US3861422A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Split-sleeve pipe device
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-10-24
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Granted: 1975-01-21
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Expires: 1993-10-24
Abstract
Abstract A split-sleeve type pipe coupling for assembly on a pipe for sealing off at a leak, for hot tapping the pipe at a desired location, or for severing and electrically insulating the pipe for cathodic protection. The coupling includes longitudinally split annular electrical insulators, a one-piece gasket having split annular end portions connected by longitudinal side runner seal portions, and a pair of housing halves which fit together over the gasket to form a sealed housing along the pipe. One of the housing halves has an externally threaded side boss defining an opening into the housing through one of the shell halves for manipulation of pipe cutting equipment and for connection of a valve or other suitable equipment. Both housing halves have internal flanges for holding and positioning the insulators and gasket. Also end set screws are provided in the housing halves for gasket adjustment.
Inventors
- 👤 Joe William Christie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 02:25
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L25/00; F16L25/02; F16L25/028; F16L41/00; F16L41/04; F16L41/06; F16L55/00; F16L55/16; F16L55/168; F16L55/17; F16L55/172
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
671 words
A split-sleeve type pipe device comprising: a cyLindrical elongated housing enclosure including an upper housing-half section and a lower housing-half section connectable together around a pipe; each of said housing-half sections having first longitudinally spaced central internal semi-circular flanges disposed in planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said housing-half section; each of said housing-half sections having a second pair of internal semi-circular flanges spaced apart longitudinally on opposite sides and outwardly of said first pair of internal flanges and disposed in planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said housing sections, said second flanges each having an outwardly facing conical seal surface; said housing-half sections having inwardly extending end flanges disposed in planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said housing sections; said housing-half sections each having a longitudinal gasket groove along each side edge of each of said half sections for accommodating an elongated gasket portion along each side of said housing enclosure from said conical gasket seat surface at one end of said enclosure to said conical gasket seat surface at the other end of said enclosure; each of said housing-half sections having longitudinal side flanges provided with bolt holes for coupling said housing-half sections together around a pipe; a first of said housing-half sections having boss means defining a lateral opening to said housing enclosure and the second of said housing-half sections having an enlargement defining a chamber opening into said housing enclosure aligned with said opening of said first housing-half section; each of said housing-half sections having set screws axially aligned and circumferentially spaced through said end flange at each end of each of said half sections for expanding gasket means within said housing enclosure at each end thereof around said pipe passing these through; a first pair of annular electrical insulators having a tubular portion adapted to fit around said pipe through said first internal flanges of said housing-half sections and said insulators having outwardly extending flanges in a plane perpendicular to the axis through said tubular portions of said insulators for engagement with the internal faces of said first internal flanges of said housing-half sections for positioning each of said insulators with said housing enclosures around said pipe; a second pair of annular electrical insulators each having a first tubular portion adapted to fit around said pipe and extend through one of said end flanges on said housing-half sections for spacing said housing-half sections from said pipe at the ends thereof and said second insulators having annular outwardly extending flanges perpendicular to the axis of said insulator defining a follower ring within each end portion of said housing enclosure when said insulators are assembled on said pipe; each of said electrical insulators being split whereby said insulators may be spread apart and fitted around said pipe during assembly of said device on said pipe; and a one-piece gasket adapted to fit around said pipe within said housing enclosure between said housing-half sections to provide a fluid tight seal between said housing-half sections and said pipe along a longitudinal portion of said pipe, said gasket having split annular end members each adapted to fit within said housing-half sections between one of said second internal flanges and the adjacent end flange of said housing-half sections, each of said end members having a tubular portion extending through said second internal flange between said flange and said pipe and having a conical portion having a conical seal surface engageable with said conical seat surface on said second flange of said housing-half sections to provide an annular seal around said pipe within said housing enclosure at each end of said enclosure, and said gasket having longitudinal side runner portions extending along each side of said gasket between said end members for engagement withIn said gasket grooves along each of the side portions of each of said housing-half sections to provide a fluid tight longitudinal seal along each side of said housing enclosure between the adjoining side edges of said housing-half sections between said annular end members of said gasket.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
671 words
A split-sleeve type pipe device comprising: a cyLindrical elongated housing enclosure including an upper housing-half section and a lower housing-half section connectable together around a pipe; each of said housing-half sections having first longitudinally spaced central internal semi-circular flanges disposed in planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said housing-half section; each of said housing-half sections having a second pair of internal semi-circular flanges spaced apart longitudinally on opposite sides and outwardly of said first pair of internal flanges and disposed in planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said housing sections, said second flanges each having an outwardly facing conical seal surface; said housing-half sections having inwardly extending end flanges disposed in planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said housing sections; said housing-half sections each having a longitudinal gasket groove along each side edge of each of said half sections for accommodating an elongated gasket portion along each side of said housing enclosure from said conical gasket seat surface at one end of said enclosure to said conical gasket seat surface at the other end of said enclosure; each of said housing-half sections having longitudinal side flanges provided with bolt holes for coupling said housing-half sections together around a pipe; a first of said housing-half sections having boss means defining a lateral opening to said housing enclosure and the second of said housing-half sections having an enlargement defining a chamber opening into said housing enclosure aligned with said opening of said first housing-half section; each of said housing-half sections having set screws axially aligned and circumferentially spaced through said end flange at each end of each of said half sections for expanding gasket means within said housing enclosure at each end thereof around said pipe passing these through; a first pair of annular electrical insulators having a tubular portion adapted to fit around said pipe through said first internal flanges of said housing-half sections and said insulators having outwardly extending flanges in a plane perpendicular to the axis through said tubular portions of said insulators for engagement with the internal faces of said first internal flanges of said housing-half sections for positioning each of said insulators with said housing enclosures around said pipe; a second pair of annular electrical insulators each having a first tubular portion adapted to fit around said pipe and extend through one of said end flanges on said housing-half sections for spacing said housing-half sections from said pipe at the ends thereof and said second insulators having annular outwardly extending flanges perpendicular to the axis of said insulator defining a follower ring within each end portion of said housing enclosure when said insulators are assembled on said pipe; each of said electrical insulators being split whereby said insulators may be spread apart and fitted around said pipe during assembly of said device on said pipe; and a one-piece gasket adapted to fit around said pipe within said housing enclosure between said housing-half sections to provide a fluid tight seal between said housing-half sections and said pipe along a longitudinal portion of said pipe, said gasket having split annular end members each adapted to fit within said housing-half sections between one of said second internal flanges and the adjacent end flange of said housing-half sections, each of said end members having a tubular portion extending through said second internal flange between said flange and said pipe and having a conical portion having a conical seal surface engageable with said conical seat surface on said second flange of said housing-half sections to provide an annular seal around said pipe within said housing enclosure at each end of said enclosure, and said gasket having longitudinal side runner portions extending along each side of said gasket between said end members for engagement withIn said gasket grooves along each of the side portions of each of said housing-half sections to provide a fluid tight longitudinal seal along each side of said housing enclosure between the adjoining side edges of said housing-half sections between said annular end members of said gasket.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
159 words
A split-sleeve type pipe device comprising a first housing-half member, a second housing-half member securable with said first housinghalf member for forming a complete housing enclosure around a portion of a length of a pipe, electrical insulating means for encircling said pipe within said housing-half members spacing said half members from said pipe, and integral one-piece pressure sealing gasket means around said pipe within said housing-half members for sealing against fluid pressure loss from said housing enclosure along a length of said pipe, the gasket means including annular end portions each having an inwardly facing conical seal surface for engagement with a corresponding seal surface in each of said housing-half members and longitudinal runners along opposite sides of the annular end portions connecting said end portions for sealing between said housing-half members along longitudinal lines whereby a longitudinal portion of said pipe is sealed against fluid loss within said housing enclosure between said end portions of said gasket means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
159 words
A split-sleeve type pipe device comprising a first housing-half member, a second housing-half member securable with said first housinghalf member for forming a complete housing enclosure around a portion of a length of a pipe, electrical insulating means for encircling said pipe within said housing-half members spacing said half members from said pipe, and integral one-piece pressure sealing gasket means around said pipe within said housing-half members for sealing against fluid pressure loss from said housing enclosure along a length of said pipe, the gasket means including annular end portions each having an inwardly facing conical seal surface for engagement with a corresponding seal surface in each of said housing-half members and longitudinal runners along opposite sides of the annular end portions connecting said end portions for sealing between said housing-half members along longitudinal lines whereby a longitudinal portion of said pipe is sealed against fluid loss within said housing enclosure between said end portions of said gasket means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
91 words
A split-sleeve type pipe device as defined in claim 2 wherein each of the housing-half members is provided with a first pair of internal longitudinally spaced half-circular flanges to cooperate with the insulating means for holding the latter in position between said pipe and said housing-half members, said housing-half members having a second pair of internal longitudinally spaced half-circular flanges to cooperate with said annular end portions of said gasket means to provide a fluid seal along opposite end portions of said pipe device between said pipe and said housing-half members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
120 words
A split-sleeve type pipe device as defined in claim 3 wherein said insulating means includes a first pair of annular members adapted to be disposed in longitudinally spaced relation around said pipe through said first internal flanges in said housing-half members, said insulating means has a second pair of annular members adapted to be disposed at opposite extremities of said housing-half members outwardly of said annular end portions of said gasket means, the second pair of annular insulating members each having a flange follower ring for engagement with said annular end portions of said gasket means to expand the latter for effecting a fluid tight seal around said pipe within said housing enclosure between said housing-half members and said pipe.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
81 words
A split-sleeve type pipe device as defined in claim 4 including means for adjusting said gasket means independently of said electrical insulating means, the adjusting means having a plurality of circumferentially spaced axially aligned set screws in opposite ends of each of said housing-half members for engaging each flange follower ring of said second pair of insulating members for urging each of said follower rings inwardly to apply a longitudinal compression force on said annular end portions of said gasket means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
A split-sleeve type device as defined in claim 5 wherein said first housing-half member is provided with an external cylindrical boss defining a lateral opening into said housing enclosure for connection of auxiliary apparatus to said device, said second housing-half member having an external lateral enlargement defining a chamber opening into said housing enclosure opposite the boss of said enclosure and aligned with the lateral opening thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
148 words
A split-sleeve type pipe device comprising a first housing-half member, a second housing-half member securable with said first housing-half member for forming a complete housing enclosure around a portion of a length of pipe, electrical insulating means for encircling the pipe within the housing-half members spacing said members from said pipe, integral one-piece pressure sealing gasket means around said pipe within said housing-half members for sealing against fluid pressure loss from the housing enclosure along a length of said pipe, the gasket means having longitudinally spaced annular seals between said pipe and said housing-half members and longitudinal side seals along said pipe connected between the spaced annular seals disposed between said housing-half members, and means for applying a longitudinal compression force to the extremities of said gasket means for expanding said extremities around said pipe within said housing enclosure to seal between said pipe and said housing-half members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
148 words
A split-sleeve type pipe device comprising a first housing-half member, a second housing-half member securable with said first housing-half member for forming a complete housing enclosure around a portion of a length of pipe, electrical insulating means for encircling the pipe within the housing-half members spacing said members from said pipe, integral one-piece pressure sealing gasket means around said pipe within said housing-half members for sealing against fluid pressure loss from the housing enclosure along a length of said pipe, the gasket means having longitudinally spaced annular seals between said pipe and said housing-half members and longitudinal side seals along said pipe connected between the spaced annular seals disposed between said housing-half members, and means for applying a longitudinal compression force to the extremities of said gasket means for expanding said extremities around said pipe within said housing enclosure to seal between said pipe and said housing-half members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
90 words
A split-sleeve type pipe device as defined in claim 7 wherein each of said housing-half members is provided with a first pair of longitudinally spaced internal half-circular flanges to cooperate with the electrical insulating means for holding the latter in position between said pipe and said housing-half members, said housing-half members have a second pair of internal longitudinal spaced half-circular flanges to cooperate with said extremities of said gasket means to provide a fluid seal along opposite end portions of said pipe device between said pipe and said housing-half members.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
128 words
A split-sleeve type pipe device as defined in claim 8 wherein said electrical insulating means includes a first pair of annular members adapted to be disposed in longitudinally spaced relation around said pipe through said first internal flanges in said housing-half members, said insulating means has a second pair of annular members adapted to be disposed at opposite extremities of said housing-half members outwardly of said extremities of said gasket means and forming a part of the longitudinal compression force applying means, the second pair of annular insulating members each having a flange follower ring for engagement with said extremities of said gasket means to expand the latter for effecting a fluid tight seal around said pipe within said housing enclosure between said housing-half members and said pipe.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
69 words
A split-sleeve type pipe device as defined in claim 9 wherein said longitudinal compression force applying means includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced axially aligned set screws in opposite ends of each of said housing-half members for engaging the flange follower rings of said second pair of insulating members for urging said flange follower rings inwardly to apply a longitudinal compression force on said extremities of said gasket means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-01-20 | 1978-07-22 | 1979-01-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-20 | 1982-07-22 | 1983-01-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-20 | 1986-07-22 | 1987-01-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |