Method and apparatus for protecting and manipulating pipe ends
AssigneeBunzl Plastics, Inc.
InventorJohn M. Gonyea
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pipe end protector includes a protector body having a shape substantially matching that of a pipe end and at least one knock-out formed integrally with the protector body. The at least one knock-out has a peripheral edge having a first portion connected to the protector body by a hinge and is deflectable from the protector body. The at least one knock-out remains attached to the protector body while hingedly deflecting from the protector body about the hinge.
Claims18
A pipe end protector, comprising:
- a protector body having a shape substantially matching that of a pipe end;
- and
- at least one knock-out formed integrally with the protector body, the at least one knock-out having a peripheral edge having a first portion connected to the protector body by a hinge and a second portion initially connected to the body by frangible webbing, the knock-out being deflectable from the protector body about the hinge;
- wherein, when the protector is attached to the pipe end, the frangible webbing can be broken away from attachment with the body and the at least one knock-out remains attached to the protector body while hingedly deflecting from the protector body about the hinge.
A pipe end protector for protecting a pipe end from damage and for preventing moisture and other contaminants from entering a pipe through the pipe end, comprising:
- a body;
- an end wall connected to the body and positionable adjacent the pipe end;
- a plurality of knock-outs formed in the end wall, each knock-out being movable between a closed position parallel to the end wall and at least one open position different from the closed position while the end wall is positioned adjacent the pipe end, the at least one open position being a position in which each knock-out hinges inward toward an interior portion of the pipe;
- and
- means for maintaining connection between each knock-out and the end wall in said open and closed positions.
A protector for protecting a pipe end, comprising:
- a body engageable with a pipe end;
- an end wall connected to the body, the end wall having a shape substantially matching a shape of a pipe end;
- and
- access means formed entirely within a central portion of the end wall and attached to the end wall by a living hinge, the access means selectively permitting access to an interior portion of the pipe end through the end wall while the body engages the pipe end.
A method for protecting and manipulating a pipe end, the method comprising:
- covering a pipe end with a protective body;
- providing at least one knock-out portion in the protective body, the at least one knock-out portion being movable between a closed position and at least one open position being a position in which the knock-out hinges inward toward an interior portion of the pipe end;
- deflecting the knock-out portion from the closed position to the at least one open position, thereby forming an opening in the protective body while maintaining attachment between the at least one knock-out portion and the protective body;
- and
- inserting a pipe-manipulating device into the pipe end through the opening to move the pipe end to a desired location.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.