US3723229A

US3723229A - Fusion tool

Info

Publication number: US3723229A
Authority: US
Inventors: W Hutton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-05-01
Filing date: 1970-05-01
Publication date: 1973-03-27
Anticipated expiration: 1990-03-27

Abstract

The fusing of a service connector to a main is effected by holding the main firmly in place with a clamp while the service connector is pressed against it with a press, the areas of each being fused, having previously been heated to fusion temperature. The press receives the service connector and holds it firmly while the connector''s saddle and the main are brought into fusion temperature by a pair of heating platens. The heating platen for the main has a hole forming die which effects a hole in the main during its heating. After heating is accomplished, the platens are removed and a pneumatic cylinder actuated to move the press and the connector''s saddle against the main with a predetermined force. A mandrel of the press maintains the hole formed in the main open during fusion. A connector locking device is released before fusion to admit to the withdrawal of the press from the connector after fusion without affecting the resultant bond.

Description

[ 1 Mar. 27, 1973 United States Patent 1 Hutton [57 ABSTRACT The fusing of a service connector to a main is effected by holding the main firmly in place with a clam [54] FUSION TOOL Inventor: Walter C. Hutton, 1567 Waldran Avenue, Los Angeles, Calif. 90041 p while the service connector is pressed against it with [22] May 1970 the areas of each being fused,

Appl. No.; 33,549 heated to fusion temperature. The press receives the service connector and holds it firmly while the connectors saddle and the main are brought into fusion [52] U.S.Cl............t...........t......,....l56/580,

temperature by a pair of heating platens. The heating [51] Int. Cl.

platen for the main has a hole forming die which effects a hole in the main during its heating. After heating is accomplished, the platens are removed and a [58] Field of Search.......

pneumatic cylinder actuated to move the press and the connectors saddle against the main with a [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS predetermined force. A mandrel of the press maintains the hole formed in the main open during fusion. A connector locking device is released before fusion to admit to the withdrawal of the press from the con-' nector after fusion without affecting the resultant bond.

L M N. .a .e n "i hm metee m n mnuw .l wP HYw 2 500 776666 999999 111111 0 23 4 1 1 1 475966 262302 0 999 17 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures Primary Examiner-Benjamin A. Borchelt Assistant ExaminerJames M. Hanley Attorney-Christie, Parker & Hale 51 Mar. 27, 1973 United States Patent 1 Hutton CONT/N050 FPO/VI F/6.1A

PATENTEUMAR'QHQH SHEET 10F 4 down V050 0 96,15

' INVENTOR. v WALTER c. HUTTOA/ ,4 TI'ORNEYS FUSION TOOL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A This invention relates to the fusion of two members together. More specifically, the invention relates to an apparatus especially adapted to fuse plastic pipes together.

Recently, plastic pipe has come into use for supplying natural gas. One type of plastic pipe that is capable of being fused together is, for example, polyethylene pipe.

In natural gas distribution a main pipe or main feeds several branch pipes or service lines. Connectors are employed to couple the service lines to the inain. The service lines, connectors and main are, of course, hollow. For this reason, prior to fusing a service connector onto a main, an aperture may be formed in the main onto which the connector is to be fused.

The method generally followed previously in the fusion of main and a service connector together required the supporting of the main in a preselected position and supporting the service connector so as to allow its lateral movement relative to the main. The areas of the members to be fused were then heated to fusion temperatures and the service connector forced against the fixed main with the force required for proper fusion.

Furthermore, an aperture had to be formed in the main, usually by a hand drill, for gas flow out of the main, through the connector and into the associated smaller service line.

In the past this operation was performed manually. Two men were generally required to insure the closest possible alignment of the members being fused and uniform contact pressure between them during fusion.

Notwithstanding the use of two men, it was very difficult to apply the required fusion pressure in making a coupling between a service connector and a main. Additionally, proper alignment was not always achieved resulting in areas inadequately fused together with the SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The fusion tool of the present invention contemplates a clampmounted on a base for receiving and securing a section of main. A service connector press mounted on the base is laterally displaceable of the clamp by a power means, such as a double-acting pneumatic cylinder. The connector press has a hollow interior for receiving the connector and, preferably, a mandrel. The mandrel maintains the integrity of a hole in the main produced by a forming die. Preferably, a connector lock is employed which secures the connector in the connector press until the connector is about to be fused to the main. A heating apparatus is employed to bring the areas of the main and connector to be fused up to fusion temperatures. After the aperture in the main is formed and the areas of the main and connector to be fused are at fusion temperatures, the heating apparatus is removed and the connector press actuated to force the connector against the main with a predetermined force.

Inasmuch as a service connector has 'a saddle with a cylindrical configuration which corresponds to the cylindrical exterior surface of the main, it is important to insure accurate register between the saddle and the main. This is done in a preferred embodiment of the present invention by providing means for preventing the connector press from rotating and providing a complementary bearing flange for the service connector saddle. The bearing flange also acts to press the saddle against the main during fusion.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description, appended claims and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a portion of the tool of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the completing portion of the tool shown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 shows a heating device and heat sink used with the tool of FIGS. 1A and 18;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional, elevational view of the tool of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional, elevational view of the tool of the present invention showing it immediately following the formation of an aperture in a main; and

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional, elevational view of the tool of the present invention as it appears during the fusing a main and service connector together.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The present invention is a tool for making a connection between two pieces of plastic pipe. The preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to polyethylene pipe. The connections made by the tool described made between a main and a service connector.

With reference to FIGS. 1A through 3, the tool of the present invention has four subassemblies carried by rectangularly shaped base member 10. The first subassembly, indicated by reference numeral 12, is a clamp for securely holding a main during the fusion process. A second of the subassemblies 13 is a connector press to hold the service connector in place during the fusion process. A third of the subassemblies 14 applies pressure to the connector and main during'fusion. The final subassembly l5 heats the main and service connector to fusion temperatures.

Subassembly or clamp 12 is cylindrically shaped. It has two

semicylindrical sections

18 and 20 joined together by a hinge pin 21 disposed in complementary hinge pin journals 22 and 23 which are alternately attached along longitudinal edges of

sections

18 and 20, respectively, to the sections. Because of the hinged connection between

sections

18 and 20, clamp 12 may be opened at its parting line between the half sections for the receipt of a main pipe. I-Ialf section 20 is cut away in its midsection in order to expose that portion of a main of polyethylene pipe held by clamp 12 onto which a service connector of polyethylene pipe is to be fused.

Clamp 12 is mounted to base member 10 by means of an upright 24. Upright 24 is welded to base member 10 at 25. The upright is also welded to half section 18 along an interface 26. As such, only half section is capable of rotating about hinge pin 21.

In order to firmly clamp a main within clamp 12, the clamp includes locking device 28. The locking device includes a pair of notched lock lugs 30 and 32 which are welded to the upper surfaces of half section 20 at each of its ends.

Lugs

30 and 32 each have V-shape notched

surfaces

34 and 36, respectively.

Lugs

30 and 32 are mounted so that V-shape notched

surfaces

34 and 36 are aligned with each other and face in a direction away from the parting line between

half sections

18 and 20.

Locking device 28 further includes a T-bar handle 38 defined by perpendicularly oriented

rods

40 and 42. Rod 42 is journaled for rotation in a pair of

bushings

44 and 46. A plate 48 is disposed between rod 42 and half section 18 of clamp 12. Plate 48 is welded directly to half section 18 at points along line 50.

Bushings

44 and 46 are also welded to plate 48. Thus, rod 42 may be rotated within

bushings

44 and 46 and relative to plate 48 and half section 18 merely raising or lowering rod 40. In other words, and with reference to FIGS. 1A and 3, as rod 40 is raised from the position shown, rod 42 will rotate clockwise within

bushings

44 and 46.

End portions

54 and 56 of rod 42 extend longitudinally from

bushings

44 and 46.

End portions

54 and 56 are respectively welded to

bushings

58 and 60.

Bushings

58 and 60 are themselves rotatably carried by blocks 62 and 64, respectively, through hinge pins, one of which is shown by reference numeral 65. A U- shaped latch or bar 66 is carried by blocks 62 and 64 through threaded connections between the blocks and ends 68 and 70 of bar 66.

Nuts

72 and 73 are threaded on ends 68 and 70 of bar 66 on either side of blocks 62 and 64 to provide adjustment in the throw of bar 66 relative to lugs 30 and 32.

The operation of locking device 28 is as follows. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 3, U-shaped bar 66 is engaged within V-shape notched

surfaces

34 and 36 of

lugs

30 and 32 when rod 40 of T-bar 38 is pointed substantially downward. As rod 40 of T-bar 38 is lifted upward, rod 42 rotates clockwise within

bushings

44 and 46. Such clockwise rotation causes

bushings

58 and 60 to travel in an arc upwardly and towards half section 20, since they are welded to end

portions

54 and 56 of rod 42. Since each of

bushings

58 and 60 is rotatably carried by blocks 62 and 64, respectively, movement of the bushings causes U-shaped bar 66 to lift in the vicinity of the blocks and in the vicinity of the bite of the U to move laterally away from notched lock lugs 30 and 32. Once U-shaped bar 66 clears

lugs

30 and 32, it may be lifted out of the way by rotating it counterclockwise about the longitudinal axes of

bushings

58 and 60. Once U-shaped bar 66 has been moved clear of

lugs

30 and 32, half section 20 may be rotated clockwise about hinge pin 21 thereby opening cylindrical clamp 12 for receipt ofa main of polyethylene pipe.

Once the main polyethylene pipe has been positioned within cylindrical clamp 12, it is desirable to lock the main in the clamp so that it is fixed in position. This is accomplished by rotating half section 20 counterclockwise until it contacts the main, and then rotating U-shaped bar 66 clockwise until it engages notched lock lugs 30 and 32. Rod 40 of T-bar 38 is then lowered, thereby forcing U-shaped bar 66 into V-shape notched

surfaces

34 and 36 of

lugs

30 and 32. When this happens, cylindrical clamp 12 is securely locked on the main.

The function, therefore, of clamp 12 is to provide means for supporting a main of polyethylene pipe in a fixed preselected position relative to base member 10 and the rest of the fusion tool.

One important attribute of clamp 12 is that it holds a main of polyethylene pipe straight. Polyethylene pipe is often supplied in coil form and, as a consequence, it needs to be straightened or rounded out where it is to be fused to the saddle of a service connector in order to insure full contact and fusion between the connector and the main. Clamp 12 does this.

The second subassembly, subassembly 13, is a connector press. It has two primary functions: first, to support 'a connector at a fixed preselected distance from base member 10 and on the centerline of a main secured in clamp 12; and second, to maintain, during the fusion of the connector to the main, an aperture formed in the main polyethylene pipe by a heating device (to be more fully described and explained below). Second subassembly 13 is carried by subassembly 14. The third subassembly provides a means for moving the connector press laterally toward and away from clamp 12 and, during the fusing of a service connector and a main together, a means to provide a predetermined contact pressure between the connector and main.

Connector press 13 is best shown in FIGS. 1A and 3. FIG. 3 illustrates a connector 78 removably secured within the connector press. Connector press 13 basically includes a substantially cylindrically shaped housing 80 which is open at one end and secured to a coupling plate 82 at its other end. A flange 84 is at the open end of housing 80. The flange has a concave surface 86 with a circular curvature disposed most adjacent clamp 12 to engage an externally curved surface of a saddle 87 of the connector.

Second subassembly 13 further includes a rnandrel 88 of cylindrical configuration having a chamfered end 90 protruding from the open end of housing 80. The interior end of the mandrel is secured interiorly of housing 80 to an interior wall 91 coaxial with the axis of the housing, as by threads. As will be seen below, mandrel 88 maintains an aperture formed within a main of polyethylene pipe held in clamp 12.

A trip lock 92 is mounted to the bottom of housing 80 for selectively locking connector 78 (FIG. 3) within housing 80. Trip lock 92 has a pair of downwardly extending,

parallel plates

94 and 96, between which are pivotally secured a gripping member 98 (FIG. 3) and a cam member 100. Gripping member 98 is pivotally secured between

plates

94 and 96 through pin 101. The free end of the gripping member has teeth 102 for engaging an exterior longitudinal surface of connector 78. Cam member is pivotally secured between

plates

94 and 96 through a pin 103. A cam surface of cam member 100 is disposed to engage gripping member 98 to force teeth 102 against connector 78.

An aperture 104 is defined in the bottom surface of housing 80 and is adapted to pass teeth 102 of gripping member 98 into the hollow interior of the housing. As more clearly seen in FIG. 3, when cam member 100 is substantially vertically oriented, teeth 102 extend through aperture 104 to grip connector 78. The gripping prevents connector 78 from axial movement relative to housing 80. Once a main and a connector have been fused together it is necessary to withdraw housing 80 from the connector. This necessitates freeing connector 78 from housing 80 which is accomplished by the counterclockwise rotation of longitudinal cam member 100. With such rotation, gripping member 98 is free to rotate counterclockwise to release connector 78. It is contemplated that a spring (not shown) can be used to bias gripping member 98 out of aperture 104.

To effect the release of gripping member 98, a tripping lug 106 is mounted on base member at a sufficient distance from upright 24 that connector 78 is released from housing 80 prior to the contact of connector 78 with the main of polyethylene pipe. A lateral tripping and setting lug 107 of cam member 100 is disposed to engage tripping lug 106. Lug 107 also provides for the manual locking of connector 78 within the housing.

A rod 108 is mounted between upright 24 and tripping lug 106. The purpose of rod 108 is to maintain cam member 100 out of engagement with gripping member 98 after tripping by lug 106 and during movement of housing 80 toward and away from clamp 12 in the space between tripping lug 106 and the clamp. Thus, after fusion (described below in detail), housing 80 may be expeditiously withdrawn from connector 78 without affecting the fusion bond.

Third subassembly 14 is shown in FIGS. 1B and 3. Third subassembly 14 is mounted at the end of base member 10 opposite clamp 12. Basically it includes a double-acting power cylinder 110 which drives a shaft 112 toward and away from clamp 12. Double-acting power cylinders are well known in the art and thus a detailed description of cylinder 110 is not felt necessary. Power cylinder 110 is mounted between a pair of

upstanding plates

114 and 116 so that cylinder 110 is parallel with and at a preselected distance from base member 10.

A control valve 118 is mounted beneath power cylinder 110 on'base l0 and is operatively coupled with power cylinder 110 supplying pressurized air. A control element 120 is operatively connected to control valve 118 in a standard manner for selectively driving shaft 112 toward and away from clamp 12.

An alignment sleeve 122 is also mounted between

upstanding plates

114 and 116, and is disposed above and parallel with power cylinder 110. A shaft 124 is axially movable within sleeve 122. Interior ends 126 and 128 of

shafts

112 and 124, respectively, are secured to coupling plate 82. As control valve 118 is actuated to cause air pressure to force shaft 112 axially toward clamp 12, shaft 124 will necessarily follow. The purpose of shaft 124 and sleeve 122 is to insure that housing 80, containing connector 78, does not rotate about its axis during movement ward and away from clamp 12 and to thereby maintain saddle 87 properly oriented with respect to the cylindrical surface of a main to which it is ultimately fused.

A timing device 130 is mounted to plate 116 for actuation by shaft 124. Contained within the end of sleeve 122 adjacent plate 116 is an actuator rod 132 around which is disposed a biasing spring 134 (FIG. 3).

The spring urges rod 132 toward clamp 12 to the posi tion shown. A head 136 of rod 132 is disposed to be engaged by shaft 124.

Timer is actuated when shaft 124 is moved axially toward clamp 12. Timer 130 is actuated by such axial movement since spring 134 forces actuator rod 132 a slight distance toward clamp 12 when shaft 124 leaves head 136. Rod 132 is coupled to timer 130 through a link 137 which is carried by rod 132 through adjusting nuts 139.

Since clamp 12 is mounted in a fixed preselected position above base member 10, it is necessary that the other end of base member 10 be vertically adjustable to accommodate the different elevations that a main of polyethylene pipe may be from a supporting surface, the support surface typically being the ground. In this regard, an adjustable pedestal 138 is adjustably clamped to the end of base member 10 remote from lamp 12 by means of clamping device 140 in the form of a block with a threaded thumb screw 143. The block is rotatably carried by base 10 through a connecting pin 14]. For storage, the thumb screw is loosened and the shaft of pedestal 138 extended for its full length. Pedestal 138 is then rotated 90 about its connecting pin 141. The'pedestal is then slid into base 10.

The fourth, and last, major subassembly is a heating device 142 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The heating device includes a heating element 144 (FIG. 3) disposed between a main heating platen 146 and a service connector heating platen 148. Main heating platen 146 has a substantially flat surface 150 adjacent heating element 144, and a concave surface 152 most adjacent clamp 12. A forming die 154 is carried by main heating platen 146 and extends from concave surface 152 toward clamp 12 for the forming of a hole in a main of polyethylene pipe. The forming die is secured to main heating platen 146 through a threaded plug 155 attached to it and engaged with a threaded bushing 157 of the platen. The die is hollow for retaining a button of polyethylene resulting from the formation of a hole in the main. An air relief port 159 through the wall of the die provides for the escape of air. A lip 161 of the die aids in returning the button.

Connector heating platen 148 also contains a substantially flat surface 156' juxtaposed with heating element 144, and a convex surface 158. An aperture is defined within connector heating platen 148 through convex surface 158 to accommodate mandrel 88 when connector 78 is moved against heating platen 148.

Heating platens

146 and 148 are bolted together by bolts 162 so that heating element 144 is sandwiched between the heating platens.

Heating device 142 further includes a heat shield 164 having an aperture 165 defined through the center and identical in configuration and diameter to aperture 160. Heat shield 164 is adapted to be removably jux-' taposed with convex surface 158 of connector heating platen 148 (as shown in FIG. 4). The shield has a backing member 163 and an insulating layer 167, say asbestos, on the backing member for shielding connector 78. The entire heating device 142 is movably carried by base member 10 by means of angles 166. These angles are secured to heating device 142 and are slidably disposed along the upper corners of base member 10. Thus, heating device 142 may be positioned at any desired distance laterally of clamp 12.

The over-all operation of the entire fusion facilitating apparatus will now be described in detail with specific reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 viewed collaterally with FIGS. 1A through 3. The method involved in the functioning of the apparatus is described with regard to the following steps.

The entire fusion facilitating apparatus is positioned relative to a main polyethylene pipe, indicated by reference numeral 168, so that clamp 12 is directly underneath the pipe. In the manner described above, clamp 12 is opened to receive main pipe. I

Thereafter, the base member is lifted so that the polyethylene pipe is laterally moved into cylindrical clamp 12, which is then clamped onto the main in the manner described previously with regard to locking device 28. Before the pipe is locked within clamp 12, the remote end of base 10 is raised so that the base is parallel with the ground. With this the case, pedestal 138 is adjusted so that base member 10 is supported parallel to the ground, at which point clamping device 140 is clamped to the pedestal.

Connector 78 is then placed in housing 80 of connector press 13.

The heating device 142 is then slidably placed on base member 10 with the main heating platen 146 most adjacent the main polyethylene pipe. In this regard, heat shield 164 is placed in juxtaposition with convex surface 158 of connector heating platen 148 and with its aperture 165 aligned with aperture 160. I-Ieating device 142 is then heated to a temperature of approximately 500 F., i.e. proper fusion temperature.

Control valve 118 is then operated to actuate double-acting power cylinder 110 in a manner such that shaft 112 is forced axially toward main 168. With this the case, shaft 124 additionally moves axially outward from sleeve 122 to insure, in the manner described above, that connector 78 does not rotate. The action of shaft 112 causes coupling plate 82, and thus housing 80, to move laterally toward heating device 142 and clamp 12. In the process of such lateral movement, connector 78 contacts heat shield 164, thereby inserting mandrel 88 through

apertures

165 and 160 and within connector heating platen 148. Further lateral movement toward clamp 12 then causes not only housing 80, but heating device 142 as well, to move toward the main polyethylene pipe which is securely clamped within clamp 12. Eventually, forming die 154, heated to the fusion temperature of 500 F., will come into contact with the main polyethylene pipe to form an aperture therein as concave surface 152 of main heating platen 146 approaches and then contacts the main polyethylene pipe.

Rapidly upon the formation of the aperture within the main pipe, control valve 118 is again actuated, but this time forcing shaft 112 axially back into cylinder 110 toward the remote end of base 10. Heating device 142 remains in the position wherein concave surface 152 of main heating platen 146 is in contact with the main polyethylene pipe. However, housing 80 and mandrel 88 laterally move away from heatingdevice 142.

Next, heat shield 164 is removed. Additionally, control valve 118 is actuated to actuate double-acting cylinder 110 to again force shaft 112 laterally toward the main polyethylene pipe. This time, however, connector 78, secured within housing 80 by gripping member 98 which is held in position by cam member 100, comes into contact with convex surface 158 of connector heating platen 148. Additionally, mandrel 88 moves into aperture 160. Double-acting power cylinder 110 thereby causes a pressure contact between connector heating platen 148 and connector 78, and between main heating platen 146 and a main polyethylene pipe secured in clamp 12. During such pressure contact, connector 78 and the main polyethylene pipe are both heated to fusion temperatures, i.e. approximately 500 F.

Timing device 130, which has been actuated by the movement of shaft 124 axially outward from sleeve 122, informs the apparatus operator of the predetermined time it takes both the main pipe and connector to heat to the proper fusion temperature. Upon an indication of the elapsed time by timer 130, control valve 118 is operated to actuate double-acting cylinder 110 in the opposite direction, thereby driving shaft 112 axially back into its cylinder. With this the case, housing 80 with connector 78 still clamped in it by gripping member 98 moves laterally away from heating device 142.

The heating device is then removed from base member 10. Control valve 118 is once again actuated to move shaft 112 axially outward from cylinder 110. This time, however, connector press 13 moves all the way until connector saddle 87 contacts the main polyethylene pipe. Mandrel 88 moves into the aperture formed within the main polyethylene pipe in order to maintain the aperture free of melted material. Since the main polyethylene pipe and the connector (also a polyethylene pipe) are both preheated to fusion temperatures, as described above, the resultant contact pressure supplied by double-acting power cylinder 110 effectuates an even melt pattern and a properly aligned fusion without the main pipe aperture being affected.

Since the connector press 13 has moved close to the main polyethylene pipe, tripping lug 106 has caused the rotation of cam member into a horizontal position to free connector 78 from gripping member 98. As already stated, rod 108 maintains cam member 100 and gripping member 98 out of engagement with connector 78 during the fusion process. Control valve 118 is then operated to effectuate a retraction of shaft 112 back into cylinder 110.

Cylindrical clamp 12 is then reopened and taken from the main polyethylene pipe.

What has been described, therefore, is a fusion tool especially suited for the fusing together of a pair of polyethylene pipes by means of fusing a connector onto a preselected portion of a main of polyethylene pipe.

The fusion tool, according to the present invention, completely eliminates the need for two men to perform the fusion operation, only one man being needed to operate the apparatus itself. Furthermore, the present invention provides precise alignment of the pair of members to be fused and, in addition, provides the precise fusion pressure required to obtain a more consistent and even melt pattern on the members to be fused.

What is claimed is:

l. A tool for fusing a first and a second pipe together comprising:

a. a base;

a selectively operable clamp on the base for supporting and securingthe first pipe in a fixed position along a backside thereof between ends of the clamp;

- c. a press having a housing adapted to receive and retracted position and a fusion position, the path lying on a line intersecting the clamp between the ends thereof, the fusion position being sufficiently close to the clamp to effect contact under pressure between the first pipe in the clamp and the second pipe in the press;

d. power means for selectively moving the press between the retracted and fusion positions, the power means being operable to press the second pipe against the first pipe with a predetermined force during their fusion and to retract the press under power after fusion;

e. means for heating to fusion temperature the areas of the pipes to be fused, such means being translatably disposable on the base between the clamp and the press and responsive to movement of the press towards the fusion position to move toward the clamp; and

f. a forming die carried by the heating means in posi tion to form a hole in the first pipe before the area surrounding the hole is directly heated by the balance of the heating means, the hole being formed for gas communication between the interior of the firstpipe and the interior of the second pipe.

2. The tool claimed in claim 1 wherein the heating means includes a first and a second pair of heating platens, the first heating platen having a concave surface corresponding to that of the first pipe, the second heating platen having a convex curvature corresponding to the curvature of the end of the second pipe to be fused, the first and second platens being disposable against the first pipe and second pipe, respectively.

3. The tool claimed in claim 1 wherein the forming die has a hollow interior with an air relief port in position to vent air from the hollow interior during the formation ofa hole in the first pipe.

4. The tool claimed in claim 1 wherein the press includes a mandrel coaxially disposed with the axis of the housing and along the axis of the housing, the mandrel extending from an open end of the housing for maintaining the hole in the first pipe formed by the forming die during the fusion of the first and second pipes together.

5. The tool claimed in claim 1 wherein the press has a flange having a concave curved surface for engaging a saddle of the second pipe during the translation of the second pipe towards the first pipe and for pressing against the saddle during the fusion of the two pipes together.

6. The tool claimed in claim 5 including means for preventing rotation of the housing of the press during translation thereof toward and away from the clamp.

7. The tool claimed in claim 1 wherein a lock is provided on the housing for selectively locking the second pipe to the housing.

8. The tool claimed in claim 7 including means for preventing the second pipe lock from engaging the second pipe after the first and second pipes have been fused together and during the translation of the press away from the first pipe.

9. The tool claimed in claim 1 including a supporting pedestal on an end of the base remote from the clamp to supportthe base at a preselected angular position with respect to the first pipe. v

10. The tool claimed in claim 9 wherein the supporting pedestal is rotationally secured to the base for storage along the axis of the base when not in use, and including means for locking the pedestal in place during use.

11. A tool for fusing a first and a second pipe together in the field comprising:

a. a base;

b. a selectively operable clamp on the base for supporting and securing the first pipe in a fixed position, the clamp including a first semicylindrical member and a second semicylindrical member each having a concave surface of the same curvature as the exterior of the first pipe, and means to open and close the semicylindrical members to receive and secure the first pipe between them;

c. a press having a housing adapted to receive and hold at least a portion of the second pipe, the press being mounted on the base for movement toward and away from the clamp along a path at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the first pipe between a retracted position and a fusion position, the path lying on a line intersecting the clamp between the ends of the semicylindrical members, the fusion position being sufficiently close to the clamp to effect contact under pressure between the first pipe in the clamp and the second pipe in the press; and

d. power means for selectively moving the press between the retracted and fusion positions, the power means being operable to press the second pipe against the first pipe with a predetermined force during their fusion and to retract the press under power after fusion.

12. The tool claimed in claim 11 wherein the semicylindrical member has an aperture therein for passage of the second pipe into contact with the first pipe during fusion.

13. The tool claimed in claim 1 1 wherein the opening and closing means includes the first and second semicylindrical members being pivotally secured together along adjacent longitudinal edges thereof and means to selectively secure the other longitudinal edges of the members together for the securing of the first pipe in the clamp.

14. The tool claimed in claim 13 wherein the selective securing means includes at least one lug on one of the semicylindrical members, a latch on the other semicylindrical member selectively engageable with the lug, and a handle for selectively releasing and engaging the latch with the lug.

15. The tool claimed in claim 11 including means for heating to fusion temperature the areas of the pipes to be fused, such means being translatably disposable on the base between the clamp and the press and responsive to movement of the press towards the fusion position to move toward the clamp; and

a forming die carried by the heating means in position to form a hole in the first pipe before the area surrounding the hole is directly heated by the balance of the heating means, the hole being formed for gas communication between the interior of the first pipe and the interior of the second pipe.

16. The tool claimed in claim 15 wherein the forming die has a hollow interior with an air relief port in position to vent air from the hollow interior during the formation of a hole in the first pipe; and

the press includes a mandrel coaxially disposed with the axis of the housing and along the axis of the housing, the mandrel extending from an open end of the housing for maintaining the hole in the first pipe formed by the forming die during the fusion of the first and second pipes together.

17. The tool claimed in claim 15 including a supporting pedestal on the end of the base remote from the clamp to support the base at a preselected angular position with respect to the first pipe, the supporting pedestal being rotationally secured to the base for storage along the axis of the base when not in use, and including means for locking the pedestal in place during use.

Claims

1. A tool for fusing a first and a second pipe together comprising: a. a base; b. a selectively operable clamp on the base for supporting and securing the first pipe in a fixed position along a backside thereof between ends of the clamp; c. a press having a housing adapted to receive and hold at least a portion of the second pipe, the press being mounted on the base for movement toward and away from the clamp along a path at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the first pipe between a retracted position and a fusion position, the path lying on a line intersecting the clamp between the ends thereof, the fusion position being sufficiently close to the clamp to effect contact under pressure between the first pipe in the clamp and the second pipe in the press; d. power means for selectively moving the press between the retracted and fusion positions, the power means being operable to press the second pipe against the first pipe with a predetermined force during their fusion and to retract the press under power after fusion; e. means for heating to fusion temperature the areas of the pipes to be fused, such means being translatably disposable on the base between the clamp and the press and responsive to movement of the press towards the fusion position to move toward the clamp; and f. a forming die carried by the heating means in position to form a hole in the first pipe before the area surrounding the hole is directly heated by the balance of the heating means, the hole being formed for gas communication between the interior of the first pipe and the interior of the second pipe.

3. The tool claimed in claim 1 wherein the forming die has a hollow interior with an air relief port in position to vent air from the hollow interior during the formation of a hole in the first pipe.

9. The tool claimed in claim 1 including a supporting pedestal on an end of the base remote from the clamp to support the base at a preselected angular position with respect to the first pipe.

11. A tool for fusing a first and a second pipe together in the field comprising: a. a base; b. a selectively operable clamp on the base for supporting and securing the first pipe in a fixed position, the clamp including a first semicylindrical member and a second semicylindrical member each having a concave surface of the same curvature as the exterior of the first pipe, and means to open and close the semicylindrical members to receive and secure the first pipe between them; c. a press having a housing adapted to receive and hold at least a portion of the second pipe, the press being mounted on the base for movement toward and away from the clamp along a path at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the first pipe between a retracted position and a fusion position, the path lying on a line intersecting the clamp between the ends of the semicylindrical members, the fusion position being sufficiently close to the clamp to effect contact under pressure between the first pipe in the clamp and the second pipe in the press; and d. power means for selectively moving the press between the retracted and fusion positions, the power means being operable to press the second pipe against the first pipe with a predetermined force during their fusion and to retract the press under power after fusion.

13. The tool claimed in claim 11 wherein the opening and closing means includes the first and second semicylindrical members being pivotally secured together along adjacent longitudinal edges thereof and means to selectively secure the other longitudinal edges of the members together for the securing of the first pipe in the clamp.

15. The tool claimed in claim 11 including means for heating to fusion temperature the areas of the pipes to be fused, such means being translatably disposable on the base between the clamp and the press and responsive to movement of the press towards the fusion position to move toward the clamp; and a forming die carried by the heating means in position to form a hole in the first pipe before the area surrounding the hole is directly heated by the balance of the heating means, the hole being formed for gas communication between the interior of the first pipe and the interior of the second pipe.

16. The tool claimed in claim 15 wherein the forming die has a hollow interior with an air relief port in position to vent air from the hollow interior during the formation of a hole in the first pipe; and the press includes a mandrel coaxially disposed with the axis of the housing and along the axis of the housing, the mandrel extending from an open end of the housing for maintaining the hole in the first pipe formed by the forming die during the fusion of the first and second pipes together.