Pipe fitting apparatus and methods
AssigneeIps, Corporation - Weld-On Division
InventorsJack Roach, Fabio Castellani
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pipe fitting includes a socket that receives an end of a pipe section therein such that a gap exists between an outer surface of the pipe section and an inner surface of the socket. A pair of ports extend through the socket and are in fluid communication with the gap. A clamp secures the pipe section within the socket as a bonding agent is extruded into the gap via a port. The clamp includes a pair of arcuate segments, each having an inner circumferential wall, first and second end portions, and an elongated sealing member. Each arcuate segment includes a plurality of spring-loaded devices, each having a distal end portion extending through the inner circumferential wall that is urged into contact with the pipe section outer surface.
Claims19
A clamp that facilitates securing a pipe section within a socket, the clamp comprising:
- a pair of arcuate segments, each arcuate segment comprising:
- an inner circumferential wall;
- opposite first and second end portions;
- an elongated sealing member extending outwardly from the inner circumferential wall along an entire length of the inner circumferential wall;
- and
- a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart spring-loaded devices, each spring-loaded device having a distal end portion extending through the inner circumferential wall that is configured to be urged into contact with an outer surface of the pipe section;
- wherein the arcuate segments are hinged together at the respective first ends thereof;
- and
- wherein the arcuate segments are removably fastened together at the respective second ends thereof by a fastener, wherein the fastener is configured to draw the second ends of the arcuate segments toward each other such that the sealing members are compressed into sealing engagement with the socket and the outer surface of the pipe section.
A pipe connector kit, comprising:
- a tubular member comprising a socket configured to receive an end of a pipe section therein such that a gap exists between an outer surface of the pipe section and an inner surface of the socket, wherein a pair of ports extend through the tubular member in circumferentially spaced-apart relationship and are in fluid communication with the gap;
- and
- a clamp that secures the pipe section within the socket as a bonding agent is extruded into the gap via one of the ports, wherein the clamp comprises:
- a pair of arcuate segments, each arcuate segment comprising:
- an inner circumferential wall;
- opposite first and second end portions;
- an elongated sealing member extending outwardly from the inner circumferential wall along an entire length of the inner circumferential wall;
- and
- a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart spring-loaded devices, each spring-loaded device having a distal end portion extending through the inner circumferential wall that is configured to be urged into contact with an outer surface of the pipe section;
- wherein the arcuate segments are hinged together at the respective first ends thereof;
- and
- wherein the arcuate segments are removably fastened together at the respective second ends thereof by a fastener, wherein the fastener is configured to draw the second ends of the arcuate segments toward each other such that the sealing members are compressed into sealing engagement with the socket and the outer surface of the pipe section.
A method of forming a pipe joint between a pipe section and a pipe fitting, wherein the pipe fitting includes a socket configured to receive an end of the pipe section, the method comprising:
- inserting the end of the pipe section into the socket;
- attaching a clamp to the pipe section and pipe fitting, wherein the clamp includes a pair of arcuate segments, each arcuate segment having an inner circumferential wall, opposite first and second end portions, an elongated sealing member extending outwardly from the inner circumferential wall along an entire length of the inner circumferential wall, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart spring-loaded devices, each spring-loaded device having a distal end portion extending through the inner circumferential wall that is configured to be urged into contact with an outer surface of the pipe section, wherein the arcuate segments are hinged together at the respective first ends thereof;
- drawing the respective second ends of the arcuate segments together via a fastener such that the sealing members are compressed into sealing engagement with the socket and the outer surface of the pipe section;
- and
- injecting a bonding agent into the gap via a port that extends through the pipe fitting.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.