Apparatus and process for installing “T” couplings on underground pipe
AssigneeOmega Tools, Inc.
InventorsWilliam M. Hutton, Frank P. Russo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tool assembly and a process for using it is provided, wherein a single elongate handle member may be used, through a small hole at the ground surface, to reach underground pipes for installing different sized strap “T” couplings on different sized pipes, and for driving sleeve members associated with said strap “T” couplings, pneumatically, from above ground, to engage pipes at various locations below ground.
Claims14
A tool assembly for working on underground pipes of different sizes through a hole at the ground surface and optionally employing any one of a plurality of differently sized strap “T” couplings for different sized pipes, wherein the depth of the pipe below ground is substantially greater than the size of the hole at the ground surface, the tool assembly comprising:
- (a) an elongate handle member adapted to extend generally vertically at an upper end of the handle member from a position substantially above a ground level hole to a location substantially proximate a below ground pipe at a lower end of the handle member;
- (b) a swing arm pivotally mounted about a generally horizontal pivot at the lower end of the handle member;
- (c) drive means associated with said elongate handle member and adapted to be actuated from the upper end of the handle member and to drivingly pivot the swing arm toward and away from a generally horizontally disposed in-ground-pipe;
- (d) a plurality of different sized strap “T” couplings corresponding to different sized pipes;
- (e) a plurality of different sized connectors corresponding to associated different sized strap “T” couplings, each having means for connection to the lower end of the elongate handle member;
- whereby
- (f) said elongate handle member can optionally have connected and disconnected thereto any one of said plurality of different sized strap “T” couplings, for driving from above ground.
A process for working on underground pipes of different sizes through a hole at the ground surface and optionally employing any one of a plurality of differently sized strap “T” couplings for different sized pipes, wherein the depth of the pipe below ground is substantially greater than the size of the hole at the ground surface, the process comprising:
- (a) providing an elongate handle member and placing it generally vertically, with the upper end of the handle member substantially above a ground level hole and with the lower end of the elongate handle member substantially proximate a below ground pipe;
- (b) providing a swing arm pivotally mounted about a generally horizontal pivot at the lower end of the elongate handle member;
- (c) actuating a drive means associated with said elongate handle member from the upper end of the elongate handle member to drivingly pivot the swing arm toward and away from a generally horizontally disposed in-ground-pipe;
- (d) providing a plurality of different sized strap “T” couplings corresponding to different sized pipes;
- (e) providing a plurality of different sized connectors corresponding to associated different sized strap “T” couplings, each having means for connection to the lower end of the elongate handle member;
- and
- (f) selectively connecting and disconnecting to the elongate handle member any one of said plurality of different sized strap “T” couplings, via an associated connector and driving the couplings from above ground.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.