WO2018112529A1 - Crimping jaw, tool and associated method of use - Google Patents

Abstract

A jaw (10) for compressing a crimp (12) onto a pipe (14) to secure the pipe (14) to a pipe fitting (16) inserted into an end of the pipe (14). The jaw (10) include opposing jaw portions (22) having bearing sides (24) arranged to meet with one another in the closed condition and crimping faces (26) extending substantially between the bearing sides (24). The crimping faces (26) define a bore (28) of the jaw (10) in the closed condition through which the crimp (12), the pipe (14) and the pipe fitting (16) extend. Rebates (30) are provided between the bearing sides (24) and the crimping faces (26), the rebates (30) defining a space (32) in the closed condition into which excess material (34) of the crimp (12) is receivable. A tool (20) including the jaw (10) and an associated method of use.

Description

Crimping Jaw, Tool and Associated Method of Use

Related Applications

[001] This application claims priority from Australian provisional patent application no. 2016905367 filed on 23 December 2016, the contents of which are incorporated by reference.

Technical Field

[002] The invention relates to a crimping jaw for compressing a crimp or metal ring to secure a pipe to a pipe fitting, a tool including such a crimping jaw and an associated method of use.

Background

[003] Pipe fittings are commonly connected to pipes using a crimp or metal ring. One type of piping is formed from a cross-linked polyethylene, commonly referred to as a "PEX" material. These types of PEX pipes are commonly connected using a pipe fitting having an internal bore and a ribbed end that is fitted into the PEX pipe. A metal crimp is used so as to compress and secure the PEX pipe onto the ribbed end of the pipe fitting.

[004] The crimp is compressed onto the PEX pipe using a crimping tool to compress the crimp. The crimping tool includes jaw that when closed define an internal diameter to which the crimp is compressed. The internal diameter is pre-set for a particular size of PEX pipe and/or crimp fitting.

[005] A problem with this jaw is that that crimp may not be sufficiently tight and the PEX pipe may become dislodged from the pipe fitting, become loose or may not create a complete correct pressure tight seal and be totally leak-proof. In particular, some PEX pipes may have a variation in wall thicknesses for a given size, such as having an undersized wall thickness, and the pre-set internal diameter of the existing jaw may not be small enough to properly secure the crimp to the PEX pipe and fitting.

[006] Further, the pipe fitting may have an outside diameter that is also undersized and again the pre-set or fixed internal diameter or size/shape of the crimp jaw may not be small enough to properly secure the crimp to the pex pipe and fitting. For example, some PEX-pipes that may have not been manufactured properly, such as not being cross-linked properly, can be adversely affected when hot water runs through the pipe. The effect causes the pipe to soften at lower temperature than it was designed for. This may result in the crimped pipe and fittings that hold together on a correctly manufactured cross-linked pipe to be come dislodged and slip, and thereby allow the pipe and fittings to separate.

[007] The invention disclosed herein seeks to overcome one or more of the above identified problems or at least provide a useful alternative.

Summary

[008] In accordance with a first broad aspect there is provided, a jaw for compressing a crimp onto a pipe to secure the pipe to a pipe fitting in a closed condition, the jaw including opposing jaw portions having bearing sides arranged to meet with one another in the closed condition and crimping faces extending substantially between the bearing sides, the crimping faces defining a bore of the jaw in the closed condition through which the crimp, pipe and pipe fitting are receivable, wherein rebates are provided between the bearing sides and the crimping faces, the rebates defining a space in the closed condition into which excess material of the crimp is moveable in the closed condition.

[009] In an aspect, the jaw includes a first end and a second end between which the bore extends, the bearing sides extending between the first and second ends.

[0010] In another aspect, the rebates are defined by recessed ledges parallel and adjacent to the bearing sides [0011] In yet another aspect, the crimping faces are adapted to apply a point load to the crimp.

[0012] In yet another aspect, the crimping faces are shaped to apply a point load to the crimp.

[0013] In yet another aspect, the crimping faces include spaced apart ribs extending in a circumferential direction between the rebates so as to provide spaced apart circumferential point loads to the crimp in the closed condition.

[0014] In yet another aspect, the jaw portions are provided in the form of two separate parts adapted to fit with a crimping tool.

[0015] In yet another aspect, the jaw portions are integrally formed with the jaw.

[0016] In yet another aspect, the jaw is at least one of precast or forged jaw.

[0017] In yet another aspect, the crimping faces are curved between the bearing sides.

[0018] In yet another aspect, the crimping faces include flat sections angled relative to one another between the bearing sides.

[0019] In accordance with a second broad aspect there is provided, a tool including jaw as defined in any one of the previous claims.

[0020] In accordance with a third broad aspect there is provided, a method for coupling a pipe to a pipe fitting, the method including the steps of: Fitting an end of a pipe fitting into an open end of the pipe with a crimp skirting the pipe and the end of the pipe fitting; Actuating crimping jaw to compress the crimp with bearing sides of the jaw moving together and crimping faces of the jaw bearing on the crimp such that excess material of the crimp is moved into spaces defined by rebates of the jaw that are located between the bearing sides and the crimping faces. [0021] In an aspect, the step of actuating the crimping jaw includes forming spaced apart depressions on the crimp by applying point loads thereto with the crimping faces.

[0022] In accordance with a fourth broad aspect there is provided, a method for coupling a pipe to a pipe fitting using crimping jaw, the method including the steps of: Fitting an end of a pipe fitting into an open end of the pipe with a crimp skirting the pipe and the end of the pipe fitting; Fitting the crimping jaw about the crimp; and Actuating or operating the crimping jaw to deformably compress the crimp such that excess material ridges are formed on at least two sides of the crimp and at least one depression formed within the crimp so as to apply a point load to the pipe and pipe fitting.

[0023] In accordance with a fifth broad aspect there is provided, a method for coupling a pipe to a pipe fitting using crimping jaw, the method including the steps of: Fitting an end of a pipe fitting into an open end of the pipe with a crimp skirting the pipe and the end of the pipe fitting; Fitting the crimping jaw about the crimp; and Actuating the crimping jaw to deformably compress the crimp such that excess material ridges are formed on at least two sides of the crimp and at least one depression formed within the crimp so as to extend in a circumferential direction between the excess material ridges.

[0024] In accordance with a sixth broad aspect there is provided, a jaw for compressing a crimp onto a pipe to secure the pipe to a pipe fitting in a closed condition, the jaw including opposing jaw portions having bearing sides arranged to meet with one another in the closed condition and crimping faces extending substantially between the bearing sides, the crimping faces defining a bore of the jaw in the closed condition through which the crimp, pipe and pipe fitting are receivable, wherein rebates are provided between the bearing sides and the crimping faces, the rebates defining spaces in the closed condition into which excess material of the crimp is receivable in the closed condition, and wherein the crimping faces include spaced apart ribs extending in a circumferential direction between the rebates so as to provide spaced apart point loads to the crimp in the closed condition. [0025] In accordance with a seventh broad aspect there is provided, a jaw for compressing a crimp onto a pipe to secure the pipe to a pipe fitting in a closed condition, the jaw including opposing jaw portions having bearing sides arranged to meet with one another in the closed condition and crimping faces extending substantially between the bearing sides, the crimping faces defining a bore of the jaw in the closed condition through which the crimp, pipe and pipe fitting are receivable, wherein rebates are provided between the bearing sides and the crimping faces, the rebates defining spaces in the closed condition into which excess material of the crimp is receivable in the closed condition, and wherein the crimping faces are shaped between the rebates so as to provide spaced apart point loads and resulting depressions to the crimp in the closed condition.

Brief Description of the Figures

[0026] The invention is described, by way of non-limiting example only, by reference to the accompanying figures, in which;

[0027] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating the jaw in an open condition;

[0028] Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating the jaw in a closed condition;

[0029] Figure 3 is a side hidden detail view illustrating the jaw;

[0030] Figure 4 is a front side view illustrating one of the jaw;

[0031] Figure 5 is an internal side view illustrating one of the jaw;

[0032] Figure 6 is a back side view illustrating one of the jaw;

[0033] Figure 7 is a detailed view illustrating a bearing side of one of the jaw;

[0034] Figure 8 is side view illustrating the bearing side of one of the jaw;

[0035] Figure 9 is a top view illustrating the jaw in the closed condition; [0036] Figure 10 is a side view illustrating the jaw in the closed condition;

[0037] Figure 11 is another side view illustrating the jaw in the close condition;

[0038] Figure 12 is a detailed view illustrating the jaw in the closed condition;

[0039] Figure 13 is an in use perspective view illustrating the jaw fitted to a crimping tool and showing a pipe, a crimp and a pipe fitting;

[0040] Figure 14 is an in use perspective view illustrating the jaw fitted to the crimping tool and crimping in the closed condition the crimp onto the pipe;

[0041] Figure 15 is a perspective view illustrating the crimp secured to the pipe and the pipe fitting; and

[0042] Figure 16 is a detailed perspective view illustrating the crimp secured to the pipe and the part fitting.

Detailed Description

[0043] Referring to Figures 1 to 16, there is shown a jaw 10 for crimping a crimp 12 onto a pipe 14 to secure the pipe 14 to a pipe fitting 16 inserted into an end 18 of the pipe 14. The jaw 10 being shown in Figure 1 to 12, and the crimp 12, pipe 14, pipe fitting 16 and an associated example of a crimping tool 20 being shown in Figures 13 to 16.

[0044] Turning firstly to the jaw 10, the jaw 10 include opposing jaw portions 22 that are arranged to meet with one another in a closed condition, as shown in Figure 2. Each of the opposing jaw portions 22 includes bearing sides 24 arranged to meet with one another in the closed condition and a crimping faces 26 extending substantially between the bearing sides 24. The crimping faces 26 define a bore 28 and an inner diameter of the jaw 10 in the closed condition. [0045] Rebates 30 are provided between the bearing sides 24 and the curved or shaped crimping faces 26, the rebates 30 meet to define spaces 32 in the closed condition into which excess material 34 (shown best in Figure 16) of the crimp 12 is moveable via deformation in the closed condition which assists to tighten the crimp 12 about the pipe 14. It is noted the excess material 34 extends as ridges 35 from both sides of the crimp 12 into each of the rebates 30.

[0046] In more detail, the opposing jaw portions 22 may generally be opposing halves that when assembled in the closed condition have a first or top end face 36 and a second or bottom end face 38 between which the bore 28 extends.

[0047] Each of the opposing jaw portions 22 including opposing sides 25 having the bearing sides 24, a shaped body 27 extending between the opposing sides 25, and an outer face 46 adapted to fit with the crimping tool 20. The rebates 30 and associated spaces 32 extend between the top and bottom faces 36, 38 along each of the opposing sides 25 inwardly of the bearing sides 24. The outer face 46 may have the same or similar curvature to the curved or shaped inner crimping faces 26. The outer face 46, in this example, includes a radial slot 47 to fit with the crimping tool 20. However, the outer face 46 may have any suitable shape.

[0048] The bearing sides 24 extend between the top and bottom end faces 36, 38 and the bearing sides 24 have elongate rectangular bearing faces 40 that meet with one another in the closed condition. The rebates 30 are defined by recessed ledges 42 having ledge faces 44 that are parallel to and recessed relative to the adjacent to the bearing faces 40, and rebate walls 43 that extends between the ledge faces 44 and the bearing faces 40. The ledge faces 44 define the depth of the space 32 and the rebate walls 43 define the width of the space 32. The rebate walls 43 and ledge faces 44 may be perpendicular with a radisussed edge 49 therebetween. The rebates 30 may be any suitable depth and width, and may be varied depending on the material thickness of the components.

[0049] The crimping faces 26 are adapted, such as by being shaped, to apply point loads to the crimp 12, preferably at spaced apart locations. The point loads may be achieve by spaced apart ribs 48 as provided in this example or via other means such as a plurality of flat faces that extend between the top and bottom faces 36, 38 such that when the opposing jaw portions 22 are in the closed condition, the inner crimping faces 26 provide, for example, an octagonal shape in plan form or top view. Of course, various numbers of faces may be used to form a six, eight, ten etc. sided shape. The faces provide point loading on the crimp 12.

[0050] Returning to the present example, the spaced apart ribs 48 extend in a circumferential direction between the rebates 30. The ribs 48 define valleys or troughs 50 therebetween. It is noted the circumferential direction arrangement of the ribs 48 terminating at the rebates 30 allows material of the crimp 20 to slide under compression toward the rebates 30 whilst the ribs 48 provide point load compression on the crimp 12, and onto the pipe 14 and pipe fitting 16. The point loads result in circumferential depressions 70 in the crimp 12 as shown in Figures 15 and 16. However, it is noted, in other examples, the depressions 70 may extend lengthwise along the crimp 12.

[0051] The jaw 10 may be formed from metal in a variety of size and variations in shape. In particular, the jaw 10 may be formed such that an inner circumference of the bore 28 may provide a tight enough circumference to secure the crimp 12 to the pipe 14, but without crushing the pipe 14 or pipe fitting 16. This may be referred to as a compression ratio enabling the jaw 10 to properly secure the pipe to the fitting based on possible variations in the pipe 14 or the fitting 16 such as under or over specifications in wall thicknesses of either pipe 14 or outside diameters of the fitting 16.

[0052] The ribs 48 may be provided in any number but may be, for example, provided as about four to ten ribs. However, in some examples, the ribs 48 may be absent and the curved or shaped crimping faces 26 may be non-ribbed. It is noted that the jaw 10, namely the opposing jaw portions 22 may be provided as "inserts" as shown herein, or may be cast or forged as part of or be a larger jaw structure of the tool 20 as is further detailed below. Both variations are considered herein.

[0053] It is noted that the general structure and operation of crimping tools 20, such as the example shown in Figure 14, are well known and commercially available. Such crimping tools may be hand operated or may be hydraulically operated. Such tools include various means to carry jaw 10, and in the example in Figure 14, the crimping tool 20 includes jaw supporting members 60 by which each of the jaw portions 22 are supported. The jaw supporting members 60 are actuated by handles 62 via a mechanical linkage 64.

[0054] The jaw portions 22 are typically removable to allow the tool 20 to be used with pipes, crimps and fittings of various sizes and diameters. However, in other examples, the jaw supporting members 60 may be integrally formed, such as by casting or forging, with the jaw portions 22. In this case, the jaw 10 may be considered integral with the jaw supporting members 60 with integrally formed jaw portions 22. As aforesaid, both examples are contemplated herein and the tool 20, of course, may take any suitable form.

[0055] The crimp 12 may be a metal cylindrical or ring shaped crimp. The metal may be any suitable deformable metal. Various sizes of crimps 12 may be used to suit the pipe 14 and pipe fitting 16.

[0056] Referring now to Figure 13 to 16, there is shown a method for coupling the pipe 14 to the pipe fitting 16 using the jaw 10 and the crimping tool 20. The method generally includes fitting an end 18 of the pipe fitting 16 into the open end 18 of the pipe 14 with the crimp 12 skirting the pipe 14 and the end 54 of the pipe fitting 16. The jaw 10 may be selected for a particular size and type of pipe 14, crimp 12 and pipe fitting 16.

[0057] The crimping jaw 10 are then actuated, by the crimping tool 20, to compress and deform the crimp 12 with the bearing sides 24 of the jaw 10 moving together and the crimping faces 26 of the jaw 10 bearing on the crimp 12 such that excess material 34 of the crimp 10 is moved into the spaces 32 defined by rebates 30 of the jaw 10 that are located between the bearing sides 24 and the curved crimping faces 26. The excess material 34 may be generated when, for example, the pipe 14 is undersize and spaces 32 thereby allow the required compression to be applied to the crimp 12. [0058] The ribs 48 create circumferential depressions 70 on the crimp 12 extending between the excess material 34. The crimping jaw 10 are then released, with the crimp 12 being secured to the pipe 14 and pipe fitting 16 as best shown in Figure 16, noting the excess material 34 from the rebates 30 and the circumferential depressions 70 from the ribs 48. It is noted that in other examples, the depressions 70 may extend lengthwise along the crimp 12.

[0059] Advantageously, there has been described a jaw and an associated method of use that allows tight and secure crimping of a pipe to a pipe fitting using a metal deformable crimp. In particular, the pipe may be formed from a cross-linked polyethylene, commonly referred to as a "PEX" material, and may at times be undersized having a lower than expected wall thickness. For example, some manufacturers state that supplied Pex-pipe is made to a certain regulatory standard and it would meet with required standards. However, because the pipe and fittings are mass-produced, market place product variations of up to 15% may be found below standard specifications. The crimping jaw disclosed herein allow adequate crimping even when inadvertent variations in pipe wall thickness or under specification of fitting are found allowing effective crimping even when the pipe and fitting combined are up to 25% below average production wall thicknesses or fitting dimensions.

[0060] In the past, the undersize pipes have been crimped with jaw that do not allow the crimp to be properly tightened and the pipes may become completely or partially dislodged from the pipe fittings thereby causing water flooding or gas leakage or the like. The subject crimping jaw, however, include rebates that provide the spaces for the excess material and allow the crimp to be firmly secured to pipes including undersized pipes and/or fittings and the ribs or shaped jaw provide still further grip or correct compressive force to further assist to reduce the possibility of the pipe and pipe fittings being dislodged. The spaces provided by the crimps allow additional crimping to meet adequate or correct compressive force or the correct compression ratios onto the crimp, pipe and fitting in varying conditions and pipe manufacturing standards.

[0061] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0062] The reference in this specification to any known matter or any prior publication is not, and should not be taken to be, an acknowledgment or admission or suggestion that the known matter or prior art publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the field to which this specification relates.

[0063] While specific examples of the invention have been described, it will be understood that the invention extends to alternative combinations of the features disclosed or evident from the disclosure provided herein.

[0064] Many and various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed or evident from the disclosure provided herein.

Claims

The claims defining the Invention are as follows:

1. A jaw for compressing a crimp onto a pipe to secure the pipe to a pipe fitting in a closed condition, the jaw including opposing jaw portions having bearing sides arranged to meet with one another in the closed condition and crimping faces extending substantially between the bearing sides, the crimping faces defining a bore of the jaw in the closed condition through which the crimp, pipe and pipe fitting are receivable,

wherein rebates are provided between the bearing sides and the crimping faces, the rebates defining a space in the closed condition into which excess material of the crimp is moveable in the closed condition.

2. The jaw according to claim 1, wherein the jaw includes a first end and a second end between which the bore extends, the bearing sides extending between the first and second ends.

3. The jaw according to claim 2, wherein the rebates are defined by recessed ledges parallel and adjacent to the bearing sides.

4. The jaw according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the crimping faces are adapted to apply a point load to the crimp.

5. The jaw according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the crimping faces are shaped to apply a point load to the crimp.

6. The jaw according to claim 4, wherein the crimping faces include spaced apart ribs extending in a circumferential direction between the rebates so as to provide spaced apart circumferential point loads to the crimp in the closed condition.

7. The jaw according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the jaw portions are provided in the form of two separate parts adapted to fit with a crimping tool.

8. The jaw according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the jaw portions are integrally formed with the jaw.

8. The jaw according to claim 8, wherein the jaw is at least one of precast or forged jaw.

9. The jaw according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the crimping faces are curved between the bearing sides.

10. A tool including a jaw as defined in any one of the previous claims.

11. A method for coupling a pipe to a pipe fitting, the method including the steps of:

Fitting an end of a pipe fitting into an open end of the pipe with a crimp skirting the pipe and the end of the pipe fitting;

Actuating crimping jaw to compress the crimp with bearing sides of the jaw moving together and crimping faces of the jaw bearing on the crimp such that excess material of the crimp is moved into spaces defined by rebates of the jaw that are located between the bearing sides and the crimping faces.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the step of actuating the crimping jaw includes forming spaced apart depressions on the crimp by applying point loads thereto with the crimping faces.

13. A method for coupling a pipe to a pipe fitting using crimping jaw, the method including the steps of:

Fitting an end of a pipe fitting into an open end of the pipe with a crimp skirting the pipe and the end of the pipe fitting;

Fitting the crimping jaw about the crimp; and

Actuating the crimping jaw to deformably compress the crimp such that excess material ridges are formed on at least two sides of the crimp and at least one depression formed within the crimp so as to apply a point load to the pipe and pipe fitting.

14. A method for coupling a pipe to a pipe fitting using crimping jaw, the method including the steps of: Fitting an end of a pipe fitting into an open end of the pipe with a crimp skirting the pipe and the end of the pipe fitting;

Fitting the crimping jaw about the crimp; and

Actuating the crimping jaw to deformably compress the crimp such that excess material ridges are formed on at least two sides of the crimp and at least one depression formed within the crimp so as to extend in a circumferential direction between the excess material ridges.

15. A jaw for compressing a crimp onto a pipe to secure the pipe to a pipe fitting in a closed condition, the jaw including opposing jaw portions having bearing sides arranged to meet with one another in the closed condition and crimping faces extending substantially between the bearing sides, the crimping faces defining a bore of the jaw in the closed condition through which the crimp, pipe and pipe fitting are receivable,

wherein rebates are provided between the bearing sides and the crimping faces, the rebates defining spaces in the closed condition into which excess material of the crimp is receivable in the closed condition, and

wherein the crimping faces include spaced apart ribs extending in a circumferential direction between the rebates so as to provide spaced apart point loads to the crimp in the closed condition.

16. A jaw for compressing a crimp onto a pipe to secure the pipe to a pipe fitting in a closed condition, the jaw including opposing jaw portions having bearing sides arranged to meet with one another in the closed condition and crimping faces extending substantially between the bearing sides, the crimping faces defining a bore of the jaw in the closed condition through which the crimp, pipe and pipe fitting are receivable,

wherein rebates are provided between the bearing sides and the crimping faces, the rebates defining spaces in the closed condition into which excess material of the crimp is receivable in the closed condition, and

wherein the crimping faces are shaped between the rebates so as to provide spaced apart point loads and resulting depressions to the crimp in the closed condition.