GB2157389A

GB2157389A - Sealing punctured or split pipes

Info

Publication number: GB2157389A
Application number: GB08419370A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Arthur Alcock; Michael Hicks
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-01-09
Filing date: 1984-07-30
Publication date: 1985-10-23
Also published as: GB8419370D0; GB8400430D0

Abstract

A method of repairing, at least temporarily, splits or punctures in water pipes and the like, without the necessity to stop the flow of fluid through the pipe, comprises placing a backing plate (7) over the split or puncture in the pipe (1), the backing plate having a compressible layer (7 b) on the inner surface thereof, and clamping the compressible layer to seal the split or puncture. The compressible layer can be a rubber coating or a separate rubber sheet, and the backing plate can be part of a hose clip or a separate plate held by a hose clip. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Sealing punctured or split pipes This invention relates to a method of sealing a puncture or split in a fluid carrying pipe.

Punctured or split pipes can often occur in domestic water and heating pipes, where punctures can be caused by, for example, nails being driven through floorboards located over the pipes and where splits or bursts can arise when a water pipe is allowed to freeze.

The loss of water, in the case of frozen pipes when melting occurs, can cause damage and it is necessary to stop the supply and drain the water system of which the pipe is part to enable the damaged section to cut out and replaced.

The present invention provides a method which enables punctures or splits to be repaired, at least temporarily, without the necessity to stop the flow of fluid in the pipe.

According to the invention, the method comprises placing on the pipe over the puncture or split a backing member adapted to conform with the pipe and to cover the puncture or split completely, the backing member having a compressible layer on the inner surface thereof, and holding the compressible layer in compression under the backing member so as to seal the puncture or split against escape of fluid from the pipe.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the backing member consists of a band, such as a hose clip, which can be placed around the pipe and tightened. In a preferred embodiment, the backing member is a separate plate or pad held against the pipe by a clamp, which can be one or more hose clips, preferably of the worm-driven steel band type.

The backing member in this embodiment is suitably formed of metal, such as copper, steel or aluminium, or a rigid plastics material.

The compressible layer may be thin sheet or coating of rubber, preferably a synthetic rubber. The thickness of the sheet or coating is suitably of the order of 2mm. Where the sheet of rubber or other resiliently compressible material is used, this may be applied separately or it may be bonded to the backing member, for example by an adhesive.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method in which the backing member is formed of stiff material such as plastics or soft metal, the surface of which is compressible.

Again the backing member may be in the form of a band, such as a hose clip, or as a separate component compressed by a clamp such as a hose clip.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a split or burst pipe is re-formed into a generally circular cross-section before sealing in accordance with the invention by locating around the deformed portion of the pipe at least two part-tubular members, preferably formed of a metal harder than that of the pipe and together forming a length of tube whose internal diameter is substantially equal to the external diameter of the split or burst pipe, locating around the part-tubular members a circular clamp, for example a steel hose clip, and tightening the clamp until the part-tubular members are drawn together.

The methods of the invention permit an unskilled person to effect a satisfactory repair to a burst or punctured pipe, quickly, the repair sealing the pipe unitl a full repair can be carried out conveniently.

Reference is made to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a section through a burst water pipe, showing the first stage in re-forming the pipe in accordance with one aspect of the invention; Figure 2 shows a portion of the pipe after sealing in accordance with another aspect of the invention; and Figure 3 shows an alternative form of backing member for use in the method of the invention.

The burst pipe 1 has a longitudinal split 2, this being the typical result of water freezing in a closed copper water pipe. The edges of the split 2 are pressed down to permit the seal to be applied by placing around the pipe two stainless steel re-forming members 3, each of which is part-tubular with an inner radius of curvature equal to the external radius of curvature of the pipe 1. One 3a of the re-forming members 3 is placed over the split and the other member 3b is placed on the opposite side of the pipe. A steel hose clip 4 of the type having a worm 5 engaging transverse slots in the outer surface of the band 6 of the clip so as to close the band as the worm is turned, by means of a screwdriver, is located around the pipe 1 and members 3.The clip is then tightened to draw the members 3 on to the pipe and thereby to push the edges of the split 2 until they confirm with the outer surface of the pipe.

The clip 4 and re-forming members 3 can then be removed.

To seal the pipe as shown in Fig. 2, a seal 7 is applied to the pipe over the split. The seal 7 comprises a segment 7a of a copper pipe having a diameter greater than that of the pipe to be repaired. On the inner surface of the copper segment 7a, which serves as a backing plate, a strip of synthetic rubber 7b is adhered by a layer of adhesive or a doublesided adhesive tape, for example. The hose clip 4 is located around the pipe 1 and over the seal 7 and is then tightened to compress the rubber and effect a satisfactory seal.

The backing member shown in Fig. 3 is in the form of a copper plate 30 curved to form a segment of a cylinder whose internal diameter is substantially equal to the external diameter of the pipe which is split or punc tured and which is to be repaired. It will be appreciated that a range of different sizes and curvatures of plate will be required for use with the different sizes of pipe used domestically, for example.

The plate 30 has four slits 31 therein, each extending from the mid-point of one of the edges of the plate inwardly towards the centre of the plate over a length approximately equal to one-third of the distance between the opposed midpoints. This configuration allows the plate to conform more readily, when clamped, to the deformed surface of the pipe around the split or puncture. A pair of pipe clips may be used to clamp the plate 30 on to the pipe, the clips being located on each side of the mid-point of the plate. A separate rubber sealing sheet is located between the backing plate and the pipe with its puncture or split.

Claims

1. A method of sealing a puncture or split in a fluid carrying pipe, comprising placing on the pipe over the puncture or split a backing member adapted to conform generally with the pipe and to cover the puncture or split completely, the backing member having a compressible layer on the inner surface thereof, and holding the compressible layer in compression under the backing member so as to seal the puncture or split against escape of fluid from the pipe.

2. A method according to Claim 1, which comprises initially reforming the split portion of the pipe into a generally circular crosssection by locating at least two part-tubular members around the deformed portion of the pipe, locating a circular clamp around the part-tubular members, tightening the clamp to draw the members together, and removing the clamp and members.

3. A method according to Claim 1 or 2, in which a backing member in the form of a curved plate is clamped over the puncture or split using at least one hose clip.

4. A method according to Claim 3, wherein the curved plated is rectangular in plan and provided with four slots therein, one slot extending inwardly from and generally perpendicular to each side.

5. A method according to Claim 4, wherein the slots extend along lines joining the mid-points of each opposite pair of sides, each slot having a length equal to approximately one-third of the length of the line along which the slot extends.

6. A method according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the backing member is a part of a hose clip.

7. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the compressible layer is a thin sheet or coating of rubber.

8. A method according to Claim 7, wherein the thickness of the layer is 2 mm.

9. A method according to Claim 7 or 8, wherein the layer is a thin sheet bonded to the backing member by adhesive.

10. A method of sealing a puncture or split in a fluid carrying pipe, substantially as described with reference to the drawings.