# US 11,077,483 B2 · Appartus and method for steering metal pipe during grooving process > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,077,483 B2 - Document ID: US11077483B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/169,136 - Filed: 2018-10-24 - Published: 2020-04-30 - Granted: 2021-08-03 - Earliest claimed: 2018-10-24 - Applicants: Jon David Simonson - Inventors: Jon David Simonson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11077483B2 ## CPC - B21H 7/18: grooved pins; Rolling grooves, e.g. oil grooves, in articles {(B21H5/00 takes precedence)} - B21D 7/021: {Construction of forming members having more than one groove} - B21D 7/022: over a stationary forming member only - B21D 7/08: by passing between rollers or through a curved die - B21D 17/04: by rolling - B21D 22/18: using tools guided to produce the required profile - B21J 5/12: Forming profiles on internal or external surfaces (making screw-thread by forging, pressing, or hammering B21K) - B21H: MAKING PARTICULAR METAL OBJECTS BY ROLLING, e.g. SCREWS, WHEELS, RINGS, BARRELS, BALLS (essentially from sheet metal B21D) - B21D: WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL (working or processing of wire B21F) - B21J: FORGING; HAMMERING; PRESSING METAL; RIVETING; FORGE FURNACES (rolling of metal B21B; making particular products by forging or pressing B21K; cladding or plating B23K; finishing surfaces by hammering B23P9/04; compacting surfaces by blasting with particulate material B24C1/10; general features of presses, presses for consolidating scrap B30B; furnaces in general F27) ## Abstract An apparatus for steering a metal pipe during a roll grooving process including a clamp to be secured to a static structure of a grooving press spaced apart from a rotating cylinder of the grooving press, a pair of spaced parallel rods slidably disposed through spaced openings of the clamp, a handle affixed to first ends of the pair of spaced parallel rods distal from the rotating cylinder, and a guiding tool affixed to second ends of the pair of spaced parallel rods proximate to the rotating cylinder carrying spaced rollers adapted to contact an outer surface of a metal pipe during a roll grooving process to apply a force against the metal pipe. A method for applying a force against a metal pipe during a roll grooving process. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for guiding metal pipe to a groover, comprising: a clamp adapted to be secured to a static structure of a grooving press spaced apart from a rotating cylinder of the grooving press, the clamp comprising a pair of spaced openings and a central opening disposed between and axially perpendicular to the spaced openings, the central opening adapted to receive the static structure of the grooving press therethrough; a pair of spaced parallel rods slidably disposed through the pair of spaced openings of the clamp and coupled together for sliding movement relative to the clamp; a handle coupling the pair of spaced parallel rods, the handle fixed to first ends of the pair of spaced parallel rods distal from the rotating cylinder; and a guiding tool coupling the pair of spaced parallel rods, the guiding tool fixed to second ends of the pair of spaced parallel rods proximate to the rotating cylinder, the guiding tool carrying spaced rollers adapted to contact an outer surface of a metal pipe during a roll grooving process to apply a force against the metal pipe; wherein the clamp is positioned between the handle and the guiding tool; and wherein the handle, the guiding tool, and the pair of spaced parallel rods are coupled together as a unit slidable relative to the clamp. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the handle couples the pair of spaced parallel rods together such that manipulating the handle slides the pair of spaced parallel rods together relative to the clamp. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the handle is generally C-shaped. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the spaced rollers are vertically-oriented roller bearings. ### Claim 5 A method for guiding metal pipe to a groover, comprising the steps of: providing an apparatus comprising: a clamp adapted to be secured to a static structure of a grooving press spaced apart from a rotating cylinder of the grooving press, the clamp comprising a pair of spaced openings and a central opening disposed between and axially perpendicular to the pair of spaced openings, the central opening adapted to receive the static structure therethrough; a pair of spaced parallel rods slidably disposed through the spaced openings of the clamp and coupled together for sliding movement relative to the clamp; a handle coupling the pair of spaced parallel rods, the handle fixed to first ends of the pair of spaced parallel rods distal from the rotating cylinder; and a guiding tool coupling the pair of spaced parallel rods, the guiding tool fixed to second ends of the pair of spaced parallel rods proximate the rotating cylinder, the guiding tool carrying spaced rollers adapted to contact an outer surface of a metal pipe during a roll grooving process to apply a force against the metal pipe; wherein the clamp is positioned between the handle and the guiding tool; and wherein the handle, the guiding tool, and the pair of spaced parallel rods are coupled together as a unit slidable relative to the clamp; securing the clamp to the static structure; and manipulating the handle to apply force on the spaced rollers against the metal pipe during the roll grooving process. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method according to claim 5, wherein the step of manipulating the handle comprises pushing the handle in a direction of the metal pipe. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The method according to claim 5, wherein the step of manipulating the handle comprises pulling the handle in a direction away from the metal pipe. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The method according to claim 5, wherein the handle couples the pair of spaced parallel rods together such that manipulating the handle slides the pair of spaced parallel rods together relative to the clamp. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The method according to claim 5, wherein the handle is generally C-shaped. ### Claim 10 (depends on 5) The method according to claim 5, wherein the spaced rollers are vertically-oriented roller bearings.