WO2005001322A1

WO2005001322A1 - Pipe moving regulation joint device

Info

Publication number: WO2005001322A1
Application number: PCT/KR2004/001452
Authority: WO
Inventors: Su Gen Kim
Original assignee: Su Gen Kim
Priority date: 2003-06-27
Filing date: 2004-06-17
Publication date: 2005-01-06
Also published as: KR100574744B1; KR20050001331A

Abstract

The present invention provides a pipe movement regulating joint device. The pipe movement regulating joint device includes a pipe (10) with a first groove (11) and a second groove (12); and a hollow tightening unit (20) which receives therein the pipe (10) and has a clamping part (21), an outer thread (22), and a stopper (23). The pipe movement regulating joint device further includes a spring (30) which is inserted between the pipe (10) and the hollow tightening unit (20); and a spring holder (40) which has a slitted ring shape with a support ring (42). The pipe movement regulating joint device further includes a packing (50) which has a protrusion (51) on an inner surface thereof, and a pipe joint (60), with a packing receiving part (61) and an internal thread (62) to engage with the hollow tightening unit (20).

Description

DESCRIPTION

PIPE MOVING REGULATION JOINT DEVICE

[Technical Field] The present invention relates, in general, to pipe joint devices and, more particularly, to a pipe movement regulating joint device, by which a pipe jointing process is simply executed without any welding process, and which efficiently responds to a movement of a pipe caused by an outside impact, such as an earthquake, or by a change in the temperature resulting from a climatic change. [Background Art] Pipe joint devices must be strong, and pipe jointing processes must be simplified. Generally, pipes each are manufactured to have a predetermined length, thus easily handling it. In shop floors, the pipes are arranged at desired positions. Thereafter, the pipes are coupled to each other by welding or using thread engagement structures with sockets, reducers, tees and elbows according to directions of the arranged pipes. Alternatively, to selectively control flows of fluid, valves may be used in the pipe joints. The conventional pipe jointing processes using the welding or the thread engagement structures is advantageous in that the pipe joints are strong. However, the conventional pipe joints are problematic in that workability is reduced, cracks are caused on welded parts, and water leakages are caused by corrosion. Furthermore, if the above-mentioned problems are caused on city water pipes through which drinking water is passed, sanitary problems, such as heavy metal pollutions, may be caused. In addition, the conventional pipe joints cannot respond to contraction or expansion of the pipes caused by a change in the temperature, and cannot respond to movements of the pipes caused by outside impacts and earthquakes. [Disclosure of the Invention] [Technical objects ] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a pipe movement regulating joint device, which responds to a movement of a pipe caused by an outside impact, such as an earthquake, or by a change in the temperature resulting from a climatic change. Another object of the present invention is to provide a pipe movement regulating joint device, by which a pipe jointing process is quickly and simply executed without any welding process. [Technical Solution] In an aspect, the present invention provides a pipe movement regulating joint device, including: a pipe, with a first groove provided on an outer surface of a joint part of the pipe, and a second groove provided between an end of the pipe and the first groove; a hollow tightening unit to receive therein the pipe, and having a clamping part provided on an intermediate portion of an outer surface of the hollow tightening unit, an outer thread provided on the outer surface of a side portion of the hollow tightening unit, and a stopper provided by being bent inward at other side portion of the hollow tightening unit; a spring inserted between the pipe and the hollow tightening unit; a spring holder having a slitted ring shape, with a support ring integrally provided on an inner surface of the spring holder to be seated in the first groove; a packing, with a protrusion on an inner surface of the packing to be in close contact with the second groove; and a pipe joint, with a packing receiving part defined in the pipe joint, and an internal thread provided on an inner surface of a side portion of the pipe joint to engage with the hollow tightening unit. In another aspect, the present invention provides a pipe movement regulating joint device, including: a pipe, with at least one protrusion part provided on an outer surface of the pipe, and an outer groove provided between an end of the pipe and the protrusion part; a hollow tightening unit to receive therein the pipe, and having a clamping part provided on an intermediate portion of an outer surface of the hollow tightening unit, an outer thread provided on the outer surface of a side portion of the hollow tightening unit, and a stopper provided by being bent inward at other side portion of the hollow tightening unit, the stopper being cut at a part thereof to correspond to the protrusion of the pipe, thus allowing the protrusion to pass through the stopper; a spring inserted between the pipe and the hollow tightening unit; a spring holder having a slitted ring shape and supported on the protrusion of the pipe; a packing, with a protrusion on an inner surface of the packing to be in close contact with the outer groove; and a pipe joint, with a packing receiving part defined in the pipe joint, and an internal thread provided on an inner surface of a side portion of the pipe joint to engage with the hollow tightening unit. The pipe joint may comprise one of a socket, a reducer, a tee and an elbow. The pipe movement regulating joint device may further mclude an O-ring provided between the pipe joint and the pipe. The pipe movement regulating joint device may further include an internal groove formed along each of both sides of a lower end of the protrusion provided on the inner surface of the packing. The pipe movement regulating joint device may further include a packing support ring made of a metal and placed in close contact with an end of the packing. The pipe movement regulating joint device may further include a washer provided between the stopper of the hollow tightening unit and the spring. The pipe movement regulating joint device may further mclude an O-ring provided between the stopper of the hollow tightening unit and the pipe. The pipe movement regulating joint device may further include another spring holder provided between the stopper of the hollow tightening unit and the spring. [Advantageous Effects] According to the present invention, even when a pipe is coupled to any pipe joint, for example, a socket, a reducer, a tee or an elbow, etc., a pipe movement regulating joint device efficiently responds to a movement of the pipe caused by an outside impact, such as an earthquake, or by a change in the temperature resulting from a climatic change. Furthermore, when the pipe is released from the outside force, the pipe is returned to the original state thereof by both a protrusion of a packing and a spring which are provided in the pipe movement regulating joint device. In addition, in the pipe movement regulating joint device, the packing made of rubber is compressed by tightening a tightening unit into the pipe joint to control a size of the protrusion. Thus, even in case that the above-mentioned operational function of the pipe movement regulating joint device is deteriorated by use over a long period, the tightening strength of the tightening unit can be appropriately adjusted. Moreover, a pipe jointing process using the pipe movement regulating joint device does not require any welding process. Therefore, the pipe movement regulating joint device of the present invention allows the pipe jointing process to be quickly and simply executed. Furthermore, the pipe movement regulating joint device increases water tightness thereof, thus preventing a water leakage. [Brief Description of the Drawings] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a pipe movement regulating joint device, according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a front view of a spring holder of the joint device of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a packing of the joint device of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a jointed state of the joint device according to the first embodiment; FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing an operation of the joint device according to the first embodiment; FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a pipe movement regulating joint device, according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a jointed state of the joint device according to the second embodiment. [Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention] Reference should now be made to the drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used throughout the different drawings to designate the same or similar components. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a pipe movement regulating joint device, according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The pipe movement regulating joint device includes a pipe 10 with grooves 11 and 12 on an outer surface of a joint part of the pipe 10; a tightening unit 20; a spring 30; a packing 50 with both a protrusion 51 and an internal groove 52; and a pipe joint 60. The pipe 10 has a first groove 11 which is provided on the outer surface of the joint part of the pipe 10, and a second groove 12 which is provided between an end of the pipe 10 and the first groove 11. The first groove 11 supports therein a spring holder 40. The second groove 12 is in close contact with the protrusion 51 of the packing 50. Preferably, a width of the second groove 12 is greater than that of the first groove 11. The tightening unit 20 is hollow to receive therein the pipe 10. The tightening unit 20 has an outer thread 22 which is provided on an outer surface of a side portion of the tightening unit 20, and a stopper 23 which is provided by being bent inward at other side portion of the tightening unit 20. The tightening unit 20 further has a clamping part 21 which is provided on an intermediate portion of the tightening unit 20 to allow the tightening unit 20 to be tightened or loosened by a tightening tool, such as a spanner. A first O-ring 72 is provided between the stopper 23 and the pipe 10 to increase the water tightness of the junction between them. To smoothly place the first O-ring 72 between the stopper 23 and the pipe 10, an annular groove is preferably provided on an inner surface of the stopper 23. The spring 30 is inserted between the pipe 10 and the tightening unit 20.

Thus, both ends of the spring 30 are supported on the spring holder 40 and the stopper 23 of the tightening unit 20, respectively. Furthermore, a washer 71 is provided between the spring 30 and the stopper 23 to efficiently support the spring 30 on the stopper 23. Both the spring holder 40 and the packing 50 will be described herein later. The pipe joint 60 constituting the pipe movement regulating joint device of the present invention typically comprises a joint, such as a socket, a reducer, a tee or an elbow, etc. In addition, except for the above-mentioned examples, a variety of joints may be used as the pipe joint 60. If the pipe joint 60 is used in a structure in that a flow of fluid must be selectively controlled, the pipe joint 60 may comprise a valve. The pipe joint 60 has a packing receiving part 61 which is defined in the pipe joint 60, and an internal thread 62 which is provided on an inner surface of a side portion of the pipe joint 60 to engage with the outer thread 22 of the tightening unit 20. A second O-ring 73 is provided between the pipe joint 60 and the pipe 10 to increase the water tightness of the junction between them. To smoothly place the second O-ring 73 between the pipe joint 60 and the pipe 10, an annular groove is preferably provided on an inner surface of the pipe joint 60. Referring to FIG. 2, the spring holder 40 comprises a ring-shaped plate. An inner diameter of the spring holder 40 is preferably smaller than an outer diameter of the pipe 10. The spring holder 40 is slitted to be fitted over the pipe 10. A support ring 42 is integrally provided on an inner surface of the spring holder 40 to be seated in the first groove 11. Thus, the spring 30 is stably supported on the spring holder 40, while the support ring 42 is seated in the first groove 11. The support ring 42 may be divided into two or more support rings. Referring to FIG. 3, the packing 50 has on an inner surface thereof the protrusion 51 to be in close contact with the second groove 12 of the pipe 10. In case that the pipe 10 is longitudinally moved by a force, the second groove 12 along the pipe 10 is longitudinally moved. Accordingly, the outer appearance of the protrusion 51 of the packing 50, which is made of rubber and is in close contact with the second groove 12, is changed. When the pipe 10 is free from the outside force, the pipe 10 is returned to an original state thereof by a restoring force of the protrusion 51. To increase the restoring force of the protrusion 51 and to easily control a size of the protrusion 51 using the tightening unit 20, the internal groove 52 is preferably formed along each of both sides of a lower end of the protrusion 51. Due to the internal grooves 52, when the tightening unit 20 is further tightened into the pipe joint 60 to compress the packing 50, the protrusion 51 is more protruded than that of the original state thereof. Thus, the protrusion 51 is brought into closer contact with the second groove 12 of the pipe 10. Preferably, a packing support ring 76, which is made of a metal, is placed in close contact with an end of the packing 50. Due to the packing support ring 76, when the portion of the tightening unit 20 with the outer thread 22 is tightened into the pipe joint and, simultaneously, compresses the packing 50 in a direction of a thickness of the packing 50, the compressing force is evenly transferred from the tightening unit 20 to the packing 50. A pipe jointing process using the pipe movement regulating joint device of the present invention will be explained herein below, with the reference to FIG. 4. The tightening unit 20 is fitted over the joint part of the pipe 10 from an end thereof on which the stopper 23 is provided. Thereafter, both the washer 71 and the spring 30 are inserted between the tightening unit 20 and the pipe 10. The spring holder 40 is thereafter fitted over the first groove 11 while the slitted part of the spring holder 40 is opened. Thereafter, the packing 50 is fitted over the pipe 10 such that the protrusion 51 of the packing 50 is in close contact with the second groove 12 of the pipe 10. In the above state, the pipe joint 60 receives therein the pipe 10, while the tightening unit 20 is tightened into the pipe joint 60 to a desired depth, thus completing the pipe jointing process. The operation of the pipe movement regulating joint device is as follows, with reference to FIG. 5. In case that an outside force is applied to the pipe 10, of which both ends are respectively coupled to the two pipe joints 60, in a rightward direction, as shown in FIG. 5, both a part of the pipe 10 and the spring holder 40, which are placed in a region designated by the reference character A, are moved to the right. At this time, if the pipe 10 is coupled to the pipe joints 60 using conventional pipe joint structures by welding, the pipe 10 may be damaged or broken at the welded portions thereof. However, in the present invention, the pipe 10 and the components fastened to the pipe 10 are moved to the right, while the pipe movement regulating joint device having both the tightening unit 20 and the pipe joint 60 is maintained at the original position thereof. Therefore, the spring holder 40 of the region A is moved to the right to compress the spring 30. Furthermore, the second groove 12 of the region A is moved to the right, so that the protrusion 51, provided on the inner surface of the packing 50 to be in close contact with the second groove 12, is bent to the right. In this case, another pipe movement regulating joint device, which is placed in a region designated by the reference character B, is also maintained at the original position thereof, while the pipe 10 is moved to the right, in the same manner as that of the region A. However, a spring 30 of the region B is expanded, different from the spring 30 of the region A. A protrusion 51 of the region B, which is in close contact with a second groove 12 of the region B, is bent to a direction opposite to the bending movement of the protrusion 51 of the region A. When the pipe 10 is released from the force, both the pipe 10 and the spring holders 40 fastened to the pipes 10 are returned to the original positions thereof by the restoring forces of the bent protrusions 51 and the springs 30. That is, all the protrusions 51, which have been bent, and the springs 30, which have been compressed or expanded, are returned to the original states thereof. As described above, when the outside force is axially applied to the pipe 10, the pipe 10 is moved to a direction equal to that of the outside force, without being interrupted by the pipe movement regulating joint device. When the pipe 10 is released from the outside force, the pipe 10 is moved in a direction opposite to the direction of the movement of the pipe 10 affected by the outside force, that is, the pipe 10 is returned to the original position thereof by the restoring forces of both the spring 30 and the protrusion 51. In the meantime, in case that the above-mentioned operational function of the pipe movement regulating joint device is deteriorated by use over a long period, a user further tightens the tightening unit 20 into the pipe joint 60. Then, the packing 50 is further compressed, so that the protrusion 51 is further protruded inward. Thus, the protrusion 51 is brought into closer contact with the pipe 10. As such, as desired, the tightening strength of the tightening unit 20 can be appropriately adjusted. [Mode for Carrying Out the Invention] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a pipe movement regulating joint device, according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a jointed state of the joint device according to the second embodiment. The pipe movement regulating joint device according to the second embodiment includes a pipe 10 with a groove 12a on an outer surface of a joint part of the pipe 10; a tightening unit 20; a spring 30; a packing 50 with both a protrusion 51 and an internal groove 52; and a pipe joint 60, in the same manner as that described for the first embodiment. The explanation for the same construction and operation of the pipe movement regulating joint device according to the second embodiment as that of the first embodiment is not deemed necessary. The pipe 10 has on the joint part thereof the one groove 12a. In a detailed description, the pipe 10 of the second embodiment has only one groove 12a to be in close contact with the protrusion 51 of the packing 50. The pipe 10 further has a plurality of protrusion parts 13 to support the spring holder 40a on the same position as that of the first groove 11 of the first embodiment. The number of the plurality of protrusion parts 13 may be changed according to a diameter of the pipe 10. h the same manner as that of the first embodiment, the tightening unit 20 is hollow. Furthermore, the tightening unit 20 has on an intermediate portion thereof a clamping part 21. The tightening unit 20 further has an outer thread 22 which is provided on an outer surface of a first end of the tightening unit 20, and a stopper 23 a which is provided by being bent inward at a second end of the tightening unit 20. However, in the second embodiment, the stopper 23 of the tightening unit 20 is cut at parts thereof to correspond to the protrusion parts 13 of the pipe 10 to allow the protrusion parts 13 to pass through the stopper 23 a, different from that of the first embodiment. Therefore, the cut parts of the stopper 23 a correspond to the protrusion parts 13, while the tightening unit 20 is fitted over the pipe 10. The spring holder 40a has a slitted ring shape. Preferably, two spring holders 40a are respectively provided between the protrusion parts 13 and the spring 30 and between the stopper 23a with the cut parts and the spring 30. [Industrial Applicability] As described above, the present invention provides a pipe movement regulating joint device which, even when a pipe is coupled to any pipe joint, for example, a socket, a reducer, a tee or an elbow, etc., efficiently responds to a movement of the pipe caused by an outside impact, such as an earthquake, or by a change in the temperature resulting from a climatic change. Furthermore, when the pipe is released from the external force, the pipe is returned to the original state thereof by both a protrusion of a packing and a spring which are provided in the pipe movement regulating joint device. In addition, in the pipe movement regulating joint device, the packing made of rubber is compressed by tightening a tightening unit into the pipe joint to control a size of the protrusion. Thus, even in case that the above-mentioned operational function of the pipe movement regulating joint device is deteriorated by use over a long period, the tightening strength of the tightening unit can be appropriately adjusted. Moreover, a pipe jointing process using the pipe movement regulating joint device does not require any welding process. Therefore, the pipe movement regulating joint device of the present invention allows the pipe jointing process to be quickly and simply executed. Furthermore, the pipe movement regulating joint device increases the water tightness thereof, thus preventing a water leakage. Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

[What Is Claimed Is:] 1. A pipe movement regulating joint device, comprising: a pipe, with a first groove provided on an outer surface of a joint part of the pipe, and a second groove provided between an end of the pipe and the first groove; a hollow tightening unit to receive therein the pipe, and comprising a clamping part provided on an intermediate portion of an outer surface of the hollow tightening unit, an outer thread provided on the outer surface of a side portion of the hollow tightening unit, and a stopper provided by being bent inward at other side portion of the hollow tightening unit; a spring inserted between the pipe and the hollow tightening unit; a spring holder having a slitted ring shape, with a support ring integrally provided on an inner surface of the spring holder to be seated in the first groove; a packing, with a protrusion on an inner surface of the packing to be in close contact with the second groove; and a pipe joint, with a packing receiving part defined in the pipe joint, and an internal thread provided on an inner surface of a side portion of the pipe joint to engage with the hollow tightening unit.

2. A pipe movement regulating joint device, comprising: a pipe, with at least one protrusion part provided on an outer surface of the pipe, and an outer groove provided between an end of the pipe and the protrusion part; a hollow tightening unit to receive therein the pipe, and comprising a clamping part provided on an intermediate portion of an outer surface of the hollow tightening unit, an outer thread provided on the outer surface of a side portion of the hollow tightening unit, and a stopper provided by being bent inward at other side portion of the hollow tightening unit, the stopper being cut at a part thereof to correspond to the protrusion part of the pipe, thus allowing the protrusion part to pass through the stopper; a spring inserted between the pipe and the hollow tightening unit; a spring holder having a slitted ring shape and supported on the protrusion of the pipe; a packing, with a protrusion on an inner surface of the packing to be in close contact with the outer groove; and a pipe joint, with a packing receiving part defined in the pipe joint, and an internal thread provided on an inner surface of a side portion of the pipe joint to engage with the hollow tightening unit.

3. The pipe movement regulating joint device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pipe joint comprises one of a socket, a reducer, a tee and an elbow.

4. The pipe movement regulating joint device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: an O-ring provided between the pipe joint and the pipe.

5. The pipe movement regulating joint device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: an internal groove formed along each of both sides of a lower end of the protrusion provided on the inner surface of the packing.

6. The pipe movement regulating joint device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a packing support ring made of a metal and placed in close contact with an end of the packing.

7. The pipe movement regulating joint device according to claim 1, further comprising: a washer provided between the stopper of the hollow tightening unit and the spring.

8. The pipe movement regulating joint device according to claim 1, further comprising: an O-ring provided between the stopper of the hollow tightening unit and the pipe.

9. The pipe movement regulating joint device according to claim 2, further comprising: another spring holder provided between the stopper of the hollow tightening unit and the spring.