Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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PIPE TOOL:
This invention is in the field of plumbing installation tools, and in
particular in the area of
tools for installing plumbing elbow joints and like fittings.
BACKGROUND:
It is common in the field of plumbing, hydraulic line, and natural gas pipe
fitting to use
pipe elbows when assembling plumbing components. The use of elbows allows for
rigid
pipe runs to make toms to Bass around comers or obstacles. In addition,
"double" elbows
or T-junctions are used where the flow is to be distributed to two or more
pipes.
Typically the installation of a pipe elbow involves the threading by hand of
the elbow
onto the pipe to which it is to be installed, and then tightening the elbow
with a pipe
wrench. As pipe fttings are often installed in cramped working conditions, it
is oftcn
difficult and sometimes impossible to first engage the elbow with a
conventional pipe
wrench, and then have adequate working room to be able to generate the torque
necessary
to properly tighten the fitting. If the fitting is not properly tightened it
can lead to leakage
at the joint between the elbow and the pipe.
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Because of the shape of pipe fittings like elbows, the orientations of the
fitting where a
pipe wrench can effectively engage the fitting are limited. Pipe elbows
include elbows
with a female threaded fitting at each end, and "street" elbows which have a
female
threaded fitting at one end and a male threaded fitting at the other end. The
street elbow
at the male end has a relatively short and narrow shank with external threads,
and the
shank is difficult to grasp with a conventional pipe wrench. Typically then it
is necessary
to engage the jaws of the pipe wrench across the opening at the female end the
female, or
directly opposite the opening, such that the wrench has only two suitable
locations, each
located at 180° with respect to the other.
Similarly on elbows with a female threaded fitting at each end, the portion of
the elbow
that can be grasped with the wrench is quite short, such that the wrench is
often engaged
across the opposite end.
Thus for example when installing a 90° elbow in a limited workspace an
installer is often
not able to swing the wrench through 180°, and it is very difficult to
properly tighten the
elbow to the desired degree. Furthermore, applying force with a pipe wrench to
the open
end of a pipe fitting risks compressing and deforming that end so that it
cannot be
connected to the next segment of pipe. Engaging the wrench on the shank just
below the
end that is being installed on the pipe provides a wider range of gripping
locations
however is problematic as well.
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The same problems that impair one's ability to install an elbow fitting also
impedes
efforts to remove it. This is exacerbated by the fact that after a period of
use, fittings will
often become corroded and difficult to remove. Applying adequate torque to
install and
remove elbow type fittings is made difficult by the shape and lack of an
effective location
to engage a wrench.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
It is an object of the present invention to provide a tool that overcomes
limitations in
prior art methods and tools used in installing or removing plumbing fittings
such as
elbows_ The invention is a simple, reusable device, adapted for use with
conventional
tools such as ratchet and socket wrenches, hand wrenches or impact socket
wrenches.
In one embodiment, the invention provides a holding apparatus fox installing a
first
threaded end of a pipe fitting onto a pipe network, where the first threaded
end has a first
thread axis, and the pipe fitting has at least a second threaded end with a
second thread
axis oriented at an angle of less than 180 degrees with respect to the first
thread axis. The
apparatus comprises a holder adapted to engage the pipe fitting such that the
first
threaded end extends from an open end of the holder, and a wrench head fixed
to the
holder substantially opposite the open end thereof and configured to be
engaged and
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rotated by a wrench about a head axis. The wrench head and holder are
configured such
that when the pipe fitting is engaged in the holder, the head axis is
substantially aligned
with the first thread axis such that rotating the wrench head about the head
axis causes the
pipe fitting to rotate about the first thread axis.
In a second embodiment, the invention provides a method for installing a first
threaded
end of a pipe fitting onto a pipe network, where the first threaded end has a
fu~st thread
axis, and the pipe fitting has at least a second threaded end with a second
thread axis
oriented at an angle of less than 180 degrees with respect to the first thread
axis. The
method comprises engaging a holder on the pipe fitting such that the first
threaded end
extends from an open end of the holder, wherein a wrench head is fixed to the
holder
substantially opposite the open end thereof, the wrench head having a head
axis
substantially aligned with the first thread axis, and engaging a wrench on the
wrench
head and rotating the wrench head, holder, and pipe fitting about the aligned
head axis
and first thread axis.
By using a conventional hexagonal shape for the wrench head, the head is
analogous to
the head of a bolt. As such, tools such as a socket and ratchet combination,
which are
well adapted for working in tight spaces, can be used to tighten the plumbing
fitting using
the invention. Alternatively, the invention may provide a recess adapted to
fit the square
end of a ratchet head such that the fitting can be tightened with a ratchet
alone. Still
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further the wrench head could be adapted to be engaged by a pipe wrench.
Where additional torque is required to either install or remove the fitting,
the invention
provides the user with the option of using an air driven impact wrench and
socket to
S generate the necessary force. Thus the invention provides a simple and easy
to use
device that overcomes problems associated with the installation or removal of
plumbing
fittings such as elbows and junctions
DESCRIPTION OF TI-1~ DRAWINGS:
While the invention is claimed in the concluding portions hereof, preferred
embodiments
are provided in the accompanying detailed description which may be best
understood in
conjunction with the accompanying diagrams where like parts in each of the
several
diagrams are labeled with like numbers, and where:
Fig. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a side view of the embodiment of Pig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the invention where the
shape of the
holder is rounded at the back to better cradle the elbow;
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Fig. 4 is an end view of the embodiment of Fig. 3 and showing how the bottom
of the
holder is rounded to better cradle the elbow. The view is taken from the end
opposite of the location of the set screw;
Fig 5 is a side view of an alternate embodiment configured for use with a T
junction.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS:
Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate a holding apparatus 1 of the invention for use in
holding certain
pipe fittings commonly used in plumbing, hydraulic line and gas fittings and
the like,
during installation onto a pipe 18 or like fitting of the pipe network being
worked on.
The pipe fittings of concern are those such as elbows and T-junctions where a
first
threaded end 12 is to be installed on the pipe 18 and has a first thread axis
Al, and a
second threaded end has a second thread axis A2 oriented at an angle of less
than 180°
with respect to the first thread axis, typically at 90° or 45°.
The apparatus 1 comprises a holder 2 adapted to engage a pipe fitting 4,
illustrated as a
90° elbow with two female ends, such that the first threaded end 12
extends from the
open end of the holder Z. The holder 2 defines an appropriately sized cavity
adapted to
receive the pipe fitting 4. The pipe fitting 4 is placed into the holder
through the open top
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of the holder. The pipe fitting 4 is oriented in the holder such that the
first end 12 of the
fitting, i.e. the end that is to be threaded onto the end of the pipe 18, is
situated at the end
of the holder 2 opposite a wrench head 10 located on the bottom of the holder
2. It is
contemplated that the holder 2 could be configured to engage a 45°
elbow, or other
variation, in a manner similar to that illustrated.
The illustrated holder 2 further comprises a retainer comprising a set screw 8
threaded
into a nut 6 welded to the holder 2 and through a wall of the holder 2. Once
the pipe
fitting is in the holder, the set screw 8 may be screwed in such that the
inner end thereof
is close to or against the wall of the pipe fitting 4, thus keeping the pipe
fitting 4 in place
in the holder 2. The placement of the set screw 8 over the body of the pipe
fitting 4 also
prevents the pipe fitting 4 from falling out of the holder 2, even should the
set screw 8
become loose while the holder is in use.
The set screw 8 and nut 6 are not required to rotate the fitting, but in
confined areas or
awkward positions are convenient to maintain the fitting 4 in the holder 2.
The cavity of
the holder 2 can be configured to only loosely engage the side portions of the
pipe fitting
4, so long as once the holder is rotated, the fitting 4 will also rotate. It
is contemplated
that it could be possible to utilize the same holder 2 for different sizes of
fittings 4. For
example a single holder might satisfactorily function to install both 3/a inch
and 1/x inch
elbows.
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A wrench head 10 is fixed to the holder 2 opposite the open end thereof and is
configured
to be engaged and rotated by a wrench about a head axis HA that is aligned
with the first
thread axis A1 such that rotating the wrench head 10 about the head axis HA
causes the
pipe fitting 4 to rotate about the first thread axis A1.
Thus once the fitting 4 is secured in the holder 2, the user then grasps the
holder 2 and
initially threads the fitting onto the end of a pipe 18 by hand. After the
fitting is initially
threaded, the user then applies a wrench, ratchet and socket or an air wrench
and socket
to the wrench head 10 located on the bottom of the holder 2. Conveniently, the
wrench
head 10 could be a hexagonal shape of a size to fit a standard wrench or
socket set. The
head can be provided in either metric or standard sizes, depending on where
the invention
was to be marketed. Once the wrench is in place, the user then tightens the
fitting 4 by
rotating the holder 2.
Using a hexagonal head provides for easier placement and turning of a wrench
to tighten
the fitting onto the pipe, or to remove same. In addition, the wrench head
provides for
more secure engagement of the holder when using a wrench or socket than can be
achieved by a conventional pipe wrench on a bare fitting. Thus, the chance of
slippage of
the wrench, a common occurrence with a pipe wrench on a bare fitting in an
awkward
position, is reduced or eliminated when using the apparatus 1 to install a
fitting. The
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head 10 could also comprise a recess on the lower surface of the holder 2
adapted to fit
the square end of a ratchet head. Like the wrench head 10, the recess would be
centered
substantially in line with the first thread axis A1 of the pipe fitting 4.
Using a recess
adapted to a ratchet head provides the advantage that a user does not need to
fmd an
appropriate size socket in order to tighten the fitting, but can simply use
the ratchet
without a socket.
By aligning the wrench head 10 substantially with the first thread axis A1,
the holder 2
will rotate smoothly as the pipe fitting 4 is installed. Slight misalignment
of the axes HA
and A1 will still allow the apparatus i to function satisfactorily.
The holder 2 may be manufactured in a number of ways, and the precise manner
of
construction is not limiting of the invention. For example it may be possible
to fashion
the holder 2, the nut 6 and opening for the set screw 8 as well as the wrench
head 10 as a
single piece casting. Alternatively, the holder 2 could also be constructed of
a series of
appropriately size pieces of sheet metal to form the sides and bottom, and the
nut 6 and
wrench head 10 affixed onto the box portion of the holder 2 afterwards.
In an alternative embodiment 101, illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, the bottom 120
of the
holder 102 comprises a rounded shape, substantially the same as the shape of
the pipe
fitting 104, here illustrated as street elbow. By matching the shape of the
holder 102 to
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the fitting 104, the fitting is held more securely in the holder, and torque
will be more
effectively transferred to the fitting during installation or removal. As
shown the holder
102 is configured to substantially conform to the outer shape of the
illustrated street
elbow.
Having a shaped holder provides an advantage when installing a street elbow
style of
fitting. Street elbows are well known in the art of plumbing and comprise a
female
internal thread at one end and a male external thread at the opposite end. The
female end
typically comprises a flange that is of a greater diameter than the male end.
Consequently, when attaching the male end to a pipe, it is possible for the
elbow to
wobble back and forth in the holder. Thus, by shaping the holder to
approximate the
shape of the fitting, the fitting will be retained more snugly in the holder,
with the effect
that side to side movement of the male end of the fitting will be reduced,
which in turn
makes installation of the fitting easier. The holder is still operative, even
without a tight
fit between the holder and the fitting, much the same as a crescent wrench is
still
functional even where it has not been precisely adjusted to the size of the
bolt or nut to
which it is applied. Thus, while a snug fit between the holder and the fitting
is most
desirable it is not absolutely necessary for the invention to function.
As shown in Fig. 5, a holder 202 can also be provided that is adapted to use
with a T-
junction style fitting 204. In the case of a holder for use with T junctions,
the holder 202
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is constructed such that it fits the length and width of the pipe fitting 204.
The wrench
head 210 is placed in the middle of the holder 202, such that the head axis HA
is in
substantial alignment with the first thread axis A1 of the fitting end to be
attached to the
pipe.
The size of the holder can also be varied in order to provide a holder capable
of
functioning with various size plumbing fittings. As pipe fittings come in a
number of
different diameters to accommodate different sizes of pipes, it is anticipated
that a user
would desire a set of holders of varying sizes in order to have a holder whose
size closely
matched that of the pipe fitting with which it was to be used. Conveniently, a
set of
holders will allow a user to select for a more secure fit of a pipe fitting
into a holder,
lessening the chance of movement of the pipe fitting within the holder during
installation
of the fitting onto a pipe end, thus permitting easier installation.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the
invention.
Further, since numerous changes and modifications will readily occur to those
skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction
and operation
shown and described, and accordingly, all such suitable changes or
modifications in
structure or operation which may be resorted to are intended to fall within
the scope of
the claimed invention.
