Device for displacing a pipe etc

• US 6,471,268 B1
• Filed: 04/18/2000
• Issued: 10/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gareth King, Peter John Stenstrom
• Original Assignee: Gareth King, Peter John Stenstrom
• Inventors: King, Gareth, Stenstrom, Peter John
• Primary Examiner(s): Lillis, Eileen D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chin, Paul T.
• Application Number:
  US09/551,055
• Time in Patent Office: 924 Days
• Field of Search: 294/1.1, 294/15, 294/171, 294/102.1, 294/102.2, 294/132, 294/137, 164/21, 164/30, 164/31, 16D/IG.12, 241/15.A, 241/15.R, 241/29.D
• US Class Current: 294/15
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 9/00 Hand-held gripping tools other than those covered by group B25B7/00 wrenches B25B13/00; specially adapted for watchmakers' or like use G04D
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/5115 Cleaning
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2701/33 Hollow or hose-like material
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/441 with a handle on the guide for manual operation
• CPC Class Codes: F16G 11/048 by moving a surface into the cable
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 1/06 Accessories therefor, e.g. anchors
• CPC Class Codes: F41B 5/14 Details of bows; Accessories for arc shooting sighting devices for bows F41G1/467
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 16/12 Hand grips, preformed and semi-permanent
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3936 Pivoted part

Abstract

A device for engaging an elongate article, such as a pipe or cable, for displacing the article longitudinally, comprises a tubular body formed of a plurality of longitudinal parts arranged to be opened apart and then closed together around the elongate article, and at least one collar formed of a plurality of parts carried by respective parts of the tubular body. The collar has a radially inner surface to form an interference engagement with the outer surface of the article, and a radially outer surface to engage the inner surface of the tubular body. The outer surface of the collar and/or the inner surface of the tubular body is tapered towards the trailing end of the device.

Claims

1. A device for engaging a pipe, cable or other elongate article to displace said article longitudinally, the device comprising a tubular body having a straight passage therethrough from end-to-end, the tubular body being formed of a plurality of longitudinal parts extending from end-to-end thereof and arranged to be opened apart and then closed together around the elongate article to be displaced, and at least one gripping collar positioned within the tubular body and formed of a plurality of parts carried by respective parts of the tubular body, the gripping collar having a radially inner surface arranged to form an interference engagement with the outer surface of the article to be displaced, and a radially outer surface arranged to engage the inner surface of the tubular body, at least the outer surface of the gripping collar or the inner surface of the tubular body being tapered towards a trailing end of the device.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which said tubular body is arranged to receive a single said gripping collar.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which said tubular body is arranged to receive a plurality of said gripping collars, spaced apart along its length.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, in which, in each longitudinal part of said tubular body, the respective parts of the gripping collars are joined by a longitudinal spine.

5. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which the at least one gripping collar has a radially outer surface which is tapered to match a tapering section of the inner surface of said tubular body.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which the radially inner surface of the at least one gripping collar is formed with a series of annular teeth.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6, in which said annular teeth are directed towards a forward end of the device.

8. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which each part of the at least one gripping collar is formed to a reduced thickness at one or more locations around its circumference.

9. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which each longitudinal part of the tubular body is provided with a retaining formation for the respective part of the at least one collar.

10. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which said tubular body comprises two said longitudinal parts.

11. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which said longitudinal parts of said tubular body are coupled together for flexing relative to each other, for opening and closing the tubular body.

12. A device as claimed in claim 1, in the form of a hand-held device for manual use.

13. A device as claimed in claim 1, incorporated in a powered apparatus.

14. A device as claimed in claim 1, provided at a trailing end thereof with an inwardly-directed annular scraping edge for engaging the surface of the article to be displaced.

15. A device as claimed in claim 14, comprising an annular insert the inner edge of which forms said scraping edge.

16. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which means are provided for holding said parts of the tubular body together when closed around said elongate article.

17. A device as claimed in claim 16, in which said means for holding said body parts together comprise inter-engaging clips or other formations provided on the respective body parts.

18. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which said tubular body is provided with means enabling the device to be towed.