Pipe joints or couplings – With indicator – alarm or inspection means
Patent
1984-07-16
1987-07-14
Arola, Dave W.
Pipe joints or couplings
With indicator, alarm or inspection means
285305, F16L 3500
Patent
active
046798250
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to a pipe connector which preferably serves to connect a pipe to another pipe or pipes or to a device to be supplied with fluid conveyed through the pipe. However, the term "pipe connector" is also intended to include within its scope a member for blanking-off an end of a pipe.
In the domestic field there are many different forms of pipe connectors which are used with copper pipes. Some of the known connectors rely on the use of solder to form a seal between the pipe and the connector, whilst other known connectors rely on the use of nipples which are clamped between the pipe and the connector. Such connectors are only suitable for use with pipes which contain fluid at relatively low pressure and cannot be used in high pressure systems. There is a need for a pipe connector which has more universal use and can be used both for low pressure and high pressure systems and which is mechanically connected to the pipe.
It is known from GB No. 2014274A, GB No. 1308186 and U.S. Pat. No. 1,464,386 to secure two concentric members together by providing the members with circumferential grooves which co-operate one with the other to form a circular channel in which is inserted a retaining or locking wire.
The present invention provides a pipe connector which utilizes the known locking system having a wire received in co-operating grooves. However, I have found that to apply the known locking system to a pipe connector produces problems due to the fact that copper tubing and pipe connectors are not generally manufactured to fine tolerances. If the outer diameter of the pipe is a slack fit within the bore of the connector then the effective cross-sectional area of the channel formed by co-operating grooves is larger than desired and the locking wire when received therein can expand radially resulting in the mechanical connection between the pipe and the connector being weak as the locking wire will not be seated in the bottom of the groove provided on the pipe. If on the other hand the co-operating grooves are not of exact dimensions they can result in forming a channel whose cross-sectional area is such that the wire has an interferance fit therein and then difficulty is experienced in inserting the wire into the channel and this can result in damage being caused to the wire and/or channel.
According to the present invention there is provided a pipe connector comprising a body having a bore for receiving an end portion of a pipe, said bore being provided with a first circumferentially extending groove arranged to co-operate with a circumferentially extending groove provided on the exterior of said end portion of a pipe, a passageway provided in said body and extending from said first groove to the exterior of said body, a second circumferentially extending groove provided in said bore, a sealing ring disposed in said second groove for sealing engagement with the exterior of a said end portion of a pipe, said first groove when co-operating with a groove on the end portion of a pipe forming therewith a channel in which a retaining rod or wire is inserted by being passed through said passageway, said first groove having a side wall which is inclined to the axis of the bore.
Preferably said side wall is inclined at 25.degree.-35.degree. to the axis of the bore.
The first groove preferably has its other side wall extending at a right angle to the axis of the bore and a base wall which extends parallel to the axis of the bore.
The ends of the passageway are preferably provided with recesses serving as lead-in guides for the retaining rod or wire.
Some embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section through a connector according to the present invention shown connected to one pipe,
FIG. 2 is a section taken along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1,
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a tool for use in removing the locking wire or rod, rod,
FIG. 5 is a side elevation of a tool for producing a groove in a pipe,
REFERENCES:
patent: 268686 (1882-12-01), Kaiser
patent: 2013660 (1935-09-01), Lauer
patent: 2458714 (1949-01-01), Mahoney
patent: 2597482 (1952-05-01), Harrison
patent: 3027631 (1962-04-01), Nathan
patent: 3527485 (1970-09-01), Goward
patent: 3606402 (1971-09-01), Medney
patent: 3871691 (1975-03-01), Takagi
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