GB2521915A

GB2521915A - Pipe connector

Info

Publication number: GB2521915A
Application number: GB1419601.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Frederick Hawkins
Original assignee: Eden Ltd
Current assignee: Eden Ltd
Priority date: 2013-11-08
Filing date: 2014-11-03
Publication date: 2015-07-08
Anticipated expiration: 2034-11-03
Also published as: GB201319795D0; GB2521915B; GB201419601D0

Abstract

A pipe connector 10 comprises a body 12 defining a through passage 14 to receive an end region of a pipe . A securing arrangement 20 is provided on the body. The securing arrangement comprises a carrier 22 and securing means 24 carried by the carrier. The securing means 24 being moveable between a gripping condition in which the pipe can be gripped by the securing means 24, and a release condition in which the pipe can be removed from the pipe connector 10. The connector 10 can further comprise a locking means to lock the securing arrangement in the body. The mounting device is used to mount a sealing article on a pipe to avoid damage to the sealing article from the end of the pipe. It comprises a holding portion which holds the sealing article, and a skirt portion which can be arranged on an end region of the pipe. The sealing article is moved across the skirt portion on to the pipe. The mounting device can further comprise an insertion portion which inserts into the pipe and extends from the skirt portion.

Description

Pipe Connector This invention relates to pipe connectors. More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention relates to pipe connectors for use with corrugated pipes. This invention also relates to mounting devices for mounting a sealing article on to a pipe.

When installing solar panels in a building, it is necessary to connect the panels to piping. The piping may be in the form of corrugated pipes, in which case connecting the panels in fluid communication with the piping can be difficult. Moreover, the pipe connectors need to be sealed to the piping, but if the piping is cut in order to ensure it is the correct length, the sharp edges can damage the seals.

One aspect of this invention provides a pipe connector comprising: a body having an inner wall surface defining a through passage to receive an end region of a pipe; a securing arrangement on the body, the securing arrangement comprising a carrier and securing means carried by the carrier; the securing means being moveable relative to the carrier between a gripping condition in which the pipe can be gripped by the securing means, and a release condition in which the pipe can be removed from the pipe connector.

The carrier may be moveable relative to the body between a securing position in which the securing means is in the gripping condition, and a non-securing position in which the securing means can be moved to the release condition.

The pipe connector may have release means to allow the securing means to be moved to the release condition when the carrier is in the non-securing position.

Another aspect of this invention provides a pipe connector comprising: a body having an inner wall surface defining a through passage to receive an end region of a pipe; a securing arrangement on the body, the securing arrangement comprising a carrier and securing means carried by the carrier;

I

the securing means being moveable relative to the carrier between a gripping condition in which the pipe can be gripped by the securing means, and a release condition in which the pipe can be removed from the pipe connector; the carrier being moveable relative to the body between a securing position in which the securing means is in the gripping condition, and a non-securing position in which the securing means can be moved to the release condition; wherein the pipe connector further includes release means to allow the securing means to be moved to the release condition when the carrier is in the non-securing position.

The body may be tubular. The body may have the release means. The body may define a pipe receiving opening for the through passage to receive the end region of the pipe. The body may define an end face at said pipe receiving opening.

The embodiment of the pipe connector described herein is particularly suitable for use with corrugated pipes, comprising a pipe wall formed of grooves and lands. The securing means may grip the pipe in at least one of the grooves.

The securing means may be resiliently moveable between the gripping and release conditions.

The carrier may comprise an engaging member for engaging the body. The engaging member may be configured to engage the end face of the body. The carrier may be an endless member, and may be a ring. In one embodiment, the carrier may be annular.

The securing means may comprise a securing formation moveable between the gripping and release conditions. In one embodiment, the securing means may comprise a plurality of securing formations, each being moveable between respective gripping and release conditions. The securing means may comprise three, four or more securing formations. The securing formations may be spaced substantially equidistantly around the carrier.

The securing arrangement may comprise attaching means to attach the securing means to the carrier. The attaching means may comprise an attaching member to attach the securing formation to the carrier. Where the securing means comprises a plurality of securing formations, the attaching means may comprise a plurality of attaching members to attach the securing formations to the carrier.

The, or each, attaching member may be resilient and may be in the form of a spring, such as a leaf spring.

The, or each, securing formation may be held by the attaching means in the passage.

The, or each, securing formation may comprise a radially inwardly extending gripping portion. The gripping portion may have first and second pipe engaging surfaces, which may face in opposite directions. In one embodiment, the passage may define a main axis and a pipe receiving opening through which the pipe can be received, and the first and second pipe engaging surfaces may extend at respective first and second acute angles to the main axis of the passage. The first pipe engaging surface may face towards the pipe receiving opening and the second pipe engaging surface may face away from the pipe receiving opening.

Alternatively, the gripping portion may have a curved face which can be received in one of the grooves of the pipe.

The release means may comprise a release formation. The release formation may comprise a release recess or release aperture in one of the body and the securing arrangement.

Locking means to lock the securing arrangement in the body may be provided on the other of the body and the securing arrangement, which can be received in the release formation when the carrier is in the non-securing position. In one embodiment, the body may define the release formation. In this embodiment, the securing arrangement may comprise the locking means, which can be received in the release formation. Alternatively, the release means may comprise a shoulder, which the locking means can engage.

The release means may comprise a plurality of the release formations defined in the body. Alternatively, the release means may comprise a plurality of the shoulders.

The locking means may comprise a locking member. In one embodiment, the locking means may comprise a plurality of locking members.

The, or each, securing formation may include the, or a respective locking member.

The locking means may comprise a projection. The, or each, locking member may comprise a respective projection.

When the carrier is in the securing position, the locking means may engage the body thereby holding the securing means in the gripping condition. Desirably, when the carrier is in the securing position, the, locking means may engage the inner wall surface of the body thereby holding the securing means in the gripping condition.

When the carrier is in the non-securing position, the locking means may be aligned with the, or each, release formation in the body, thereby allowing the locking means to be received in the release formation so that the securing means can move to the release condition.

The release means may have a stop formation, or a plurality of stop formations, configured to engage the locking means when the carrier is in the securing position.

In one embodiment, the stop formation may be a stop surface. The stop surface may be a rim surface of the stop formation. Alternatively, the stop formation may comprise an edge of the release formation.

The, or each, locking member may have an engaging surface configured to engage the respective stop formation when the carrier is in the securing position. In one embodiment, the engaging surface may extend substantially parallel to the stop surface.

In one embodiment, the, or each, locking member may include a shoulder formation to engage the body when the carrier is in the securing position. The, or each, shoulder formation may face radially outwardly. The, or each, shoulder formation may engage the inner wall surface of the body.

In another embodiment, the locking member may have a tapered surface to engage an edge of the release formation. In this embodiment, the tapered surface may engage the edge of the release formation when the carrier is in the securing position.

In one embodiment, the carrier may be in the securing position when the carrier is spaced from the end face of the body. In this embodiment, the carrier may be in the non-securing position when the carrier engages the end face of the body.

Another aspect of this invention provides a mounting device for mounting a sealing article on a pipe, the mounting device comprising a holding portion for holding the sealing article, and a skirt portion which can be arranged on an end region of the pipe, whereby when the skirt portion is arranged on the end region of the pipe as aforesaid, the sealing article can be moved across the skirt portion on to the pipe.

The skirt portion is desirably an outwardly flared skirt portion. The skirt portion may have a frusto-conical configuration.

The mounting device may include an insertion portion for insertion into the pipe. The insertion portion may extend from the skirt portion. The insertion portion may be substantially cylindrical.

The skirt portion may extend outwardly from the holding portion over the insertion portion.

The holding portion may be substantially cylindrical. The mounting device is suitable for mounting 0' rings on to a pipe.

Another aspect of this invention provides a method of mounting a sealing article on a pipe, the method comprising providing a mounting device as described above, arranging the skirt portion on the end region of the pipe as aforesaid, and moving the sealing article across the skirt portion on to the pipe.

The mounting device includes an insertion portion extending from the skirt portion, and the method may comprise inserting the insertion portion into the end region of the pipe before moving the sealing article across the skirt portion onto the pipe.

Another aspect of this invention provides a pipe connecting arrangement comprising a pipe connector as described above and a mounting device as described above.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure 1A is a side view of an embodiment of a pipe connector comprising a securing arrangement and a body, the securing arrangement comprising a carrier and a securing means, the carrier being shown in a securing position; Figure 1 B is a side view of the pipe connector showing the carrier in a non-securing position; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a tubular body forming part of the pipe connector shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectional side view of the region marked Ill in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a side view of a first embodiment of a mounting device for mounting a sealing article on to a pipe; Figure 5 is a second embodiment of a mounting device for mounting a sealing article on to a pipe; C) Figure 6 is a side view showing the first embodiment of the mounting device in operation; Figure 7 is a side view of another embodiment of the pipe connector; Figure 8 is a side view of a further embodiment of the pipe connector.

Figures 1A and lB show a pipe connector 10 which comprises a tubular body 12 having an inner wall surface 15 defining a through passage 14. An end region of a pipe (not shown in Figures 1A and 1B) can be received in the through passage 14.

The tubular body 12 has a proximal end 12A and a distal end 12B. Midway along the through passage 14 from the proximal end 12A a radially inwardly extending circumferential abutment formation 14A is provided. The end of the pipe received in the through passage 14 abuts against the abutment formation 14A. In the embodiment shown, the abutment formation 1 4A is in the form of a shoulder.

The pipe connector 10 is suitable for use in connecting pipes, such as corrugated pipes, to solar panels.

The body 12 includes a pipe receiving portion 19 which can receive an end region of a pipe. The pipe receiving portion 19 defines a pipe receiving opening 16 for the through passage 14. The pipe receiving opening 16 is defined at the proximal end 12A of the body 12. An end region of the pipe can be received through the pipe receiving opening 16 into the through passage 14. Adjacent the pipe receiving opening 16, the body 12 has release means in the form of defines four oval release apertures 18 defined in the body 12. The release apertures 18 are substantially evenly spaced around the body 12. An end face 26 is provided at the proximal end 12A of the body 12.

The body 12 comprises a threaded end region 17 adjacent the distal end 12B for fastening the pipe connector 10 to a desired article, such as a solar panel (not shown). A tightening portion 21 is provided between the pipe receiving portion 19 and the threaded end region 17. The tightening portion 21 is of a hexagonal configuration to allow a spanner (not shown) to be used to tighten the pipe connector 12 onto the solar panel.

The pipe connector 10 further includes a securing arrangement 20 mounted on the pipe receiving portion 19 of the body 12 at the pipe receiving opening 16. The securing arrangement 20 comprises an annular carrier 22 and securing means 24.

The annular carrier 22 can be disposed in a securing position shown in Figure 1A, in which the annular carrier 22 is spaced from the end face 26 of the body 12. The annular carrier 22 is moveable from the securing position to a non-securing position shown in Figure 1 B, in which the annular carrier 22 engages the end face 26.

The securing means 24 comprises four securing formations 28 evenly spaced circumferentially around the annular carrier 22. Each securing formation 28 is aligned with a respective one of the apertures 18. The securing arrangement 20 further includes attaching means 29 for attaching the securing means 24 to the annular carrier 22. The attaching means comprises a plurality of attaching members 30. Each of the securing formations 28 is attached to the annular carrier 22 by a respective attaching member 30.

Reference is now made to Figure 3 which is a close up sectional view of the region marked Ill in Figure 1. In Figure 3, one of the securing formations 28 is shown in gripping engagement with an outer surface of a corrugated pipe 100. The corrugated pipe 100 has a pipe wall which comprises a plurality of corrugations 102 in the form of grooves 104 on the outer surface and lands 106 between adjacent grooves 104.

The securing formation 28 comprises a radially inwardly extending gripping portion 32 which can be received in one of the grooves 104 of the corrugated pipe 100. The securing formation 28 further includes a locking member in the form of a projection 34, which extends radially outwardly from the attaching member 30. The projection 34 is received in one of the release apertures 18.

Each release aperture 18 has a rim providing a stop surface 36 to prevent removal of the securing arrangement 20 from the body 12. The projection 34 has an engaging surface 38 for engaging the stop surface 36. The projection 34 also has a radially outwardly facing shoulder formation 39, which can engage the inner wall surface 15 when the annular carrier 22 is in the securing position.

In Figure 3, the carrier 22 is in the securing position spaced from the end face 26 of the body 12. In this position, the shoulder formation 39 is aligned with the region of the body 12 between the aperture 18 and the end face 26. In this position, engagement of the shoulder formation 39 with the inner wall surface 15 of the tubular body 12 holds the gripping portion 32 in a gripping condition in the groove 104, thereby gripping the pipe 100. Any attempt to pull the pipe 100 out of the pipe connector 10 will result in the engaging surface 38 engaging the stop surface 36 and the shoulder formation 39 engaging the inner wall surface 15, thereby preventing removal of the pipe 100 from the pipe connector 10.

In order to release the pipe 100 from the securing arrangement 20, the gripping portions 32 are caused to move out of the grooves 104 so that the gripping formations can move to a release condition, as explained below. The carrier 22 is pushed in the direction indicated by the arrow A to engage the end face 26. This moves the securing formation 28 in the same direction so that the projection 34 and the shoulder formation 39 are aligned with the release aperture 18.

In this position of the securing formation 28, the shoulder formation 39 can no longer engage the inner wall surface 15 of the tubular body 12. As a result, when the pipe is moved into or out of the pipe connector 10, the securing formation 28 is urged radially outwardly 18 in the direction indicated by the arrow B to the release condition. In the release condition, the securing formation 28 is more fully received in the release aperture 18.

Movement of the securing formation 28 into the release aperture 18 moves the gripping portion 32 out of the groove 104 and allows the pipe 100 to be moved into the pipe connector 10 in the direction of the arrow C or out of the pipe connector 10 in the direction of the arrow D. It will be appreciated that] when the pipe 100 is moved into the pipe connector 10 in the direction of the arrow C, the lands 106 engage the gripping portion 32 and push the securing formation 24 and the carrier 22 in the direction of the arrow A. Thus, when the pipe 100 is inserted into the pipe connector 10, the movement of the annular carrier 22 to the non-securing position is automatic.

However, in order to remove the pipe 100 from the pipe connector 10, it is necessary for the user to push the carrier 22 in the direction of the arrow A so that the carrier 22 engages the end face 26. If the carrier 22 is not pushed in the direction indicated by the arrow A, movement of the pipe 100 in the direction of the arrow D simply causes the projection 34 to engage the inner wall surface 15 of the body 12 thereby preventing the securing formation moving to its release condition.

In order to facilitate movement of the pipe into and out of the pipe connector 10, the gripping portion 32 may have first and second pipe engaging faces 32A, 323 for engaging the corrugations 102 when the gripping portion 32 is received in one of the grooves 102. The first and second pipe engaging faces 32A, 32B face in opposite directions longitudinally of the pipe 100 and are at respective acute angles to the longitudinal axis.

The first pipe engaging surface 32A faces towards the pipe receiving opening 16.

The second pipe engaging surface 32B faces away from the pipe receiving opening 16. The angles are selected so that the gripping portion can slide over the corrugations 102 when the gripping formation is moved to the release condition.

In order to ensure that the pipe 100 is sealed against the pipe connector 10, sealing articles in the form of 0' rings 40 are mounted on the pipe 100 by a mounting device (see Figures 4 to 6).

During installation of the pipe 100, it may be necessary to cut it to a desired length.

Such cutting can result in the end of the pipe bring left sharp, with a danger that the 0' rings 50 could be damaged when fitted on to the pipe 100. In order to prevent such damage, the mounting device 50 is used.

The mounting device 50 comprises a cylindrical holding portion 52 for holding the 0' rings 50, and an outwardly extending frusto-conical skirt portion 54 extending from the holding portion 52. The skirt portion 54 has a proximal edge 54A at which the skirt portion 54 is attached to the holding portion 52. The skid portion 54 also has a distal edge 54B spaced from the proximal edge 54A.

A head portion 56 is provided on the end of the holding portion 52 spaced from the skirt portion 54. The head portion 56 extends radially outwardly beyond the 0' rings 40, thereby preventing the 0' rings 40 from falling off the mounting device 50 when not in use.

The mounting device 50 further includes a cylindrical insertion portion 58 which extends from the holding portion 52 through the skirt portion 54. The insertion portion 58 is configured to be inserted into the end of the pipe 100 during use. Thus, the diameter of the insertion portion 58 is just less than the inner diameter of the pipe 100.

The embodiment shown in Figure 4 further includes an extension portion 60 to the skirt portion 54. The extension portion 60 is cylindrical in configuration and extends from the end of the skirt portion 54 at the distal edge 54B thereof.

A second embodiment of the mounting device 50 is shown in Figure 5, which is the same as the mounting device 50 shown in Figure 4, with the exception that the skirt portion 54 is not so long as the skirt portion 54 of the mounting device shown in Figure 4. The skirt portion 54 of the embodiment shown in Figure 5 does not possess an extension portion.

Figure 6 shows the first embodiment of the mounting device 50 in use. As can be seen, the distal edge 54B of the skirt portion 54 has a diameter which is the same as, or slightly greater than, the outside diameter of the pipe 100, said outer diameter of the pipe being measured at one of the lands 106. The extension portion 60, having the same diameter as the outer edge of the skirt portion 54, also has a diameter which is the same as, or slightly greater than, the outside diameter of the pipe 100, and thereby can receives an end region of the pipe 100.

The mounting device 50, with the 0' rings 40 on the holding portion 52, is presented to an end of the pipe 100, so that the insertion portion 58 is received within the end region of the pipe 100. This locates the mounting device 50 on the pipe and prevents the mounting device 50 from slipping during use.

In the position shown in Figure 6, the skirt portion 54 extends just over the first land 106 of the corrugated pipe 100, and the extension portion 60 extends over several of the lands 106 to terminate at a groove 104, at which it is desired to mount one of the 0' rings 40. In this position, the right hand 0' ring 40 is then pushed by the user over the skirt portion 54 and over the extension portion 60, as shown by the arrows E in Figure 6.

The 0' ring 40 is deposited in the groove designated 104A just beyond the extension portion 60. When the 0' ring 40 has been so disposed on the pipe 100, it can then be moved to the adjacent groove 104 simply by pushing it along the pipe 100.

The user can then push the second 0' ring 40 over the skirt portion 54 and the extension portion 60 on to the groove 104A, thereby mounting two 0' rings on the pipe 100. The mounting device 50 can then be removed.

With the 0' rings mounted on the end region of the pipe 100, as shown, the pipe 100 can then be attached to the pipe connector 10 by inserting the end region with the 0' rings 40 thereon into the passage 14 of the body 12 so that the 0' rings 40 engage the inner surface of the body 12. The pipe 100 is then secured to the pipe connector 10 by the securing means 24.

There is thus described a pipe connector for use in connecting corrugated pipes to an article, for example, a solar panel and a mounting device for mounting 0' rings on an end region of a corrugated pipe without danger of damaging the 0' ring during such mounting.

Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the apertures 18 could be replaced by an internal shoulder on the wall 15. The shoulder may be a continuous annular shoulder extending around the inner surface of the wall 15, whereby each of the securing formations 28 cooperates with the annular shoulder.

In a further modification, the pipe connector 10 could comprise a plurality of circumferentially spaced shoulders, whereby each shoulder cooperates with a respective securing formation 28.

A further modification is shown in Figure 7, in which the embodiment of the pipe connector shown is generally designated 110.

In the pipe connector 110, the threaded end region 17 and the tightening portion 21 are replaced by a continuation of the pipe receiving portion 19. The body 12 thus extends to a further end 112A opposite the end 12A. A further securing arrangement is provided at the further end 1 12A.

As shown in Figure 7, the pipe connector 10 thus has two sets of the features for connecting a pipe thereto and both sets have been designated with the same reference numerals as the corresponding features shown in Figures 1A and 1 B. In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the through passage 14 defined by the inner wall surface 15 is of a constant diameter in the central region of the body 112. The embodiment shown in Figure 7 can be used to connect two pipes to one another.

Figure 8 shows a further modification of the pipe connector, generally designated 210, which is similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 7, but differs in that the two opposite ends of the body 12 are connected by a central portion 114. The embodiment shown in Figure 8 is also used to connect two pipes to one another.

The embodiment shown in Figure 8 has all of the features of the embodiment shown in Figure 7, and these have been designated with the same reference numerals as the corresponding features in Figure 7, and function in the same way.

A further modification is shown in Figure 9, which is the same as the embodiment shown in Figure 39, but differs in that the engaging surface 38 and the shoulder formation 39 are replaced by a tapering surface 70, which engages a corner 72 at an edge of the release aperture 18, between the stop surface 36 and the inner wall surface 15.

Claims

Claims 1. A pipe connector comprising: a body having an inner wall surface defining a through passage to receive an end region of a pipe; a securing arrangement on the body, the securing arrangement comprising a carrier and securing means carried by the carrier; the securing means being moveable relative to the carrier between a gripping condition in which the pipe can be gripped by the securing means, and a release condition in which the pipe can be removed from the pipe connector.
2. A pipe connector according to claim 1, wherein the carrier is moveable relative to the body between a securing position in which the securing means is in the gripping condition, and a non-securing position in which the securing means can be moved to the release condition.
3. A pipe connector according to claim 2, including release means to allow the securing means to be moved to the release condition when the carrier is in the non-securing position.
4. A pipe connector according to claim 3, wherein the body has the release means.
5. A pipe connector according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the release means comprises a release formation in one of the body and the securing arrangement, the release formation comprising a release recess or release aperture.
6. A pipe connector according to claim 5, including locking means to lock the securing arrangement in the body, the locking means being provided on the other of the body and the securing arrangement, wherein the locking means can be received in the release formation when the carrier is in the non-securing position.
7. A pipe connector according to claim 6, wherein the body defines the release formation, and wherein the securing arrangement comprises the locking means.
8. A pipe connector according to claim 7, wherein the release means comprises a plurality of the release formations defined in the body.
9. A pipe connector according to clam 6, 7 or 8, wherein the locking means comprises a locking member.
10. A pipe connector according to claim 6, 7 or 8, wherein the locking means comprises a plurality of locking members.
11. A pipe connector according to claim 9 or 10, wherein when the carrier is in the securing position, the locking means can engage the body thereby holding the securing means in the gripping condition.
12. A pipe connector according to claim 11, wherein when the carrier is in the securing position, the, locking means can engage the inner wall surface of the body thereby holding the securing means in the gripping condition.
13. A pipe connector according to claim 11 or 12, wherein when the carrier is in the non-securing position, the locking means is aligned with the, or each release formation in the body, thereby allowing the locking means to be received in the release formation so that the securing means can move to the release condition.
14. A pipe connector according to any of claims 9 to 13, wherein the release means has a stop formation configured to engage the locking means when the carrier is in the securing position.
15. A pipe connector according to claim 14, wherein the stop formation is a stop surface, being a rim surface of the stop formation.
16. A pipe connector according to claim 14, wherein the stop formation comprises an edge of the release formation.
17. A pipe connector according to any of claims 9 to 16, wherein the, or each, locking member has an engaging surface configured to engage the respective stop formation when the carrier is in the securing position.
18. A pipe connector according to claim 17, wherein the engaging surface extends substantially parallel to the stop surface.
19. A pipe connector according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the, or each, locking member includes a shoulder formation to engage the body when the carrier is in the securing position, the, or each, shoulder formation facing radially outwardly to engage the inner wall surface of the body.
20. A pipe connector according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the locking member has a tapered surface to engage an edge of the release formation, the tapered surface can engage the edge of the release formation when the carrier is in the securing position.
21. A pipe connector according to any preceding claim, wherein the body is tubular and defines a pipe receiving opening for the through passage to receive the end region of the pipe.
22. A pipe connector according to any preceding claim, wherein the securing means is resiliently moveable between the gripping and release conditions.
23. A pipe connector according to any preceding claim, wherein the carrier comprises an engaging member for engaging the body, the body defining an end face at said pipe receiving opening, and the engaging member being configured to engage the end face.
24. A pipe connector according to claim 23, wherein end face is annular, and the carrier comprises an annular member for engaging the end face.
25. A pipe connector according to any preceding claim, wherein the securing means comprises a securing formation moveable between the gripping and release conditions.
26. A pipe connector according to claim 25, wherein the securing means comprises a plurality of securing formations, each being moveable between respective gripping and release conditions.
27. A pipe connector according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the securing arrangement comprises resilient attaching means to attach the, or each, securing formation to the carrier.
28. A pipe connector according to claim 27 when dependent upon claim 26, wherein the securing means comprises a plurality of attaching members to attach the securing formations to the carrier, each securing formation being held by the attaching means in the passage
29. A pipe connector according to claim 28, wherein each attaching member is resilient.
30. A pipe connector according to any of claims 25 to 29, wherein the, or each, securing formation comprises a radially inwardly extending gripping portion for engaging the pipe.
31. A pipe connector according to claim 30, wherein the gripping portion has first and second pipe engaging surfaces which face in opposite directions, wherein the passage defines a main axis, and the first and second pipe engaging surfaces extend at respective first and second acute angles to the main axis of the passage.
32. A pipe connector according to claim 31, wherein the first pipe engaging surface faces towards the pipe receiving opening and the second pipe engaging surface faces away from the pipe receiving opening.
33. A pipe connector according to claim 30, wherein the gripping portion has a curved face which can be received in one of the grooves of the pipe.
34. A mounting device for mounting a sealing article on a pipe, the mounting device comprising a holding portion for holding the sealing article, and a skirt portion which can be arranged on an end region of the pipe, whereby when the skirt portion is arranged on the end region of the pipe as aforesaid, the sealing article can be moved across the skirt portion on to the pipe.
35. A mounting device according to claim 34, wherein the skirt portion is an outwardly flared skirt portion.
36. A mounting device according to claim 34 or 35, wherein the skirt portion has a frusto-conical configuration.
37. A mounting device according to claim 34, 35 or 36, including an insertion portion for insertion into the pipe, the insertion portion extending from the skirt portion.
38. A mounting device according to claim 37, wherein the insertion portion is substantially cylindrical.
39. A mounting device according to claim 37 or 38, wherein the skirt portion extends outwardly from the holding portion over the insertion portion.
40. A mounting device according to any of claims 34 to 39, wherein the holding portion is substantially cylindrical.
41. A mounting device according to any of claims 34 to 40 suitable for mounting 0' rings on to a pipe.
42. A method of mounting a sealing article on a pipe, the method comprising providing a mounting device as claimed in claim 34, arranging the skirt portion on the end region of the pipe as aforesaid, and moving the sealing article across the skirt portion on to the pipe.
43. A method according to claim 42, wherein the mounting device includes an insertion portion extending from the skirt portion, and the method comprises inserting the insertion portion into the end region of the pipe before moving the sealing article across the skirt portion onto the pipe.
44. A pipe connecting arrangement comprising a pipe connector as claimed in claim 1, and a mounting device as claimed in claim 34.
45. A pipe connector substantially as herein described with reference to Figures lAto 3 of the accompanying drawings.
46. A pipe connector substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.
47. A pipe connector substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings.
48. A pipe connector substantially as herein described with reference to Figures IA to 2 and 9 of the accompanying drawings.
49. A mounting device substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 4 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.
50. A mounting device substantially as herein described with reference to Figure of the accompanying drawings.