GB2266110A - Pipe or pile joint - Google Patents

Abstract

A pipe or male half-coupling member 1 has a flange member configuration 3 projecting beyond one of its ends for cooperating with a complementary internal wall configuration 17 on another pipe or female half-coupling member. The two configurations co-operate to form a joint between the pipes or half-coupling members. <IMAGE>

Description

PILE JOINT The present invention relates to a pipe such as a construction pile, and having a configuration enabling it to form a joint with another pipe.

Normally, in the construction of buildings, piling is plunged into the earth using a pile hammer. The piles have to be forced into the earth to a depth sufficient to provide a rigid enough support. Usually, a single pile is not adequate and one or more other piles have to be connected on top of the first in order to reach the required depth.

The joining of piles is very time consuming and causes significant delay to construction work. Conventionally, the pipe piles are interconnected either by welding or by the sleeve and screw system. These known systems are relatively slow and difficult.

GB 842 746 describes a system where a pair of hood members effect bayonet fit by virtue of radial bearing surface members on one of them being caused to interlock with bearing surface recess formations on the other, upon relative rotation. This is a mechanically complicated arrangement and the hood members are difficult to align prior to coupling.

Another relatively complex arrangement which is quite difficult to pre-align is described in GB 1 216 698. In this case, angularly spaced-apart lugs having an undercut portion and extend in the direction of the rotational movement used to effect bayonet fitting.

These lugs are arranged on an end surface of a coupling member and lock into corresponding recesses arranged between the lugs of a like coupling member.

A bayonet-type locking mechanism is also used by the system according to US 4 668 119 which employs a male half-coupling member and a female half-coupling member.

Axial grooves are interspersed with threaded axial ribs in a barrel of the male half-coupling member. The ribs and grooves slide between, respectively, corresponding axial grooves and threaded ribs on an internal cylindrical surface of the female half-coupling member.

Relative rotation then effects coupling of the two half-coupling members by co-operation of their respective threads. A locking mechanism to prevent counter-rotation is also employed. Although alignment is probably easier than the two known systems described above, this system is intended for marine pilings in offshore installations. Therefore, the structure of the coupling is complex and expensive to manufacture.

All of the aforementioned known systems also result in a coupling joint which is relatively rigid and, therefore, prone to stress cracking under load.

We have now devised an improved system which allows members such as pipes or piles to be connected together much more quickly and easily and which is yet simpler and less expensive to manufacture than the aforementioned conventional systems. It also allows more elasticity in the resultant joint.

Thus, a first aspect of the present invention provides a coupling arrangement comprising a male half-coupling member having a flange member extending axially beyond an end thereof and a female half-coupling member having an opening of sufficient internal diameter to receive said flange member of the male half-coupling member, said flange member having an edge configuration capable of co-operating with a corresponding internal wall configuration within the opening of the female half-coupling member for effecting a joint between said male and female half-coupling members.

Preferably, the edge configuration and the internal wall configuration are configured so that the joint can be effected by a bayonet fit relative action by said male and female half-coupling members.

According to one general arrangement, the internal wall configuration of the female half-coupling member comprises an internal peripheral flange or projection.

Preferably, the internal peripheral flange or projection is slotted to allow said flange member of the male half-coupling member to pass therethrough. It is also preferred for the internal peripheral flange member to be angled obliquely to the access of symmetry of the female half-coupling member for permitting a progressive locking action when the joint is effected.

In one variant, the edge configuration is an indent for receiving the internal peripheral flange. Preferably, the indent is formed on one side of the flange member and a corresponding indent is formed upon a second side of the flange member.

In another variant, a groove is formed around said internal peripheral flange or projection, facing the flange member for receiving a projection from one side thereof. Preferably, a second projection is formed on the second side of the flange member, also for being received in the groove of the internal peripheral flange or projection.

The applicants may also claim independently, a male half-coupling member or a female half-coupling member according to the first aspect of the present invention.

The male and female half-coupling members may be provided alone or integral with or formed on or attached to any item to be coupled. This may, for example, be a construction pile, which may be solid, hollow or a combination of both. According to a preferred embodiment described hereinbelow, the male and female half-coupling members are formed on ends of pipes which are filled with concrete slurry. In this way, construction piles are formed complete with the half-coupling members at respective ends thereof.

Thus, a second aspect of the present invention provides a pipe having a configuration in the vicinity of one end thereof for cooperation with a complementary configuration on another pipe for effecting a bayonet fit between said two configurations to form a joint between the two pipes, said pipe having a second configuration in the vicinity of a second end remote from said one end, said second configuration corresponding to the complementary configuration on the other pipe, and wherein said configuration comprises a first flange extending generally axially beyond said one end and said second configuration comprises a second flange extending generally radially from the inner wall of the pipe in the vicinity of said second end.

Preferably, a second configuration is provided in the vicinity of a second end remote from the said one end.

This second configuration corresponds to the aforementioned complimentary configuration on the "other" pipe. In other words, each pipe has two different kinds of configuration which form a bayonet fit with the complimentary different configuration on another pipe. In this way, any desired number of such pipes may be connected together.

Most preferably, the first-mentioned configuration comprises a first flange which extends generally axially beyond the one end and the second configuration comprises a second flange which extends generally radially from the inner wall of the pipe in the vicinity of the second end. The second flange may be provided with a gap, or more preferably a pair of mutually opposing gaps into which the first flange is located.

If one of the flanges is provided with a slot for receiving the other flange, or a projection therefrom, the pipes can be locked together by a relative twisting motion. For example, the first flange may be provided with a slot (cut-away portion) along one edge, most preferably with a second such slot (cut-away portion) at a corresponding position along a further edge opposite said one edge. In that case, the first flange may be inserted through the gaps in the second flange until the slot(s) in the first flange are lined with the second flange. Twisting motion of one pipe relative to the other then secures the joint.

If the second flange is non-perpendicular to the axis of the pipe, then the twisting motion will progressively force the two flange members into contact to provide a securing or locking action.

It is also preferred for the pipe, preferably adjacent the second end, to be provided with a guide means such as one or more flanges extending from the end of the pipe to guide another such pipe into end contact therewith, to facilitate accurate mating.

As mentioned above, one conventional pipe joint system requires accurate alignment of two piles before welding them together. This can be very time consuming. Using the coupling system of the present invention, joining of the two pipe piles can be accomplished by simply turning and preferably locking the two together.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the new pipe is fitted into the pipe that is in earth and turned in a clock-wise direction. Thus, the two pipes can be locked together. The piles are then held together by frictional force. The whole process takes only a few minutes. The joining steel pipe piles according to the present invention requires no welding machine, welding tools or any other special tools.

The other conventional system, ie the "sleeve and screw" has stringent requirements for the size and tolerance of the piles. If the size and tolerance are not within specification, the pile will not form a joint successfully. There is however, no such problem with the pipe coupling system of the present invention.

The components of the pipe according to the present invention are simple and easy to fabricate. The components can be made at the work site and to be ready for use almost immediately.

The "sleeve and screw" method depends very much for its success on the quality of workmanship. Poor workmanship may result in the sleeve giving way to the load during the joining process. Pipe piles according to the present invention have passed several tests such as a bending test, tensile test, and heavy driving test. The bent load for 150 steel pipe piles according to the invention has been found to be 170kw. The tensile strength was found to be 320kw and no incident of breakage was observed during the heavy driving test at zero set point.

Pipe piles according to the present invention are very useful for indoor piling. Due to limited head-room, usually only piles of 1. 5 to 2 meters in length can be used. Twenty such pile joints would be needed to reach a foundation depth of 30 meters. It would be very costly and time consuming to use the "sleeve and screw" system as compared to the present invention which is more reliable and economical.

In the application of construction piles, the fabrication of joints using pipes according to the present invention is simple and the process of joining piles easy and straight forward. Therefore this system helps to increase productivity and work efficiency. It demands no special techniques and no lathing is involved. The amount of material needed for fabrication is minimal and thus drastically reduces the cost of the joint. It is possible to make the joint so that it is ready for use immediately at the work site. Moreover, there is no restriction on the size of the piles. Piles of any diameter can be used.

Pipes according to a preferred embodiment of the invention to be described hereinbelow have a number of especially preferred features: 1. A pipe intended for joining onto another one, eg. that is in the earth has a rectangular plate eg. of mild steel, with an indentation on both sides.

2. The other such pipe eg. that is not in the earth, has two pieces of crescent-shaped plates eg. of steel, welded facing each other on its inner wall. The position of the plates is axially slanted at a certain degree. There is a gap between the two crescent-shape steel plates where the rectangular plate of the other pipe can fit in.

3. Most preferably, at either end of the pipe, the design is different. At one end a rectangular plate, eg. of mild steel, an indentation on both sides, is welded in it. At the other end, the inner pipe has two pieces of crescent-shape plates, eg. of steel welded facing each other on its inner wall. The position of the plates are axially slanted at a certain degree.

There is a gap between the two crescent-shape plates.

The present invention will now be explained in more detail by the following description of a preferred embodiment and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows an upper radial section through a pipe according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows an axial section glued along the line II-II of the pipe of section shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a lower radial section of the pipe shown in Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 shows an axial section along the line IV-IV shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 shows how an upper section of one pipe as shown in Figures 1-4 locks with a lower section of a like said pipe; and Figure 6 shows an alternative interfitting arrangement to that shown in Figures 1-4 and Figure 5.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the upper region of a pipe 1 is provided with a diametric axially extending flange in the form of a rectangular steel plate 3 welded to its inner wall 5. The plate extends beyond the end 7 of the upper region of the pipe.

The flange extends into the upper region of the pipe 1 and is attached to the internal wall thereof by welding.

Opposing side edges 9, 11 which extends beyond the end of the pipes are provided with respective opposing slots or indentations 13, 15.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the lower section of the pipe 1 is provided with an internal radially extending flange 17 welded to the inner wall 5. The radially extending flange comprises two crescent-shape steel plates 19, 21 separated by opposing gaps 23, 25. These gaps are sufficiently wide to allow insertion of the lower edge 27 of the steel plate 3 from the upper part of a like said pipe.

Two upwardly depending guide flanges 27, 29 extend from the open end 31 of the lower section. These are for assisting matting with the upper end.

As shown in Figure 5, the lower and upper ends are brought together assisted by the guide flanges 27, 29.

The lower edge 27 of the steel plate in the upper section is slotted between the gaps 23, 25 in the flange 17 until the slots 13, 15 in the steel plate are aligned with the crescent-shaped plates 19, 21. At this point, it should be noted that the flange 17 defined by the two crescent-shaped plates is angled relative to the access of the pipe.

Relative rotational motion is then effected between the two pipes so that the slot 13, 15 ride over the crescent-shaped plates 19, 21. Since the plates are angled, as rotation progresses, the insides of the slots 13, 15 progressively engage with the crescent-shaped plates to secure and lock the thus formed joint.

When the joint is complete there is a very small gap between the two pile pipes which lends "elasticity" to the system. When dynamic force is applied on the downstroke of a piling hammer, it will be transferred from one pile to the other without damaging the components of the joints or the pile due to the gap clearance between the notches and the pile ends. When the hammer is released, the gap between the lower surfaces of the notches is closed and the gap between the piles is opened. This allows the joint to follow the cyclic movement of the pile driving process. This design is therefore original, simple and convenient. It is also easy to repair and maintain, decreasing downtime and increasing efficiency. It is simple to manufacture, install and is able to withstand vibrational forces, overcoming many problems of the pre-existing joint designs.

In the light of this disclosure, persons skilled in the art will readily be able to envisage modifications of the described embodiment, together with other embodiments, all within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Thus, for example, an alternative configuration may be constructed as shown in Figure 6. Here, instead of the steel plate 3 in the upper part, a different shaped plate 31 may be fabricated having a wider upper part 33 welded to the inner wall 5 of the pipe as in the previously described embodiment but with a narrower part 35.

Instead of the flange 17 comprising the two crescent-shaped plates 19, 21 it comprises an annular slotted member 37 defining a slot 39. The lower part 35 of the modified steel plate is provided with two side protrusions 41, a3 from respective opposing side edges thereof. These protrusions ride in the slot 39. In order for this configuration to be successful, the annular slotted or grooved member 37 must be provided with appropriately located gaps to allow the side protrusions 41, 43 to be positioned correctly.

Claims (25)

1. A coupling arrangement comprising a male half-coupling member having a flange member extending axially beyond an end thereof and a female half-coupling member having an opening of sufficient internal diameter to receive said flange member of the male half-coupling member, said flange member having an edge configuration capable of co-operating with a corresponding internal wall configuration within the opening of the female half-coupling member for effecting a joint between said male and female half-coupling members.

2. A coupling arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the edge configuration and the internal wall configuration are configured so that the joint can be effected by a bayonet fit relative action by said male and female half-coupling members.

3. A coupling arrangement according to either preceding claim, wherein said internal wall configuration comprises an internal peripheral flange.

d. A coupling arrangement according to claim 3, wherein said internal peripheral flange is slotted to allow said flange member to pass therethrough.

5. A coupling arrangement according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein said internal peripheral flange is angled obliquely to the axis of symmetry of said female half-coupling member for permitting a progressive locking action when the joint is effected.

6. A coupling arrangement according to any of claims 3-5, wherein said edge configuration is an indent for receiving said internal peripheral flange.

7. A coupling arrangement according to claim 6, wherein said indent is formed on one side of the flange member and a corresponding indent is formed on a second side of the flange member.

8. A coupling arrangement according to any of claims 3-5, wherein a groove is formed around said internal peripheral flange, facing the flange member for receiving a projection from one side of said flange member.

9. A coupling arrangement according to claim 8, wherein a second projection is formed on a second side of the flange member also for being received in the groove of said internal peripheral flange.

10. A male half-coupling member of a coupling arrangement according to any preceding claim.

11. A female half-coupling member of a coupling arrangement according to any of claims 1-8.

12. A pipe having a configuration in the vicinity of one end thereof for cooperation with a complementary configuration on another pipe for effecting a bayonet fit between said two configurations to form a joint between the two pipes, said pipe having a second configuration in the vicinity of a second end remote from said one end, said second configuration corresponding to the complementary configuration on the other pipe, and wherein said configuration comprises a first flange extending generally axially beyond said one end and said second configuration comprises a second flange extending generally radially from the inner wall of the pipe in the vicinity of said second end.

13. A pipe according to claim 12, wherein said second flange is provided with a gap for receiving said first flange.

14. A pipe according to claim 13, wherein said second flange is provided with a pair of mutually opposing gaps for receiving said first flange

15. A pipe according to any of claims 12-14, wherein one of said first and second flanges is provided with a slot for receiving the other flange or a projection therefrom.

16. A pipe according to any of claims 12-14, wherein said first flange is provided with a slot along an edge thereof, for receiving said second flange.

17. A pipe according to claim 16, wherein said second flange is provided with a further slot along a further edge opposite said one edge and also for receiving said second flange.

18. A pipe according to any of claims 12-17, wherein said second flange is non-perpendicular to the axis of the pipe.

19. A pipe according to any of claims 12-18, and having guide means extending from an end thereof.

20. A pipe according to claim 19, wherein said guide means comprises a pair of opposing further flanges extending from said second end.

21. A pipe according to any of claims 12-20, said pipe being in the form of a construction pile.

22. A set of pipes according to any of claims 12-21.

23. A pipe substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

24. A male half-coupling member substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of Figures 1,2,5 or 6 of the accompanying drawings.

25. A female half-coupling member substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of Figures 3-6 of the accompanying drawings.