A.o. Smith Corporation

Jacuzzi Brothers, Inc.

David Earl Ufford

Robert D Wilkes

Eugene C Smith

The invention relates to a method of assembling a pipe and a flanged pipe fitting. The pipe includes an end, an inner surface having an inner diameter, and an outer surface having an outer diameter. The fitting includes an inner surface defining a bore with a portion having an inner diameter larger than the pipe outer diameter. The fitting also includes a flange at least partially surrounding the bore. The method comprises the steps of applying adhesive to at least one of the pipe outer surface and the fitting inner surface, inserting the end of the pipe into the bore such that the adhesive is between the pipe outer surface and the fitting inner surface, placing at least a portion of a heating plug inside the pipe at the end of the pipe, the heating plug including a heating element, a heat transfer media substantially surrounding the heating element, and an insulating handle connected to at least one of the heating element and the heat transfer media to facilitate handling of the plug by a user, and then heating the adhesive with the heating plug, thereby curing the adhesive and forming a bond between the pipe and the fitting.

Heating method and apparatus to accelerate flanged joint adhesive cure

A submersible pump check valve having a housing connected to the discharge port of a submerged pump has a poppet retained by four legs operable as cantilever springs and which interact with cam surfaces within the housing to prevent removal during normal operation of the pump but to afford selective removal from the housing for cleaning or replacement of the sealing ring without removing said housing from said submerged pump. Further, the pump need not be removed or otherwise disassembled to remove the poppet.

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Benton, AR, United States of America

David Earl Ufford