a second retaining member (20) and a sealing element (30) sandwiched therebetween in the axial direction of the connector assembly.

A method of joining segments of non-metallic pipe and an apparatus that may be used to form the joint. The pipes may be joined using by melting the ends to form a butt joint, then the joint may be wrapped with one or more sheets of reinforcement material (e.g., pre-impregnated fiberglass, carbon fiber, or aramid fiber). The reinforcement material may be heated using a heating apparatus which allows the material to bond to the pipes to strengthen the joint.

A metal reinforcement band is embedded around the inlets and outlets of a valve to help prevent cracking the plastic bodies of the inlets and outlets. This metal band is embedded in between an outer diameter and a threaded inner diameter of the inlets and the outlets of a valve by an injection molding process.