Method of Joining Pipes in End to End Relation

• US 20090127846A1
• Filed: 11/17/2008
• Published: 05/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Victaulic Company
• Original Assignee: Victaulic Company
• Inventors: Dole, Douglas R., Cuvo, Anthony J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,996,981 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 285/24
• CPC Class Codes: B21D 17/04 by rolling
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 17/025 the sealing rings having radially directed ribs
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 17/04 with longitudinally split or divided sleeve
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 21/065 tightened by tangentially-arranged threaded pins
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 23/08 connection by tangentially arranged pin and nut
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 23/22 made exclusively of a material other than metal
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 25/12 Joints for pipes being spaced apart axially
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 43/00 Bends; Siphons with cleaning apertures F16L45/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49948 Multipart cooperating fastener [e.g., bolt and nut]

Abstract

A method for connecting pipe elements together end to end. The method includes providing a coupling having a plurality of segments with at least one camming surface, the segments being joined end to end by a plurality of adjustably tightenable fasteners, positioning a first and a second of the pipe elements in end to end relation, positioning the segments surrounding the ends of the pipe elements, engaging the camming surfaces on the segments with grooves on the pipe elements and tightening the fasteners so as to draw the segments toward one another. The camming surfaces slide into the grooves and move the first and second pipe elements away from one another.

Claims

1. A method for connecting pipe elements together end-to-end, said pipe elements having circumferential grooves proximate to each end, said method comprising:

providing a coupling comprising a plurality of segments joined end-to-end by a plurality of adjustably tightenable fasteners, each of said segments having a pair of keys projecting radially inwardly, said keys being positioned in spaced apart relation from one another and defining a space therebetween, at least one of said keys on one of said segments having a first camming surface positioned adjacent to one end of said segment, said first camming surface facing away from said space between said keys and being angularly oriented relatively thereto;

positioning a first and a second of said pipe elements in end-to-end relation;

positioning said plurality of segments surrounding ends of said first and second pipe elements;

engaging said first camming surface with said groove in one of said first and second pipe elements;

applying said fasteners to said segments; and

tightening said fasteners so as to draw said segments toward one another, said first camming surface sliding into said groove and thereby moving said first and second pipe elements away from one another.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising positioning a sealing member surrounding said ends of said first and said second pipe elements.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising placing ends of said first and second pipe elements in abutting relationship.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising forming a groove in each of said first and second pipe elements by forming a first side surface proximate to an end of said pipe elements, forming a second side surface positioned in spaced relation to said first side surface and distal to said end of said pipe, forming a floor that extends between said first and second side surfaces, upon said engaging of said first camming surface with one of said grooves said camming surface contacting said second side surface of said one groove.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising forming said first side surface substantially perpendicularly to a long axis of said pipe element.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising forming said second side surface at an angle relatively to said long axis of said pipe.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising further tightening said fasteners and thereby forcing said keys into said grooves.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising contacting said first side surfaces in each of said grooves with said keys.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein said segments further comprise lugs positioned at each end thereof, said lugs being adapted to receive said fasteners, one of said lugs on each of said segments being in facing relation with one of said lugs on another of said segments, said method further including tightening said fasteners so as to bring said lugs in facing relation into contact with one another thereby forming a rigid joint.

10. A method for connecting pipe elements together end-to-end, said pipe elements having circumferential grooves proximate to each end, said method comprising:

providing a coupling comprising first and second segments joined end-to-end by a plurality of adjustably tightenable fasteners, each of said segments having a pair of keys projecting radially inwardly, said keys being positioned in spaced apart relation from one another and defining a space therebetween, each of said keys having a first camming surface positioned adjacent to one end of said segment, and a second camming surface positioned adjacent to an opposite end of said segment, said camming surfaces facing away from said space between said keys and being angularly oriented relatively thereto;

positioning a first and a second of said pipe elements in end-to-end relation;

positioning said first and second segments surrounding ends of said first and second pipe elements;

engaging said camming surfaces with said grooves in said first and second pipe elements;

applying said fasteners to said segments; and

tightening said fasteners so as to draw said segments toward one another, said camming surfaces sliding into said grooves and thereby moving said first and second pipe elements away from one another.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising positioning a sealing member surrounding said ends of said first and said second pipe elements.

12. The method according to claim 10, further comprising placing ends of said first and second pipe elements in abutting relationship.

13. The method according to claim 10, further comprising forming a groove in each of said first and second pipe elements by forming a first side surface proximate to an end of said pipe elements, forming a second side surface positioned in spaced relation to said first side surface and distal to said end of said pipe, forming a floor that extends between said first and second side surfaces, upon said engaging of said camming surfaces with said grooves said camming surfaces contacting said second side surface of said grooves.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising forming said first side surfaces substantially perpendicularly to a long axis of said pipe element.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising forming said second side surfaces at an angle relatively to said long axis of said pipe.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising further tightening said fasteners and thereby forcing said keys into said grooves.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising contacting said first side surfaces in each of said grooves with said keys.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein said segments further comprise lugs positioned at each end thereof, said lugs being adapted to receive said fasteners, one of said lugs on each of said segments being in facing relation with one of said lugs on another of said segments, said method further including tightening said fasteners so as to bring said lugs in facing relation into contact with one another thereby forming a rigid joint.