US2143480A

US2143480A - Thread protector

Info

Publication number: US2143480A
Application number: US164479A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lester S Gunderman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1937-09-18
Filing date: 1937-09-18
Publication date: 1939-01-10
Anticipated expiration: 1956-01-10

Description

l Jn. 10, 1939.` Vl.. s. GUNDERMAN THREAD PROTECTOR original Filed Feb. -.21, 1955 mvzNToR i Patented Jan. 10, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Reiled for abandoned application Serial No. 7,593,

February 21, 1935. This application September 18, 1937, Serial No. 164,479

4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvement in thread protection and more particularly to the protection of threaded ends of pipe.

An object of this invention is to provide a protector which can be quickly applied and quickly removed and yet it is very securely held in position on the pipe.

This feature and other objects of the invention lie in the novel construction and combination of parts and may be understood by Vreference to accompanying drawing, of which:

Fig. 1 is an end elevation of a pipe end protector embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section taken on line A-A in Figure 1. The protector being shown in a closed position as applied on the usual pipe sleeve or coupling.

Fig. 3 is a view of the protector in a side elevation, and shows the protector in a closed position. i

Fig. 4 is similar to Figure 3 and shows the protector in an open position.

Fig. 5 is a view of a modified form of the` device, used for the outside of pipe and circular objects.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on line B--B of Figure 5.

Fig. 7 is a view of the locking key for the modied form in Figure 5,

Referring to drawing, 8 indicates an ordinary pipe sleeve which is threaded internally and the device mounted therein. The protector 9 is made from a strip of metal and rolled into a circular form. Both ends I0 of the blank are notched inwardly from the edges II and connected together by tapering edges I2. The other end of the edges has corresponding tapers I3 which taper inwardly from the edges Ill and are of the same degree of taper as edges I2. A key member I4 is slidably mounted between these edges. The size of the key member` I4 and the taper edges thereon are made to t the edges I0, II, I2, and I3 so that when the key is driven into position, it will secure the device on the article to be protected. When the key is driven across the ends of the sleeve, the tapered ends I2 and I3 will spread the sleeve to a greater diameter, forcing the sleeve into contact with the threads. The parallel edges I0 and II are a means for preventing the key member from being accidentally jarred loose causing the sleeve to become loose and thus failing to protect the threads. If the key and the sleeve were provided with a continuous taper, then with the constant jarring in the handling and ship-ping of (Cl. 13S-96) the pipe, the key would become loosened and the sleeve would come ofi the pipe and thus fail to protect the threads.

Figure 3 shows the key in a closed position and Figure 4 shows the key in an open position. Located on the inside of the collar 9 and on the inner surface of the key member I4 is a guide plate I 5 and on the outside of the key member and the collar is a second guide plate I6. The guide plates I5 and i6 are securely mounted on the key member but slidably connected on the collar 9. The guide plates I5 and I6 hold the edges of the key member I4 and the edges of. the collar 9 in position so that the edges thereof cannot slip past each other when the key member is moved in and out of locking position.

In Figure 4, the outer guide plate 86 is not shown in order to give a plainer view of the locking key and its association with the collar 9.

The innermost edge I'I of the guide plate I6 is of a greater width than the outer edge to prevent the key member from being detached from the collar when the key member is moved to an open position so that the edge I'I will contact with the ange 20' to prevent the removal of the wedge from the sleeve.

The large end of the key I4 has a right angle projection I8 to limit the inward movement of the key when it is driven into locking position and when in this position the end of the pipe is protected by the flange I8. The small end of the key has a right angle bend I9 thereon which extends inwardly to provide a means at which point the key may be driven from a locking position.

The outer edge of the collar 9 has a right angle circular extension 20 thereon which locates the collar on the pipe when mounting the device thereon.

Between the collar 9 and the article to be protected is a yielding member which serves to cushion any blow which the collar` might accidentally receive.

In the collar 9 and near the inner edge thereof is a series of slight indentations 22 which force the yielding member at these points in between the threads on the pipe when the device is tightened in a protective position.

Figures 5, 6, and 7 illustrate the present protector as applied to the external threads of. a pipe. In this case the collar 9 is slightly larger than the outside diameter of the pipe. The ends 23 of the collar are of the same taper and general shape as on the internal protector but are reversely bent leaving space between the collar and the ends 23 for the key member 24 to slide freely therein. The key 24 is larger than the key member I4 so that the edges 25 may be reversely bent in order to reside in the space under the end 23 of the collar 9.

It will be seen that in both forms of protector that the tapered edge on the collar and the tapered portion on the key coacts therewith when the key is driven across the collar at right angles thereto to force the collar into contact with the object to be protected.

The large end of the key 24 is provided with an extension 26, the end of whichV is provided with a right angle bend 21 thereon to abut the end member 23 to hold the key in an assembled position on the collar 9, thus preventing the key from coming off the collar 9 when not in a tightened position.

Inside the collar 9 is a yielding member 28.

In Figures and 6 the collar is shown in an open position in which position the device is applied merely by slipping it into position on the object to be protected. Then by driving the end of the key flush with the edge of the collar, the tapers on the collar and the key will force the collar against the Wall of the object to be protected.

It will be obvious that in each instance, the protector comprises a metal sleeve the ends of which are shorter on one edge than the opposite edge with angular edges connecting the said long and short ends, and that the key member has substantially corresponding width and tapers thereon to coact with the end of the sleeve to bring the said sleeve into contact with the object to be protected when the key member is forced across the ends of the said sleeve.

What I have disclosed and what I now consider -the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will, of course, be understood that I do not regard my invention .as limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, since various Achanges may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the applied claims. f

responding parallel and tapered portions on the edges thereof slidably mounted between the ends of the said sleeve, said key, when moved longitudinally in relation to the pipe, expanding the collar against the wall of the pipe.

2. A protector for the purpose named adapted to slip into position for protecting threaded pipe ends, comprising an expandable and contractable sleeve made from a strip of metal, said sleeve having parallel and tapering portions on the ends thereof and a right angle circular ange thereon, a key member provided with corresponding parallel and tapered portions on the edges thereof mounted between the ends of said sleeve, plates of greater width than the said key being mounted on each side of the key, one edge of one plate abutting the circular flange of said sleeve to prevent the removal of the key from the said sleeve, and an inwardly extended end on one plate to facilitate the releasing of said key, said key being slidable between the ends of said sleeve, said key being held against longitudinal displacement when the key has expanded the collar by contact between said parallel portions of the key and the parallel portions of the sleeve, and a yielding member to lie between the sleeve and the pipe.

3. A device for the purpose named adapted to slip into position for protecting pipe threads, comprising a contractable and expandable sleeve made from a strip of metal having a right angle circular extension on one edge thereof, the ends of said sleeve having parallel and tapered portions, and a wedging member having corresponding parallel and tapered portions being mounted between the ends of said sleeve to force the said sleeve into gripping vaction with the said pipe threads When moved longitudinally in relation to the pipe, and a yielding member adapted to lie between the said sleeve and the pipe. Y

4. A device for the purpose named adapted to slip into position for protecting pipe threads, comprising a contractable. and expandable sleeve having offset and tapering portions on the ends thereof and a wedging member having corref sponding offset and tapering portions on the edges thereof to coact transversely with the said ends of the sleeve to'force the said sleeve into retaining contact with the pipe threads, and a yielding member to lie between the said sleeve and the said pipe threads.

LESTER S. GUNDERMAN.