Corrugated pipe adapter and connection system

• US 6,364,373 B1
• Filed: 10/27/2000
• Issued: 04/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NPC Incorporated
• Original Assignee: NPC Incorporated
• Inventors: Brockway, Robert D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nicholson, Eric K.
• Application Number:
  US09/699,264
• Time in Patent Office: 522 Days
• Field of Search: 285/369, 285/903, 285/236, 285/253
• US Class Current: 285/369
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 25/0036 Joints for corrugated pipes
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 25/0054 with specially shaped sealing rings
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 5/10 by using sealing rings or sleeves only
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 285/903 Corrugated

Abstract

A corrugated pipe adapter for providing a sealing surface on a corrugated pipe includes a generally cylindrical sleeve having a generally smooth outer clamping surface and at least one protrusion. The protrusions include side walls and an arched structure between the side walls. The protrusions extend from an inside of the generally cylindrical sleeve. The side walls move outwardly against the corrugations on the corrugated pipe when pressure is applied to the generally smooth outer clamping surface.

Claims

1. A corrugated pipe adapter for providing a scaling surface on a corrugated pipe, comprising;

a generally cylindrical sleeve having a generally smooth outer clamping surface; and

at least one protrusion extending from an inside of said generally cylindrical sleeve, said at least one protrusion having side walls and forming an arched structure at an end of said protrusion and between said side walls, wherein said arched structure arches inwardly toward said clamping surface such that pressure applied to said generally smooth outer clamping surface opposite said arched structure causes said side walls to move outwardly against corrugations on said corrugated pipe.

2. The corrugated pipe adapter of claim 1 wherein said at least one protrusion extends partially into said corrugations on said corrugated pipe.

3. The corrugated pipe adapter of claim 1 wherein said corrugated pipe adapter has a solid cross section.

4. The corrugated pipe adapter of claim 1 wherein said generally cylindrical sleeve and said at least one protrusion are made of a medium durometer rubber.

5. The corrugated pipe adapter of claim 1 wherein said side walls are sloping.

6. The corrugated pipe adapter of claim 1 wherein said at least one protrusion includes a plurality of protrusions, and wherein each of said protrusions is adapted to be positioned between said corrugations on said corrugated pipe.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein said at least one protrusion includes a plurality of protrusions, and wherein each of said protrusions is adapted to be positioned between said corrugations on said corrugated pipe.

16. The corrugated pipe adapter of claim 1 further comprising at least one sealing element protruding from an inner sealing surface of said generally cylindrical sleeve.

7. A corrugated pipe adapter for providing a sealing surface on a corrugated pipe, comprising:

a generally cylindrical sleeve having a generally smooth outer clamping surface; and

a plurality of protrusions extending from an inside of said generally cylindrical sleeve having sloping side walls and forming an arched structure at an end of each said protrusion and between said sloping side walls, wherein each of said plurality of protrusions are adapted to be positioned between corrugations on said corrugated pipe, and wherein each said arched structure arches inwardly toward said clamping surface such that pressure applied to said generally smooth outer clamping surface opposite said arched structure causes said sloping side walls to move outwardly against said corrugations on said corrugated pipe.

8. The corrugated pipe adapter of claim 7 wherein said generally cylindrical sleeve and said plurality of protrusions are made of a medium durometer rubber.

9. The corrugated pipe adapter of claim 7 wherein said corrugated pipe adapter has a solid cross section.

10. The corrugated pipe adapter of claim 7 wherein each said plurality of protrusions extends partially into a groove between said corrugations on said corrugated pipe.

17. The corrugated pipe adapter of claim 7 further comprising at least one sealing element protruding from an inner sealing surface of said generally cylindrical sleeve.

11. A corrugated pipe connection system comprising:

a corrugated pipe adapter comprising;

a generally cylindrical sleeve having a generally smooth outer clamping surface; and

at least one protrusion extending from an inside of said generally cylindrical sleeve, said at least one protrusion having side walls and forming an arched structure at an end of said protrusion and between said side walls;

a boot for positioning on said clamping surface; and

a clamping mechanism securing said boot to said generally smooth outer clamping surface, and wherein said arched structure arches inwardly toward said clamping surface such that pressure applied by said clamping mechanism to said generally smooth outer clamping surface opposite said arched structure causes said side walls to move outwardly against corrugations on said corrugated pipe.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said at least one protrusion extends partially into said corrugations on said corrugated pipe.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein said corrugated pipe adapter has a solid cross section.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein said side walls are sloping.

18. The corrugated pipe connection system of claim 11 further comprising at least one sealing element protruding from an inner sealing surface of said corrugated pipe adapter.