GB2046389A - Double locking pipe connector unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A nut for connecting gas pipes that cannot be undone once it has been tightened except by destroying it, comprises an outer hexagonal part connected by a ratchet to an inner part provided with the internal screw-thread of the nut. The ratchet is formed by flexible fingers projecting inwardly and obliquely from the outer part towards abutments on the outer surface of the inner part, so that in the tightening direction the fingers drive the abutments but in the untightening direction, the fingers ride over the abutments. Collars are provided above and below the ratchet to prevent interference. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Double locking pipe connector Purpose of unit is to connect two gas pipes together.

When connected, it is then unable to be opened, as the movable thread does not operate in reverse motion.

The unit is in two moving parts. The top, which is screwed onto a thread that holds firm against raised blocks, wedge shaped so when nut is operated in normal opening procedure, thread moves with nut and wedge blocks over riden. Below moving thread is a ridge stopping any articles being inserted from in below, in attempt to jam hexagon nut and thread to force removal of nut.

Lower half consists of a hexagon nut with a moving thread on the inside of nut, when screwed onto entry pipe of gas meter. The nut cannot be removed as plastic thread continualy moves in reverse motion without winding of thread of gas pipe, as locking position cannot be held, wedge shape blocks ride over each other. Bottom of hexagon nut moulded inwards towards pipe, to stop articles being inserted upwards to jam moving thread and nut in an attempt to force removal.

1. Aconnectorforthe permanent locking of two pipes. Top pipe with an hexagon nut to be screwed on to a thread that has a one way locking ratchet inside the thread, between the inside of thread, and wall of connector. When nut is tightened to maximum, it cannot be released as ratchet over rides the locking mechanism. Therefore nut can continualy be turned in reverse motion without releasing.

2. In conjunction with claim one. Collar above and below movable thread and inner ratchet, to control lifting motion of thread and also to act as a seating for upper pipe with rubber washer. Collar below, to prevent insertion of foreign articles being inserted into ratchet. To lock mechanism for removal of hexagon nut. Also to act as a cover for the holes in the top of the lower hexagon nut with inner ratchet.

Forthe purpose of allowing a key or 'C' spannerto be inserted into the lower mechanism for the removal of the lower nut after connector has been severed in half for it's removal from the lower pipe.

3. To be claimed in conjunction with claims one and two. As an overall concept of the whole unit.

Lower hexagon nut, with one way locking ratchet with thread to screw on to pipe with outer thread.

Also base of nut to cover whole area except for entrance of pipe. This being, that no objects can be inserted into ratchet mechanism to enhance its removal from the pipe. Method of removal being through two pre drilled holes in roof of hexagon nut.

New claims or amendments to claims filed on 7.12.79.

Superseded claims 1-3 New or amended claims: Unit comprizes of two parts, upper section has a movable outer thread with an inner fixed ratchet.

When nut of incoming pipe is screwed onto movable thread and tightend, thread is held in place by inner ratchet. When nut is tried to be removed, movable thread over rides inner fixed ratchet, consequently nut cannot be removed in normal way. Removal can only be attained by special key or spanner being inserted through pre aleigned holes in cover plate and thread. This to take place only after pipes connector has been severed in two parts, between lower nut and cover plate.

Lower half of unit consists of a hexagon nut with an inner ratchet, which is screwed onto a pipe with an outer thread, nut to be tightened in normal way so that inner ratchet is held in place with seatings and threaded onto pipe with thread inside of ratchet.

Only means of removal is with special key or spanner being inserted through holes in top of nut into inner ratchet.

Double locking pipes connector substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Double locking pipe connector Purpose of unit is to connect two gas pipes together. When connected, it is then unable to be opened, as the movable thread does not operate in reverse motion. The unit is in two moving parts. The top, which is screwed onto a thread that holds firm against raised blocks, wedge shaped so when nut is operated in normal opening procedure, thread moves with nut and wedge blocks over riden. Below moving thread is a ridge stopping any articles being inserted from in below, in attempt to jam hexagon nut and thread to force removal of nut. Lower half consists of a hexagon nut with a moving thread on the inside of nut, when screwed onto entry pipe of gas meter. The nut cannot be removed as plastic thread continualy moves in reverse motion without winding of thread of gas pipe, as locking position cannot be held, wedge shape blocks ride over each other. Bottom of hexagon nut moulded inwards towards pipe, to stop articles being inserted upwards to jam moving thread and nut in an attempt to force removal. CLAIMS

1. Aconnectorforthe permanent locking of two pipes. Top pipe with an hexagon nut to be screwed on to a thread that has a one way locking ratchet inside the thread, between the inside of thread, and wall of connector. When nut is tightened to maximum, it cannot be released as ratchet over rides the locking mechanism. Therefore nut can continualy be turned in reverse motion without releasing.

2. In conjunction with claim one. Collar above and below movable thread and inner ratchet, to control lifting motion of thread and also to act as a seating for upper pipe with rubber washer. Collar below, to prevent insertion of foreign articles being inserted into ratchet. To lock mechanism for removal of hexagon nut. Also to act as a cover for the holes in the top of the lower hexagon nut with inner ratchet.

Forthe purpose of allowing a key or 'C' spannerto be inserted into the lower mechanism for the removal of the lower nut after connector has been severed in half for it's removal from the lower pipe.

3. To be claimed in conjunction with claims one and two. As an overall concept of the whole unit.

Lower hexagon nut, with one way locking ratchet with thread to screw on to pipe with outer thread.

Also base of nut to cover whole area except for entrance of pipe. This being, that no objects can be inserted into ratchet mechanism to enhance its removal from the pipe. Method of removal being through two pre drilled holes in roof of hexagon nut.

New claims or amendments to claims filed on 7.12.79.

Superseded claims 1-3 New or amended claims: Unit comprizes of two parts, upper section has a movable outer thread with an inner fixed ratchet.

When nut of incoming pipe is screwed onto movable thread and tightend, thread is held in place by inner ratchet. When nut is tried to be removed, movable thread over rides inner fixed ratchet, consequently nut cannot be removed in normal way. Removal can only be attained by special key or spanner being inserted through pre aleigned holes in cover plate and thread. This to take place only after pipes connector has been severed in two parts, between lower nut and cover plate.

Lower half of unit consists of a hexagon nut with an inner ratchet, which is screwed onto a pipe with an outer thread, nut to be tightened in normal way so that inner ratchet is held in place with seatings and threaded onto pipe with thread inside of ratchet.

Only means of removal is with special key or spanner being inserted through holes in top of nut into inner ratchet.

Double locking pipes connector substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.