Segmented pipe joint retainer glands

• US 4,779,900 A
• Filed: 02/11/1987
• Issued: 10/25/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: EBAA Iron Incorporated
• Original Assignee: EBAA Iron Incorporated
• Inventors: Shumard, Dennis D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Reese, Randolph A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US07/013,358
• Time in Patent Office: 622 Days
• Field of Search: 285/337, 285/364, 285/406, 285/412, 285/414, 285/415, 285/368, 285/114
• US Class Current: 285/114
• 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

Abstract

A segmented retainer gland assembly for holding pipe joints and the like together, including at least two gland segments in the shape of a circular arc forming together a circular gland for securing around a circular pipe, each of the segments having end flanges projecting substantially perpendicular to one side face of the gland segment, a clamping bracket having an inside face provided with a recess sized and shaped to receive the two end segment end flanges when adjacent ends of the gland segments are positioned together, each of the clamping brackets and gland segments having bolt holes and each of the clamping brackets having corresponding bolt holes which align with the bolt holes in the gland segments when the segments are positioned together, and bolts and nuts for securing the clamping brackets on the gland segments to hold the segments together at the end flanges to form a circular gland when the flanges are assembled together. Tapered, circular, and square configured gland segment end flanges and clamping bracket inside recesses are provided in different embodiments. A joint restraint harness is also disclosed including two gland assemblies, one on a pipe spigot end and the other on a bell of a joint, held together by axial tie rods.

Claims

1. A segmented retainer gland assembly comprising:

a plurality of circular arc segments sized to form a complete circle when fitted together in end-to-end array;

each of said segments having opposite end flanges projecting from a first face of each segment in an axial direction substantially perpendicular to said face, the end faces of each of said end flanges of adjacent end flanges being coengageable when said gland segments are assembled in circular array;

a clamping bracket for each pair of adjacent end flanges, said clamping bracket having an inside recess opening through a face thereof sized and shaped to receive a pair of said end flanges when said clamping bracket is attached to said first face of said gland segments over said end flanges; and

two spaced bolts through each of said clamping brackets and pair of adjacent end flanges for securing each of said clamping brackets to each pair of adjacent joining gland segment ends whereby said segments are secured together by said clamping brackets to form said circular array.

2. A gland assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said end flanges and said clamping brackets have tapered contacting surfaces to provide a wedge effect between said brackets and said end flanges to urge said gland segments more tightly together responsive to increases in axial forces along said bolt means holding said brackets over said end flanges.

3. A segmented retainer gland assembly according to claim 2 including means connected with said segments to engage the outer surface of a pipe within said assembly.

4. A restraint harness for holding a pipe joint between a spigot end of a pipe and a bell end of a pipe forming said joint comprising:

a first segmented retainer gland assembly having a plurality of circular segments sized to form a complete circle when fitted together in end-to-end array;

each of said segments having opposite end flanges projecting from a first face of each segment in an axial direction substantially perpendicular to said face, the end faces of each of said end flanges of adjacent end flanges being coengageable when said gland segments are assembled in circular array;

a clamping bracket for each pair of adjacent end flanges, said clamping bracket having an inside recess opening through a face thereof sized and shaped to receive a pair of said end flanges when said clamping bracket is attached to said first face of said gland segments over said end flanges;

two spaced bolts through each of said clamping brackets and pair of adjacent end flanges for securing each of said clamping brackets to each pair of adjacent joining gland segment ends whereby said segments are secured together by said clamping brackets to form said circular array;

including means for engaging the outer surface of said spigot end to restrain said retainer gland assembly against movement along said surface;

a second segmented retainer gland assembly, similar to said first segmented retainer gland assembly, on said bell end of said pipe and including means for engaging said gland assembly with the outer surface of said bell end to restrain said assembly against movement toward the end of said bell end; and

circumferentially spaced axial tie means connected between said first and second gland assemblies for coupling said gland assemblies together to hold said spigot pipe end in said bell pipe end.

5. A pipe joint restraint harness in accordance with claim 4 wherein said first segmented retainer gland assembly includes circumferentially spaced lug assemblies for engaging said spigot pipe end surface and said second retainer gland assembly has a tapered internal annular surface engageable with a tapered surface on said bell pipe end surface.

6. A pipe joint restraint harness in accordance with claim 4 wherein said first and second gland assemblies each include circumferentially spaced lug assemblies for engaging the outer surface of the pipe end with each said gland assembly.