GB2301550A

GB2301550A - Pipe joining clamp

Info

Publication number: GB2301550A
Application number: GB9500820A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Nicholas Myers; Gordon Leslie Lilley; Ian Smith; Steven Garfield Farrar
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-01-17
Filing date: 1995-01-17
Publication date: 1996-12-11
Anticipated expiration: 2015-01-17
Also published as: GB9500820D0; GB2301550B

Abstract

A pipe joining clamp comprises two pairs of pivoted jaws which are attached to a base member. The jaws in each pair can be moved towards or away from each other by feedscrew means to clamp or release the ends of two pipe sections to be joined. Each jaw face is multi-faceted such that each pair of jaws can accommodate differing diameters of pipe.

Description

JOINT ASSISTING TOOL FOR THERMOPLASTICS This invention relates particularly but not necessarily exclusively to a device for restraining the movement of thermoplastic pipe sections whilst they are welded together specifically but also not exclusively by thermal heating, chemical solvent or mechanical jointing methods, whereby the joint is formed by the pipe sections being introduced into a coupler sleeve and the said sleeve becoming an integral part of the joint or where the pipes are joined end to end and any joint is caused by the application of heat and/or pressure.

In the jointing together of thermoplastic pipes using for example a heat fusion welding process it is known that to cause a joint of good integrity the movement or the pipes should be restricted relative to one another and the coupler sleeve throughout the molten and cooling phases. A device for limiting such movement would typically consist of two or more annular rings fixed to a solid or box section base or spacing bars. The rings being split with a hinge and clamp to allow opening. closing and locking as the pipes are fitted and removed. The positioning of the rings with rclation to the coupling sleeve would be that they are fixed around the pipes on either side of the coupler sleeve.the base or spacer transmitting any twisting or other movement across the jointing area.

The major limitation with the said method is that to join pipe sizes other than that consisting the inner diameter of the annular rings a series of reduction shells is required.

The incrcasing use of thermoplastic pipes of varying dimensions requires larger numbcrs of reducing shells. These shells are easily misplaced. as are their fixings, liable to damage or distortions, require skill to fit into position and make the whole clamping kit bulky and heavy, in addition, as different pipe sizes are introduced, further sets of new shells are required.

The object of the invention is to provide an assembly assisting tool which offers simplicity of operation, does not rely on a range of shells, provides positive location over a greater range of pipe sizes, accurately locates the configuration to be welded through a common centre line and has few external components, the invention may also be used in any position relative to the pipes to be joined.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 A view of the clamping jaw in profile Figure 2 A view of a keyplate Figure 3 A side view of a trunnion Figure 4 A side view of the jaw assembly Figure 5 An end view of the jaw assembly Figure 6 A perspective view of the invention According to the new invention there is provided a joint assisting tool comprising of two sets of opposing clamp jaws, (figure 5) the clamp jaw (figure l( in each case having a series of multi-contoured seating faces whose dimensions conform to the outer wall of the pipe to be clamped in shape, radii and position from a common centre line point.

The drawing together and opening of the clamp jaws being caused by the operation of a dual thread feedscrew, and it effect on a pair of trunnions (figure 3) fixed to the lower sections of the clamping jaws in opposition to one another. The effect of the feedscrew being to draw together or move apart of the lower sections of the jaws relative to one another. causing the upper sections to move in a direction opposile to their lower sections by their rotation about a hinge point.

The positions of the hinge point being free to move within a pre-cut slot in both pairs ofjaws but whose travel is limited in the vertical plain by a centre key plate assembly (figure 2).

The whole clamping assembly being moved in either direction by a feedscrew which may be operated through handwheels, a ratchet spanner or some motorised means.

Figure 4 shows a whole clamping means positioned on a base, for example, a square box section to give rigidity and stability as well as alignment.

Normally the base would carry more than one complete clamping means such that the position of the coupler sleeve would be for example, between the sets of clamping means, thejaws restraining the pipes either side of the coupler. Figure 6 shows the whole restraining clamp in perspective view.

Claims

1. A pipe joint assisting tool for holding pipes of similar or different diameters comprising pairs of opposing jaws into which multi contoured seating faces one cut. The position of the jaws and their seating faces being such that when positioned in an opposed relationship to one another they can be moved together so as to clamp a pipe between the faces.

2. A pipe joint assisting tool according to Claim 1. Wherein the jaws are relatively angularity moveable to adjust their opposed spacing.

3. A pipe joint assisting tool according to Claim 2 wherein the pairs of opposing jaws may be connected together parallel to one another and angularity positioned by a single means.

4. A pipe joint assisting tool according to Claim 3 wherein the means for positioning the rotating rotational axis of the clampingjaws. Comprises a screw means connecting to one or several trunnion means. Operation of the screw means in the one direction causing the trunnions to move away from or towards one another.

5. A pipe joint assisting tool wherein movement of the trunnions away from each other causes an opposite movement of the clamping jaws in a scissor action.

6. A pipe joint assisting tool according to Claims 1 to 5 in that the complete clamping means or a multiplicity thereof may be positioned on a rigid base plate or section to give alignment and stabilitv.

7. A pipe joint assisting tool according to Claim 6 wherein the complete clamping means are able to move independent of each other such that pipes of dissimilar size may be accommodated when a reduction or other fitting permitting a change in pipeline size is required.

8. A pipe joint assisting tool according to Claim 6 in that any number of clamping means may be positioned on a rigid base plate or section to assist in the straightening or alignment or curved or bended pipe prior to its entry into the coupling sleeve.

9. A pipe joint assisting tool according to Claim 8 in that the clamping means may be used to re round or re form pipe section of other than circular section.

10. A pipe joint assisting tool according to Claim 1 to 6 in that movement of the clamp is controlled by a keyplate to ensure uniformity ofjaw position.

11. A pipe joint assisting tool according to Claim 8 in that the rigid base plate or section may be positioned by angle brackets and additional base plates to accommodate angled bends and elbow connections to the supported pipework.

12. A pipe joint assisting tool according to any previous claims wherein the multi contours on the jaws are able to provide seating for pipe sizes from 55mm to 315mm outside diameter.

13. A pipe joint assisting tool substantially as described and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.