PIPE SEPARATOR

• US 20130047398A1
• Filed: 08/29/2011
• Published: 02/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zaccaria, David L.
• Original Assignee: Zaccaria, David L.
• Inventors: Zaccaria, David L.
• Granted Patent: US 9,073,191 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/426.1
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 27/02 for connecting objects by press fit or detaching same B25D1/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 27/10 inserting fittings into hoses
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49815 Disassembling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49822 by applying force
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53843 Tube, sleeve, or ferrule inserting or removing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53896 having lever operator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53991 Work gripper, anvil, or element

Abstract

A pipe separator for separating pipes at a pipe joint includes an elongate shaft and an engagement portion. The engagement portion is configured to be mounted adjacent to a pipe joint. A force is applied to the pipe separator to separate the pipes at the joint without damaging the pipes.

Claims

1. A pipe separator for separating one pipe from another pipe at a pipe joint interface, the pipe joint being formed by a male portion fitted within a female portion, the pipe separator comprising:

an elongate shaft for grasping by a user in order to hold the pipe separator adjacent to the pipe joint, the shaft having a gripping portion; and

an engagement portion linked to the elongate shaft, the engagement portion having a bottom mounting surface and a plurality of side surfaces, the engagement portion being further configured to be mounted on the male end of a pipe, adjacent to a pipe joint, such that the bottom mounting surface contacts the male end of the pipe, and such that a side surface of the engagement portion contacts the rim of the female portion of the pipe joint.

2. A pipe separator as in claim 1, wherein the gripping portion is made of a cushioning material.

3. A pipe separator as in claim 1, wherein the engagement portion is selectively replaceable.

4. A pipe separator as in claim 1, wherein the inner diameter of the engagement portion is a fixed size.

5. A pipe separator as in claim 1, wherein the inner diameter of the engagement portion is larger than the outer diameter of the male portion of the pipe joint and smaller than the outer diameter of female portion of the pipe joint.

6. A pipe separator as in claim 1, wherein the gripping portion comprises an additional engagement portion;

7. A pipe separator as in claim 6, wherein the inner diameter of the additional engagement portion is a fixed size.

8. A pipe separator as in claim 6, wherein the additional engagement portion is selectively replaceable.

9. A pipe separating kit comprising:

a shaft having a gripping portion; and

multiple engagement portions that are selectively attachable to the shaft, wherein the engagement portions are configured to be mounted to the male end of a pipe, adjacent to a pipe joint, such that a side surface of the engagement portion contacts a rim of the female portion of the pipe joint.

10. A pipe separating kit as in claim 9, wherein the gripping portion comprises a cushioning material.

11. A pipe separating kit, comprising:

A shaft having a gripping portion, wherein the gripping portion comprises a cushioning material; and

multiple engagement portions that are selectively mountable to either end of the shaft, wherein the engagement portions are configured to be mounted to the male end of a pipe, adjacent to a pipe joint, and wherein the inner diameter of the engagement portion is larger than the outer diameter of the male portion of the pipe joint and smaller than the outer diameter of female portion of the pipe joint, such that a side surface of the engagement portion contacts a rim of the female portion of the pipe joint.

12. A method of separating a pipe from a pipe joint comprising:

providing a pipe separator, the pipe separator comprising;

a shaft having a gripping portion, wherein the gripping portion comprises a cushioning material; and

an engagement portion that is configured to be mounted on the male end of a pipe, adjacent to a pipe joint, such that a side surface of the engagement portion contacts a rim of a female portion of the pipe joint;

mounting the pipe separator to the male end of a pipe in a location

directly adjacent to the rim of the female portion of a pipe joint;

applying a force sufficient to disengage the pipe from the joint.

13. A method as in claim 12, wherein the force is applied in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the pipe.

14. A method as in claim 12, wherein the force is applied by striking the pipe separator.

15. A method as in claim 14, wherein the striking force is applied by striking the pipe separator with a hammer.

16. A method as recited in claim 12, wherein the force is applied by moving the pipe separator against the female portion of the pipe joint.

17. A method as recited in claim 12, wherein the force is applied by moving the pipe separator against the rim of the female portion of the pipe joint.

18. A method as recited in claim 12 wherein the force to separate the joint is applied by moving the pipe separator against the rim of the female portion of the pipe joint with sufficient force to separate the joint.

19. A method as in claim 12, wherein the pipes being separated by the pipe separator are comprised of polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

20. A method as in claim 12, further comprising selecting from among a group of selectively replaceable engagement portions.