Method for connecting a multiple-piece elbow assembly

A method for removably connecting the ends of two pipes which cannot be moved with respect to each other, the pipes having axes through the centers thereof the pipes being disposed so that the axes are at an angle with respect to each other,the method comprising the steps of:

• providing connection members which have mating surfaces at the ends, each of the mating surfaces having a tapered portion, each of the mating surfaces being paired with the adjacent mating surface, one of each pair of surfaces being male and the other surface being female, the taper of the male surface being greater than the taper of the female surface such that a tapered gap exists between the tapered portions of each pair of mating surfaces, the gap having a side nearest the center of the mating surfaces, the width of the gap being greatest at the side nearest the center of the mating surfaces;
• providing a plurality of seals;
• placing one of the seals between the first end of each of the connection members and the pipe end to which the connection member is secured;
• placing one of the seals between the second ends of the connection members;
• placing the first connection member with the first end thereof against one of the pipe ends and placing the second connection member with the first end thereof against the other of the pipe ends;
• while maintaining the positions of the pipe ends with respect to each other and maintaining contact between the connection members and the pipe ends, rotating the connection members toward each other until the second ends of the connection members contact each other;
• securing the first ends of the connection members against the pipe ends and securing the second ends of the connection members together;
• compressing the seals between the connection members and pipe ends.