Pipes and tubular conduits – Distinct layers – With intermediate insulation layer
Reexamination Certificate
2001-02-12
2001-11-13
Hook, James (Department: 3752)
Pipes and tubular conduits
Distinct layers
With intermediate insulation layer
C138S157000, C138S166000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06315006
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a pipe insulation coupling, and more particularly, to a pipe insulation coupling for coupling adjacent ends of pipe insulation tubing encased around an elongate fluid pipe.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional pipes used for conveying or transferring fluids, such as refrigeration pipes, water pipes, and the like, are commonly encased in a cellular foam insulation tubing. The insulation tubing is typically provided in predetermined lengths and aligned longitudinally and end-to-end along the length of the pipe. It is desirable to prevent the separation between adjacent facing ends of the insulation tubing to increase the insulation characteristics and efficiency of the pipe. The adjacent ends of the insulation tubing are typically interconnected by tape, adhesive or straps. However, this type of interconnection is labor intensive, costly and inefficient. Mechanical means and closure mechanisms have also been employed for attachment to insulation tubing such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,820,845; 2,919,721; 3,058,860 and 3,289,704.
It remains desirable to provide a coupling which may be easily attached to the pipe between sections of insulation tubing for receiving and coupling adjacent facing ends of longitudinally aligned insulation tubing encased about the pipe.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a pipe insulation coupling for coupling adjacent ends of elongated pipe insulation tubing comprising an elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end. The elongated body includes a cylindrical outer tube wall extending along the longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end. The elongated body further includes a cylindrical inner tube wall spaced inwardly from and generally parallel to the outer tube wall and extending along the longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end. The inner tube wall and the outer tube wall defining an elongated channel therebetween adapted to receive adjacent ends of the pipe insulation tubing. The coupling also includes a planar wall positioned transverse to the longitudinal axis for interconnecting the outer tube wall and the inner tube wall midway between the first and second ends and adapted to abut the adjacent ends of the pipe insulation tubing. The coupling further includes at least one of the outer tube wall and the inner tube wall having a tapered inner surface extending from the planar wall to each of the first and second ends for gradually decreasing the space between the outer tube wall and the inner tube wall defined by the channel to frictionally retain the adjacent ends of the pipe insulation tubing within the channel along opposing sides of the planar wall.
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Clark Hill PLC
Hook James
Hydra-Zorb Co.
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