Pipe joints or couplings – Elbow
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-18
2001-12-18
Nicholson, Eric K. (Department: 3627)
Pipe joints or couplings
Elbow
C285S414000, C285S415000, C285S305000, C285S321000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06331020
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Apparatus plumbing is accomplished by using rigid or flex pipe. When using a rigid pipe, all connections are welded and either are threaded together or each end of the pipe is grooved and clamped together with a two-bolt clamp. Termination is normally into a flanged face valve that controls the direction of the flow. Again at this point threads or the groove-type connection is made to the flange. If the plumbing line requires a bend, it is accomplished by welding several pieces together to obtain the 45 or 90 bend necessary to reach termination point.
Flex pipe couplings are either threads or the grooved style. Again, if 45 or 90 are necessary an adapter is used, and again is attached by welding. The flow rate is a major concern. The flex pipe couplings are attached in such a manner that there is no flow restriction and no pressure drop.
Sometimes it takes 4 to 6 welds in a 3 to 5 foot line to achieve proper termination. All welds have to be X-rayed and require expensive weld preparation.
This invention eliminates all the welding when terminating into a flange, and all the threaded couplings, all the grooved couplings and all the bolt clamps.
Needs exist for improved plumbing apparatus for pump and fire trucks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention applies to the apparatus plumbing of pump trucks and fire trucks, and applies to any pump apparatus.
With the use of flex pipe and without sacrificing any flow, restriction or pressure drop, the invention provides a no weld flange-to-flange, a no weld thread-to-flange, or a groove-to-flange connection. The end can terminate in a 90° or 45° bend without welding. The flange that terminates into the valve has a female socket. The 90° and 45° plugs into flange socket allowing the plumon to clock the 90° and 45° to any positions.
The invention provides a one-piece flex pipe connection that uses a standard Vitraulic type groove that can terminate into a 90°-45° flange or any no weld female socket.
The present invention includes a rigid elbow coupling for the flexible piping of apparatus plumbing on pump trucks and fire trucks. The elbow may consist of either a 45° or 90° or any bend. The coupling end which connects to the flexible piping is a standard Vitraulic style end. The other coupling end which connects to the valve has a no weld socket. Thus, the 45°-90° or any bend can rotate 360°, which allows for easy installation. The invention provides a seamless flange-to-flange connection while eliminating all the welding, threaded couplings and bolt clamps required by the conventional method of creating bends in the plumbing line of apparatus plumbing on pump trucks and fire trucks.
The flange is generally rectangular, and the bolt-receiving holes comprise four equally spaced arcuate-shaped through-hole openings near corners of the rectangular flange.
A flexible hose coupling is a standard Vitraulic groove type. The enlarged end of the coupling has a cylindrical recess for receiving the end of the elbow, and an annular groove in the recess for aligning with the annular groove in the elbow exterior wall. A shoulder at the end of the interior recess receives the end of the elbow. An annular seal is disposed between an interior wall of the recess and the end of the elbow within the recess, and a connector is disposed in the annular grooves.
The connector comprises toroidal elements positioned in the grooves, and an access opening extending between the groove in the recess of the coupling and an outer wall of the coupling for inserting connectors in the grooves.
A preferred flex pipe coupling apparatus has a connector body with angularly related ends and with a central portion between the ends. At least one of the ends has a cylindrical recess. A shoulder at an axial end of the recess near the central portion cooperates with an end of a flex pipe inserted in the recess. An annular seal receiver in the cylindrical recess near the shoulder holds a resilient seal for sealing the end of the flex pipe. An annular groove in the recess cooperates with an annular groove in the flex pipe to receive and hold connecting elements for connecting the flex pipe to the connector.
One coupling has a second cylindrical recess in the second end of the pipe. A second shoulder at an axial end of the second recess near the central portion cooperates with an end of a second flex pipe. A second annular seal receiver in the second cylindrical recess near the second shoulder holds a second resilient seal for sealing the end of the second flex pipe. A second annular groove in the second recess cooperates with an annular groove in an exterior wall of the second flex pipe to receive and hold connecting elements for connecting the second flex pipe to the second cylindrical recess in the connector.
The first end of the connector is generally cylindrical. n A generally rectangular flange is integrally formed at the second end of the connector. The flange has arcuate bolt-receiving through-holes near corners of the rectangular flange for mounting the flange.
Opposite bosses extend from the flange along the cylindrical section, and threaded openings extend radially through the bosses and the cylindrical sections.
A second cylindrical end is angularly related to the first cylindrical end, and the second cylindrical end has a groove in its outer wall.
The second end extends at about 135° to the first end.
The first end has three annular grooves extending into the recess.
The first cylindrical- end section and the second cylindrical end section are oriented at 90°. A central, partially cylindrical section joins the first and second end sections.
The second end section has a necked down section and a terminal portion with external threads. The second end section has a cylindrical outer wall with an annular groove in the cylindrical outer wall. Alternatively, the first and second ends are substantially similar.
These and further and other objects and features of the invention are apparent in the disclosure, which includes the above and ongoing written specification, with the claims and the drawings.
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Creighton Wray James
Narasimhan Meera P.
Nicholson Eric K.
Pacific Flo-Rite, Inc.
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