JP2006052843A - Expansion ring assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an expansion ring assembly to seal a gasket regarding an annular wall of rigid structure. <P>SOLUTION: It engages and drives separately the opposed end part of an expansion ring that includes the drive mechanism to expand the ring radially. The drive mechanism includes one set of block member that is formed of steel or hard plastic with the generally threaded hole in the reverse direction and one bolt with the threaded end part in the reverse direction against the threaded direction. The block member is engaged so as to interlock with the opposed end part to each of the expansion ring. The turning of the bolt in the first direction drives the block member simultaneously along the bolt to expand the expansion ring radially and the turning of the bolt in the opposite second direction drives the block member facing mutually along the bolt to shrink the expansion ring radially. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a telescopic sealing device and related method for sealing a gasket to an annular wall of a rigid structure.

  In underground pipe systems, it often occurs that the pipes need to be sealed and connected within openings in the walls of rigid structures such as manhole risers or integral bases. Typically, a flexible elastomer gasket is installed in a wall opening, followed by an expansion ring attached to the inner surface of the gasket. A suitable expansion mechanism is then used to expand the expansion ring radially and lock it in an expanded state where the gasket is compressed in a sealed manner between the expansion ring and the opening in the wall of the structure. . The pipe is then inserted through the gasket and one or more clamps are mounted around the portion of the gasket that extends from the wall to sealably compress the stretched portion of the gasket between the clamp and the pipe outer surface. . In this way, a sealing connection is made between the pipe and the structure.

  One known telescopic ring is a ratchet engagement between overlapping ends of the ring. As the ends of the ring are pushed away from each other as the ring is radially expanded, the ratchet teeth at the end of the ring are successively engaged with each other, where the telescopic ring is incrementally in multiple locked positions. Can be spread. Another tool is used to engage the opposite ends of the telescopic ring and drive them separately from each other. Typically, such tools may be expensive because they are specialized and designed specifically for use only with a particular corresponding configuration of the telescopic ring.

  The expansion ring is effective, but the expansion ring has the ideal diameter of the expansion ring that is most effective for compressing the gasket in a sealing manner between the expansion ring and the opening in the structure wall May be expanded only in specified increments that do not correspond. For example, a suitable tool is because the gasket is not fully compressed between the expansion ring and the opening, but cannot compress the gasket further enough to allow expansion of the expansion ring to the next locked position. Additional expansion of the telescopic ring is not possible, and may be used to expand the telescopic ring to an expanded and locked position.

  What is needed is an improved telescopic ring mechanism that is superior to the above.

  The present invention provides a telescopic ring assembly for sealing a gasket with respect to an annular wall of a rigid structure. The telescopic ring assembly includes a drive mechanism for engaging opposite ends of the telescopic ring and driving them separately, thereby expanding the ring radially. The drive mechanism generally includes a set of block members having threaded holes therethrough and a bolt having oppositely threaded ends that are threaded in the respective holes of the block members. . The bolt further includes a tool receiving structure such as a nut that is engaged by a suitable tool to rotate the bolt. Each of the block members is engaged with the opposite end portion of the telescopic ring. The rotation of the bolt in the first direction simultaneously drives the block members away from each other along the bolt to radially expand the telescopic ring, and the rotation of the bolt in the opposite second direction simultaneously The block members are simultaneously driven toward each other along the bolts so that the telescopic rings can contract radially.

  Expansion of the expansion ring compresses the gasket between the expansion ring and the opening of the structure to provide a fluid tight seal between the gasket and the structure. The pipe is then inserted through a second portion of the gasket that extends outwardly from the structure, and then the extended portion of the gasket is secured to the outer surface of the pipe using, for example, a conventional hose clamp or take-up clamp. Is done.

  The telescoping ring assembly is used to seal the gasket, for example, around the interface between the manhole base and the manhole frame, to prevent water entry into the manhole, or in one or more pipes. And may be used in other applications such as to prevent water from entering the pipeline.

  Advantageously, the oppositely threaded end of the bolt allows rotation of the bolt in one direction to simultaneously drive the block members away from each other to spread the telescopic ring, so that Only one tool is required to operate the drive mechanism to widen the telescopic ring. Furthermore, the threaded engagement between the bolt and the block member allows the block member to be driven away from each other along the bolt to an infinitely variable range based on the rotational position of the bolt. Thus, the expansion ring may be spread to the exact point where the gasket is tightly and fully compressed between the expansion ring and the opening of the structure to provide a fluid tight sealing device.

  A telescopic ring is needed to tighten the gasket seal by simply engaging the bolt and tool of the drive mechanism, rotating it, driving the block members away from each other, and further expanding the telescopic ring. In some cases, it may be further expanded after initial installation. An additional advantage of the telescoping ring assembly is that if necessary, remove the assembly from the structure and then re-install the assembly in another position, or install it in another structure, or The assembly can be reused by using it in the application.

  In addition, it includes socket ends with various angular orientations, and engages the appropriate socket end with the nut portion of the bolt of the drive mechanism when the drive mechanism is in a small clearance space, regardless of the rotational position of the nut portion A plurality of specially configured wrenches are provided that allow for this. In addition, the socket end includes an internal notch that facilitates ratchet movement of the socket end of the wrench relative to the nut portion of the bolt and allows the bolt to rotate without completely removing the wrench from the bolt during wrench rotation. A wrench is provided. The wrench consists of a set of plates attached to the side of the socket end of the wrench that engages the side of the nut portion to prevent the socket end from sliding off the nut portion as the nut portion rotates May be.

  In additional embodiments, the telescopic ring assembly includes a set of ends that engage in conjunction with a block member of the drive mechanism. Each end of the expansion ring includes a notch that forms a set of first protrusions, the first protrusion is received in the cut-out portion of the block member, and the second protrusion of the block member is the expansion ring. Accepted in the notch at the end of the. Furthermore, the tongue-shaped portion of the block member overlaps with the outer surface of the end portion of the expansion / contraction ring. In this way, the end of the expansion ring is engaged in conjunction with the block member to prevent relative lateral movement of the expansion ring end and the block member, so that the end of the expansion ring is Restricted to movement only in the direction of radially outward expansion.

  Further, the activation mechanism and the over sleeve may be used, and the over sleeve is temporarily fixed to the end of the expansion / contraction ring with a single tape. The tape piece temporarily moves the telescopic ring end, the drive mechanism block member, and the over sleeve against each other until the drive mechanism is actuated in the field to unfold the telescopic ring assembly and thereby break the tape piece. Fix conveniently.

  In accordance with yet additional embodiments, the block members of the drive mechanism are formed from a hard plastic material, each block member including a threaded metal insert that may be insert molded into the block member when the block member is formed. In this way, the total amount of steel material required to form the block member is reduced, thereby reducing the overall cost of the telescopic ring assembly.

  In one form thereof, the present invention provides a drive mechanism including a telescoping ring assembly including a ring including a set of ends and a set of plastic block members each having an insert threaded therein. The block member is coupled to each end of the ring, and the bolt includes an end threaded in a direction opposite to the threaded direction in the insert of the block member, where the bolt in the first direction. Rotation simultaneously drives the block members away from each other, thereby spreading the ring.

  In another form thereof, the present invention provides a ring including a set of ends, each end including a first interlocking structure, and a set of blocks each having a second interlocking structure and a threaded hole therein. A drive mechanism including a member in which a hole of the block member is threaded in the opposite direction; a first interlocking structure at a ring end that is removably engaged with a respective second interlocking structure of the block member; A telescoping ring assembly including a bolt including oppositely threaded ends each threaded into a hole in the member, wherein rotation of the bolt in a first direction separates the block members from each other. Driven simultaneously, thereby spreading the ring.

  In another form thereof, the invention includes a ring including a set of ends and a set of block members each having a threaded hole therethrough, the holes of the block member being threaded in opposite directions. A drive mechanism in which the block member is coupled to a respective end hub of the ring, a bolt including oppositely threaded ends that are respectively threaded in the holes of the block member, and an exterior from the ring. A telescopic ring assembly comprising: an oversleeve member overlapping the end of the ring; and a piece of tape secured with adhesive on at least one of the oversleeve member and the end of the ring. Rotation in one direction drives the block members away from each other, thereby driving the ends of the rings away from each other and breaking the tape pieces.

  In another form thereof, the invention includes a ring including a set of ends and a set of block members each having a thread threaded therein, the holes of the block member being threaded in opposite directions. A drive mechanism in which the ends of the ring are removably engaged with the respective block members, and bolts including oppositely threaded ends respectively threaded in the holes of the block members. A telescoping ring assembly is provided, wherein rotation of the bolt in a first direction simultaneously drives the block members away from each other, thereby unfolding the ring.

  Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the figures. The illustrations set forth herein depict preferred embodiments of the invention, and such illustrations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any way.

  The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention, as well as the manner of achieving them, will become more apparent and reference will be made to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Will be better understood.

  Referring to FIG. 1A, a pipe connection 20 in an underground pipe system is shown in which the pipe is connected to a structure such as a manhole riser or an integral base. The structure may be formed from concrete, fiberglass, or any other suitable rigid material. The structure includes a wall 22 having an inner side 22a that defines the interior of the structure and an outer side 22b that defines the exterior of the structure. Further, the wall includes an opening 24 therein. The annular gasket 26 includes a first portion 28 disposed within the opening 24 in the wall 22 and a second portion 30 extending from the first portion 28. The gasket 26 may be made of a flexible elastomeric material such as rubber or neoprene and provides a hermetic connection between the opening 24 in the structure wall 22 and the pipe 32. The first portion 28 of the gasket 26 is sealingly engaged with the opening 24 in the wall 22 by a telescopic ring assembly 34 that generally includes a telescopic ring 36, a drive mechanism 38, and an oversleeve 40. As will be described in more detail below, the telescopic ring assembly 34 expands radially to compress the gasket 26 into sealing engagement with the opening 24 in the wall 22 to provide a fluid tight seal therebetween. Is possible.

  After the first portion 28 of the gasket 26 is sealingly engaged with the opening 24 in the wall 22 by the telescopic ring assembly 34, the second portion 30 of the gasket 26 is inserted into the pipe by inserting a pipe 32 therethrough. 32, and subsequently one or more clamps 42 are attached around the second portion of the gasket 26 so that the second portion 28 of the gasket 26 is in sealing engagement with the outer surface 44 of the pipe 32. The clamp 42 is tightened to provide a fluid tight seal while being compressed. The second portion of the gasket 26 may include an annular recess 46 for receiving the clamp 42 so as to place the clamp 42 on the second portion of the gasket 26.

  In FIG. 1A, only a portion of the length of the pipe 32 is shown for clarity, the pipe 32 past the telescopic ring assembly 34 through the opening 24 in the wall 22 and past the inner surface 22a of the wall 22. It is understood that it extends into the interior of the structure. The telescopic ring assembly 34 is also illustrated in FIG. 1A where the drive mechanism 38 is positioned at 9 o'clock with respect to the opening 24 for clarity. However, the telescopic assembly 34 may be selectively configured with the drive mechanism 38 oriented at any desired position around the periphery of the opening 24, and in many applications the drive mechanism 38 is at 12 o'clock. It is noted that a configuration placed in position is preferred. 1A, the second portion 30 of the gasket 26 extends inwardly from the wall 22 essentially as shown in FIG. 1A so that the clamp 42 is within the structure. It may be installed to be arranged.

  The telescopic ring assembly 34 is illustrated in FIG. 1 in an application where the telescopic ring assembly 34 is used to seal a gasket in an opening in a structure wall, but the telescopic ring assembly 34 is May be used for the following purposes. For example, in FIG. 1B, a set of telescopic ring assemblies 34 a and 34 b are used to seal the gasket around the interface between the manhole base 29 and the manhole frame 31 disposed below the pavement surface 33. Specifically, the upper elastic ring assembly 34 a is used to push the upper part of the gasket 27 into sealing engagement with the manhole frame 31, and the lower elastic ring assembly 34 b is used to seal the lower part of the gasket 27 with the manhole base 29. Used to push into the stop engagement. In this way, the entry of water into the manhole base 29 is prevented regardless of whether a relative movement occurs between the manhole frame 31 and the manhole base 29.

  In FIG. 1C, a pair of telescopic ring assemblies 34a and 34b seal the connection between the female of the first pipe 32a, ie, the bell end 37, and the male of the second pipe 32b, ie, the spigot end 39. To be used with an internal bonding gasket 35. Specifically, the first telescopic ring mechanism 34a is used to prevent water from entering the pipe if the primary bell-spigot connection between the pipes 32a and 32b fails or fails. One end of the gasket 35 is pushed into a sealing engagement with the bell end 37 of the pipe 32a, and the second telescopic ring assembly is engaged with the opposite end of the gasket 35 for sealing engagement with the spigot end 39 of the pipe 32b. Push the part. Alternatively, telescopic ring assemblies 34a and 34b may be used with an internally bonded gasket 35 to bridge and seal cracks or leaks located somewhere along a single pipe 32 in the pipeline.

  As such, the telescoping ring assembly 34 generally requires radial expansion to sealing engagement within the rigid structure of the flexible gasket. Details and operation of the telescopic ring assembly 34 will be described later.

  Referring to FIG. 2, a first embodiment of the telescopic ring assembly 34 is shown. The telescoping ring 36 is made from a continuous piece of material such as stainless steel, other metal, or plastic and includes opposing ends 48. The telescoping ring 36 includes a generally planar base wall 50 having an outer surface 52 (FIG. 1A) for engaging the inner surface of the gasket and a side wall 54 projecting inwardly from the base wall 50. Base wall 50 and side wall 54 together form a generally U-shaped cross-sectional profile. However, the overall shape of the telescopic ring 36 may vary. As shown in FIG. 2, the end 48 of the telescopic ring includes a bendable portion 56.

  The drive mechanism 38 generally includes a set of block members 58 and bolts 60. Each block member 58 includes a threaded hole 62 and a set of shoulders 64 on opposite sides thereof. The holes 62 of the set of block members 58 of each drive mechanism 38 are threaded in opposite directions for reasons that will be described later. The block member 58 slides on the shoulder portion 64 in the portion 56 where the end of the end portion 48 of the expansion / contraction ring 36 is bent until the tip of the expansion / contraction ring end portion 48 abuts against the crosspiece 68 of the block member 58. Thus, it is removably attached to each end 48 of the expansion ring 36. The foregoing connection configuration between the block member 58 and the end 48 of the expansion ring 36 is exemplary, and many other repair configurations for removably connecting the block member 58 to the end 48 of the expansion ring 36. May be devised as described below.

  Bolt 60 includes ends 70a and 70b threaded in opposite directions. For example, end 70a has a right-hand thread and end 70B has a left-hand thread, or vice versa. Bolt 60 further includes a suitable tool receiving fitting, such as a hex nut portion 72 formed integrally with bolt 60, between opposite ends 70a and 70b. The nut portion 72 is here hexagonal, i.e. has six sides, but other shapes are possible, e.g. it may have four, five, six or more sides. Bolt ends 70 a and 70 b are threaded into corresponding threaded holes 62 in block member 58 to connect block member 58 to bolt 60.

  Oversleeve 40 is formed from a segmented piece of material such as stainless steel, other metal or plastic. Similar to the telescopic ring 36, the oversleeve 40 includes a base wall 74 and a set of sidewalls 76 extending therefrom to define a U-shaped cross-sectional profile that is complementary to the profile of the telescopic ring 36 as previously described. The distance between the side walls 76 of the oversleeve 40 is slightly wider than the corresponding distance between the side walls 54 of the expansion ring 36 so that the ends of the expansion ring 36 are aligned with the side walls of the oversleeve 40 as shown in FIG. Nest in the oversleeve 40 between 76.

  With reference to FIG. 3, the gasket 26 is shown disposed within the opening 24 of the wall 22, and the telescopic ring assembly 34 is shown mounted within the interior of the gasket 26. The block member 58 of the drive mechanism 38 is received in the respective end 48 of the shrink ring 36, while the end of the stretch ring 36 overlaps the end 48 of the stretch ring 36 and is bridged by the drive mechanism 38. Nested in an oversleeve 40 that spans the gap. The drive mechanism 38 is oriented so that the bolt 60 is positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L1-L1 (FIGS. 1A and 3), which is common to the telescopic ring 36, the gasket 26, and the opening 24. . A suitable tool, such as an open-ended wrench or torque wrench, is engaged with the nut portion 72 of the bolt 60 and used to rotate the bolt 60 in a first direction as indicated by arrow 78. As the bolt 60 rotates, the threaded engagement between the bolt ends 70a and 70b and the threaded holes 62 in the block member 58 simultaneously drive the block member 58 away from each other along the bolt 60, thereby extending the telescopic ring 36. Press the ends 48 of the expansion ring 36 away from each other to increase the diameter of the ring.

  During such expansion, the oversleeve 40 prevents relative lateral movement between the ends 48 of the expansion ring 36 so that the end 48 of the expansion ring 36 is along the direction indicated by the arrow 80. Constrained to move away from each other only. Expansion of the expansion ring 36 compresses the gasket 26 between the expansion ring 36 and the opening in the wall 22 and provides a fluid tight seal between the gasket 26 and the wall 22. Bolt 60 may also be rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction along arrow 78, if required, simultaneously driving block members 58 toward each other along bolt 60, thereby The elastic ring 36 can be contracted. In this manner, the telescopic ring assembly 34 is removed after installation, if necessary, to reposition the telescopic ring assembly 34 or alternatively to reuse the telescopic ring assembly 34 in another system or application. It's okay.

  Advantageously, the threaded engagement between the oppositely threaded ends 70a and 70b of the bolt 60 and the block member 58 requires that only a single tool be used to operate the drive mechanism 38. As such, the block members 58 are simultaneously driven away from each other along the bolts 60. For example, a single rotation of the wrench simultaneously drives both block members 58 away from each other so that the block members 58 need not be adjusted separately. Thus, simultaneous use of a plurality of wrenches as well as a plurality of manual adjustment steps is avoided. Furthermore, the screw engagement between the bolt ends 70a and 70b and the block member 58 allows for an infinitely variable adjustment of the drive mechanism 38 so that the telescopic ring 36 can be selectively selected to any desired range. May be extended. In this manner, the expansion ring assembly 34 can accommodate a variable nominal size gasket 26 and can also handle irregularities or size variations between the same nominal size gaskets 26.

  With reference to FIGS. 4-6B, several alternative embodiments of the drive mechanism 38 are shown. Referring initially to FIG. 4, the block member 82 is similar to the block member 58 illustrated in FIGS. 1A-3 and includes a bottom portion 84 extending therefrom. The lowermost portion 84 is positioned at the end of the telescopic ring 36 such that as the bolt 60 rotates, the lowermost portion 84 of the block member 82 moves away from each other to drive the end 48 of the telescopic ring 36 and radially expand the telescopic ring 36. It is in contact with the tip of the part 48. In addition, the oversleeve 40 receives the end 48 of the expansion ring 36, as described above, and prevents relative lateral movement between the ends 48 during radial expansion of the expansion ring 36. Is provided.

  Referring to FIG. 5, the block member 86 is similar to the block member 58 illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 3, and as the bolt 60 rotates, the protrusions 88 move away from each other to move the end 48 of the expansion ring 36. An end 88 of the telescopic ring 36 includes a projection 88 extending therefrom that forms a notch 90 for receiving and extending the telescopic ring 36 radially. Furthermore, the oversleeve 40, as described above, receives the end 48 of the expansion ring 36 and prevents relative lateral movement between the ends 48 during radial expansion of the expansion ring 36. Provided for.

  With reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the ends 48 of the telescopic ring 36 may overlap each other, with the first end 48a nested within the second end 48b and with respect to the second end 48b. It is slidable. Otherwise, the overall shape and cross-sectional profile of the telescopic ring 36 is the same as that illustrated in FIGS. 1A-3. The drive mechanism 38 includes a first block member 58a attached to the first end 48a of the expandable ring 36, and a second block member 58b attached to the second end 48b of the expandable ring 36. Referring to FIG. 6b, the block member 58a slides on the shoulder portion 64 within the portion 56 where the end of the end portion 48a is bent until the end of the end portion 48a abuts against the crosspiece 68 of the block member 58a. Is attached to the end 48a of the expansion ring 36. The block member 58b is similarly attached to the portion 56 where the end of the end 48b is bent. However, the bent portion 56 of the end 48b is positioned inward from the tip 66 at a suitable distance to allow overlap between the ends 48a and 48b of the telescoping ring. Alternatively, the block member 58b may be attached to the end 48b in another suitable manner, such as using one or more fasteners, or the end 48b may be its base that is drivingly engaged by the block member 58b. It may be formed with a tab protruding from the wall 50.

  Referring to FIG. 6A, rotation of the bolt 60 of the drive mechanism 38 simultaneously drives the block members 58a, 58b away from each other, and during such expansion, the first end 48a is relative to the second end 48b. It is slidable. Nested engagement between the first end 48a and the second end 48b prevents relative lateral movement during expansion and contraction of the expansion ring 36, so that the oversleeve 40 is shown in FIGS. Not required with the telescopic ring embodiment illustrated in 6B, and its ends 48a and 48b overlap each other.

  Referring to FIG. 10A, the oversleeve 40 includes a set of retaining members 92 that extend, if necessary. The retaining member 92 may be initially perforated in the base wall 74 of the oversleeve 40, followed by the retaining member 92 outwardly from the base wall 74 such that the retaining member 92 extends generally perpendicular to the base wall 74. Bend. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 10B, the retention member 92 may comprise a separate U-shaped bracket 93 portion that is attached to the oversleeve 40, for example, by welding. The retaining member 92 includes a hook 94 therein for receiving the ends 70a and 70b of the bolt 60 therethrough for securing the over sleeve 40 to the drive mechanism 38, as illustrated in FIG.

  The connection between the oversleeve 40 and the bolt 60 provided by the retaining member 92 causes the drive mechanism 38 to be driven before the drive mechanism 38 is actuated to unfold the telescopic ring 36 as described above. In order to prevent 38 from being released from the expansion ring 36 by gravity, it is located at the 12 o'clock position with respect to the opening 24 of the wall 22. Thus, regardless of the circumferential position of the drive mechanism 38 with respect to the end 48 of the expansion ring 36 and the opening 24 in the wall 22, the drive mechanism 38 is in place before it is actuated to unfold the expansion ring 36. Retained.

  Referring to FIG. 11, the retaining member 92 of the oversleeve 40 may advantageously be disposed in close proximity to the opposing sides of the nut portion 72 of the bolt 60. Thus, when a tool, such as a wrench 98 or 100, is engaged with the nut portion 72 to rotate the bolt 60, the tool is held in the nut portion 72 and the tool is separated laterally or from the nut portion 72. Prevent sliding down. Similarly, as illustrated in FIG. 10C, the bolt 60 extends beyond the outer periphery of the nut portion 72 and there is on the opposite side of the nut portion 72 to prevent lateral separation of the tool from the nut portion 72. A set of C-rings 116 may be included. The C-ring 116 may be attached directly to the bolt 60 as illustrated in FIG. 10C, or in the groove 118 of the bolt 60 disposed on the opposite side of the nut portion 72 as illustrated in FIG. 10C. May be attached to.

  Referring to FIG. 14, a wrench 106 is illustrated that includes a conventional shaped socket end 108 configured to engage a nut portion 72 of a bolt 60. The wrench 106 may be a standard open end wrench or alternatively a torque wrench with a separation clutch that may be set to a specified torque rating. In addition, the socket end 108 has a transverse notch (not shown) in the socket end 108 as is known to allow ratchet movement of the socket end 108 of the wrench 106 about the nut portion 72. As a result, the socket end 108 of the wrench 106 need not be completely separated from the nut portion 72 during wrench rotation. In accordance with the present invention, the socket end 108 further includes a set of retaining plates 110 attached to opposite sides thereof. The retaining plate 110 projects beyond the socket profile of the socket end 108 to prevent lateral separation from the nut portion 72 of the socket portion 108 of the wrench 106 during and during wrench rotation, It includes a curvilinear edge 112 that abuts the opposing ends of the nut portion. During rotation of the nut portion 72, the curved edge 112 engages the annular smooth surface 114 of the bolt 60 that is disposed on the opposite side of the nut portion 72. The wrench 106 is particularly effective for engaging the nut portion 72 to rotate the bolt 60 when the drive mechanism 38 is positioned in a small clearance space as illustrated in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 12, an additional embodiment of the telescopic ring assembly 34 is illustrated, wherein the telescopic ring 36 is formed from a plurality of individual ring segments 36a, 36b, and 36c, each of which is illustrated in FIGS. 1A-3. And may have the same overall cross-sectional profile and configuration as described above. Each ring segment 36a, 36b, and 36c includes an opposing end 48 and a drive mechanism 38 that is mounted between each set of adjacent ends 48 of ring segments 36a, 36b, and 36c. In addition, the oversleeve 40 may prevent the adjacent lateral ends of the ring segments 36a, 36b, and 36c as previously described to prevent relative lateral movement between the ends 48 as the telescopic ring 36 is expanded. It overlaps with part 48 and accepts it. When the telescopic ring assembly of FIG. 12 is installed in a gasket in the opening of a wall of a concrete structure, each drive mechanism 38 is a method previously described for radially extending adjacent to the ring segments 36a, 36b, and 36c. May be operated on. In particular, the telescopic ring assembly illustrated in FIG. 12 is particularly useful with gaskets having a large diameter, and a plurality of drive mechanisms can compensate for irregularities in the gasket 26 or the opening 24 in the wall 22 of the structure. Greater variability is given to the radial dimensions of the useful telescopic ring 36. For example, if the gasket 26 needs to be hermetically compressed to a greater extent at a particular location along its circumference, the drive mechanism (s) closest to that portion of the gasket 26 may be 38) may be actuated to further expand the ring segments 36a, 36b, and 36c to further compress the bare portion of the gasket 26 and strengthen the sealing device.

  Referring to FIG. 7, a pipe 32 is shown coupled to an opening 24 in a wall 22 of a structure with a telescoping ring assembly in accordance with the present invention. After the pipe 32 is connected to the gasket and structure, it may be necessary to tighten the drive mechanism 38 during maintenance to further expand the telescopic ring and strengthen the compressible sealing device of the gasket 26. is there. As shown in FIG. 7, there is a gap space 96 between the expansion ring 36 in which the drive mechanism 38 is disposed and the outer surface of the pipe 32. Depending on the diameter of the pipe 32 and / or other factors, the gap space 96 may be a very narrow space so that the nut portion 72 of the bolt 60 of the drive mechanism 38 is not readily available to the tool.

  In FIGS. 8 and 9, specially designed wrenches 98 and 100 engage the nut portion 72 of the bolt 60 of the drive mechanism 38 when it is in a small clearance space 96 between the telescopic ring 36 and the pipe 32. Shown to match. Each wrench 98 and 100 includes a shank 102 having a longitudinal axis A1-A1 and a set of opposing open socket ends 104. The socket end 104 is shaped such that the same angular direction changes with respect to the longitudinal axis A1-A1 of the shank 102 in increments of 15 °. Specifically, the socket end 104 includes a 135 ° socket end 104a of the wrench 98, a 150 ° C. socket end 104b of the wrench 98, a 165 ° socket end 104c of the wrench 100, and a 180 ° of the wrench 100. Socket end 104c. The progressive angular progression of the socket end 104 may be indicated by wrench 98 and 100 by raised bumps 106 to provide the user with a tactile indication as to which socket head 104 is being used. . The changing angular orientation of the socket end 104 allows the appropriate socket end 104 to engage the nut portion 72 of the bolt 60 of the drive mechanism 38 in the gap space 96 regardless of the rotational position of the nut portion 72. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 7, a suitable socket end 104 may be engaged with the nut portion 72 within a very small void space 96, followed by, for example, expanding the telescopic ring 36. The wrench 98 or 100 is rotated through a small angle to rotate the nut portion 72 through 1/8 of a rotation. Next, the various socket ends 104a-d of the wrench 98 and 100 are radiated to compress the gasket 26 to the extent that the expansion ring 36 is desired for sealing engagement with the opening 24 in the wall 22. It may be used continuously as needed to keep the nut portion 72 rotating until unfolded.

  Referring to FIG. 13, an additional embodiment of the telescopic ring assembly 34 is illustrated. The telescopic ring 120 is formed from a continuous piece of flat material, such as, for example, stainless steel, and includes an end 122 that protrudes from a tab 124 and a shoulder 126. The drive mechanism 38 includes a bolt 60 having a nut portion 72 and a block member 128 that includes a recess 130 and a tip 132. To engage the block member 128 with the end of the telescopic ring 120, the tab 124 of the end 122 is received within the recess 130 of the block member 128 and the tip 132 of the block member 128 contacts the shoulder of the end 122. To do. As seen in FIG. 13, in the device, the outer surface 134 of the telescopic ring 120 at its end 122 is substantially flush with the bottom surface 136 of the block member 128.

  The telescopic ring assembly of FIG. 13 functions to spread the gasket 26 in the same general manner as described above with respect to previous embodiments. However, the engagement of the tabs 124 at the ends 122 of the telescoping ring 120 within the recess 130 of the block member 128 prevents lateral movement between the ends 122 so that the oversleeve 40 is driven by the drive mechanism 38 of FIG. And not needed. If desired, the oversleeve 40 may be used with the drive mechanism 38 if desired, where the outer surface 134 of the telescopic ring 120 slides against the base wall 74 of the oversleeve 40 as the block member 128 is driven away. Dynamic contact.

  With reference to FIGS. 15-17, an additional embodiment of a telescopic ring assembly is illustrated. The telescoping ring assembly 140 includes a telescoping ring 142 having a set of ends 144 with a drive mechanism 146. Except as previously described, the telescopic ring 142 and drive mechanism 146 are similar to and function similarly to the telescopic ring assembly previously described in FIGS. The drive mechanism 146 generally includes a set of block members 146 and bolts 150. The bolt 150 includes a tool receiving structure in the form of a hex nut 152 and ends 154a and 154b threaded in opposite directions. Each block member 148 is formed from a suitable high strength metal, such as stainless steel, for example, and includes a threaded hole 156 therethrough, with holes 156 in the two block members 148 being threaded in opposite directions.

  The blocking member 148 is further removable from the end 144 of the telescopic ring 142, including a projection 158 having a set of concave curved surfaces 160 forming a set of cut-out portions on each side of the projection 158. Including an interlocking structure for interlocking engagement. The tongue-like portion 164 protrudes outward along the protrusion 158. Each end 144 of the telescopic ring 142 includes a notch 166 that forms a set of protrusions 168, and each protrusion 168 includes a convex curved surface 170.

  Referring to FIG. 15, the end 144 of the expansion ring 142 is received within the block member 148 such that the protrusion 158 of each block member 148 is received within the corresponding notch 166 of the end 144 of the expansion ring 142, A protrusion 168 at each end 144 of the telescopic ring 142 is received in a corresponding cut-out portion 162 of the block member 148, and the convex curved surface 170 of the protrusion 168 is in close contact with the concave curved surface 160 of the cut-out portion 162. Engage. The structure provides a weld engagement between the end 144 and the block member 148. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 16, the tongue-like portion 164 of each block member 148 is disposed so as to overlap on the outer surface of the end portion 144 of the telescopic ring 142.

  The interlocking engagement between the end 144 of the expansion ring 142 and the block member 148 provides relative lateral movement between the end 144 of the expansion ring 142 with respect to the block member 148 generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the bolt. Hinder. Engagement of the tongue 164 of the block member 148 with the outer surface 172 of the end 144 of the telescopic ring 142 also prevents separation of the end 144 from the block member in a radially outward direction with respect to the block member 148. Thus, the interlocking engagement between the block member 148 and the end 144 of the expandable ring 142 causes the bolt 150 to move away from the pair and drive the block member 148 to expand the expandable ring 142 as described above. , The movement of the ends 144 is restricted radially outward with respect to each other. In addition, the wedge engagement between the end 144 of the expansion ring 142 and the block member 148 described above gradually increases the force applied to the enemy when the expansion ring 142 is expanded. There is a tendency to increase the strength of the connection between the ends 144 of the block member 148.

  Referring to FIG. 16, the expansion ring assembly 140 may further include the over sleeve 40 described above that fits on the end 144 of the expansion ring 142 to span the distance therebetween. As illustrated in FIG. 16, the oversleeve also fits on the block member 148 of the drive mechanism 146. Referring to FIG. 17, a single tape 174, which may be, for example, any type of adhesive tape, is applied to overlap over the end sleeve 144 and the end 144 of the expansion ring 142, and the expansion ring assembly 140 is attached. The portions of the telescopic ring 142, the block member 148 of the drive mechanism 146, and the oversleeve may be temporarily secured in advance, thereby preventing separation of the components prior to installation of the telescopic ring assembly 140 in the field. This device is shown in FIG. 12 in applications where a large diameter telescopic ring 142 is used, as the telescopic ring assembly 140 includes multiple telescopic ring segments and a drive mechanism 146, as in the embodiment described above. Especially useful. During rotation of the bolt 150 to drive the block member 148 and the end 144 of the expansion ring 142 radially away from each other, thereby expanding the expansion ring assembly 140, the tape 174 is one of the broken lines illustrated in FIG. Or tear along both and the tape segment may remain on the telescopic ring assembly 140 after installation.

  Further, as illustrated in FIG. 20, the end of the telescopic ring 142 may be bent radially inward at 178 if desired, or the end may be bent so that the end 144 is substantially telescopic. Aligned with respect to each other along the circular chord formed by the ring 142. The bending of the end 144 is particularly useful in applications where the diameter of the telescopic ring 142 is large, such as in the previously described embodiment of FIG. 12, and mounting and fitting the end 144 of the telescopic ring to the block member 148 of the drive mechanism 146. To help.

  18 and 19, an additional embodiment of a drive mechanism that may be used with any of the telescoping ring variants is shown. The drive mechanism 180 is the same as the drive mechanism 146 disclosed above, except that the block member 182 of the drive mechanism 180 is formed of a hard plastic material, for example, by injection molding. Suitable rigid plastics include nylon 6/6 (30-40% glass fiber reinforced) and nylon 4/6 (50% glass fiber reinforced). The set of threaded inserts 184 is embedded within the block member 182, such as by insert molding the insert 184 into the block member 182 when the block member 182 is formed. Each insert 184 is formed from a high strength material, such as stainless steel, for example, and the inserts 184 of the two block members 182 are threaded in opposite directions for the reasons previously described. In addition, each insert 184 serves to securely secure the threaded insert 184 in the plastic material of the block member 182 during insert molding of the insert 184 in the block member 182, and one or more protruding therefrom. The fixing screw 186 may be included. Advantageously, the formation of the hard plastic material block member 182 reduces the overall cost of the expansion ring assembly drive mechanism 180 due to the fact that less steel is used.

  While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, this application covers all variations, uses, and adaptations of the invention that use its general principles, and further, known or customary in the art to which this invention pertains and falls within the scope of the appended claims Such deviations from the present disclosure are also covered as being within the scope of practice.

The wall of the concrete structure is a partial cross-sectional view of the connection between the concrete structure and the pipe including an opening into which the gasket is sealingly attached the expansion ring assembly according to the present invention, and further sealed to the gasket The pipe connected in a shape is shown. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a connection between a manhole frame and a manhole base disposed under a pavement surface, and a set of telescopic ring assemblies according to the present invention to prevent water from entering the manhole. The gasket which connects this manhole base part and this manhole frame in sealing shape using is shown. Partially exploded view of a pipe-to-pipe connection including an internal pipe coupler therebetween, the internal pipe coupler including a set of telescopic ring assemblies according to the present invention for preventing water ingress into the pipe It is. 1B is an exploded partial view of the telescopic ring assembly of FIG. 1A showing the telescopic ring end, drive mechanism, and oversleeve. FIG. It is a partial perspective view of the pipe connection part of FIG. 1A which shows the action | operation of the drive mechanism for expanding an expansion-contraction ring. FIG. 6 is a partial elevational view of a gasket in an opening in a wall of a concrete structure showing a telescopic ring assembly according to an alternative embodiment. FIG. 6 is a partial elevation view of a gasket within an opening in a concrete structure wall showing a telescopic ring assembly according to an additional alternative embodiment. FIG. 6 is a partial elevational view of a gasket in an opening in a concrete structure wall showing a telescopic ring assembly according to an additional alternative embodiment. FIG. 6B is an exploded partial view of the telescopic ring assembly of FIG. 6A showing the telescopic ring end and drive mechanism. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a connection between a pipe and an opening in a wall of a concrete structure showing a tool engaged with a drive mechanism for a telescopic ring. FIG. 8 is an elevational view of a first wrench effective for operating the drive mechanism of the telescopic ring of FIG. 7. FIG. 8 is an elevational view of a second wrench effective for operating the drive mechanism of the telescopic ring of FIG. 7. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an oversleeve including a set of retaining members formed therein. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an over sleeve including a retaining bracket welded thereto. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a bolt with a set of C-rings attached to each side of the nut portion. FIG. 10B is a partial elevation view of the gasket in the opening of the concrete structure wall showing the drive mechanism including the oversleeve of FIG. 10A and further illustrating the engagement of the tool with the nut portion of the bolt of the drive mechanism. FIG. 6 is a perspective exploded view of a telescopic ring assembly according to yet another alternative embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a telescopic ring assembly according to an additional embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a wrench according to the present invention including a set of retaining plates for abutting the ends of the nut portions of the bolts of the drive mechanism. FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of a portion of a telescopic ring assembly according to additional embodiments showing interlocking engagement of the end of the telescopic ring and a block member of the drive mechanism. FIG. 16 is a partial perspective view of the portion of the telescopic ring assembly of FIG. 15 showing the end of the telescopic ring in interlocking engagement with the block member of the drive mechanism and further illustrating the attachment of the oversleeve. 16 is a partial perspective view of the telescopic ring assembly of FIG. 16 further showing a piece of tape that is secured over the end of the telescopic ring and over the sleeve to temporarily secure the components of the telescopic ring assembly prior to installation. It is. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a drive mechanism according to an additional embodiment in which the block member of the drive mechanism is formed from a hard plastic material and includes a threaded insert. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 19-19 of FIG. FIG. 18 is a side view of the portion of the telescopic ring assembly of FIGS. 15-17 showing the end of the telescopic ring bent radially inward.

Claims (22)

A ring including a pair of ends;
A drive mechanism,
A set of plastic block members, each including a threaded insert therein, wherein the inserts of the block member are threaded in opposite directions and the block members are connected to respective ends of the ring. A set of plastic block members;
A bolt including an end threaded in a direction opposite to the direction of threading in the insert of the block member, respectively, wherein the block members are simultaneously driven away from each other by rotation of the bolt in a first direction; A bolt that expands the ring,
A drive mechanism comprising:
Telescopic ring assembly comprising.   The telescopic ring assembly of claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism is disposed substantially within the ring and the block member is removably coupled to a respective end of the ring.   The telescopic ring assembly of claim 1, wherein each insert is an insert molded into its respective block member.   The telescopic ring assembly of claim 3, wherein each insert is made of metal and is generally cylindrical.   The telescopic ring assembly of claim 4, wherein each insert includes at least one securing screw thread projecting outwardly therefrom.   The telescopic ring assembly of claim 1, wherein the ring includes a longitudinal axis and the bolt is disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.   The telescopic ring assembly according to claim 1, wherein the end of the ring forms an opening between the ends of the ring, and the opening is bridged by the drive mechanism.   The telescopic ring of claim 1, further comprising an oversleeve that engages and overlaps the ends of the ring, whereby the oversleeves prevent lateral movement of the ends with respect to each other.   The telescopic ring assembly of claim 1, wherein the ring is formed from a plurality of segments in which respective connections between adjacent segments are provided by the drive mechanism.   The end of the ring includes a first interlocking structure, the block member includes a second interlocking structure, and the first interlocking structure of the ring end is detachably attached to each of the block members. The telescopic ring assembly according to claim 1, wherein the telescopic ring assembly is engaged with the second interlocking structure.   The first interlocking structure at the end of the ring has a notch forming a set of first protrusions, and the second interlocking structure of the block member is between the pair of cut out parts. 11. A telescoping ring assembly according to claim 10, comprising a second protrusion disposed, wherein the second protrusion is received in the notch and the first protrusion is received in the cut-out portion. . A ring including a set of ends, each end including a first interlocking structure;
A drive mechanism,
A pair of block members each having a second interlocking structure and a threaded hole therein, the holes of the block member being threaded in opposite directions, the first interlocking of the ring end A set of block members removably engaged with the second interlocking structure of each of the block members;
A bolt including ends threaded in opposite directions that are each threaded in the holes of the block member, the rotation of the bolt in a first direction causing the block members to be driven away from each other simultaneously; A bolt that expands the ring,
A drive mechanism comprising:
Telescopic ring assembly comprising.   The telescopic ring assembly of claim 12, wherein the drive mechanism is disposed substantially within the ring.   The first interlocking structure at the end of the ring has a notch forming a pair of first protrusions, and the second interlocking structure of the block member is between the pair of cut out parts. 13. A telescoping ring according to claim 12, comprising a second protrusion disposed on the second protrusion, the second protrusion being received in the notch and the first protrusion being received in the cut-out portion. assembly.   The telescopic ring assembly of claim 12, wherein each of the blocks includes an insert formed from a hard plastic and threaded therein, wherein the insert of the block member is threaded in the opposite direction. A ring including a pair of ends;
A drive mechanism including a set of block members each having a threaded hole therethrough, wherein the holes in the block member are threaded in opposite directions and the block members are coupled to respective ends of the ring A drive mechanism including an end threaded in a direction opposite to a direction in which the bolt is threaded in each of the holes of the block member;
An oversleeve member disposed externally from the ring and overlapping the end of the ring;
A piece of tape secured with an adhesive on at least one of the oversleeve member and the end of the ring;
With
Rotation of the bolt in a first direction drives the block members away from each other, thereby driving the ends of the ring away from each other, breaking the tape pieces;
Telescopic ring assembly.   The telescopic ring assembly of claim 16, wherein the drive mechanism is disposed substantially within the ring and the block member is removably coupled to a respective end of the ring.   17. The telescoping ring assembly of claim 16, wherein each block member includes an insert formed from rigid plastic and threaded therein, wherein the insert of the block member is threaded in the opposite direction.   The telescopic ring assembly according to claim 16, wherein the adjacent end portions of the ring segments form a gap therebetween, and each of the gaps is bridged by the drive mechanism.   The end of the ring includes a first interlocking structure, the second block member includes a second interlocking structure, and the first interlocking structure of the ring end includes each of the block members. The telescopic ring assembly of claim 16, wherein the telescopic ring assembly is removably engaged with the second interlocking structure.   The first interlocking structure at the end of the ring has a notch forming a set of first protrusions, and the second interlocking structure of the block member is between the pair of cut out parts. 21. The telescoping ring assembly of claim 20, comprising a second protrusion disposed, wherein the second protrusion is received in the notch and the first protrusion is received in the cut-out portion. . A ring including a pair of ends;
A drive mechanism,
A set of block members each having a threaded hole therein, the hole of the block member being threaded in the opposite direction and the end of the ring removably engaged with the respective block member A set of block members,
A bolt including an end portion threaded in a direction opposite to the direction of threading in each of the holes of the block member, wherein the block members are simultaneously driven away from each other by rotation of the bolt in a first direction. And thereby a bolt for spreading the ring,
A drive mechanism comprising:
Telescopic ring assembly comprising.

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