GB2200420A

GB2200420A - Coupling device

Info

Publication number: GB2200420A
Application number: GB08701923A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Adrian O'boyle
Original assignee: BOYLE MICHAEL ADRIAN O
Current assignee: BOYLE MICHAEL ADRIAN O
Priority date: 1987-01-28
Filing date: 1987-01-28
Publication date: 1988-08-03
Also published as: GB8701923D0

Abstract

A pipe coupling comprises a clamping device (10) for pipes (14, 16), the clamping device being in the form of an actuable compression collar (12) having pivoted collar portions (18, 20) which are actuable by lever means (28) towards and away from each other. The lever means is selectively connectible between the ends (30, 32) of the collar portions so that they can be opened to permit radial insertion onto a pipe. A central rib 72 formed in an internal channel of the collar portions serves to centrally locate a complementary sealing sleeve (figures 4 to 6, not shown) with respect to the clamping device, thereby assisting accurate assembly. <IMAGE>

Description

COUPLING DEVICE This invention relates to coupling devices for pipes and to a clamping device for pipes which together with a sealing sleeve forms such a pipe coupling . The invention also relates to the use of a clamping device for pipes in association with a sealing sleeve for pipe repair rather than , or in addition to , the coupling of pipe ends.

In the case of previously proposed pipe coupling devices the problem arises that no means is provided to permit convenient use of the devices in relation to repairing leaks which occur during use of pipes . Thus for example , where a series of pipe clamping Jevices have been used to connect together in end-to-end relationship a series of four inch diameter ( ten centimetre ) pipes for conveying liquid concrete from a mobile delivery truck , to a delivery point , if a hole develops in one of the pipes it is extremely inconvenient to repair it especially if the hole develops at a position remote from the delivery end of the pipe assembly. Some improved means is needed for the application of a seal over a hole or fracture in the pipe , whereby the latter can be temporarily repaired and use of the pipeline may continue.

A further problem arises in relation to assembly of pipe clamping devices with their associated seals.

Previously proposed clamping devices require alignment by the user of the seal centrally with respect to the compression collar assembly and , under arduous conditions of use , such alignment is difficult Improvements in this respect are also required.

An object of the present invention is to provide a pipe clamping device , a sealing sleeve therefor and a pipe coupling providing improvements in relation to one or more of the matters discussed above , or generally.

According to the invention there is provided a clamping device for pipes , a sealing sleeve therefor and a pipe coupling assembly as defined in the accompanying claims The invention also provides a clamping device for pipes , a sealing sleeve therefor , and a pipe coupling assembly providing any one or more of the features or advantages mentioned herein and likewise comprising any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed in this application Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 shows a pipe clamping device disconnected from a pipe and with its jaws in a partially open condition Fig. 2 shows the clamping device of Fig. 1 with the jaws in their closed condition ;; Fig. 3 shows an end end view of the assembly of Fig. 2 , the direction of viewing being indicated by arrow III in Fig. 2 ; Fig. 4 shows a side elevation view of the clamp of Fig. 2 assembled with two pipe ends coupled thereby , the direction of viewing being indicated in Fig. 2 by arrow IV ; Fig. 5 shows an axial end view of a sealing sleeve forming part of the pipe coupling assembly of Fig. 4 ; Fig. 6 shows a section through the sealing sleeve of Fig. 5 on the line VI-VI therein ; and Fig. 7 shows a section through a collar portion forming part of the clamping device of Fig. 1 , the section being taken on the line VIl-Vil in Fig. 1.

As shown in Fig. 1 , a clamping device 10 for pipes is provided in the form of an actuable compression collar 12 insertable onto a pipe 14,16 ( see Fig. 4 ) and actuable to apply compression to sealing means in the form of a sealing sleeve 17 ( see Fig. 5 ) applied to the pipe.

Clamping device 10 comprises first and second curved collar portions 18,20 forming the compression collar 12 and pivotally interconnected about an axis 22 at their adjacent ends 24,26 . An actuable lever mechanism 28 is provided to move the other ends 30,32 of the collar portions towards and away from each other to apply compression to a pipe assembly in use. As shown in Fig. 1 , the lever mechanism 28 is selectively connectible between said other ends 30,32 of the collar portions so that when those ends are not interconnected , the jaws of the clamp which they represent may be opened to permit radial insertion of the clamp onto a pipe.

Turning now to the details of lever mechanism 28 , it comprises an actuating handle 34 pivoted about an axis 36 on a boss or flange 38 formed at end 32 of collar portion 20 . A corresponding boss or flange 40 is formed on collar portion 18 .

A link member 42 is pivotally mounted on handle 34 about an axis 44 -and comprises an end formation 46 in the form of a bar or rod which is selectively engageable with a complementary formation 48 in the form of a slot formed in boss 40 . Link member 42 comprises two spaced and parallel plates 50 pivoted one on each side of handle 34 and rigidly interconnected by rod 46 and freely pivotable in the direction indicated by arrow 52 . Plates 50 locate one on each side of boss 40 in the Fig. 2 condition of the assembly.

It can now be seen that lever mechanism 28 provides an over centre linkage mounted on collar portion 20 which is selectively linkable to collar portion 18 to close the jaws of the clamp prior to application of compression to a pipe . Fig. 2 shows the clamped and over-centre position of the assembly.

A spring wire retaining clip 54 may be provided to hold handle 34 in its clamping position . The clip is pivotally mounted on collar portion 20 and locates in a slot 56 formed in handle 34.

Collar portions 18,20 are formed such that they can be initially of identical form including the flanges or bosses 38,40 at their ends 30,32 , and further including bosses or flanges 58,60 at their ends 24,26 to receive a hinge pin 62 defining pivot axis 22 Fig. 7 shows the form of collar portions 18,20.

Each collar portion is of rectangular external profile and formed with an internal channel 64 having frustoconical side faces 66,68 , a cylindrical base 70 and a central rib 72 projecting radially inwardly from the base of the channel.

Figs. 4 to 6 show how clamping device 10 co-operates with a sealing sleeve 1,7 to connect the ends of pipes 14,16 As shown in Fig. 6 , sealing sleeve 17 comprises a cylindrical inner surface 74 , frusto-conical outer end faces 76,78 , a central rib 80 , and a groove 82 formed therein. In use , sleeve 17 is located between the outwardly flared ends 84,86 of pipes 14,16 with the rib 72 of channel portions 18,20 located in the groove 82 of the sleeve . The flared pipe ends 84,86 nest- between the outer surfaces 76,78 of sleeve 17 and the inner surfaces 66,68 of channel portions 18,20 and are thereby held and retained . Sleeve 17 is centrally located by rib 72 entering groove 82 of the sleeve . The base of rib 80 of the sleeve bears against the inner surface 70 of channel 64 of the collar portions. The inner surface 74 of the sleeve forms a smooth continuation of the inner surfaces of the pipes 14,16 . The compression applied to the assembly by clamping device 10 ensures a fluid-tight seal.

In use , clamping device 10 can be readily opened wide enough for radial insertion onto a pipe both for assembling a joint between two pipe ends as shown in Fig 4 , or for repair purposes . For the latter a sealing sleeve 20 is cut through radially in one place and itself inserted over the point requiring repair so that its inner surface 74 can provide a seal. Then the clamping device 10 is inserted over the seal and handle 34 is pressed radially inwards to clamp the assembly thereby sealing over the leak in the pipe. Naturally , the radial cut in sleeve 17 is positioned on the opposite side of the pipe from the leak.

The above embodiment provides a pipe coupling enabling sealed joints to be rapidly made between adjacent pipe ends. Moreover , the pipe clamp can be inserted radially over a pipe if desired and used in conjunction with a sealing sleeve or the like for rapidly forming a seal over a fault or leak in a pipe. In addition , the rib and groove arrangement ensures central location of the sealing sleeve with respect to the clamping assembly The clamping device , pipe coupling and sealing sleeve described above are applicable to a wide variety of situations and pipe diameters . For light duty applications , the clamping device could be fabricated from a plastics material. Usually however it will be formed from steel plate by an initial cutting operation followed by a series of machining operations

Claims

1. A clamping device ( 10 ) for pipes in the form of an actuable compression collar ( 12 ) insertable onto a pipe ( 14,16 ) and actuable to apply compression to sealing means applied to the pipe , the clamping device comprising first and second curved collar portions ( 18,20 ) ~) said collar portions being pivotally connected at one end ( 24,26 ) ; and actuable lever means ( 28 ) to move the other ends ( 30,32 ) of said collar portions towards and away from each other to apply said compression in use ; characterised in that said actuable lever means ( 28 ) is selectively connectible between said other ends ( 30,32 ) of said collar portions whereby when said other ends are not interconnected by said lever means the jaws ( 18,20 ) of the clamp may be opened to permit radial insertion onto a pipe ( 14,16 ) .)

2.A clamping device according to claim 1 characterised in that said actuable lever means comprises an over centre linkage

3. A clamping device according to claim 2 characterised in that said over centre linkage is mounted on one of said collar portions and is selectively linkable to the other collar portion to close said jaws prior to said application of compression

4. A clamping device according to claim 3 characterised in that said over centre linkage comprises a pivoted link member having an end formation selectively engageable with a complementary formation provided on the adjacent end of said other collar portion.

5. A clamping device according to claim 4 characterised in that said complementary formation provided on an adjacent end of said other collar portion comprises a slot formed in a flange or boss projecting radially from said other collar portion and said over centre linkage is mounted on a corresponding flange or boss formed on the adjacent end of said one collar portion

6. A clamping device according to claim 5 characterised in that said collar portions are such that they can be initially of identical form including said flanges or bosses at one end of each collar portion and further including bosses or flanges at their other ends to receive a pin for said pivotal connection

7. A clamping device for pipes substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings

8.A pipe coupling comprising a clamping device for pipes according to any one of the preceding claims in combination with a sealing sleeve for insertion into adjacent ends of two pipes to be coupled , or for insertion over a pipe to be repaired , said clamping device being adapted to co-operate with formations on said pipe ends and on said sealing sleeve to hold the assembly in a sealed condition.

9. A coupling according to claim 8 characterised in that said collar portions and said sealing sleeve are formed with circumferentially extending co-operating rib and groove means to locate said sleeve centrally with respect to an internal channel formed on said collar portions to receive formations on said pipe ends and on said sealing sleeve

10.A pipe coupling comprising a clamping device for pipes in the form of an actuable compression collar insertable onto a pipe and actuable to apply compression to sealing means applied to the pipe , in combination with a sealing sleeve for insertion onto adjacent ends of two pipes to be coupled , said clamping device being adapted to co-operate with formations on said pipe ends and on said sealing sleeve to hold the assembly in a sealed condition and said clamping device comprising pivoted collar portions , characterised in that said-collar portions and said sealing sleeve are formed with circumferentially extending co-operating rib and groove means to locate said sleeve centrally with respect to an internal channel formed on said collar portions to receive formations on said pipe ends and on said sealing sleeve.

11. A pipe coupling comprising a pipe clamping device and a sealing sleeve substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings

12. A sealing sleeve for a pipe coupling the sealing sleeve being substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

13. A sealing sleeve for a clamping device for pipes , the sealing sleeve comprising an inner cylindrical surface , frusto-conical outer end surfaces , and a central rib between said end surfaces , the rib being formed with a groove to co-operate with a complementary rib formed in a pipe clamping device therefor.