GB2538313A

GB2538313A - A pipe gripping device

Info

Publication number: GB2538313A
Application number: GB1508383.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Duncan Malcolm
Original assignee: SUPER ROD Ltd
Current assignee: SUPER ROD Ltd
Priority date: 2015-05-15
Filing date: 2015-05-15
Publication date: 2016-11-16
Also published as: GB201508383D0

Abstract

A pipe gripping device 10 for gripping pipes having different size diameters comprises a head 20 and a body 30 extending from one side of the head 20. The body comprises a plurality of body portions 31, 32, 33 centred upon a longitudinal axis of the device 10 and adapted to engage with pipes of different diameters, for example via external threads 36 on different diameter cylinder shaped body portions. The diameter of the body portions can decrease in the direction away from the head 20. The pipe gripping device 10 further comprises coupling means 40 disposed at a side of the head opposite the one side, for coupling the device 10 to a handle, such as an elongate rod, for manipulating the device 10. The head 20 can comprise a cylinder shape centred on the longitudinal axis, with a knurled surface 23 to provide a grip. A passageway 24 can pass through the head, and it can have a pair of facets 25 orientated parallel to each other at opposed locations.

Description

A PIPE GRIPPING DEVICE

The present invention relates to a pipe gripping device and particularly, but not exclusively, to a pipe gripping device for gripping pipes having different size diameters.

When routing pipes and the like within a building, such as between apertures formed within cavity walls, it is often difficult to manipulate the pipe to suitably direct the pipe to the appropriate location. To overcome this problem a flexible rod or rope for example, is first threaded along the desired route and a free end of the rod or rope is coupled to a free end of the pipe using tape and the like. The rope or rod is then pulled to direct the pipe back along the desired route and thus suitably locate the pipe.

However, it is found that the rope or rod is readily detached from the pipe, particularly when routing pipes around corners. Moreover, the rod or rope is typically coupled at one side of the pipe and as such, the leading end of the pipe often snags at obstructions along the route.

We have now devised an improved pipe gripping device.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a pipe gripping device for gripping pipes having different size diameters, the device comprising a head and a body extending from one side of the head, the body comprising a plurality of body portions, each body portion being centred upon a longitudinal axis of the device and adapted to engage with a pipe having a different size diameter, the pipe gripping device further comprising coupling means disposed at a side of the head opposite the one side, for coupling the device to a handle for manipulating the device.

In an embodiment, the body extends away from the head along the longitudinal axis. The body portions are preferably disposed at separated positions along the axis of the device and in an embodiment, the body portions extend along non-overlapping positions along the axis.

In an embodiment, each body portion separately comprises a cylindrical shape. Preferably, the body portions comprise different external diameters.

In an embodiment, the external diameter of successive body portions decrease along the device, in a direction away from the head.

In an embodiment, the outer surface of each body portion comprises a gripping portion for gripping a pipe along an internal surface thereof. In an embodiment, the gripping portion of at least one body portion comprises an external thread. In a further embodiment, the gripping portion of each body portion comprises an external thread.

The head preferably comprises a cylindrical shape which is centred upon the longitudinal axis of the device. In an embodiment, an external curved surface of the head is knurled to provide a grip. In a further embodiment, the head comprises a passage which extends through the head, substantially along a diameter thereof for receiving a lever for rotating the head. In yet a further embodiment, the head comprises a pair of facets orientated substantially parallel to each other, at diametrically opposed locations of the head, for engaging a tool, such as a spanner, for rotating the body.

In an embodiment, the coupling means is centred upon the longitudinal axis of the device and comprises a cylindrical boss having an external thread formed thereon, for coupling with the handle.

In an embodiment, the head, body and coupling means are integrally formed.

In an embodiment, the device further comprises a handle, for manipulating the device. Preferably, the handle comprises an elongate rod.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pipe gripping device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the pipe gripping device illustrated in figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of the pipe gripping device illustrated in figure 1; Figure 4 is view from the underside of the pipe gripping device illustrated in figure 1; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the device illustrated in figure 1 coupled to a (a) 10mm internal diameter pipe, (b) 15mm internal diameter pipe, (c) 22mm internal diameter pipe.

Referring to figure 1 of the drawings, there is illustrated a pipe gripping device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention for gripping a plurality of pipes 100a-c having different internal diameters. The gripping device 10 may be formed of a metal or metal alloy, such as brass and comprises a head 20 and a body 30 which extends away from the head 20 at one side thereof. The head 20 and body 30 are formed integrally or may be rigidly coupled together. The body 30 comprises a plurality of body portions 31, 32, 33 centred upon a longitudinal axis of the device 10. Each body portion 31, 32, 33 extends along the axis of the device 10 at separate, non-overlapping positions and comprise a substantially cylindrical shape having different external diameters. The external diameter of successive body portions 31, 32, 33 decrease along the device 10 in a direction which is away from the head 20, such that the body 30 comprises a stepped diameter profile along the length thereof.

The head 20 of the device 10 similarly comprises a cylindrical shape having a diameter which is greater than the largest diameter body portion 31, such that the interface between the body 30 and the head 20 is marked by a region of an end face 21 of the head 20 which forms a shoulder portion 22. In a similar manner, the interface between each body portion 31, 32, 33 is marked by a respective shoulder portion 34, 35.

In the illustrated embodiment, the pipe gripping device 10 comprises three body portions 31, 32, 33 forming three tiers of the body 30, however, the skilled reader will recognise that the device 10 may comprise less or more tiers, without departing from the inventive concept. The external diameters of the body portions 31, 32, 33 illustrated in the drawings are sized to correspond with the internal diameter of commonly used pipes, namely 10mm, 15mm and 22mm. Each body portion 31, 32, 33 further comprises a gripping portion 36 disposed on an outer curved surface thereof, for gripping an internal surface of a pipe 100a-c. In an embodiment, the gripping portion 36 of at least one body portion 31, 32, 33 comprises an externally threaded portion, however, it is to be appreciated that other gripping formations may be incorporated, such as barbs or knurls (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment, each body portion 31, 32, 33 comprises an externally threaded portion 36.

The head 20 of the gripping device 10 further comprises a knurled outer curved surface 23 to facilitate a gripping of the head 20 by a user (not shown), and a passage 24 which extends therethrough, substantially along a diameter thereof. The passage 24 is arranged to receive a lever (not shown) to facilitate a rotation of the head 20 and thus the body 30. The head 20 further comprises a pair of facets 25 formed on the outer curved surface thereof 23, which are orientated substantially parallel to each other, at diametrically opposed locations of the head 20. The facets 25 are arranged to engage with a tool, such as a spanner (not shown), for rotating the head 20 and thus the body 30.

The gripping device 10 further comprises a coupling means 40 disposed at the side of the head 20 opposite the side from which the body 30 extends. The coupling means 40 is centred upon the longitudinal axis of the device 10 and comprises a substantially cylindrically shaped boss 41 having an external thread 42 formed thereon. The boss 41 is arranged to couple within a receiver 51 having an internal thread, disposed on a handle 50, such as an elongate rod, so that the device 10 can be readily manipulated using the handle 50.

S

Referring to figure 5 of the drawings, when it is desired to grip a particular pipe 100a-c for pulling or pushing through an aperture or cavity within a wall (not shown) for example, the body 30 is first aligned with the pipe 100a-c so that the longitudinal axis of the device 10 becomes substantially collinear with the axis of the pipe 100a-c, and the body 30 is subsequently moved toward the pipe 100a-c until one of the body portions 31, 32, 33 contacts the pipe 100a-c. To facilitate the alignment, the leading peripheral edge 37 of the body portions 31, 32, 33 may be bevelled or chamfered.

The device 10 is then screwed into the pipe 100a-c, whereby the external thread 36 disposed on the body portion 31, 32, 33 which contacts the internal section of the pipe 100a-c becomes urged into the wall of the pipe 100a-c, to grip the pipe 100a-c. In this respect, it is to be appreciated that the external diameter of a body portion 31, 32, 33 may be sized to pass within an appropriately sized pipe 100a-c, but the external thread 36 or other gripping formations increase the overall diameter of the body portions 31, 32, 33, so that the thread 36 effectively cuts an internal thread upon the internal side of the pipe 100a-c. To facilitate the rotation of the device 10 and thus the screwing of the body 20 into the pipe 100a-c, a lever (not shown) may be inserted into the passage 24 formed on the head 20 or a spanner (not shown) may be coupled with the facets 25 so that a greater torque may be applied to the device 10 than by simply gripping the knurled surface 23 of the head 20. The device 10 is screwed into the pipe 100a-c until the proximal end of the pipe 100a-c abuts the shoulder portion 22, 34, 35 formed upon the adjacent body portion 31, 32, 33 or head 20. Upon referring to figure 5a-c it is evident that a single device 10 enables a quick coupling to a number of different sized pipes 100a-c, and further enables several pipes 100a-c to be gripped at the same time.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A pipe gripping device for gripping pipes having different size diameters, the device comprising a head and a body extending from one side of the head, the body comprising a plurality of body portions, each body portion being centred upon a longitudinal axis of the device and adapted to engage with a pipe having a different size diameter, the pipe gripping device further comprising coupling means disposed at a side of the head opposite the one side, for coupling the device to a handle for manipulating the device.
2. A pipe gripping device according to claim 1, wherein the body extends away from the head along the longitudinal axis.
3. A pipe gripping device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the body portions are disposed at separated positions along the axis of the device.
4. A pipe gripping device according to claim 3, wherein the body portions extend along non-overlapping positions along the axis.
5. A pipe gripping device according to any preceding claim, wherein each body portion separately comprises a cylindrical shape.
6. A pipe gripping device according to claim 5, wherein the body portions comprise different external diameters.
7. A pipe gripping device according claim 5 or 6, wherein the external diameter of successive body portions decrease along the device, in a direction away from the head.
8. A pipe gripping device according to any preceding claim, wherein the outer surface of each body portion comprises a gripping portion for gripping a pipe along an internal surface thereof.
9. A pipe gripping device according to claim 8, wherein the gripping portion of at least one body portion comprises an external thread.
10. A pipe gripping device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the gripping portion of each body portion comprises an external thread.
11. A pipe gripping device according to any preceding claim, wherein the head comprises a cylindrical shape which is centred upon the longitudinal axis of the device.
12. A pipe gripping device according to claim 11, wherein an external curved surface of the head is knurled to provide a grip.
13. A pipe gripping device according to any preceding claim, wherein the head comprises a passage which extends through the head, substantially along a diameter thereof.
14. A pipe gripping device according to any preceding claim, wherein the head comprises a pair of facets orientated substantially parallel to each other, at diametrically opposed locations of the head.
15. A pipe gripping device according to any preceding claim, wherein the coupling means is centred upon the longitudinal axis of the device.
16. A pipe gripping device according to any preceding claim, wherein the coupling means comprises a cylindrically shaped boss having an external thread formed thereon.
17. A pipe gripping device according to any preceding claim, wherein the head, body and coupling means are integrally formed.
18. A pipe gripping device according to any preceding claim, further comprising a handle for manipulating the device.
19. A pipe gripping device according to claim 18, wherein the handle comprises an elongate rod.