Safety shield for flanged pipe coupling

Claim 2

A safety shield for a flanged pipe coupling comprising an elongated, flexible translucent strip of a fluoroalkene polymeric material, adaptable to be wrapped around the circumference of the pipe coupling flanges having a length somewhat greater than the circumference of said flanges, and having sufficient width to permit the longitudinal edges of the shield to be folded toward and approach in a non-sealing manner the outside diameter of a pipe received in the flange, said longitudinal edges being segmented so that when the shield is wrapped around said flanges a portion of each segment overlaps a portion of the segment juxtaposed thereto, permitting escape therebetween of a measured amount of fluid that might leak from said pipe coupling, and a plurality of the segments having means receiving a pliable lace therethrough for securing the shield in a fixed position on the flanges said lace being derived from a fluoroalkene polymeric material.

Claim 3

The safety shield of claim 1, wherein said shield is made from a flexible strip of polytetrafluoroethylene.

Claim 4

The safety shield of claim 1, wherein said shield lace is derived from polytetrafluoroethylene.

Claim 5

The safety shield of claim 1, wherein each of said longitudinal segments has a hole therethrough for receiving the lace whereby the shield may be secured to the flanged pipe coupling with one end of the shield in an overlapped relation to the other.

Claim 6

The safety shield of claim 1, wherein there is means associated with said shield for indicating leakage of a piped fluid, passing through said flanged pipe coupling, said means being responsive to contact with said piped fluid.

Claim 7

The safety shield of claim 5 wherein said leakage indicating means is a chemical indicator.

Claim 8

The safety shield of claim 6 wherein said indicator is carried out by means which may be inserted between said flanges and said shield when the shield is placed upon said flanges.

Claim 9

A safety system for intercepting fluid exiting a flanged pipe coupling comprising: (a) a safety shield comprising an elongated, flexible, translucent strip of a fluoroalkene polymeric material, adaptable to be wrapped around the circumference of the pipe coupling flanges in a non-sealing manner, having a length somewhat greater than the circumference of said flanges, and having sufficient width to permit the longitudinal edges of the shield to be folded toward and approach the outside diameter of a pipe received in the flange, said longitudinal edges being segmented so that when the shield is wrapped around said flanges a portion of each segment overlaps a portion of the segment juxtaposed thereto, permitting escape of a measured amount of fluid that might leak from said pipe coupling, and a plurality of the segments having means receiving a pliable lace therethrough for securing the shield in a fixed position on the flanges, said lace being derived from a fluoroalkene polymeric material, and (b) a reinforcing member interposed between said flange and said safety shield having essentially the same, or somewhat greater, length as the safety shield and a width essentially equal to the width of said flanges, and being derived from a fluoroalkene polymeric material.

Claim 10

A safety system for intercepting fluid exiting a flanged pipe coupling comprising: (a) a safety shield comprising an elongated, flexible, translucent strip of a fluoroalkene polymeric material, adaptable to be wrapped around the circumference of the pipe coupling flanges in a non-sealing manner, having a length somewhat greater than the circumference of said flanges, and having sufficient width to permit the longitudinal edges of the shield to be folded toward and approach the outside diameter of a pipe received in the flange, said longitudinal edges being segmented so that when the shield is wrapped around said flanges a portion of each segment overlaps a portion of the segment juxtaposed thereto, permitting escape of a measured amount of fluid that might leak from said pipe coupling, and a plurality of the segments having means receiving a pliable lace therethrough for securing the shield in a fixed position on the flanges, said lace being derived from a fluoroalkene polymeric material, and (b) a reinforcing member interposed between said flange and said safety shield having essentially the same, or somewhat greater, length as the safety shield and a width essentially equal to the width of said flanges, and being derived from a fluoroalkene polymeric material.

Claim 11

The safety system of claim 8, wherein both the safety shield and the reinforcing member are made from polytetrafluoroethylene.

Claim 12

The safety system of claim 8, wherein the lace is made from polytetrafluoroethylene and each of said longitudinal segments has a hole therethrough for receiving the lace, whereby the shield may be secured to the flanged pipe coupling with one end of the shield in an overlapped relation to the other.

Claim 13

The safety system of claim 8, wherein there is means associated with said safety shield and reinforcing member for indicating leakage of a piped fluid, passing through said flanged pipe coupling, said means being responsive to contact with said piped fluid.

Claim 14

The safety system of claim 11, wherein said leakage indicating means is compounded with said reinforcing member.

Claim 15

The safety system of claim 11, wherein said leakage indicating means is a chemical indicator, and, when used in conjunction with said safety system, is positioned in a manner to provide observation thereof through the safety shield.