US4500117A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pipeline connector
Assignee: Shell USA Inc
•
Filing: 1982-11-24
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Granted: 1985-02-19
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Expires: 2002-11-24
Abstract
Abstract A bell-lock mechanical pipeline connector is provided wherein a seal of soft material is wedged into a sealing mode by collet wedge lock fingers which in turn are actuated by a wedging means which is functional upon shearing of a pin.
Inventors
- 👤 Ray R. Ayers
- 👤 Robert M. Kipp
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 18:56
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L19/00; F16L19/08; F16L19/10; F16L19/103; F16L37/00; F16L37/08; F16L37/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A connector for joining a bell-end pipe to a straight-end pipe comprising: collet wedge fingers encircling the straight-end pipe and insertable into the bell-end pipe; deformable sealing material at the lateral extremity of the collet wedge fingers; driving means for pressing the collet wedge fingers and deformable sealing material into sealing engagement with the bell-end pipe; and locking means attached to the bell-end pipe for maintaining said sealing engagement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
69 words
A connector for joining a bell-end pipe to a straight-end pipe comprising: collet wedge fingers encircling the straight-end pipe and insertable into the bell-end pipe; deformable sealing material at the lateral extremity of the collet wedge fingers; driving means for pressing the collet wedge fingers and deformable sealing material into sealing engagement with the bell-end pipe; and locking means attached to the bell-end pipe for maintaining said sealing engagement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The connector of claim 1 wherein the driving means comprises colleted lock washers enclosed by a drive ring.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The connector of claim 2 wherein the drive ring is releasably attached to the collet wedge fingers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The connector of claim 3 wherein the drive ring is releasably attached to the collet wedge fingers by shear pins.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The connector of claim 1 wherein a wedge lock stop attached to the inside of the bell-end pipe is functionable to limit movement of the wedge lock fingers into the bell-end pipe.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The connector of claim 1 wherein the locking means are collet spring fingers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The connector of claim 6 wherein the collet spring fingers lock the driving means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The connector of claim 7 wherein the driving means comprises colleted lock washers enclosed by a drive ring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The connector of claim 1 wherein the locking means is a threaded outer ring.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The connector of claim 9 wherein the threaded outer ring locks the driving means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2994280A
Cited
FR84078E
Cited
US3898163A
Cited
US4021062A
Cited
US4074912A
Cited
US4240651A
Cited
US4373753A
Cited
US4452472A
Cited
US4405017A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-02-19 | 1988-08-20 | 1989-02-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-02-19 | 1992-08-20 | 1993-02-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-02-19 | 1996-08-20 | 1997-02-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |