Self-aligning band for beveling machine

Claim 2

For use with a pipe working machine having a movable dolly and a tool mounted on the dolly for movement therewith around the pipe, a support for the dolly comprising: an elongated band having a surface to support the dolly and a pair of parallel side edges, the dolly being provided with means engaging said edges for guiding the dolly during movement over said surface; means interconnecting the ends of said band to hold the latter in substantially cylindrical configuration and in spaced relationship to a joint of pipe with said edges concentric with the axis of the pipe; and roller means carried by the surface of the band and projecting therefrom for engagement with the pipe to support the band in spaced parallelism from the surface of the pipe, said roller means being operable to permit shifting movement of the band longitudinally of the pipe when the band is held in said cylindrical configuration, whereby to facilitate accurate alignment of the band with respect to the pipe irrespective of irregularities in the surface of the pipe.

Claim 3

The invention of claim 1, wherein said roller means includes a plurality of spaced apart rollers secured to the band.

Claim 4

The invention of claim 2, wherein said rollers are disposed in a row extending parallel to said edges.

Claim 5

The invention of claim 3, wherein said rollers are disposed in a pair of rows spaced apart longitudinally of the pipe, each of said rows being parallel to said edges.

Claim 6

The invention of claim 2, wherein each roller includes a bracket secured to said band, and a wheel for each bracket respectively, each wheel being mounted to its corresponding bracket for rolling movement about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pipe.

Claim 7

The invention of claim 5, wherein is included a pair of wheels for each bracket respectively, the wheels of each pair thereof being spaced apart longitudinally of the pipe.

Claim 8

The invention of claim 4, wherein each row of rollers is disposed in relatively close proximity to a corresponding edge of the band.

Claim 9

The invention of claim 1, wherein said inteRconnecting means includes a toggle, one element of the toggle being pivotally coupled with one end of the band and the other element of the toggle being coupled with the other end of the band, whereby said toggle may be operated to move the band tightly into engagement with the pipe.

Claim 10

The invention of claim 8, wherein said band is disposed around the outer surface of said pipe and said toggle is adapted to be operated to draw the band tightly around the pipe.

Claim 11

The invention of claim 8, wherein said band is disposed around the inner surface of said pipe and said toggle is adapted to be operated to move the band outwardly into engagement with said pipe.

Claim 12

The invention of claim 8, wherein said toggle includes adjustable structure to permit selective adjustment of the force exerted on the band.

Claim 13

The invention of claim 8, wherein said toggle is on the surface of the band proximal the dolly, and wherein said toggle is bent to conform to the general contour of the band when the latter is installed on said pipe, whereby to permit relatively unobstructed movement of the dolly around the surface of the band.

Claim 14

The invention of claim 1, wherein said roller means is carried by the inner surface of said band for supporting the band in spaced relationship to the outer surface of the pipe.

Claim 15

The invention of claim 1, wherein said roller means is carried by the outer surface of said band for supporting the band in spaced relationship to the inner surface of the pipe.

Claim 16

Apparatus for beveling a metal pipe comprising: an elongated band conforming in configuration to the configuration of the pipe and presenting a supporting surface with spaced, parallel side edges; means interconnecting the ends of said band to hold the latter in substantially cylindrical configuration and in spaced relationship to a joint of pipe with said edges concentric with the axis of the pipe; roller means carried by the surface of the band and projecting therefrom for engagement with the pipe to support the band in spaced parallelism from the surface of the pipe, said roller means being operable to permit shifting movement of the band longitudinally of the pipe when the band is held in cylindrical configuration whereby to facilitate accurate alignment of the band with respect to the pipe irrespective of irregularities in the surface of the pipe; a movable dolly mounted on said band, said dolly being provided with means engaging said edges for guiding the dolly during movement over said surface and around said band; and a bevel cutter mounted on the dolly for movement therewith.

Claim 17

Apparatus for beveling a metal pipe comprising: an elongated band conforming in configuration to the configuration of the pipe and presenting a supporting surface with spaced, parallel side edges; means interconnecting the ends of said band to hold the latter in substantially cylindrical configuration and in spaced relationship to a joint of pipe with said edges concentric with the axis of the pipe; roller means carried by the surface of the band and projecting therefrom for engagement with the pipe to support the band in spaced parallelism from the surface of the pipe, said roller means being operable to permit shifting movement of the band longitudinally of the pipe when the band is held in cylindrical configuration whereby to facilitate accurate alignment of the band with respect to the pipe irrespective of irregularities in the surface of the pipe; a movable dolly mounted on said band, said dolly being provided with means engaging said edges for guiding the dolly during movement over said surface and around said band; and a bevel cutter mounted on the dolly for movement therewith.