CA1086352A

CA1086352A - Pipe coupling system

Info

Publication number: CA1086352A
Application number: CA323,799A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Alain De Crombrugghe
Original assignee: CROMBRUGGHE DE
Current assignee: CROMBRUGGHE DE
Priority date: 1979-03-20
Filing date: 1979-03-20
Publication date: 1980-09-23
Also published as: DE3009339A1; GB2047368A; GB2047368B; FR2451535B1; FR2451535A1; JPS56138588A

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Pipe Coupling System In pipe coupling systems, elaborate equipment and tools are required for their assembly and disassembly; the disassembly procedure is time consuming and little, if any, of the fittings can be reused.
The present invention relates to improvements in pipe attachment system to their fittings, particularly adapted for use with smooth surface pipe and tubing where assembly and disassembly is easily made with simple tools or without tools.

Description

~36352 PIPE COUPLING SYSTEM

Background of the invention The in-rention is in the field of readily applicable and removeable clampable sleeve type couplings for effecting joints between pipes and their fittings.
More specifically the coupling of the invention is intended for use with smooth surface pipes and tubing and their fittings as normally used in known and conventional methods of assembly such as threading soldering, glueing, brazing or welding.
There is a need for a simple device to connect pipes to their fittings that is economical, not only to manufacture, but also in actual installation and use.
Such a device, to acheive the greatest economy, must permit easy assembly, equally easy disassembly, and must permit the salvage of ~ the maximum amount of components of the system; this device according ¦ to the invention permits the reusage, time after time, of all components provided their integrity is safeguarded.
~ It is known that disastrous fires were caused, directly or indirectly, 1~
by the use of open flame or by the emanation of inflamable fumes and ~ their subsequent ignition during the installation or alteration of ¦ plumbing systems; this device according to the invention eliminates these hazards since no flamable components, heat or flame is required l~ ~ for its installation.
¦~ 25 It is known that lack of thorough desoxydation and cleaning of the components of plumbing systems requiring soldering or glueing results ( in weak or leaking joints, which in turn re~uire dismantling and re-; installation, sometimes at the cost of a number of new and extra fittings and material and great expense of time; this device according to the invention does not require such thorough desoxydation and cleaning, resulting in savings of time, because it relies on its composition seal for fluid tightness. Most known systems of pipe joints depend on their purposemade fittings, ordinarily compatible only within their own system, to function and their adaptibliity to different systems is very limited ~863S2 if non existent; this device according to the invention makes use of fittings normally used with other conventional joining methods without recurring to their hazard prone joining techniques and favors adaptation of this invention with other joining methods wherever tolerances between components permit.
This flexibility permits the creation of hybrid systems where one side ; is joined conventionally and the other side with the coupling subject of this disclosure.
Most known systems of pipe joints require the use of tools in the assembly and disassembly of the coupling or fitting; this device according to the invention offers the choice between hand or tool operable clamping means, which in hand operable clamping means offers an obvious time saving potential to the user.
First development of the invention revealed a major weakness in its retaining means, which could accidentally be released while the system is pressurized and this condition was also found in Patent 498,350 to Ferguson 15-12-53; this undesirable feature is overcome in the device subject of the disclosure as only willfull release of the retainer ~, sleeve, while the system is pressurised, may result in loss of fluid ~;i' 20 tightness.
~' Some known systems of pipe joints depend on grooves in the pipe ends to mechanically secure the pipes to their fittings, said grooves being I ordinarily square edged in profile to ensure more positive and non slip contact of retaining lugs; the device according to the invention makes similarly use of a groove in the end of the pipe and of the fitting to ensure a positive grip of the lugs both on the pipe and on the fitting end in a very different way as explained hereafter.
This groove must be distinguished from the gasket seating groove whose function is sololy related to the fluid tightness of the system, this first mentionned groove shall be called slip resisting groove as opposed to the gasket groove.

1~863SZ

The slip resisting groove need not be square in profile but may be of any profile suitable to provide slip resistance for the lugs of the retainer sleeve; depending on the pipe or fitting material this slip resisting groove can be square, V shaped or rounded according to the characteristics of the pipe or fitting material and the easiest method of forming such groove. The profile of the slip resisting groove is dictated by the stress characteristics of the material of the pipe and/or fitting; a rounded groove profile offers the benefit of minimizing the occurrence of localized stress .
points, ordinarily found to be the cause of failure, and provides an infinity of contact planes parrallell to the end plane of the lugs; this is particularly important as it provides automatic adjustment for varying lug angles relatively to the pipe longitudinal axis, specially under varying pressure loads.
It is known that soldered fittings can be unsoldered only when the fitting and the pipe adjacent thereto are completely drained; since the device according to the invention does not re~uire any heat in order to be removed but only unlocking of the retainer sleevel it is now clear that no time is wasted draining the system.
This feature of easy removal leads to other potential economies since any such retainer sleeve used in conjunction with a end cap or any other type of fitting at low points of plumbing systems will act as low cost drains.
Further research led to the present disclosure wherein a combination of the above described and some other desirable features are incorporated.
The device and system according to the invention consist of the following:
1. a clampable one piece split retainer sleeve,

2. a hand or tool operable clamping means,

3. a sealing gasket of known design and composition,

4. a rounded groove in the pipe end to seat the sealing gasket,

5. a slip resisting groove in the end of the pipe and of the fitting where such a groove is required by the nature of the pipe and/or fitting.

~)86352 Drawing Description Referring to the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the retainer sleeve showing one preferred embodiment of the invention fitted on one end of a (Tee) fitting; Figure 2 is a section through the connection end of a (Tee) fitting showing the relative position of the components of the system using thin wall tubing; Figure 3 is a detail section showing the use of slip resisting grooves with optionall gaskets on lugs and shoulders;
said slip resisting grooves being required only on pipes and fittings of such hardness as to prevent the lugs to grip safely on said pipes and fittings; Figure 4 is a transverse section of the retainer sleeve showing the lug arrangement and a symbolic clamping means; Figure 5 illustrates two preferred tooIless clamping means. In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in each figure.
~ The numeral 1 indicates the retainer sleeve, which in Figure 1 is wrapped j 15 around the end 2 of the fitting 3 and held in place with a clamping means 4.
The retainer sleeve 1 consists of a strip of spring type material with enequal shoulders 5, notched 6 to permit easy bending around the pipe 7 and the fitting end 2; said retainer sleeve 1 exhibits one row of long sloping lugs 8 bent radially towards the fitting end 2 and engaging into the exterior surface of the pipe 7, while a second row of short sloping lugs 9 are bent in a similar but opposed direction to engage into the exterior surface of the fitting end 2.
The retainer sleeve 1 is engaged by means of the short 9 and long 8 lugs respectively to the fitting end 2 and the pipe 7 in a semi-wrap around fashion, the opening 10 permitting the installation of the retainer sleeve 1 without need of dismantling the pipe-fitting 7-3 assembly; the tightening or loosening of the clamping means 4 permits the securing or removing respectively of the retainer sleeve 1 to or from the pipe-fitting 7-3 assembly. A gasket seating groove 11 is rolled, or othe~wise fabricated at a predetermined distance from the end of the pipe 7, said groove to receive an annular gasket 12, or 0 ring, which gasket 12 provides for the fluid tightness of the system; the composition of the gasket 12 shall becompatible with the type of fluid handled in the system and the type of material constituting the system.

16~86352 Referring to Figure 3, the shoulders 5, the short 9 and the long 8 lugs are wrapped with a resilient material 13, which provides for even pressure distribution on the pipe 7 or fitting end 2; this optional protection is intended, among other things, to lessen pipe 7 or fitting 3 breakage due to thermal or mechanical stress built-up in brittle or fragile pipe 7 or fitting 3 material.
Referring to Figure 3, a second (slip resisting) groove 14 on the pipe 7 end is frbricated in a similar manner as the groove 11 destined to the gasket 12; said second groove 14 acts as a mechanical stop providing slip resistance to the long 8 lugs. A similar arrangement in the form of a groove 15 is fabricated in the exterior surface of the fitting end 2 at a predetermined distance, said groove 15 acts as a mechanical stop for the short 9 lugs providing slip resistance against forces induced by pressure within the system. Figure 5 shows in dotted lines the profile of two ~l 15 retainer sleeves 1, each dispaying a preferred clamping means 4, which - retainer sleeve 1 can be installed or removed without the use of tools;
"1 this illustrates some of a multitude of clamping means 4 suitable for the system according to design requirements.
Many adaptations of the system are possible where the short 9 lugs and the adjacent shoulder 5 are replaced with a retaining means in the form of screw type serrations, lugs to fit in grooves or adaptable to screws screwable in the fitting 3 body. Joints made according to the disclosure are quite simple to make:
Firstly the pipe 7 is prepared with a suitable tool by rolling or otherwise 25 fabricating a groove 11 or a plurality of grooves 11-14 at a predetermined distance from the end of the pipe 7 in order for the first groove 11 to be completely lodged inside of the fitting end 2 when the pipe 7 is forced into said fitting end 2;
Secondly an annular gasket 12, or 0 ring, is slipped over the pipe end 7 and seated in the first groove 11 to provide for the fluid tightness of the system once inserted into the fitting end 2;

Thirdly the fitting end 2 is inspected for smoothness and cleanliness and the prepared pipe 7, loaded with its sealing gasket 12,is inserted into the fitting end 2 until it butts againsS the inside shoulder or stop of ~6)!363S2 the fitting 3;
Fourthly the retainer sleeve 1 is opened and slipped over and around the pipe 7, positionned over the fitting end 2 and part of the pipe 7, at this point the clamping means 4 is thightened and the system is ready for S testing and subsequent use.
This step requires the checking that the lugs are falling into their respective slip resisting grooves when these are used; under normal conditions slip resisting grooves are not required or used and no other checking than that the pipe is fully inserted is required before applying clamp pressure.
Reversing the procedure permits equally easy disassembly; reassembly, omitting step one, is immediately possible without further preparation of the components provided they are not damaged.

Claims

What is claimed The embodiment of the invention in which an exclusive property of privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A pipe joint system wherein a one piece wrap-around split retainer sleeve prevents the pipe inserted into a fitting to separate from said fittings end, said retainer sleeve being fitted with two opposed rows of spring-like lugs, longitudinal to the axis of the pipe and axially directed in a sloping fashion with their inner ends in the same plane, transverse to the longitudinal axis of the retainer sleeve to respectively engage in the exterior perimeter of the pipe and the exterior perimeter of the fitting's end, said retainer sleeve being mechanically held in place by means of one or a multitude of clamps, spring bucles or other suitable clamping or fastening means.

2. A pipe joint system according to claim 1, wherein the edges of the retainer sleeve are turned down axially to form a shoulder resting respectively on the exterior of the pipe and on the exterior of the fitting end, preventing distortion and shifting of the retainer sleeve under clamping pressure.

3. A pipe joint system according to claim 2. wherein visual control over the seating of the annular gasket is provided by means of a groove fabricated at a predetermined distance from the end of the pipe in such a way that when the grooved pipe is pushed into the mouth of the fitting, the annular gasket is visible until it penetrates the fitting.

4. A pite joint system according to claim 3. wherein a second groove is fabricated at a predetermined distance in the end of the pipe and of the fitting to match the position of the lugs of the retainer sleeve when the pipe fits correctly in the fitting; said second groove creates a positive mechanical stop for the lugs of the retainer sleeve.

5. A pipe joint system according to claim 4. wherein the retainer sleeve lugs and shoulders are fitted with a gasket to distribute the pressure equally on the inserted pipe and fitting and to minimize breakage due to thermal or mechanical stresses.

6. A pipe joint system wherein a one piece wrap-around split clampable retainer sleeve prevents the pipe to separate from its connection point, said retainer sleeve being fitted on the pipe side with one row of springlike lugs, longitudinal to the axis of the pipe and axially directed in a sloping fashion with their inner ends in the same plane, transverse to the longitudinal axis of the retainer sleeve towards the connection point to engage in the exterior perimeter of the pipe and, on the connection point side with axially inwardly curved lugs, axially outwardly curved lugs with screw fastening provisions, or screw type serrations suitable to the connection point embodiment.