HINGED PIPE JOINT

• US 3,845,975 A
• Filed: 03/09/1973
• Issued: 11/05/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Willem Jan Van Heijst
• Original Assignee: Willem Jan Van Heijst
• Inventors: Van Heijst, Willem Jan
• Primary Examiner(s): Guest, Alfred R.
• Application Number:
  US05/339,555
• Time in Patent Office: 606 Days
• Field of Search: 285/283,15,16,127,121,163,164,235,226
• US Class Current: 285/283
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 23/02 the flanges being connected by members tensioned axially F16L23/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 27/02 Universal joints, i.e. with mechanical connection allowing angular movement or adjustment of the axes of the parts in any direction

Abstract

A hinged pipe joint comprises at least one flexible sleeve surrounded by a cage-like cardan structure. The joint structure makes it difficult to remove and replace the flexible sleeve. The invention provides a housing to which the hinge structure is connected, with a flange secured therein to which a flange of the flexible sleeve is connected. The housing has a closable access door in alignment with the axis of the flange, so that when the cover of the door is open, the detached flexible sleeve and the flange may be removed and replaced through the door. If two flexible sleeves are connected to the housing at angles to each other, then two doors are provided. The flanges have curved portions secured thereto that serve as continuations of the pipeline within the housing.

Claims

1. In a hinged pipe joint comprising a pair of rigid pipes, at least one flexible sleeve between the rigid pipes, and hinge structure interconnecting the rigid pipes and surrounding the flexible sleeve;

the improvement comprising a housing, a flange secured in said housing, one end of said flexible sleeve being secured to said flange, said hinge structure being secured to said housing, at least one door through said housing in line with the axis of said flange, and a removable cover closing said opening.

2. A pipe joint as claimed in claim 1, said flange having a rigid pipe section secured thereto in a continuation of said flexible sleeve within said housing.

3. A pipe joint as claimed in claim 2, said pipe section being curved.

4. A pipe joint as claimed in claim 1, there being a pair of said flexible sleeves one secured to each said rigid pipe and both secured to different sides of said housing by two said flanges, the axes of said flanges being disposed at an angle to each other, there being a said door and cover in said housing in line with the axis of eAch said flange.

5. A pipe joint as claimed in claim 4, said flanges having curved pipe sections secured thereto within said housing, said pipe sections meeting each other in endwise abutment.