Pipe joint restraint

• US 7,484,775 B2
• Filed: 07/11/2005
• Issued: 02/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Harold Kennedy Jr
• Original Assignee: Harold Kennedy Jr
• Inventors: Kennedy, Harold Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hewitt; James M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ripley; Jay R
• Application Number:
  US11/178,898
• Publication Number:
  US 20060012172A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,303 Days
• Field of Search: 285/339, 285/337, 285/342, 285/343, 285/374, 411/537, 411/393
• US Class Current: 285/337
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 25/065 the locking means being actuated by radial screws
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49881 of separate helix [e.g., screw thread]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49947 by applying separate fastener

Abstract

A pipe joint restraint (16) includes a pocket (74) having a fulcrum (92) a fixed distance from the centerline (26) of an annular retaining gland (22) and about which a gripping element (76) pivots to move a gripping edge (75) toward the centerline (26) so as to grip a pipe (14) engaged by the gripping element (76) in response to thrust forces on the pipe (14). The length of gripping edge (75) is selected for the material of pipe (14). Adjustable element (78) operatively connects to the gripping element (76) and fulcrum (92) to pivot with the gripping element (76). Adjustable element (78) and may be torqued to a common, predetermined torque whether the pipe (14) is metal or polymeric.

Claims

1. A pipe joint restraint comprising:

an annular retainer gland defining a pipe-receiving space therethrough and having an axial centerline;

at least one pocket associated with the annular retaining gland and having an opening confronting the pipe-receiving space and a top wall radially outwardly of the opening, the top wall defining at least one fulcrum fixed a predetermined distance from the axial centerline of the annular retainer gland;

a gripping element having at least one gripping edge adapted to engage a pipe received in the pipe-receiving space;

an adjustment member extending within the pocket and threadably coupled to the gripping element, wherein the adjustment member is pivotable about the at least one fulcrum with the gripping element such that the at least one gripping edge moves toward the axial centerline of the annular gland in response to movement, along the axial centerline of the annular gland, of a pipe received in the pipe-receiving space and engaged by the at least one gripping edge of the gripping element;

a stop associated with the pocket, the stop limiting pivotal movement of the gripping element about the at least one fulcrum; and

the at least one pocket further including a rear wall extending radially inwardly from the top wall, the stop defined on the rear wall.

2. The pipe joint restraint of claim 1, the gland further including a plurality of bolt holes for receiving bolts to fasten the gland to a flange of a member receiving an end of a pipe received in the pipe-receiving space of the gland.

3. The pipe joint restraint of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of said at least one pockets associated with the retainer gland.

4. The pipe joint restraint of claim 1, the gripping element being pivotable about the at least one fulcrum in a direction substantially corresponding to the direction of pipe movement.

5. The pipe joint restraint of claim 1, the gripping element pivotable between a first position spaced from the stop and a second position contacting the stop.

6. The pipe joint restraint of claim 1, the rear wall extending substantially perpendicularly to the axial centerline of the retainer gland.

7. The pipe joint restraint of claim 1, the rear wall being oblique to the axial centerline of the retainer gland.

8. The pipe joint restraint of claim 1, the gripping element having a first angular orientation when the at least one gripping edge initially engages a pipe received in the pipe-receiving space, the gripping element having a second different angular orientation when the gripping element is moved relative to the at least one fulcrum.

9. The pipe joint restraint of claim 1, the adjustment member being adapted to move the gripping element relative to the top wall.

10. The pipe joint restraint of claim 1, the adjustment member being rigid.

11. The pipe joint restraint of claim 1, further comprising an aperture formed in the top wall for receiving a portion of the adjustment member therethrough, the adjustment member including an interior shoulder inside the pocket and an exterior shoulder outside the pocket, the interior and exterior shoulders cooperating to retain the gripping element proximate the pocket without a pipe in the pipe-receiving space.

12. The pipe joint restraint of claim 1, the gripping element being one of a first type or a second type, the first type having at least one gripping edge with a first length and configured for use with a metal pipe, the second type having at least one gripping edge with a second length longer than the first length and configured for use with polymeric pipe.

13. The pipe joint restraint of claim 12, the gripping element having a laterally extending arm, at least a portion of the gripping edge disposed on the arm.

14. The pipe joint restraint of claim 13, the retainer gland further including a recess extending circumferentially around the gland, wherein the recess is defined by a wall and an adjacent, circumferential axially extending surface, wherein the circumferential axially extending surface terminates at a radially innermost edge of an outer face of the gland, the arm of the gripping element receivable in the recess whereby various length gripping element arms may be accommodated by the retainer gland.

15. The pipe joint restraint of claim 12, further comprising an adjustment member operatively engaging the gripping element and the at least one fulcrum, and being threadably coupled to the gripping element, the adjustment member being pivotable about the at least one fulcrum with the gripping element, and wherein the adjustment member includes a torque receiving portion that separates from the adjustment member to limit tightening of the adjustment member to a predetermined torque.

16. The pipe joint restraint of claim 15, wherein the predetermined torque is not more than approximately 60 foot-pounds.

17. The pipe joint restraint of claim 16, wherein the predetermined torque is not more than approximately 40 foot-pounds.

18. The pipe joint restraint of claim 15, wherein the predetermined torque is not more than approximately 45 foot-pounds.

19. The pipe joint restraint of claim 1, the top wall including an arcuate surface, the at least one fulcrum defined on the arcuate surface.

20. The pipe joint restraint of claim 19, including a plurality of fulcrums on the arcuate surface.

21. The pipe joint restraint of claim 1, the top wall including at least two surfaces defining a step therebetween, the at least one fulcrum defined by the step.

22. The pipe joint restraint of claim 1, the top wall including a pair of planar surfaces extending oblique to each other from a junction, the at least one fulcrum defined at the junction.

23. The pipe joint restraint of claim 1, the top wall including a protrusion extending from the top wall in a direction radially inwardly of the retainer gland, the at least one fulcrum defined by the protrusion.

24. A pipe joint restraint comprising:

an annular retainer gland defining a pipe-receiving space therethrough;

at least one pocket associated with the annular retaining gland and having an opening confronting the pipe-receiving space and a top wall radially outwardly of the opening and said top wall having an aperture;

a gripping element having at least a portion moveable within the at least one pocket and at least one gripping edge for engaging a pipe received in the pipe-receiving space; and

an adjustment member extending into the at least one pocket through the top wall aperture so as to operatively engage the gripping element, the adjustment member including an interior shoulder inside the at least one pocket, an exterior shoulder outside the at least one pocket, and nut outside the at least one pocket, wherein the nut is configured to receive torque to rotate the adjustment member, and wherein the exterior shoulder is configured to contact the pocket top wall to retain the gripping element proximate the at least one pocket when the nut is removed from the adjustment member.

25. The pipe joint restraint of claim 24, the exterior shoulder being defined by a lockwasher.

26. The pipe joint restraint of claim 24, the exterior shoulder being defined by a castellated rim.