LOW TORQUE SPRINKLER FITTING AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE
A brass fitting is in-molded in a plastic pipe fitting, which is coupled to a water supply line in a conventional matter. The brass insert receives a tapered seal with sealing surfaces that seat against the brass insert and a sprinkler head to form a sealed connection. The seal includes a tapered passageway for compression when tightening, as well as an external taper to allow the seal to conform to the socket formed by the plastic pipe fitting and brass insert. Also, a manufacturing method includes in-molding a brass insert within a plastic fitting using an O-ring which interfaces between the brass insert and surrounding molded fitting to seal the brass insert to the fitting. In one embodiment, the seal is used in a polymeric fitting without a brass insert.