GB2110781A - Pipe fitting - Google Patents

Abstract

Pipe fittings in the form of a split collar can only be used with a very limited range of pipe sizes. The present invention provides a split collar having a recess at each end of each half. A rib 14 extends from the bottom of the recess defining spaces 16 which can accommodate deformed material of a sealing ring 18. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Pipe fitting This invention relates to pipe fittings and more particularly a split collar for fitting on a pipe.

A split collar is a well known pipe fitting which includes a tubular bore that is longitudi nally split to enable it to be fitted around a pipe. In order that there should be no leakage between the collar and the pipe, sealing means are provided on the faces of the collar which mate with the pipe.

One of the problems about the known kinds of split collar is that a particular size of collar can only be used with a very limited range of pipe sizes. The present invention has been made with this difficulty in mind.

According to the invention there is provided a split collar including a tubular body longitudinally split into at least two parts, means for clamping said parts together around a pipe, at least one of the surfaces of said collar which, in use, mates with said pipe being provided with a recess, a deformable sealing member partly received in said recess, the recess and sealing member being shaped so that when the undeformed sealing member is located in the recess a part of the recess is unoccupied by the sealing member whereby on tightening of the body parts together the sealing member can be deformed into said unoccupied part of the recess.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through one half of a split collar; Figure 2 shows a part of the half collar of Fig. 1 with an undeformed sealing member; and Figure 3 shows the same part as Fig. 2 but with the sealing member deformed.

Referring to the drawings a split collar comprises two parts which can be clamped together to form a tubular body around a pipe as is known per se. One half 10 of the collar is shown in Fig. 1. A U-shaped recess 12 is formed adjacent each end of the half collar and a projecting rib 14 is provided at the base of the recess. In section, therefore, as can be seen in the drawing the recess looks rather like the letter W.

A resiliently deformable sealing member 18 made for example of natural or synthetic rubber and of circular cross-section is received in the recess 14 as illustrated in Fig. 2. As can be seen the dissimilar shapes of recess and sealing member leaves spaces 16 on either side of the rib 14. When the collar is tightened around a pipe 22 the sealing member forms a seal between the pipe and the top 20 of the rib 14. Deformation of the sealing member can be accommodated in the spaces 16 and in the gap between the collar and the pipe. The collar can be fitted to a larger pipe 22' as illustrated in Fig. 3 and the greater deformation of the sealing member is received in the spaces 16. It will be apparent, therefore, that the invention makes the collar suitable for use with a wide range of pipe sizes.

The invention is not restricted to the above described embodiment and many variations can be made. Thus it is not essential that the sealing member be of circular cross-section; other shapes can be used such as, elliptical and polygonal. Moreover it is not essential to use the form of recess described with reference to the drawings and other forms can be used, for example of rectangular or trapezoidal section.

1. A split collar including a tubular body longitudinally split into at least two parts, means for clamping said parts together around a pipe, at least one of the surfaces of said collar which, in use, mates with said pipe being provided with a recess, a deformable sealing member partly received in said recess when in the undeformed state, the recess and the sealing member being shaped so that when the undeformed sealing member is located in the recess a part of the recess is unoccupied by the sealing member whereby on tightening of the body parts together the sealing member can be deformed into said unoccupied part of the recess.

2. A split collar as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the recess includes a projecting rib in the base thereof defining said unoccupied parts on either side thereof.

3. A split collar as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the sealing member is of circular cross-section.

4. A split collar substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Pipe fitting This invention relates to pipe fittings and more particularly a split collar for fitting on a pipe. A split collar is a well known pipe fitting which includes a tubular bore that is longitudi nally split to enable it to be fitted around a pipe. In order that there should be no leakage between the collar and the pipe, sealing means are provided on the faces of the collar which mate with the pipe. One of the problems about the known kinds of split collar is that a particular size of collar can only be used with a very limited range of pipe sizes. The present invention has been made with this difficulty in mind. According to the invention there is provided a split collar including a tubular body longitudinally split into at least two parts, means for clamping said parts together around a pipe, at least one of the surfaces of said collar which, in use, mates with said pipe being provided with a recess, a deformable sealing member partly received in said recess, the recess and sealing member being shaped so that when the undeformed sealing member is located in the recess a part of the recess is unoccupied by the sealing member whereby on tightening of the body parts together the sealing member can be deformed into said unoccupied part of the recess. A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through one half of a split collar; Figure 2 shows a part of the half collar of Fig. 1 with an undeformed sealing member; and Figure 3 shows the same part as Fig. 2 but with the sealing member deformed. Referring to the drawings a split collar comprises two parts which can be clamped together to form a tubular body around a pipe as is known per se. One half 10 of the collar is shown in Fig. 1. A U-shaped recess 12 is formed adjacent each end of the half collar and a projecting rib 14 is provided at the base of the recess. In section, therefore, as can be seen in the drawing the recess looks rather like the letter W. A resiliently deformable sealing member 18 made for example of natural or synthetic rubber and of circular cross-section is received in the recess 14 as illustrated in Fig. 2. As can be seen the dissimilar shapes of recess and sealing member leaves spaces 16 on either side of the rib 14. When the collar is tightened around a pipe 22 the sealing member forms a seal between the pipe and the top 20 of the rib 14. Deformation of the sealing member can be accommodated in the spaces 16 and in the gap between the collar and the pipe. The collar can be fitted to a larger pipe 22' as illustrated in Fig. 3 and the greater deformation of the sealing member is received in the spaces 16. It will be apparent, therefore, that the invention makes the collar suitable for use with a wide range of pipe sizes. The invention is not restricted to the above described embodiment and many variations can be made. Thus it is not essential that the sealing member be of circular cross-section; other shapes can be used such as, elliptical and polygonal. Moreover it is not essential to use the form of recess described with reference to the drawings and other forms can be used, for example of rectangular or trapezoidal section. CLAIMS

1. A split collar including a tubular body longitudinally split into at least two parts, means for clamping said parts together around a pipe, at least one of the surfaces of said collar which, in use, mates with said pipe being provided with a recess, a deformable sealing member partly received in said recess when in the undeformed state, the recess and the sealing member being shaped so that when the undeformed sealing member is located in the recess a part of the recess is unoccupied by the sealing member whereby on tightening of the body parts together the sealing member can be deformed into said unoccupied part of the recess.

2. A split collar as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the recess includes a projecting rib in the base thereof defining said unoccupied parts on either side thereof.

3. A split collar as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the sealing member is of circular cross-section.

4. A split collar substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.