GB2358363A

GB2358363A - Pipe shaping

Info

Publication number: GB2358363A
Application number: GB9929866A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Warrick James Reynolds
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-12-18
Filing date: 1999-12-18
Publication date: 2001-07-25
Also published as: GB9929866D0

Abstract

Pipe shaping apparatus 10 and method of using same. The apparatus 10 comprises locating means having a two part body 22 in which a pipe 62 to be shaped can be received. A shaping member 48 is provided in threaded engagement with a thread 46 on operating means 36. The shaping member 48 comprising three identical parts 50 locatable within a pipe 62 received in the body 22. Rotation of the operating means 36 causes the parts 50 of the member 48 to move apart from one another to shape the pipe 62 as required.

Description

2358363 PIPE SRAPING This invention concerns apparatus for shaping pipes,

a method of shaping pipes, and a method of bending pipes.

Copper and other pipes are used to a considerable extent in for instance plumbing. Piping is provided in straight lengths and can be bent to a required radius in a pipe bender. Alternatively angled connections can be provided, these conventionally providing an inclination between the two ends of either 901, or 450. However, in many plumbing applications pipes with different bends are required, and difficulties can be encountered in providing specific bends and particularly in short lengths of pipe. Particular problems can for instance be encountered in connecting two parallel pipes which are offset from each other a short distance and are relatively close to each other.

According to the present invention there is provided pipe shaping apparatus, the apparatus comprising a shaping member locatable in a pipe, and operating means for causing the shaping member to engage against the inside walls of the pipe to change the shape of the pipe walls.

The shaping member is preferably arranged to be movable between a rest condition wherein it can be slid into the pipe, and a condition contacting the inside walls of the pipe, and further movement away from the rest condition causes engagement with the side walls of the pipe to cause shaping thereof.

The part of the shaping member engageable against the inside wall of the pipe is preferably contoured to provide a corresponding contour on the pipe. The contouring may comprise a plurality of circumferential proJections so as to produce a concertina shape in the pipe.

The shape member may comprise a plurality of parts locatable together in the rest condition in a configuration with a substantially annular crosssection, and being movable radially outwards to engage and thereby shape the 2 pipe.

The operating means is preferably engageable axially between the partS of the shape member to selectively move the parts away from the rest condition.

The axial space between the shape member parts, and/or the part of th- e operating means engageable with said parts, is preferably substantially frust( conical, and desirably said space and said part of the operating means each have a corresponding frusto conical shape such that relative axial movement: causes radial movement of the parts.

The inner faces of the shaping member parts, and the operating meme may be threadingly engageable such that relative rotational movement causes relative axial and hence radial movement.

The shaping member may be spring urged to a rest condition. One or,,: more resilient members may extend circumferentially around the shaping member, and the or each member may extend around a part or parts of smalle., radius than the remainder thereof, and said part or parts may be provided ala 1 end or the ends of the shaping member.

The operating member is preferably arranged to extend beyond an enj the pipe, and a handle may be provided at or adjacent a free end of the operating member to assist rotation thereof. The operating member is preferably elongate with an end part engageable with the shaping member.

The apparatus preferably also comprises means for locating a pipe to ht shaped.

Part of the locating means may be contoured such that when the shap member engages with the pipe the outer wall of the pipe is urged against said contoured part to substantially adopt the shape thereof.

3 The shape of the contoured part of the locating means preferably corresponds to the shape of the contoured part of the shaping means.

The locating means preferably comprises two parts between which the pipe can be held. The two parts of the locating means are preferably arranged so as to be selectively movable between an open condition where the pipe can be placed therebetween, and a closed condition holding the pipe. The two parts of the locating means are preferably pivotally connected.

The locating means is preferably engageable with the operating means, and the operating means may be threadably mounted on the locating means.

Means may be provided to prevent relative rotation between the shaping means and the locating means.

The invention also provides a method of shaping a pipe, the method comprising using apparatus according to any of the preceding fifteen paragraphs and causing the shaping member to engage against the inside walls of the pipe.

The invention still further provides a method of bending a pipe, the method comprising shaping the pipe by the above method, and subsequently bending the pipe about the shaped part thereof.

The pipe may be manually bent. Where the pipe is copper it is preferably heated and allowed to cool prior to shaping thereof.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic sectional side view of pipe shaping apparatus according to the invention in use; and 4 Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of part of a component of tile apparatus of Fig. 1.

The drawings show pipe shaping apparatus 10 comprising locating means 12. The locating means comprises an outer cylindrical sleeve 14 whi' h is closed at one end 16 with an axial threaded through hole 18.

A pipe engagement part 20 is provided at the opposite end of the sleeVe 14. The part 20 comprises a two part body 22, which parts are pivotally connected by a hinge 24. A co-axial passage 26 is defined through the body,2,: with the two parts of the body 22 each defining one side of the passage 26 s'ch that when closed together the passage 26 is open only at each end, but when the parts are open both sides of the passage 26 are exposed. A substantially central part of the passage 26 is provided with a plurality of grooves 28 for purpose hereinafter to be described. Alignable holes 30 are provided in each,:

c the parts of the body 22 spaced from the hinge 24 to permit the two parts w b held together by a suitable bolt, clip or the like. A two part annular rubber sea I 32 is provided around the end of the passage 26 away from the end 16.

The locating means 12 also comprises an inner cylindrical co-axial sleCIV 34 of a greater size than the hole 18 but spaced from the sleeve 14. The sleeve 34 extends from the end 16 to a short distance from the engagement part 20, The apparatus 10 also comprises an operating means 36. The operatitI means 36 comprises an elongate member 38 which extends through the hole and into the passage 26. The part of the member 38 which extends through'I 0 hole 18 is provided with a thread 40 engageable with the thread in the hole 1,ig, A transverse handle 42 is provided on the free end of the member 38 away fr,io P the engagement part 20. The other end 44 of the member 38 tapers in a fru:t( conical configuration and is provided with a thread 46.

A shaping member 48 part of which is shown in Fig. 2, is provided whc threadably engages on thethread 46 on the member 38. The member 48 comprises three identical parts 50 engageable together to define an annular cross-section. A through passage 52 is defined between the three parts 50, and the passage 52 is of a corresponding frusto conical shape to the end 44, and has a thread 54 thereon engageable with the thread 46.

The main portion of each of the parts SO as well as defining the passage a 2 provides the member 48 with a cylindrical shape with a plurality of circumferential projections 56 of a size and spacing equivalent to the grooves 28. Each end 58 of the member 48 is of smaller plain cylindrical cross-section. A resilient clip 60 is provided extending around each end 58 to urge the parts 50 together.

In use a pipe 62 which for instance requires bending is located in the apparatus 10 extending between the inner and outer sleeves 34,14. The body 22 will generally be open to accept the pipe 62 and thereafter will be closed. The shaping member 48 will locate within the pipe 62. Rotation of the member 38 using the handle 42 in an anti-clockwise direction will cause the member 38 to move to the left as shown in Fig. 1. Simultaneously the end 44 will rotate relative to the member 48 and move further thereinto thereby causing the parts 50 to move apart from each other.

The parts 50 will thus be moved apart to engage against the inside of the pipe 62 and subsequently to urge the pipe 62 against the sides of the passage 26. This will cause the projections 56 to form corresponding ribs in the walls of the pipe 62, which ribs will extend into the grooves 28 to provide a concertined section of the pipe 62.

Once this has been completed which can be detected by an increased resistive force against further rotation of the handle 42, the handle 42 can be rotated in an opposite direction to release the shaping member 48. As the member 38 moves to the right as shown in Fig. 1, the parts SO will be urged back towards each other by virtue of the clips 60. The body 22 can then be opened to permit the pipe 62 to be removed therefrom. The concertined part 6 can now relatively readily be bent by hand to a required shape. The ends of 1h e pipe 52 can be connected in a conventional manner.

There is thus described apparatus which permits a concertined sectiop i o readily be formed in a pipe to permit the pipe to be manually bent to a requie inclination. This permits a very wide range of sizes and shapes of connecting pipes to be formed. In the case of copper pipes the pipe would generally be heated until red and then allowed to cool prior to shaping, to render the pipe more malleable. The apparatus is of relatively straightforward construction 4r can thus be inexpensively and robustly manufactured.

The apparatus can be used to shape different lengths and types of pi Pe and can obviously be made different sizes for different diameters of pipe. If required a plurality of different length shaping members could be provided P permit different lengths of concertined sections to be provided. Longer leng of concertined section could be provided by simply moving the pipe further down the apparatus and forming ad,jacent sections. Means may be provided i,rcr preventing rotation of the shaping member at least initially into engagemenithereof with the pipe, and for instance a pro ection or recess thereon could N 'j engageable with a corresponding projection or recess on the end of the inneT sleeve.

Various other modifications may be made without departing from thei',. scope of the invention. For example the inner sleeve may not be required. li certain instances the engagement part may not be required and the operatin, means could simply engage with the shaping member located in a pipe.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to i those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it sho Jl J be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentaot feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in th drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

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Claims

1. Pipe shaping apparatus, the apparatus comprising a shaping member locatable in a pipe, and operating means for causing the shaping member to engage against the inside walls of the pipe to change the shape of the pipe walls.

2. Pipe shaping apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the part of the shaping member engageable against the inside wall of the pipe is contoured to provide a corresponding contour on the pipe.

3. Pipe shaping apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the contouring comprises a plurality of circumferential projections so as to produce a concertina shape in the pipe.

4. Pipe shaping apparatus according to any of claims I to 3, wherein the shaping member is arranged to be movable between a rest condition wherein it can be slid into the pipe, and a condition contacting the inside walls of the pipe, and further movement away from the rest condition causes engagement with the side walls of the pipe to cause shaping thereof.

S. Pipe shaping apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the shaping member comprises a plurality of parts locatable together in the rest condition in a configuration with a substantially annular cross-section, and being movable radially outwards to engage and thereby shape the pipe.

6. Pipe shaping apparatus according to claim S, wherein the operating means is engageable axially between the parts of the shaping member to selectively move the parts away from the rest condition.

7. Pipe shaping apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the axial space between the shape member parts, and/or the part of the operating means engageable with said parts, is substantially frusto conical.

8 8. Pipe shaping apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said axial s p. a 2e i and said part of the operating means each have a corresponding frusto cot] i(O 11 shape such that relative axial movement causes radial movement of the parl-.,..

9. Pipe shaping apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the inner face 1T i the shaping member parts, and the operating member are threadigl engageable such that relative rotational movement causes relative axial ai d hence radial movement.

10. Pipe shaping apparatus according to any of claims 4 to 9, wherein t e shaping member is spring urged to a rest condition.

11. Pipe shaping apparatus according to claim 10, wherein one or nioe i i resilient members extend circumferentially around the shaping member.

12. Pipe shaping apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the or e,(b resilient member extends around a part or parts of smaller radius than ti C remainder thereof.

13. Pipe shaping apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said part or p. r s are provided at an end or the ends of the shaping member.

14. Pipe shaping apparatus according to any of the preceding clail wherein the operating means comprises an operating member arranged'. o extend beyond an end of the pipe.

15. Pipe shaping apparatus according to claim 14, wherein a handlL provided at or adjacent a free end of the operating member to assist rotato a thereof.

16. Pipe shaping apparatus according to claims 14 or 15, wherein I operating member is elongate with an end part engageable with the shapi member.

9

17. Pipe shaping apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus also comprises means for locating a pipe to be shaped.

18. Pipe shaping apparatus according to claim 17, wherein part of the locating means is contoured such that when the shaping member engages with the pipe the outer wall of the pipe is urged against said contoured part to substantially adopt the shape thereof.

19. Pipe shaping apparatus according to claim 18 when dependent on claim 2 or according to any of claims 3 to 17 when dependent on claim 2, wherein the shape of the contoured part of the locating means corresponds to the shape of the contoured part of the shaping member.

20. Pipe shaping apparatus according to any of claims 17 to 19, wherein the locating means comprises two parts between which the pipe can be held.

21. Pipe shaping apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the two parts of the locating means are arranged so as to be selectively movable between an open condition where the pipe can be placed therebetween, and a closed condition holding the pipe.

22. Pipe shaping apparatus according to claims 20 or 2 1, wherein the two parts of the locating means are pivotally connected.

23. Pipe shaping apparatus according to any of claims 17 to 22, wherein the locating means is'engage'able with the operating means.

24. Pipe shaping apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the operating means is threadably mounted on the locating means.

25. Pipe shaping apparatus according to any of claims 17 to 24, wherein means are provided to prevent relative rotation between the shaping means and the locating means.

26. A method of shaping a pipe, the method comprising using appailas according to any of the preceding claims and causing the shaping member to engage against the inside walls of the pipe.

27. A method of bending a pipe, the method comprising shaping the pip y a method according to claim 2 6, and subsequently bending the pipe about, t le shaped part thereof.

A method according to claim 2 7, wherein the pipe is manually bent.

28.

29. A method according to claims 27 or 28, wherein where the pipe is co. tpr it is heated and allowed to cool prior to shaping thereof.

30. Pipe shaping apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described and wi th reference to the accompanying drawings.

31. A method of shaping a pipe substantially as hereinbefore described ul 10 with reference to the accompanying drawings.

32. A method of bending a pipe substantially as hereinbefore described 411 with reference to the accompanying drawings.

33. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject miA,, r disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the s,In [e invention as any of the preceding claims.