초록 ▼

An apparatus and method for connecting a residential water line to a household appliance, solenoid controlled, inlet water valve such as that used on a refrigerator freezer icemaker is disclosed. A residential water line, typically a 0.25 inch (0.635 cm) diameter copper or plastic line, is connected

An apparatus and method for connecting a residential water line to a household appliance, solenoid controlled, inlet water valve such as that used on a refrigerator freezer icemaker is disclosed. A residential water line, typically a 0.25 inch (0.635 cm) diameter copper or plastic line, is connected to an all plastic inlet connector. The inlet connector has an integral O-ring seat. A gripper nut that is designed to cooperate with an O-ring and the O-ring seat is slipped over the water line. The water line is positioned against a shoulder in the inlet connector that properly positions the water line. The gripper nut is tightened to compress the O-ring, and seal and fix the water line in the inlet connector.

대표청구항 ▼

An appliance water valve, comprising: (a) a water source pipe supplying water to an appliance; (b) a valve body having a plastic inlet integral to the valve body controlling the input of water from the water source pipe to the appliance; and, (c) a plastic inlet connector attached to the inlet for r

An appliance water valve, comprising: (a) a water source pipe supplying water to an appliance; (b) a valve body having a plastic inlet integral to the valve body controlling the input of water from the water source pipe to the appliance; and, (c) a plastic inlet connector attached to the inlet for receiving the water source pipe wherein the plastic inlet connector comprises: (1) an internal connector cavity with an integral internal O-ring seat that receives the water source pipe, (2) at least one O-ring that sits in the O-ring seat; and (3) a gripper nut that is placed over the water source pipe, the gripper nut having a compression ring that compresses the O-ring against the water source pipe and the plastic inlet connector to secure the water source pipe in the internal connector cavity with a water-tight seal.