Winding – tensioning – or guiding – Unwinding – Mobile unwinding station
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-24
2001-07-17
Marcelo, Emmanuel M. (Department: 3653)
Winding, tensioning, or guiding
Unwinding
Mobile unwinding station
C242S403000, C242S604000, C242S608300
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260790
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to pipe, and more particularly, to a device which is used to dispense plastic pipe from a coil. Although many types of pipe could be dispensed using the device of this invention, the device has special application for use with the type of pipe used in natural gas lines or pipelines.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed to the providing of a device for use in the laying of pipe, and more particularly for use in the laying of pipe of the type used in natural gas lines or pipelines, although it is recognized that the use of the device of this invention may also have application in the laying of other types of pipe, such as drainage pipe. When it came to the laying of plastic pipe for gas pipelines, originally this was done by manually unrolling the flexible plastic pipe from large coils. In order to grasp a better understanding of the magnitude of the task, it should be appreciated that a 500′ long roll of pipe weighs about 350 pounds. Therefore, in actual practice four or five individuals were needed in order to control the coiled pipe as it was unrolled. This strenuous job was also very time consuming. For example, it might take 4½-5 hours to unroll a 500′ long roll of pipe. Additionally, the coiled pipe was kept coiled and compact through the use of a plurality of retaining bands which when periodically cut, so as to effectuate the further unrolling of the pipe (typically 25′ at a time between retaining bands), sometimes resulted in the pipe springing out uncontrollably, thereby injuring one or more of the workers standing nearby.
More recently, alternatives were developed for the dispensing of coiled plastic pipe. One such device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,949,909 to Hatfield. The pipe coil dispensing rack disclosed in that patent provided a turntable atop a frame, such that the pipe could be unwound from the stationary device in cooperation with a moving pipe puller. One significant drawback associated with such a device is its stationary nature. In order to lay pipe using that embodiment of a dispensing rack, the pipe must be unrolled using a pipe puller, cut at or near the rack once the predetermined amount of pipe has been laid, and then a worker must return to and move such a rack to a new location where the installation process is repeated or else a worker must always remain with the rack. Although easier than the original procedure, this method still is fairly time consuming due to having a worker return over and over again to the dispensing rack in order to move it to its next location or else dedicating a worker to staying with the rack the entire time the pipe puller is in operation.
In the natural gas pipeline industry, the problem has been addressed by utilization of a pipe-coil trailer, which specially built unit is pulled by a truck. The trailer orients the coiled pipe horizontally and permits it to be unwound from the trailer as the trailer is pulled over the ground. However, these trailers typically still require 3 people to lift the heavy coil of pipe up into its horizontal position atop the trailer. Additionally, the terrain often limits the use and effectiveness of this alternative. Moreover, since it is common to have a two ton utility truck pull the pipe-coil trailer, this approach requires that a utility truck be dedicated for the pulling operation. Oftentimes, this is not possible due to the scheduling of the trucks, consequently resulting in the delay of the installation of the gas pipe.
It is thus apparent that the need exists for an improved pipe dispensing device for use with the type of coiled plastic pipe which is utilized in the gas pipeline industry.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with this invention there is disclosed a coiled pipe dispensing rack for use in cooperation with a moving vehicle to effectuate the unrolling of plastic pipe. The rack comprises a main cage, a hub and spindle assembly, and a mounting unit. The main cage comprises a first portion and a second portion which cooperate with each other to retain a coil of plastic pipe, while the mounting unit is in contact with the moving vehicle as the pipe is unrolled. The hub and spindle assembly is positioned intermediate the main cage and the mounting unit.
The main cage first portion comprises a center plate, a plurality of strut arms, and an exterior side wall, with each of the strut arms connected to and radiating outwardly from the center plate, and with each of the strut arms connected to the first portion's exterior side wall. There also are a plurality of coil supports, with each coil support being secured to a strut arm. The main cage first portion also includes a plurality of gussets, with each of the gussets being secured to a coil support and also to the center plate. At least one mounting pin is secured to the main cage first portion. The main cage second portion comprises a center plate, a plurality of strut arms, at least one locking plate, and an exterior side wall, with each of the strut arms connected to and radiating outwardly from the center plate, and with each of the strut arms connected to the main cage second portion's exterior side wall. Each aforementioned mounting pin is secured to the main cage first portion, as well as cooperating with a respective locking plate to retain a coil of plastic pipe between the first and second portions of the main cage.
The hub and spindle assembly includes a hub portion and a spindle portion, with the hub portion having a front wall which is in contact with the center plate. The spindle portion includes a connecting tube and a retaining plate, with the connecting tube engaging the mounting unit. The retaining plate cooperates with the mounting unit to secure the hub and spindle assembly to the mounting unit.
The mounting unit includes a pair of opposing side walls separated by a plurality of spacing bars. The mounting unit also has a connecting channel which engages the hub and spindle assembly. Additionally, the mounting unit has at least one retaining plate cooperating with the hub and spindle assembly to secure the mounting unit to the hub and spindle assembly.
There is also disclosed a coiled pipe dispensing rack for use in cooperation with a moving vehicle to effectuate the unrolling of plastic pipe, with the rack comprising a main cage, a hub and spindle assembly, and a mounting unit. The main cage comprises a first portion and a second portion which cooperate with each other to retain a coil of plastic pipe. The main cage first portion comprises a center plate, a plurality of strut arms, a plurality of coil supports, with each coil support being secured to a strut arm, a plurality of gussets, with each of the gussets being secured to a coil support and also to the center plate, at least one mounting pin secured to the main cage first portion, and an exterior side wall. Each of the strut arms are connected to and radiate outwardly from the center plate, and each of the strut arms are connected to the exterior side wall. The main cage second portion comprises a center plate, a plurality of strut arms, at least one locking plate, and an exterior side wall, with each of the strut arms connected to and radiating outwardly from the center plate, and with each of the strut arms connected to exterior side wall. Each mounting pin cooperates with a respective locking plate to retain a coil of plastic pipe between the first and second portions. The mounting unit is in contact with the moving vehicle as the pipe is unrolled, with the hub and spindle assembly positioned intermediate the main cage and the mounting unit.
The hub and spindle assembly includes a hub portion and a spindle portion, with the hub portion having a front wall, with that front wall being in contact with the center plate. The spindle portion comprises a connecting tube and a retaining plate, with the connecting tube engaging the mounting unit. The retaining plate cooperates with the mounting unit to secure the hub and spindle assembly
Kremblas, Foster Phillips & Pollick
Marcelo Emmanuel M.
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