GB2112888A - Glanded connection - Google Patents

Abstract

A glanded connection comprises a T-piece having branch 10 and a two part through bore 12, 14 having an enlarged bore at each end. The enlarged bore preferably includes a first portion 24 of uniform cross- section and a second portion 26 of smaller cross-section with a shoulder 28 between the two portions. A sealing ring 34 is urged into the enlarged bore by a compression ring 36 to form a seal around a main 16 extending into the through bore. The connection can be used with a range of pipe sizes. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Glanded connection This invention relates to a glanded connection.

A glanded connection is a well known piece of equipment which is employed, for example, to connect a branch pipe to a mains pipe. Glanded connections are usually in the form of a tubular Tpiece, the through bore of which is split into two parts so that the connection can be fitted around a mains.

It goes without saying that the glanded connection must be such that there are no leaks between it and the mains around which it is fitted.

In known constructions of glanded connection the arrangements for forming a proper seal between the connection and a mains pipe limit the ability of any particular glanded connection to be used with a wide range of main pipe sizes.

The present invention has been made with this problem in mind.

According to the invention there is provided a glanded connection comprising a tubularT-piece having a side branch adapted for connection to a branch pipe or other fitting and a through bore, said through bore being longitudinally split to enable it to be fitted around a main, said through bore being progressively enlarged at the end thereof, deformable sealing means disposed in said enlarged bore, means for urging said sealing means into said enlarged bore and in order to form a seal against a main around which, in use, the connection is fitted.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows a glanded connection in side elevation and partly in section.

Referring to the drawings the glanded connection comprises a tubular T-piece having a side branch 10 and a through bore longitudinally split into two parts 12, 14, from one of which (12), the side branch projects. The two parts 12, 14 are adapted to be clamped together around a main 16 by bolts 18 extending through flanges 20, 22 along the abutting edges of the split parts of the through bore.

At each end of the through bore, the internal bore is enlarged. The said enlargement comprises a first portion 24 of substantially uniform crosssection and a second portion 26 inward of said first portion and of smaller cross-section thereof, there being a shoulder 28 between said first and second portions. In the illustrated embodiment the shoulder is inclined as is also the base 30 of the second bore portion 26. An inwardly projecting rib 32 extends around the inner surface of the through bore at the junction of enlarged portion 26 and the unenlarged remainder of the through bore.

An O-ring 34 of resilient material such as neoprane is located in the enlarged portion 24.

The diameter of the O-ring overall is preferably less than the diameter of the bore portion 24 and greater than the bore portion 26.

An L-section compression ring 36 is arranged to be drawn into the enlarged bore portion by means of bolts 38 extending between the ring 36 and the T-piece.

In use the T-piece is fitted around a main 40 and O-ring 34 located in the enlarged bore portion 24. The compression ring 36 is bolted to the T-piece and the bolts 38 tightened. As the ring is tightened it urges the O-ring 34 into the portion 26 causing the O-ring to be deformed into sealing engagement with the external surface of the main. Moreover because the O-ring is urged into a space which is progressively becoming smaller so that the deformation produced progressively increases as the ring 36 is tightened. Not only does this produce a very effective seal but it means that the T-piece can be used with a wide range of different main pipe sizes.

The invention is not restricted to the above described embodiment and many variations can be made. For example instead of progressive enlargement of the through bore by means of steps, a continuous enlargement can be provided by a tapered surface.

The O-ring in the above described embodiment is of circular cross-section when undeformed but that is not essential. Other shapes can be used.

Claims (Filed on 27.10.82) 1. A glanded connection comprising a tubular T-piece having a side branch adapted for connection to a branch pipe or other fitting and a through bore, said through bore being longitudinally split to enable it to be fitted around a main, said through bore being progreesively enlarged at the end thereof, deformable sealing means disposed in said enlarged bore, and means for urging said sealing means into said enlarged bore in order to form a seal against a main around which, in use, the connection is fitted.

2. A glanded connection as claimed in Claim 1 where the enlarged bore comprises a first portion, and a second portion inwardly of said first portion and of smaller cross-section than the first portion.

3. A glanded connection as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the first portion is of uniform crosssection.

4. A glanded connection as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein a shoulder is provided between the first and second portions.

5. A glanded connection as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the surface of the shoulder is inclined to the axis of through bore.

6. A glanded connection as claimed in any of Claims 2, to 5, wherein the base of the second portion is inclined to the axis of the through bore.

7. A glanded connection as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 6, wherein the sealing means in its undeformed state is smaller than the internal cross-section of the first portion and larger than the internal cross-section of the second portion.

8. A glanded connection as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein an inwardly projecting

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

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Glanded connection This invention relates to a glanded connection. A glanded connection is a well known piece of equipment which is employed, for example, to connect a branch pipe to a mains pipe. Glanded connections are usually in the form of a tubular Tpiece, the through bore of which is split into two parts so that the connection can be fitted around a mains. It goes without saying that the glanded connection must be such that there are no leaks between it and the mains around which it is fitted. In known constructions of glanded connection the arrangements for forming a proper seal between the connection and a mains pipe limit the ability of any particular glanded connection to be used with a wide range of main pipe sizes. The present invention has been made with this problem in mind. According to the invention there is provided a glanded connection comprising a tubularT-piece having a side branch adapted for connection to a branch pipe or other fitting and a through bore, said through bore being longitudinally split to enable it to be fitted around a main, said through bore being progressively enlarged at the end thereof, deformable sealing means disposed in said enlarged bore, means for urging said sealing means into said enlarged bore and in order to form a seal against a main around which, in use, the connection is fitted. A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows a glanded connection in side elevation and partly in section. Referring to the drawings the glanded connection comprises a tubular T-piece having a side branch 10 and a through bore longitudinally split into two parts 12, 14, from one of which (12), the side branch projects. The two parts 12, 14 are adapted to be clamped together around a main 16 by bolts 18 extending through flanges 20, 22 along the abutting edges of the split parts of the through bore. At each end of the through bore, the internal bore is enlarged. The said enlargement comprises a first portion 24 of substantially uniform crosssection and a second portion 26 inward of said first portion and of smaller cross-section thereof, there being a shoulder 28 between said first and second portions. In the illustrated embodiment the shoulder is inclined as is also the base 30 of the second bore portion 26. An inwardly projecting rib 32 extends around the inner surface of the through bore at the junction of enlarged portion 26 and the unenlarged remainder of the through bore. An O-ring 34 of resilient material such as neoprane is located in the enlarged portion 24. The diameter of the O-ring overall is preferably less than the diameter of the bore portion 24 and greater than the bore portion 26. An L-section compression ring 36 is arranged to be drawn into the enlarged bore portion by means of bolts 38 extending between the ring 36 and the T-piece. In use the T-piece is fitted around a main 40 and O-ring 34 located in the enlarged bore portion 24. The compression ring 36 is bolted to the T-piece and the bolts 38 tightened. As the ring is tightened it urges the O-ring 34 into the portion 26 causing the O-ring to be deformed into sealing engagement with the external surface of the main. Moreover because the O-ring is urged into a space which is progressively becoming smaller so that the deformation produced progressively increases as the ring 36 is tightened. Not only does this produce a very effective seal but it means that the T-piece can be used with a wide range of different main pipe sizes. The invention is not restricted to the above described embodiment and many variations can be made. For example instead of progressive enlargement of the through bore by means of steps, a continuous enlargement can be provided by a tapered surface. The O-ring in the above described embodiment is of circular cross-section when undeformed but that is not essential. Other shapes can be used. Claims (Filed on 27.10.82)

1. A glanded connection comprising a tubular T-piece having a side branch adapted for connection to a branch pipe or other fitting and a through bore, said through bore being longitudinally split to enable it to be fitted around a main, said through bore being progreesively enlarged at the end thereof, deformable sealing means disposed in said enlarged bore, and means for urging said sealing means into said enlarged bore in order to form a seal against a main around which, in use, the connection is fitted.

2. A glanded connection as claimed in Claim 1 where the enlarged bore comprises a first portion, and a second portion inwardly of said first portion and of smaller cross-section than the first portion.

3. A glanded connection as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the first portion is of uniform crosssection.

4. A glanded connection as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein a shoulder is provided between the first and second portions.

5. A glanded connection as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the surface of the shoulder is inclined to the axis of through bore.

6. A glanded connection as claimed in any of Claims 2, to 5, wherein the base of the second portion is inclined to the axis of the through bore.

7. A glanded connection as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 6, wherein the sealing means in its undeformed state is smaller than the internal cross-section of the first portion and larger than the internal cross-section of the second portion.

8. A glanded connection as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein an inwardly projecting rib is provided at the junction of the enlarged bore and the remainder of the through bore.

9. A glanded connection substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.