Flange protector

Claim 2

A flange protector for attachment to a machined surface of a flange on a pipe or valve section, the machined surface having a plurality of bolt apertures extending therethrough, comprising: a plate of flexible material having a shape substantially the same as the shape of the machined surface; and a plurality of connector means integrally formed on said plate and extending perpendicularly from one side of said plate for attaching said protector to the machined surface whereby said plate covers and protects said machined surface, said connector means having a first portion adjacent to said plate and a compressible head formed on the extremity of said first portion, said first portion being of a diameter less than the diameter of said bolt apertures, said head when uncompressed having a portion which has a diameter greater than said bolt apertures, a hollow center extends through said plate, said first portion, and into said head of said connector means whereby insertion of said head portions through said apertures is facilitated.

Claim 3

A flange protector for attachment to a machined surface of a flange on a pipe or valve section, the machined surface having a plurality of bolt apertures extending therethrough, comprising: a plate of flexible material having a shape substantially the same as the shape of the machined surface; and a plurality oF connector means integrally formed on said plate and extending perpendicularly from one side of said plate for attaching said protector to the machine surface whereby said plate covers and protects said machined surface, said connector means having a first portion adjacent to said plate and a compressible bulbous-shaped head formed on the extremity of said first portion, said first portion being of a diameter less than the diameter of said bolt apertures, said head when uncompressed having a portion which has a diameter greater than said bolt apertures.

Claim 4

A flange protector for attachment to a machined surface of a flange on a pipe or valve section, the machined surface having a plurality of bolt apertures extending therethrough, comprising: a plate of flexible material having a shape substantially the same as the shape of the machined surface; and a plurality oF connector means integrally formed on said plate and extending perpendicularly from one side of said plate for attaching said protector to the machine surface whereby said plate covers and protects said machined surface, said connector means having a first portion adjacent to said plate and a compressible bulbous-shaped head formed on the extremity of said first portion, said first portion being of a diameter less than the diameter of said bolt apertures, said head when uncompressed having a portion which has a diameter greater than said bolt apertures.

Claim 5

A flange protector as defined in claim 1 wherein said greater diameter portion of said head is hollow.

Claim 6

A flange protector as defined in claim 1, wherein the length of said first portion is less than the thickness of said flange.

Claim 7

A flange protector as defined in claim 1, wherein said protector is molded from material selected from the group consisting of reclaimed rubber, polyethylene and polystyrene.

Claim 8

A flange protector for attachment to a machined portion of the flanged end of a pipe or valve section, said machined portion having a planar surface with a plurality of bolt apertures extending through said flange, an annular raised surface centrally located on said planar surface, comprising: a plate of flexible material having an outline substantially similar to the outline of said machined portion, surface means on one side of said plate of a size and shape to contact said annular raised surface; and a plurality of connector means integrally formed on said plate and extending perpendicularly from one side of said plate for attaching said protector to said flange whereby said plate covers and protects said machined portion, said connector means being positioned on said plate corresponding to the location of said bolt apertures on said flange, said connector means having a body of a diameter less than said bolt apertures and a compressible head portion of a diameter greater than the diameter of said bolt aperture.

Claim 9

A flange protector for attachment to a machined portion of the flanged end of a pipe or valve section, said machined portion having a planar surface with a plurality of bolt apertures extending through said flange, an annular raised surface centrally located on said planar surface, comprising: a plate of flexible material having an outline substantially similar to the outline of said machined portion, surface means on one side of said plate of a size and shape to contact said annular raised surface; and a plurality of connector means integrally formed on said plate and extending perpendicularly from one side of said plate for attaching said protector to said flange whereby said plate covers and protects said machined portion, said connector means being positioned on said plate corresponding to the location of said bolt apertures on said flange, said connector means having a body of a diameter less than said bolt apertures and a compressible head portion of a diameter greater than the diameter of said bolt aperture.

Claim 10

A flange protector as defined in claim 6 wherein a hollow center extends through said plate, said first portion and into said head portion of said connector means whereby insertion of said head portions through said apertures is facilitated.

Claim 11

A flange protector as defined in claim 6, wherein the length of said body is less than the thickness of said flange.

Claim 12

A flange protector for attachment to an annular-shaped machined surface on a flange of a pipe or valve section, the machined surface having a plurality of bolt apertures extending therethrough, an annular raised surface centrally located on said machined surface, comprising: a flat circular plate of flexible material, said plate having a circular cross section cavity on one side thereof; and a plurality of connector means integrally formed on said one side of said plate and extending perpendicularly therefrom for connecting said protector to said flange, each of said connector means comprising an elongated cylindrical first portion adjacent said plate, a head portion formed on the extremity of said first portion, said head portion having a first hemispherical surface extending from said first portion, said first surface being greater in diameter than said first portion, a second cone-shaped surface extending tangentially from said first surface in a diverging direction away from said first portion, a third hemispherical surface tangentially extending from the diverging end of said second surface, said third hemispherical surface having a diameter substantially smaller than said first hemispherical surface.

Claim 13

A flange protector for attachment to an annular-shaped machined surface on a flange of a pipe or valve section, the machined surface having a plurality of bolt apertures extending therethrough, an annular raised surface centrally located on said machined surface, comprising: a flat circular plate of flexible material, said plate having a circular cross section cavity on one side thereof; and a plurality of connector means integrally formed on said one side of said plate and extending perpendicularly therefrom for connecting said protector to said flange, each of said connector means comprising an elongated cylindrical first portion adjacent said plate, a head portion formed on the extremity of said first portion, said head portion having a first hemispherical surface extending from said first portion, said first surface being greater in diameter than said first portion, a second cone-shaped surface extending tangentially from said first surface in a diverging direction away from said first portion, a third hemispherical surface tangentially extending from the diverging end of said second surface, said third hemispherical surface having a diameter substantially smaller than said first hemispherical surface.

Claim 14

A flange protector as defined in claim 9 wherein a hollow center extends through said plate, said first portion and into said head portion of said connector means.

Claim 15

A flange protector as defined in claim 10 wherein said hollow center extends through the part of said head portion carrying said first hemispherical surface.

Claim 16

A flange protector for attachment to an annular-shaped maChined surface on a flange of a pipe or valve section, the machined surface having a plurality of bolt apertures extending therethrough, comprising: a cylindrical flat plate of flexible material; and a plurality of connector means integrally formed on one side of said plate and extending perpendicularly therefrom for connecting said protector to said flange, each of said connector means comprising an elongated cylindrical first portion adjacent said plate, a head portion formed on the extremity of said first portion, said head portion having a first hemispherical surface extending from said first portion, said first surface being greater in diameter than said first portion, a second cone-shaped surface extending tangentially from said first surface in a diverging direction away from said first portion, a third hemispherical surface tangentially extending from the diverging end of said second surface, said third hemispherical surface having a diameter substantially smaller than said first hemispherical surface.

Claim 17

A flange protector for attachment to an annular-shaped maChined surface on a flange of a pipe or valve section, the machined surface having a plurality of bolt apertures extending therethrough, comprising: a cylindrical flat plate of flexible material; and a plurality of connector means integrally formed on one side of said plate and extending perpendicularly therefrom for connecting said protector to said flange, each of said connector means comprising an elongated cylindrical first portion adjacent said plate, a head portion formed on the extremity of said first portion, said head portion having a first hemispherical surface extending from said first portion, said first surface being greater in diameter than said first portion, a second cone-shaped surface extending tangentially from said first surface in a diverging direction away from said first portion, a third hemispherical surface tangentially extending from the diverging end of said second surface, said third hemispherical surface having a diameter substantially smaller than said first hemispherical surface.