Adjustable adapter for pipe insulation cladding

A blank for manufacture of an adapter to join adjacent structures of different diameters including a first generally tubular structure having a first diameter and a second generally tubular structure having a second diameter, the blank comprising in combination:

• a tapering conical wall having a rim with a substantially constant rim diameter substantially matching the first diameter of the first structure to be joined;
• said tapering wall including an overlapping edge extending away from said rim;
• and
• at least one visible graduation on said tapering wall, said at least one visible graduation located radially inwardly from said rim and a substantially constant perpendicular distance from said rim at a location corresponding with the second diameter of the second structure to be joined.

A method for forming an adapter to join a first generally tubular structure of a first diameter to a second generally tubular structure of a second diameter, including the steps of:

• providing a blank including a tapering conical wall having a rim with a diameter substantially matching the first diameter of the first generally tubular structure to be joined, the tapering wall including an overlapping edge extending away from the rim, and at least one visible graduation on the tapering wall, the at least one visible graduation located spaced from the rim at a location corresponding with the second diameter of the second generally tubular structure to be joined;
• cutting the blank along the at least one visible graduation to provide an upper edge to the tapering wall having a diameter matching the second diameter of the second generally tubular structure to be joined;
• wherein said providing step includes the step of limiting the at least one graduation to less than an entire circuit around the tapering wall;
• using a divider with ends a constant distance from each other with one end adjacent a tip of the tapering wall opposite the rim and the other end of the divider adjacent a graduation having a diameter matching the second diameter of the second generally tubular structure;
• and
• rotating the divider about the tip to draw the second end of the divider around the tapering wall in a fashion leaving a visible mark on the tapering wall circumscribing the tapering wall, the visible mark for use in guiding a cutting tool during said cutting step.

A blank for use in manufacture of sheet-like jacketing for pipes, tanks, vessels and the like, said blank formed into an adapter to join adjacent structures of different diameters including a first generally tubular structure having a first diameter and a second generally tubular structure having a second diameter, the blank comprising in combination:

• a tapering conical wall having a rim and a tip opposite said rim with a diameter substantially matching the large diameter pipe;
• said tapering wall including an overlapping edge extending from said rim to said tip;
• and
• wherein said tapering wall includes at least one visible graduation, said at least one visible graduation located radially inwardly from said rim a substantially constant perpendicular distance away from said rim in a direction perpendicular to said rim at a location corresponding with the small diameter pipe.

A method for forming an adapter to join a first generally tubular structure of a first diameter to a second generally tubular structure of a second diameter, including the steps of:

• providing a blank including a tapering conical wall having a rim with a diameter substantially matching the first diameter of the first generally tubular structure to be joined, the tapering wall including an overlapping edge extending away from the rim, and at least one visible graduation on the tapering wall, the at least one visible graduation located spaced from the rim at a location corresponding with the second diameter of the second generally tubular structure to be joined;
• cutting the blank along the at least one visible graduation to provide an upper edge to the tapering wall having a diameter matching the second diameter of the second generally tubular structure to be joined;
• using a divider with ends a constant distance from each other with one end adjacent a tip of the tapering wall opposite the rim and the other end of the divider adjacent a graduation having a diameter matching-the second diameter of the second generally tubular structure;
• and
• rotating the divider about the tip to draw the second end of the divider around the tapering wall in a fashion leaving a visible mark on the tapering wall extending along the tapering wall, the visible mark for use in guiding a cutting tool during said cutting step.