GB2256691A

GB2256691A - Manhandling pipes

Info

Publication number: GB2256691A
Application number: GB9126624A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gordon Harrison; George Albert Lees; Nigel Wayne Stenner
Original assignee: UPONOR BV
Current assignee: UPONOR BV
Priority date: 1991-05-31
Filing date: 1991-12-16
Publication date: 1992-12-16
Anticipated expiration: 2011-12-16
Also published as: GB2256691B; HK99494A; GB9111777D0; GB9126624D0; GB2256252A

Abstract

An elongate hollow member (1) having at least one open end, the hollow member being a pipe, a sleeve, a pipe fitting, or a connecting piece for a pipe, and having on its external surface means (2, 3, 4) for lifting, moving or rotating the hollow member by hand, which lifting, moving or rotating means comprises: (a) at least one functional member secured to the hollow member or integrally moulded therewith, and extending outwardly therefrom, said functional member being shaped so that it can be gripped or held by hand; or (b) at least one securing or mounting means adapted to co-operate and engage with a functional member so shaped that it can be gripped or held by hand; or (c) at least one surface feature or indentation adapted to provide hand gripping means. <IMAGE>

Description

22-, Qt) -?J 1 ELONGATE HOLLOW MEMBER This invention relates to elongate

hollow members, and more particularly to elongate hollow members in the form of pipes and conduits, especially plastic pipes and pipe fittings.

Plastics pipes are now widely used in place of the more traditional earthenware and metal pipes for carrying fluids, for example, in the water, water treatment, and gas industries. various fittings are used to join lengths of plastic pipe, of which thermoplastic heat-fusion pipe fittings are extremely popular. The designs for such fittings fall into three basic types. Firstly, those having an electric heating element which is embedded in the body of the f itting and located in close proximity to the surface of the fitting that is to be joined to the pipe by heat fusion. In the second type, the fitting may have a metal core embedded in the body thereof, in which eddy currents can be induced by the action of an induction coil thereby producing a heating effect in the core. Thirdly, there are those fittings which are intended to be heated by the application of an external heat source, for' example, heat recoverable pipe fittings.

In recent years, both the pipes and the pipe fittings have become larger and more dif f icult to manoeuvre by hand. once a pipe or 2 pipe fitting becomes of such a size that it is too large for the hand to extend more than part way round the circumference, it is necessary to use two hands to lift the pipe, either by passing the hands underneath the pipe, or by inserting the fingers into the ends of the pipe if the pipe length is short enough to do so. This situation pertains to most pipes and pipe fittings of an external diameter greater than about 180 mms.

Long lengths of plastic pipe are often laid in a trench, and joined using thermoplastic heat-fusion pipe fittings. it is frequently necessary to manhandle the pipe fitting, in order to locate the fitting in the correct position, by rotation, swivelling, and/or sliding the fitting into place. In addition, it is often necessary to turn the fitting in order to attach electrical connections to the heating element. In carrying out these operations, particularly under wet or muddy conditions, difficulties in manhandling the heavier, larger diameter pipes and pipe fittings are frequently experienced, and it is also not uncommon for the internal surface of the pipe fitting to become contaminated with mud from the trench. The present invention provides a pipe or pipe fitting which can be readily lifted, moved, or rotated by hand thereby alleviating the difficulties hitherto experienced.

In one aspect, the present invention provides an elongate hollow member having at least one open end, the hollow member being a 3 sleeve, a pipe fitting or a connecting piece for a pipe, and having on its external surface means for lifting, moving, or rotating the hollow member by hand, which means comprises:- (1) at least one functional member secured to the hollow member or integrally moulded therewith, and extending outwardly therefrom, said functional member being so shaped that it can be gripped or held by hand; or (2) at least one securing or mounting means adapted to cooperate and engage with a functional member so as to secure or mount the functional member on the hollow member, the functional member being so shaped that it can be gripped or held by hand; or (3) at least one surface feature or indentation on or in the hollow member adapted to provide hand gripping or holding means.

The arrangement being such that the hollow member can be lifted, moved or rotated by hand using the functional member without touching the internal surface of the hollow member and without passing the hands underneath the hollow member.

In this invention the functional member is preferably dedicated to its purpose, that is to say it preferably should not be associated with secondary functions such as, for example, making electrical connections, connections to another member, or passing a fluid into or out of said hollow member. The functional member 4 may be subjected to quite severe mechanical stresses in use, and such secondary functions may well be hindered or damaged if associated therewith.

Although the invention may find application with elongate hollow members such as lightweight metal sleeves, pipe fittings and connecting pieces, f or example those made of iron, copper or steel, it is particularly advantageous for use with plastics sleeves, pipe fittings and connecting pieces, for example, those made from plastics materials such as polyolef ins, for example, polyethylene or polypropylene. Other suitable plastics materials are vinyl resins f or example, polyvinylchloride; polystyrene; or Preferably the plastics material is a thermoplastic material, or a cross- linked thermoplastic material, for example, cross linked polyethylene.

acrvlic resins The invention is primarily applicable to relatively short hollow members, for example sleeves or fittings adapted for sliding over or into other pipes, or connecting pieces. However, the invention is applicable to any length of sleeve, pipe fitting or connecting piece and the longer the hollow member, the greater the number of functional members which is desirable. Thus the length of the hollow member may range from a f ew cms, say f or example about 5 cms, to several metres, f or example up to 3 metres. Preferably the length of the hollow member is from about 10 cms to about 60 cms. The invention finds particular 1 application when the maximum diameter of the pipe is greater than about 180 mms, especially greater than 250 mms and particularly up to and including 315 mms or more.

The functional member may be secured to the hollow member, for example, by welding or fusion or may be integrally moulded to the hollow member. The integral moulding is especially suitable when the hollow member is made of plastics material and relatively short. In another embodiment, the functional member can be a separate item, having means for attachment to a boss or other mounting means moulded into the external surface of the hollow member.

In a preferred aspect of the invention, the functional member can take the f orm of a handle which is so shaped that it can be gripped or held by the hand so as to be able to lift or move the hollow member. Thus, one f orm of handle primarily designed f or lifting the hollow member from one place to another is a T-shape member integrally moulded with or attached to the hollow member, for example, by means of a screw-threaded boss or similar mounting means so that the top of the T is spaced from the hollow member. The top of the T can run substantially parallel to the axis of the hollow member, or at an angle thereto. Clearly, the "vertical" portion of the T will have to be long enough f or the fingers of the hand to be able to be inserted between the "horizontal" portion of the T and the pipe. Another suitable 6 form of handle would be a loop in which the f ingers could be inserted.

Other forms of handle which are primarily intended to facilitate the manoeuvring of the hollow member as opposed to facilitating the lifting of the hollow member are simple rods extending outwards from the surface of the hollow member, ie, extending radially outwards if the hollow member is of circular crosssection. These rods may have indentations for the fingers, and may be slightly tapered if desired but these features are not essential. For lifting the hollow member, it will usually be necessary to provide two directly opposed rods, and if the pipe is circular, they can be diametrically opposed. However, one suitably shaped rod may be used in some cases, particularly where its function is mainly to facilitate rotation of the hollow member.

In a preferred construction, the elongate hollow member may comprise a pipe of circular section having one T-shaped handle and two diametrically opposed rods, which may be tapered handles.

In another embodiment, the hollow member is provided with a least one surface feature or indentation adapted to provide hand gripping means. The surface feature may be proud of the surface of the hollow member., for example, it may comprise corrugations, or a knurled region extending around the hollow member 7 circumference. Alternatively, the hand gripping means may comprise indentations having recessed or under-cut portions into which the fingers can be inserted so as to grip the hollow member. In the latter embodiment the gripping means may be flush with the surface, which can provide an advantage in certain circumstances.

As previously mentioned, the invention is particularly adapted for use with thermoplastic heat-fusion pipe fitting systems which are used, for example, for joining lengths of plastic pipe. In these systems, the pipe fitting has a body portion adapted to accommodate plastic pipes at both ends. The pipe fitting has an electrical heating element which is embedded therein and which is connected to terminals outside the body portion, to which terminals electric power is supplied on installation. When the heating element is powered, the pipe fitting softens in the locality of the heating element and fuses the fitting to the pipes located in the ends of the body portion. Some fusion of the pipe surface may also occur when thermoplastic pipes such as, for example, polyethylene pipes are used, thus strengthening the bond. In an alternative embodiment, the pipe fitting may be provided with an adhesive on its internal surface, which is activated by heat from the heating element to melt and form a bond.

Preferably both the pipes to be joined and the hollow member of 8 the invention are made from the same plastics material, most preferably polyethylene.

The invention provides a great advance in easing the carrying or transporting of sleeves, pipe fittings and connecting pieces around a site, but there are also further advantages. It has been found that operators can handle a pipe fitting without gripping the internal (fused area) surface of the fitting, thereby eliminating a potential source of contamination. Particularly for polyethylene pipes, the surfaces of which are glossy and slippery, it has been found that the presence of one or more functional members improves the ability of the operator to locate the fitting in the correct position by rotating, swivelling and/or sliding the fitting or coupling into place. Additionally it has been found that when the pipes are buried underground, the functional members which protrude from the pipe, provide additional anchorage against pipe displacement due to expansion and contraction of the system. They thus act as soil stress anchors along the pipeline.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to and as illustrated in figures 1 and 2 of the drawings in which Figure 1. is a perspective view of a pipe fitting of the invention; and Figure 2. shows in perspective the handing of the pipe fitting.

9 Referring to the f igures, pipe f itting 1 is provided with two diametrically located, tapered handles 2 and 3. Also provided is a Tshaped handle 4.

From figure 2 the manoeuvring of the fitting over two pipes 5 and 6 is shown.

-10 CULINS An elongate hollow member having at least one open end, the hollow member being a sleeve, a pipe fitting, or a connecting piece f or a pipe, and having on its external surf ace means for lifting, moving or rotating the hollow member by hand, which lifting, moving or rotating means comprises:

(a) at least one functional member secured to the hollow member or integrally moulded therewith, and extending outwardly therefrom, said functional member being shaped so that it can be gripped or held by hand; or (b) at least one securing or mounting means adapted to cooperate and engage with a functional member so shaped that it can be gripped or held by hand; or (c) at least one surf ace f eature or indentation adapted to provide hand gripping means.

The arrangement being such that the hollow member can be lifted, moved or rotated by hand using the functional member or had gripping means, without touching the internal surface of the hollow member, and without passing the hands underneath the hollow member.

-11 2. An elongate hollow member according to claim I which is made of thermoplastic material, preferably polyethylene.

3. An elongate hollow member according to claim 1 or 2 which is a heatfusion pipe fitting.

4. An elongate hollow member according to any of the preceding claims which has a circular cross-section and has one Tshaped handle and two diametrically opposed tapered handles.

- 1,1 - Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows An elongate hollow member having at least one open end, the hollow member being a sleeve, a pipe fitting, or a connecting piece for a pipe, and having on its external surface means for lifting, moving or rotating the hollow member by hand, which lifting, moving or rotating means comprises:

(a) at least one functional member secured to the hollow member or integrally moulded therewith, and extending outwardly therefrom, said functional member being shaped so that it can be gripped or held by hand; or (b) at least one securing or mounting means adapted to co-operate and engage with a functional member so shaped that it can be gripped or held by hand; or (c) at least one surface feature or indentation adapted to provide hand gripping means.

The arrangement being such that the hollow member can be lifted, moved or rotated by hand using the functional member or hand gripping means, without touching the internal surface of the hollow member, and without passing the hands underneath the hollow member.

- j3 ' A pipe having secured thereto or integrally moulded therewith at least one member, at least a portion thereof extending outwards from the outer surface of the pipe, said member being shaped so that it can be gripped or held by hand so as to be able to lift or move the pipe, and said member not being associated with electrical connections, not being adapted to be connected to another member and not being adapted to pass a fluid into or out of said pipe.

Claims

A pipe according to Claim 2 wherein the pipe is a sleeve, fitting or

connecting piece.

4.

An elongate hollow member or pipe according to any of the preceding claims, which is made of thermoplastic material, preferably polyethylene.

5. An elongate hollow member or pipe according to any of the preceeding claims, having a length of from 10 cms to 60 cms and a diameter of from 180 mms to 315 mins.

An elongate hollow member or pipe according to any of the preceding claims, which has a circular cross-section and has a T-shaped handle and/or two diametrically opposed tapered handles.

0 t 14-, An elongate hollow member or pipe according to any of the preceeding claims, that comprises a heat-fusion pipe fitting.

8. An elongate hollow member or pipe according to claim 1 or 2 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The handling of an elongate hollow member having at least one open end, the hollow member being a sleeve, a pipe fitting, or a connecting piece for a pipe, and having on its external surface means for lifting, moving or rotating the hollow member by hand, which lifting, moving or rotating means comprises:

(a) at least one functional member secured to the hollow member or integrally moulded therewith, and extending outwardly therefrom, said functional member being shaped so that it can be gripped or held by hand; or (b) at least one securing or mounting means adapted to co-operate and engage with a functional member so shaped that it can be gripped or held by hand; or (c) at least one surface feature or indentation adapted to provide hand gripping means.

r 1:,- The arrangement being such that the hollow member can be lifted, moved or rotated by hand using the functional member or hand gripping means, without touching the internal surface of the hollow member, and without passing the hands underneath the hollow member.

10. The handling of a pipe wherein the pipe has secured thereto or integrally moulded therewith at least one member, at least a portion of the member extending outwards from the outer surface of the pipe, said member being shaped so that it can be gripped or held by the hand so as to be able to lift or move the pipe.

11. The lifting or moving of an elongate hollow member or pipe according to claims 7 or 8 wherein the pipe is as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6.