Apparatus for creating segmented polyethylene pipe turns

In an apparatus for joining pipes by the fusion process, including a frame, a first clamp fixed to said frame and a movable clamp and insert jaw means in each of said clamps having circular cylindrical openings normally adapted to hold separate circular cylindrical pipes in alignment, along a horizontal axis line said movable clamp movably supported upon guide rods, said rods fixed to said frame on each side of said pipe, the axes of which lie in an imaginary plane which intersects the said horizontal axis line, the improvement comprising;

• a. a first pair of insert jaws for said fixed clamp in which the circular cylindrical opening is inclined at a vertical angle A, where "A" is greater than 0.degree. and less than 90.degree., to said horizontal axis line in a selected plane, through said axis line;
• b. a second pair of insert jaws for said movable clamp in which the circular cylindrical opening is inclined at a vertical angle A to said horizontal axis line in said selected plane;
• means to axially move said movable clamp towards and away from said fixed clamp, whereby two pieces of pipe can be fused together with their axes forming an angle of 2A.degree., each with a first face with its plane at an angle (90.degree.-A) to the axis of the pipe, can be clamped, one in fixed clamp, and the other in said movable clamp, with their faces parallel and perpendicular to said horizontal axis line.