ADA-compliant pipe-insulating sleeves

A method of installing a pipe insulating system on a pipe, the pipe insulating system including a sleeve body extending along an axis of elongation from a first end to a second end and having an outer surface and an opposed inner surface, the inner surface defining a channel that extends from a first opening at the first end to a second opening at the second end, the sleeve body further including a first face, a second face, a third face, and a fourth face that each extend between the outer surface and the inner surface and that each extend the entire distance from the first opening to the second opening, the method comprising the steps of:

• transitioning the sleeve body to an open configuration, wherein in the open configuration the first face is spaced apart from the third face and the second face is spaced apart from the fourth face, the first face having a first fastening element positioned in direct contact with the first face, the second face having a second fastening element positioned in direct contact with the second face, the third face having a third fastening element positioned in direct contact with the third face, and the fourth face having a fourth fastening element positioned in direct contact with the fourth face;
• retaining a first portion of the pipe within the channel of the sleeve body by inserting the pipe between the first and third faces and the second and fourth faces;
• transitioning the sleeve body to a closed configuration, wherein in the closed configuration the first face abuts against or is positioned immediately adjacent to the third face and the first fastening element is coupled to the third fastening element and the second face abuts against or is positioned immediately adjacent to the fourth face and the second fastening element is coupled to the fourth fastening element so as to enclose the first portion of the pipe within the sleeve body;
• and
• removably engaging either the first end or the second end of the sleeve body with a first or second end of a further sleeve body enclosing a second portion of the pipe that is adjacent to the first portion of the pipe that is enclosed within the sleeve body,
• wherein the further sleeve body comprises
• an outer surface and an opposed inner surface, the inner surface of the further sleeve body defining a channel that extends from a first opening at the first end of the further sleeve body to a second opening at the second end of the further sleeve body;
• a first face and a second face that both extend between the outer surface of the further sleeve body and the inner surface of the further sleeve body and that each extend the entire distance from the first opening of the further sleeve body to the second opening of the further sleeve body;
• a first fastening element positioned in direct contact with the first face surface of the further sleeve body, a second fastening element positioned in direct contact with the second face surface of the further sleeve body,
• wherein in an open configuration of the further sleeve body the first face of the further sleeve body is spaced apart from the second face of the further sleeve body, and in a closed configuration of the further sleeve body the first face of the further sleeve body abuts against or is positioned immediately adjacent to the second face of the further sleeve body and the first fastening element of the further sleeve body is coupled to the second fastening element of the further sleeve body.

A system for insulating pipes, the system comprising:

• a first sleeve defining a hollow first body that extends from a first end to a second end, the first body having a first outer surface and an opposed first inner surface,
• wherein the first body includes a first half and a second half separated by a first hinge integrally formed with and connecting the first and second halves, the first hinge defining a first rotation axis, the first half of the first body defining first and second edges that are planar and the second half of the first body defining third and fourth edges that are planar, the first and third edges being connected by the first hinge, and wherein the first, second, third, and fourth edges extend the entire distance from the first end to the second end;
• wherein the second edge includes a first fastening element and the fourth edge includes a second fastening element, wherein the first and second fastening elements are releasably connectable for securing the first half to the second half,
• wherein the first and second halves are rotatable about the first rotation axis, such that the first sleeve defines:
• A) a closed configuration wherein the second and fourth edges abut one another or are immediately adjacent thereto causing the first fastening element to engage the second fastening element, and
• B) a partially open configuration wherein the second and fourth edges are spaced apart and the first angle is between 0° and 180°;
• and,
• a second sleeve that is configured to engage with the first end or the second end of the first sleeve so as to be cooperatively and removably joined to the first sleeve in series,
• the second sleeve defining a hollow channel that extends from a first end of the second sleeve to a second end of the second sleeve, the second sleeve further having a first outer surface and an opposed first inner surface,
• wherein the second sleeve further includes a first half and a second half separated by a first hinge integrally formed with and connecting the first and second halves of the second sleeve, the first hinge of the second sleeve defining a first rotation axis, the first half of the second sleeve defining a first edge that is planar and the second half of the second sleeve defining a second edge that is planar, the first and second edges of the second sleeve being connected by the first hinge of the second sleeve, and wherein the first and second edges of the second sleeve extend the entire distance from the first end of the second sleeve to the second end of the second sleeve;
• wherein second sleeve includes a first fastening element a second fastening element, wherein the first and second fastening elements of the second sleeve are releasably connectable for securing the first half of the second sleeve to the second half second sleeve
• wherein the first and second halves of the second sleeve are rotatable about the first rotation axis, such that the second sleeve defines:
• A) a closed configuration wherein the first and second edges of the second sleeve abut one another or are immediately adjacent thereto causing the first fastening element of the second sleeve to engage the second fastening element of the second sleeve, and
• B) a partially open configuration wherein the first and second edges of the second sleeve are spaced apart.