GB2376510A

GB2376510A - Pipe connector with means for visual inspection

Info

Publication number: GB2376510A
Application number: GB0114238A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Mcloughlin; John Barnes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-06-12
Filing date: 2001-06-12
Publication date: 2002-12-18
Also published as: GB0114238D0

Abstract

A pipe connector 7, which may be integral with or separate from a pipe, comprises at least a partly clear plastics material so as to allow visual inspection of the connector. For instance, in the case of drains it may be used to ascertain whether a pipe 8 is fully seated within the connector, or whether a rubber seal 3 is positioned correctly.

Description

Plastic Pipe and Duct Connector This invention relates to plastic pipe and duct connectors in the construction industry.

In the Construction Industry, plastic, clay and concrete utility and drainage pipes and ducts are connected together using one of two methods.

Method 1. In the case of clay, concrete, and plastic pipes and ducts, by the use of a separate plastic pipe connector (commonly referred to as a 'Collar'.) Method 2. In the case of plastic and plastic type pipes and ducts by one end of the plastic pipe being enlarged to form a connector (often known as the female end) which allows the next pipe or duct to be inserted into it to form a connection (generally known as the male end.) In this method the pipe connector forms an integral part of the pipe.

Plastic and plastic type pipes and ducts can either be of plain construction or of what is commonly known as'Corrugated'or'Ribbed'construction for added strength.

Connectors used in method 2 can also form part of plastic drainage manholes, inspection chambers and rainwater chambers and so forth.

In both methods, depending on construction requirements, connectors can be made with or without an internal rubber seal, with or without an internal flange, with or without an internal lip or a combination of two or more of the aforementioned types.

As a general rule of thumb, utility duct pipes that carry fibre optic cables, electricity cables, gas pipes, water service pipes, telecom cables, TV. cables, and so forth do not require an internal rubber seal at the pipe joint.

Water drainage pipes and foul drainage require an internal rubber seal at the pipe joint.

In the course of laying of all these types of pipes and ducts, problems occur to a large extent at the point where the pipes and ducts connect to each other at the connector or 'Collar', in other words, the pipes have not been inserted fully into the connectors as per manufacturers instructions plus in the case of sealed drainage and foul pipes, the internal seal has been dislodged during the process of inserting the pipes or ducts.

Problems with the pipes and ducts that have been laid in a trench may not become apparent until the trench has been backfilled with earth or spoil, or overlaid with a concrete slab or tarmac road. When the subsequent backfilled weight is placed over the pipes or ducts, it can cause them to become depressed at the connector or the pipes ou ducts to kink out of line.

In the case of sealed pipes-failure of the seal.

Pipes do not hold an air pressure test or a water pressure test.

In the case of utility ducts where a wood or metal mandrel is drawn through the duct line to determine that the ducts are of a uniform shape to take a cable for example. The mandrel often gets caught on a depressed collar or cannot be drawn through because the duct has kinked at the connector or has been dislodged entirely from the connector.

In both cases the pipe or duct line will be failed by a Building Inspector or a Clerk of Works or by a suitably appointed representative acting for the Client who has commissioned the work.

Costs to the Construction Industry when these failures occur run into millions because of the necessity to carry out the repair of such work.

Accordingly, the present invention provides for all utility and drainage pipe and duct connectors of any and all dimensions whether separate from a pipe or duct, or as an integral part of a pipe or duct to be manufactured in part or in whole of clear plastic or plastic type material that is of a clear enough nature to allow any reasonable person using basic common sense to see through the connector and be able to tell through a visual inspection of the pipe or duct whether the pipe or duct is fully seated in the connector or not In the case of internally sealed drains, whether the seal is seated correctly or has been dislodged. In the case of sealed drains where an external pipe seal is placed over a pipe and then inserted into a connector, whether the seal is seated correctly or has been dislodged.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which- Drawing 1/3 shows a selection of pipe and duct connectors.

Fig. 1. An example of a duct connector without an internal rubber seal and without an internal flange.

Fig. 2. An example of a duct connector without an internal seal but with an internal flange 2.

Fig. 3. An example of a pipe connector with an internal rubber seal 3 and internal flange 2.

Fig. 4. An example of an integrated pipe connector with internal rubber seal 3.

Fig. 5. An example of an integrated duct without an internal seal or lip where the connector is formed by expansion of the pipe 4.

Drawing 2/3 shows :- Fig 6. A side view of a corrugated utility duct 6 where the top of the duct connector 9 has been depressed by backfilled spoil due to failure of duct pipes 6 to be inserted fully in the connector.

Fig. 7. Shows a cutaway version of the Fig. 6. where a mandrel 10 has stuck at the depressed connector 9.

Fig. 8. Shows a cutaway side view of a plain duct 11 where one duct has kinked from backfilled spoil at the connector 12 due to failure of the pipe duct to be inserted fully in the connector. The mandrel 10 is stuck at the kinked duct 11.

Fig. 9. Shows a cutaway side view of an integrated soil pipe 13 where the internal rubber seal 3 has been pushed out of place by the insertion of the male end of the integrated pipe 13.

Drawing 3/3. shows :- Fig. 10. The invention in use. A duct pipe connector 5 that has been made in clear plastic to determine by visual inspection that the connected corrugated ducts 6 are fully seated home in the connector 5.

Fig. 11. The invention in use. A soil pipe connector 7 with internal rubber seals 3 where the connector has been made in clear plastic to determine by visual inspection that the connected pipes 8 are fully seated home in the connector 7 and also that the internal rubber seals 3 have not been dislodged by the insertion of the pipes 8 in the connector 7.

Claims

1. Accordingly, the present invention provides for all utility and drainage pipe and duct connectors of any and all dimensions whether separate from a pipe or duct, or as an integral part of a pipe or duct to be manufactured in part or in whole of clear plastic or plastic type material that is of a clear enough nature to allow any reasonable person using basic common sense to see through the connector and be able to tell through a visual inspection of the pipe or duct whether the pipe or duct is fully seated in the connector or not. In the case of internally sealed drains, whether the seal is seated correctly or has been dislodged. In the case of sealed drains where an external pipe seal is placed over a pipe and then inserted into a connector, whether the seal is seated correctly or has been dislodged.

2. Utility and drainage pipe or duct connectors as claimed in claim 1. where the connector has an integral internal rubber seal or seals.

3. Utility and drainage pipe or duct connectors as claimed in claim 1. and claim 2. where the connector has an internal flange

4 Utility and drainage pipe or duct connectors as claimed in claim 1. and claim 2 and claim 3 where the connector forms an integral part of a pipe, manhole, inspection chamber, and so forth.

5. Utility and drainage pipe or duct connectors as claimed in claim I. and claim 2. where the connector has an internal lip.

6 Utility and drainage pipe or duct connectors as claimed in claim 1 where the connector has an internal rubber seal or seals which are separate from the connector.

7. Utility and drainage pipe or duct connectors as claimed in claim 1 that has neither an internal rubber seal nor internal flange

8. Utility and drainage pipe or duct connectors substantially described herein with c reference to Figures 1 - 11. of the accompanying drawings 1/3, 2/3, 3/3