Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
240 words
A method of fabricating insulators for pipe elbows, and the like, comprising: providing semi-cylindrically shaped insulative material having a longitudinally oriented interior channel shaped to respectively receive therein pipe sections interconnected by an elbow; cutting first and second lengths of said insulative material in accordance with the length of the elbow for assembly into a first split sleeve leg; cutting third and fourth lengths of said insulative material in accordance with the length of the elbow, for assembly into a second split sleeve leg; measuring the angle included between the pipe sections; cutting a dihedral face in each split sleeve leg for orientation toward each other at a medial portion of said elbow, including forming inner and outer surfaces which intersect at the central axis of the associated leg, wherein each inner surface is inclined from a plane perpendicular with the central axis of the associated leg at an angle substantially equal to one-half (1/2) of the included angle, and each outer surface is inclined from the plane of the associated inner surface at an angle substantially equal to one-quarter (1/4) of the included angle; cutting first and second wedge-shaped insulator gores from a fifth length of said material, wherein the converging sides of each gore are inclined toward each other at an angle substantially equal to one-half (1/2) of the included angle, and abuttingly mate with the outer leg surfaces to form a closed, insulative sleeve about the elbow.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
240 words
A method of fabricating insulators for pipe elbows, and the like, comprising: providing semi-cylindrically shaped insulative material having a longitudinally oriented interior channel shaped to respectively receive therein pipe sections interconnected by an elbow; cutting first and second lengths of said insulative material in accordance with the length of the elbow for assembly into a first split sleeve leg; cutting third and fourth lengths of said insulative material in accordance with the length of the elbow, for assembly into a second split sleeve leg; measuring the angle included between the pipe sections; cutting a dihedral face in each split sleeve leg for orientation toward each other at a medial portion of said elbow, including forming inner and outer surfaces which intersect at the central axis of the associated leg, wherein each inner surface is inclined from a plane perpendicular with the central axis of the associated leg at an angle substantially equal to one-half (1/2) of the included angle, and each outer surface is inclined from the plane of the associated inner surface at an angle substantially equal to one-quarter (1/4) of the included angle; cutting first and second wedge-shaped insulator gores from a fifth length of said material, wherein the converging sides of each gore are inclined toward each other at an angle substantially equal to one-half (1/2) of the included angle, and abuttingly mate with the outer leg surfaces to form a closed, insulative sleeve about the elbow.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said split sleeve legs and gores are interconnected to form prefabricated jacket halves which are easily assembled in situ over the pipe elbow for connection therewith.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said cutting steps for forming said first and second inner surfaces are performed simultaneously by cutting laterally across a piece of said insulative material at a medial portion thereof, along said inner surface angle, whereby one of the cut portions forms a half of one leg, and the other cut portion forms a half of the other leg.