A valve assembly includes a body and a push-to-connect fitting. The body includes an end segment that defines a fluid outlet and a connector portion. The connector portion includes an inner peripheral wall and an outer peripheral wall. The inner peripheral wall has a first exterior surface, and includes a first portion and a second portion. The first exterior surface has a first outer diameter in the first portion and a second outer diameter in the second portion that is greater than the first outer diameter such that a stepped profile is formed along the first exterior surface. The inner peripheral wall defines a fluid inlet. The outer peripheral wall extends from the inner peripheral wall and at least partly around the fluid inlet. The outer peripheral wall has a second exterior surface with a third outer diameter that is greater than the second outer diameter.

A matrix for shaping a valve preform has a circular through opening and a reduced conical section. The reduced conical section tapers from an outer diameter to a reduced cone inner diameter, the outer diameter being greater than or equal to the initial outer diameter of the valve preform, and the matrix inner diameter being smaller than the initial outer diameter.

A matrix for shaping a valve preform has a circular through opening and a reduced conical section. The reduced conical section tapers from an outer diameter to a reduced cone inner diameter, the outer diameter being greater than or equal to the initial outer diameter of the valve preform, and the matrix inner diameter being smaller than the initial outer diameter.

A valve assembly includes a body having a fluid inlet disposed on a first end of the body and a fluid outlet disposed on a second end of the body in fluid connection with the fluid inlet. The valve assembly further includes a push-to-connect fitting which is integral to the body and configured to connect to an end of a pipe, a stem configured to seal the body in a first position and configured to allow fluid to flow from the fluid inlet of the body to the fluid outlet in a second position, and a connector surrounding at least part of the push-to-connect fitting. The body is configured to house a sealing ring. The push-to-connect fitting is configured to communicate the fluid inlet with the end of the pipe. The sealing ring secured by the push-to-connect fitting is configured to provide a seal between the fluid inlet and the end of the pipe.

A valve assembly includes a body having a fluid inlet disposed on a first end of the body and a fluid outlet disposed on a second end of the body in fluid connection with the fluid inlet. The valve assembly further includes a push-to-connect fitting which is integral to the body and configured to connect to an end of a pipe, a stem configured to seal the body in a first position and configured to allow fluid to flow from the fluid inlet of the body to the fluid outlet in a second position, and a connector surrounding at least part of the push-to-connect fitting. The body is configured to house a sealing ring. The push-to-connect fitting is configured to communicate the fluid inlet with the end of the pipe. The sealing ring secured by the push-to-connect fitting is configured to provide a seal between the fluid inlet and the end of the pipe.

A valve assembly includes a body, a fitting, and a stopper assembly. The body has a first end and a second end. The body includes a connector portion positioned at the first end, a nozzle portion positioned at the second end, and an intermediate portion connecting the connector portion to the nozzle portion. The connector portion includes a peripheral wall having a crimped end that defines a fluid inlet. The nozzle portion defines a fluid outlet. The connector portion, the intermediate portion, and the nozzle portion cooperatively define a fluid flow path extending from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet. The fitting is disposed within the peripheral wall. The fitting is held within the peripheral wall by the crimped end. The stopper assembly is coupled to the body along the intermediate portion. The stopper assembly is configured to facilitate selectively restricting a flow along the fluid flow path.

A valve assembly includes a body, a fitting, and a stopper assembly. The body has a first end and a second end. The body includes a connector portion positioned at the first end, a nozzle portion positioned at the second end, and an intermediate portion connecting the connector portion to the nozzle portion. The connector portion includes a peripheral wall having a crimped end that defines a fluid inlet. The nozzle portion defines a fluid outlet. The connector portion, the intermediate portion, and the nozzle portion cooperatively define a fluid flow path extending from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet. The fitting is disposed within the peripheral wall. The fitting is held within the peripheral wall by the crimped end. The stopper assembly is coupled to the body along the intermediate portion. The stopper assembly is configured to facilitate selectively restricting a flow along the fluid flow path.

A method and an apparatus for manufacturing a stepped member are provided. An intermediate portion of a shaft workpiece is radially enlarged while being compressed in an axial direction by applying alternating load to the intermediate portion in a direction intersecting the axial direction in a state in which pressure that compresses the shaft workpiece in the axial direction is applied to both ends of the shaft workpiece. The enlarged intermediate portion of the shaft workpiece is cat in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction so that the shaft workpiece is divided into two stepped members. Each of the stepped members has a shaft portion and a head portion provided at an axial end of the shaft portion, and the head portion has a larger diameter than the shaft portion.

A method and an apparatus for manufacturing a stepped member are provided. An intermediate portion of a shaft workpiece is radially enlarged while being compressed in an axial direction by applying alternating load to the intermediate portion in a direction intersecting the axial direction in a state in which pressure that compresses the shaft workpiece in the axial direction is applied to both ends of the shaft workpiece. The enlarged intermediate portion of the shaft workpiece is cat in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction so that the shaft workpiece is divided into two stepped members. Each of the stepped members has a shaft portion and a head portion provided at an axial end of the shaft portion, and the head portion has a larger diameter than the shaft portion.