Abstract

A pipe connector (10) formed as a sleeve (50) adapted to side axially over the ends of adjacent pipes (20, 30) that are to be connected to one another. The sleeve (50) and pipe ends (20, 30) have complementary internal (60, 62) and external (64, 64) grooves, respectively, that align to form channels for each receiving an elongate connector (56, 58) that mechanically connects each pipe end (20, 30) to the sleeve (50). The sleeve also has pockets (52, 54) for receiving pressure seals (28, 38) that form a seal between the sleeve (50) and each pipe end (20, 30). The pipe connector (10) is characterised by an asymmetric arrangement of the connector grooves (60, 62, 64, 66), thus permitting the axial sliding of the sleeve (50) relative to the pipe ends (20, 30) in one direction without disrupting the seals (28, 38) or catching seals on the edges of the grooves.

IPC Classes  ?

• F16L 21/02 - Joints with sleeve or socket with elastic sealing rings between pipe and sleeve or between pipe and socket, e.g. with rolling or other prefabricated profiled rings
• F16L 21/08 - Joints with sleeve or socket with additional locking means
• F16L 37/14 - Joints secured by inserting between mating surfaces an element, e.g. a piece of wire, a pin, a chain

Abstract

The invention concerns a coupling (10) for use in forming a sealed joint between first (36) and second (34) tubular members. The coupling provides a through-passage (16) defined by an inner coupling face (24) and having a first open end (12) for insertion of the first tubular member (36) into a first region (18) of the through- passage (16) and a second open end (20) for insertion of the second tubular member (34) into a second region (20) of the through-passage (16). A first inwardly directed engagement recess (26) is provided in the inner coupling face (24) in the first region (18) of the through- passage (16) and a second inwardly directed engagement recess (32) is provided in the inner coupling face (24) in the second region (20) of the passage (16). In the assembled joint, the first inwardly directed engagement recess (26) aligns with a first outwardly directed engagement recess (40) of the first tubular member (36) to form a first channel (51) for receipt of a first retainer (52) to secure the first tubular member in the coupling. The second inwardly directed recess aligns with a second outwardly directed engagement recess (42) of the second tubular member to form a second channel (60) for receipt of a second retainer (62) to secure the second tubular member (34) in the coupling. The first region (18) of the through-passage (16) has a larger diameter than the second region (20) of the through-passage (16).

IPC Classes  ?

• F16L 21/02 - Joints with sleeve or socket with elastic sealing rings between pipe and sleeve or between pipe and socket, e.g. with rolling or other prefabricated profiled rings
• F16L 25/14 - Joints for pipes of different diameters or cross-section
• F16L 37/14 - Joints secured by inserting between mating surfaces an element, e.g. a piece of wire, a pin, a chain

Abstract

A connector (10) comprising an elongate main body (12) comprising a plurality of sub-units(14) interconnected by a support wire (30) located radially outwardly, in use, of the sub-units(14), wherein the sub-units (14) are shaped such that the connector can be bent to form a loop having an at least part-circular interior (24) or exterior (20) surface. The connector is suitable for use in a sleeved pipe coupling in which the connector(10)is slidingly insertable into a channel formed by aligned circumferential grooves formed on an exterior surface of a pipe and an interior surface of a sleeve. The provision of the at least part-circular interior and/or exterior surface (20, 24) may aid the formation of a seal and/or aid the distribution of forces between the pipe and sleeve, in use.

IPC Classes  ?

• F16L 37/14 - Joints secured by inserting between mating surfaces an element, e.g. a piece of wire, a pin, a chain

Abstract

A pipe joint comprising: • a conduit (10) having two connection ends wherein each connection end comprises: • a wall defining a receiving recess (11) for receiving an end of a pipe length (4,5); • one or more channels (14) on the internal surface of the wall, each channel housing a sealing ring (12) located within the channel (14); • one or more grooves formed to a depth in an internal surface of the wall of the receiving recess; • a channel communicating between the groove and an external surface of the connection end, and • a connector (20) formed from a length of material which is seatable within the groove via the channel and which is wider than the depth of the groove so that when seated within the groove the connector extends into the receiving recess; • first and second pipe lengths to be connected together in the conduit, each pipe length being formed with a groove on its external surface corresponding to the or each groove in the internal surface of the wall of one of the connecting ends, such that the ends of the pipe lengths in the conduit abut each other.

IPC Classes  ?

• F16L 21/00 - Joints with sleeve or socket
• F16L 37/14 - Joints secured by inserting between mating surfaces an element, e.g. a piece of wire, a pin, a chain