Apparatus and method for supporting a pipe coupling
AssigneeOnset Pipe Products, Inc.
InventorMartin G. Ward
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pipe coupling support having a substantially rigid body with an inner surface formed to mate with at least a portion of the exterior surface of a pipe coupling installed on pipe. In many cases, the exterior surface of the installed pipe coupling will be non-cylindrical. For example, when pipes of differing diameters or pipes manufactured from different materials must be joined with commonly available pliable couplings. In this instance the inner surface of the body of the pipe coupling support may be formed to mate with a majority of or substantially the entire exterior surface of the installed pipe coupling.
Claims14
A pipe coupling support for supporting an installed pipe coupling, the installed pipe coupling connecting a first pipe having a first exterior diameter and a second pipe having a second exterior diameter different from the first exterior diameter, the installed pipe coupling including a pliable body having a first portion receiving the first pipe, a second portion receiving the second pipe, and at least one clamping apparatus securing the pliable body to the first pipe and the second pipe, the pipe coupling support comprising:
- a circumferentially uninterrupted rigid body comprising a U-shaped cross-section, the circumferentially uninterrupted rigid body further comprising:
- a first opening having a first size, the first opening operable to receive the first pipe with the first exterior diameter;
- a second opening having a second size such that the second opening is operable to receive the second portion of the installed pipe coupling when the second pipe with the second exterior diameter is inserted in to the pliable body of the installed pipe coupler, wherein a first portion of the circumferentially uninterrupted rigid body forming the first opening and a second portion of the circumferentially uninterrupted body forming the second opening are connected to form the U-shaped cross-section, and
- wherein the pipe coupling support further comprises a recess in the circumferentially uninterrupted rigid body positioned to receive a protruding structure from the installed pipe coupling.
A pipe coupling support for supporting an installed pipe coupling, the installed pipe coupling connecting a first pipe having a first exterior diameter and a second pipe having a second exterior diameter different from the first exterior diameter, the installed pipe coupling including a pliable body having a first portion receiving the first pipe, a second portion receiving the second pipe, and at least one clamping apparatus securing the pliable body to the first pipe and the second pipe, the pipe coupling support comprising:
- a circumferentially uninterrupted rigid body comprising a U-shaped cross-section operable to enclose the installed pipe coupling, the circumferentially uninterrupted body further comprising:
- a first opening having a first size, the first opening operable to receive the first pipe with the first exterior diameter;
- and
- a second opening having a second size such that the second opening is operable to receive the second portion of the installed pipe coupling when the second pipe with the second exterior diameter is inserted in to the pliable body of the installed pipe coupler;
- and
- at least one recess configured to receive a protruding structure associated with the installed pipe coupling.
A method of supporting a pipe coupling installed on pipe comprising:
- providing a pipe coupling support having a rigid body with an inner surface formed to mate with an exterior surface of the installed pipe coupling, the pipe coupling support comprising:
- a circumferentially uninterrupted body comprising a U-shaped cross-section, the circumferentially uninterrupted rigid body further comprising:
- a first opening having a first size, the first opening operable to receive the first pipe with the first exterior diameter;
- and
- a second opening having a second size such that the second opening is operable to receive the second portion of the installed pipe coupling when the second pipe with the second exterior diameter is inserted into the pliable body of the installed pipe coupler;
- associating the pipe coupling support with the installed pipe coupling such that the inner surface of the body is closely engaged with the exterior surface of the installed pipe coupling;
- and
- receiving a protruding structure associated with the installed pipe coupling within the one or more recesses associated in the circumferentially uninterrupted rigid body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.