Pipe joint restraint

• US 20060012172A1
• Filed: 07/11/2005
• Published: 01/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Harold Kennedy Jr
• Original Assignee: Harold Kennedy Jr
• Inventors: Kennedy, Harold Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 7,484,775 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 285/332.200
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 21/04 in which sealing rings are compressed by axially-movable members for joints using a threaded member F16L19/07; quick acting couplings F16L37/00; devices for covering leaks from inside a pipe F16L55/162
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 21/08 with additional locking means F16L17/035, F16L17/04, F16L21/04, F16L21/06 take precedence; screwed joints F16L19/08; couplings of the quick-acting type F16L37/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 25/065 the locking means being actuated by radial screws
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49881 of separate helix [e.g., screw thread]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49947 by applying separate fastener

Abstract

A pipe joint restraint (16) includes a pocket (74) having a fulcrum (92) a fixed distance from the centerline (26) of an annular retaining gland (22) and about which a gripping element (76) pivots to move a gripping edge (75) toward the centerline (26) so as to grip a pipe (14) engaged by the gripping element (76) in response to thrust forces on the pipe (14). The length of gripping edge (75) is selected for the material of pipe (14). Adjustable element (78) operatively connects to the gripping element (76) and fulcrum (92) to pivot with the gripping element (76). Adjustable element (78) and may be torqued to a common, predetermined torque whether the pipe (14) is metal or polymeric.

Claims

1. A pipe joint restraint comprising:

an annular retainer gland defining a pipe-receiving space therethrough and having an axial centerline;

at least one pocket associated with the annular retaining gland and having an opening confronting the pipe-receiving space and a top wall radially outwardly of the opening, the top wall defining at least one fulcrum fixed a predetermined distance from the axial centerline of the annular retainer gland; and

a gripping element having at least a portion moveable within the pocket and at least one gripping edge adapted to engage a pipe received in the pipe-receiving space;

the gripping element being operatively engaged with the fulcrum so as to move relative to the fulcrum such that the gripping edge moves toward the axial centerline of the annular gland in response to movement, along the axial centerline of the annular gland, of a pipe received in the pipe-receiving space and engaged by the gripping edge of the gripping element.

2. The pipe joint restraint of claim 1, the gland further including a plurality of bolt holes for receiving bolts to fasten the gland to a flange of a member receiving an end of a pipe received in the pipe-receiving space of the gland.

3. The pipe joint restraint of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of pockets associated with the retainer gland.

4. The pipe joint restraint of claim 1, the gripping element being pivotable about the fulcrum in response to movement of the pipe received in the pipe-receiving space along the axial centerline of the annular gland.

5. The pipe joint restraint of claim 4, the gripping element being pivotable about the fulcrum in a direction substantially corresponding to the direction of pipe movement.

6. The pipe joint restraint of claim 4, further comprising a stop associated with the pocket, the stop limiting pivotal movement of the gripping element about the fulcrum.

7. The pipe joint restraint of claim 6, the gripping element pivotable between a first position spaced from the stop and a second position contacting the stop.

8. The pipe joint restraint of claim 6, the pocket further including a rear wall extending radially inwardly from the top wall, the stop defined on the rear wall.

9. The pipe joint restraint of claim 8, the rear wall extending substantially perpendicularly to the axial centerline of the retainer gland.

10. The pipe joint restraint of claim 8, the rear wall being oblique to the axial centerline of the retainer gland.

11. The pipe joint restraint of claim 4, the gripping element having a first angular orientation when the gripping edge initially engages a pipe received in the pipe-receiving space, the gripping element having a second different angular orientation when the gripping element is pivoted about the fulcrum.

12. The pipe joint restraint of claim 1, the gripping element having a first angular orientation when the gripping edge initially engages a pipe received in the pipe-receiving space, the gripping element having a second different angular orientation when the gripping element is moved relative to the fulcrum.

13. The pipe joint restraint of claim 1, further comprising an adjustment member extending within the pocket and operatively engaging the gripping element and the fulcrum, the adjustment member being pivotable about the fulcrum with the gripping element.

14. The pipe joint restraint of claim 13, the adjustment member being threadably coupled to the gripping element.

15. The pipe joint restraint of claim 13, the adjustment member being adapted to move the gripping element relative to the top wall.

16. The pipe joint restraint of claim 15, the adjustment member being threadably coupled to the gripping element.

17. The pipe joint restraint of claim 13, the adjustment member being elongated.

18. The pipe joint restraint of claim 13, the adjustment member being rigid.

19. The pipe joint restraint of claim 13, further comprising an aperture formed in the top wall for receiving a portion of the adjustment member therethrough, the adjustment member including an interior shoulder inside the pocket and an exterior shoulder outside the pocket, the interior and exterior shoulders cooperating to retain the gripping element proximate the pocket without a pipe in the pipe-receiving space.

20. The pipe joint restraint of claim 1, the gripping element being one of a first type or a second type, the first type configured for use with a metal pipe, the second type configured for use with polymeric pipe.

21. The pipe joint restraint of claim 20, the gripping edge of the first type of gripping element having a first length, the gripping edge of the second type of gripping element having a second length longer than the first length.

22. The pipe joint restraint of claim 20, further comprising an adjustment member operatively engaging the gripping element and the fulcrum, and being threadably coupled to the gripping element, the adjustment member being pivotable about the fulcrum with the gripping element;

the adjustment member being tightened to a common, predetermined torque when the gripping element is the first type or the second type.

23. The pipe joint restraint of claim 22, the common, predetermined torque being not more than approximately 40 foot-pounds to approximately 60 foot-pounds.

24. The pipe joint restraint of claim 22, the common, predetermined torque being not more than approximately 45 foot-pounds.

25. The pipe joint restraint of claim 22, the adjustment member including a torque receiving portion that separates from the adjustment member to limit tightening the adjustment member approximately to the predetermined torque.

26. The pipe joint restraint of claim 20, the gripping element having a laterally extending arm, at least a portion of the gripping edge disposed on the arm, the gripping edge of the first type of gripping element having a first length, the gripping edge of the second type of gripping element having a second length longer than the first length.

27. The pipe joint restraint of claim 26, the arm of the first type of gripping element having a first length, the arm of the second type of gripping element having a second length longer than the first length.

28. The pipe joint restraint of claim 27, the retainer gland further including a non-cored recess extending circumferentially around the gland, the arm of the gripping element receivable in the recess whereby various length gripping element arms may be accommodated by the retainer gland.

29. The pipe joint restraint of claim 1, the top wall including an arcuate surface, the fulcrum defined on the arcuate surface.

30. The pipe joint restraint of claim 29, including a plurality of fulcrums on the arcuate surface, each being fixed at respectively predetermined distances from the axial centerline of the retainer gland.

31. The pipe joint restraint of claim 1, the top wall including at least two surfaces defining a step therebetween, the fulcrum defined by the step.

32. The pipe joint restraint of claim 1, the top wall including a pair of planar surfaces extending oblique to each other from a junction, the fulcrum defined at the junction.

33. The pipe joint restraint of claim 1, the top wall including a protrusion extending from the top wall in a direction radially inwardly of the retainer gland, the fulcrum defined by the protrusion.

34. A pipe joint restraint comprising:

an annular retainer gland defining a pipe-receiving space therethrough;

at least one pocket associated with the annular retaining gland and having an opening confronting the pipe-receiving space and a top wall radially outwardly of the opening and having an aperture;

a gripping element having at least a portion moveable within the pocket and at least one gripping edge for engaging a pipe received in the pipe-receiving space; and

an adjustment member extending into the pocket through the top wall aperture so as to operatively engage the gripping element, the adjustment member including an interior shoulder inside the pocket and an exterior shoulder outside the pocket, the interior and exterior shoulders cooperating to retain the gripping element proximate the pocket without a pipe in the pipe-receiving space.

35. The pipe joint restraint of claim 34, the exterior shoulder being defined by a lockwasher.

36. The pipe joint restraint of claim 34, the exterior shoulder being defined by a castellated rim.

37. A pipe assembly, comprising:

a pipe having an outer surface;

an annular retainer gland disposed on the outer surface of the pipe and having an axial centerline;

a plurality of pockets on the retainer gland, each pocket having an opening confronting the pipe and a top wall radially outwardly of the opening, each top wall defining a respective fulcrum fixed a respective predetermined distance from the axial centerline of the annular retainer gland;

a plurality of gripping elements, each gripping element associated with a respective one of the pockets and having at least a portion moveable within the associated pocket;

each gripping element having a gripping edge adapted to engaging the outer surface of the pipe; and

a plurality of adjustment members, each extending within a respective pocket and threadably coupled to a respective gripping element, the adjustment members each operable to move the respective gripping element into engagement with the outer surface of the pipe;

the gripping elements each pivotable about the fulcrum of the associated pocket in response to movement of the pipe in a direction along the axial centerline of the retainer gland.

38. The pipe assembly of claim 37, the respective predetermined distances being substantially equal.

39. A pipe assembly, comprising:

a pipe having an outer surface, the pipe being metal or polymeric;

an annular retainer gland disposed on the outer surface of the pipe and having an axial centerline;

a plurality of pockets on the retainer gland, each pocket having an opening confronting the pipe; and

a plurality of gripping elements, each gripping element associated with a respective one of the pockets and having at least a portion moveable within the respectively associated pocket;

the gripping elements being one of a first type or a second type, the first type configured for use with the metal pipe by a gripping edge of a first length, the second type configured for use with the polymeric pipe by a gripping edge of a second length, longer than the first length;

the number of gripping elements being the same when the pipe is metal as when the pipe is polymeric.

40. The pipe assembly of claim 39, the retainer gland having a circumferentially extending recess and each gripping element having a laterally extending arm receivable in the recess and carrying at least part of the gripping edge, the arm of the first type of gripping element having a first length, the arm of the second type of gripping element having a second length longer than the first length.

41. A method of securing a pipe, comprising:

fitting an annular retainer gland carrying a gripping element over the outer surface of the pipe;

moving the gripping element into engagement with the outer surface of the pipe; and

pivoting the gripping element about a fulcrum defined on the retainer gland a fixed distance from an axial center of the retainer gland.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein moving the gripping element includes manipulating an adjustment member coupled to the gripping element.

43. The method of claim 42, further comprising tightening the adjustment member to a predetermined torque.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the predetermined torque is not more than approximately 40 foot-pounds to approximately 60 foot-pounds.

45. The method of claim 43, wherein the predetermined torque is not more than approximately 45 foot-pounds.

46. The method of claim 43 further comprising breaking off a portion of the adjustment member when the adjustment member has been tightened to approximately the predetermined torque.

47. A method of securing a pipe, comprising:

fitting an annular retainer gland over the outer surface of the pipe, the retainer gland having at least one gripping element, the gripping element being one of a first type of gripping element configured for use with metal pipes or a second type of gripping element configured for use with polymeric pipes;

tightening an adjustment member to a predetermined torque to move the gripping element into engagement with an outer surface of the pipe;

the predetermined torque being the same for both the first and second types of gripping elements.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein tightening the adjustment member comprises tightening to a torque of approximately 40 foot-pounds to approximately 60 foot-pounds.

49. The method of claim 47, wherein tightening the adjustment member comprises tightening to a torque of approximately 45 foot-pounds.