US5116354A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Recoverable sleeve assembly for pipe joint
Assignee: NV RAYCHEM SA A Co OF BELGIUM
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Filing: 1990-04-06
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Granted: 1992-05-26
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Expires: 2010-04-06
Abstract
Abstract A method of covering two or more joined pipes which are to be pulled through soil is described. The two coated pipes are bared of coating or order to join them. The bared region is covered with a first heat shrinkable sleeve, and then a second heat shrinkable sleeve is applied to overlap the first sleeve and extend beyond it in the direction of the leading edge of the joined pipes. A metal band is secured around the second sleeve at the leading edge.
Inventors
- 👤 Josef F. L. Van Beersel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 21:45
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L58/00; F16L58/18; F16L58/181; E; E21; E21B; E21B17/00; E21B17/02; E21B17/08; E21B7/00; E21B7/20; F16L1/00; F16L1/024; F16L1/028
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
267 words
A method of covering a joint between two coated pipes the coating of which has been bared in the joint region, and which pipes are to be pushed or pulled through soil so that, in use, the pipe joint has a leading and a trailing edge, the method including the use of a first heat recoverable sleeve and a second heat recoverable sleeve, and the method comprising the steps of: (i) positioning the first heat recoverable sleeve around the joint region so that it covers the bared joint and overlaps the coating on either side of the joint region; (ii) heating the first heat recoverable sleeve to cause it to recover into contact with the bared joint and with the coating on either side of the joint region; (iii) positioning the second heat recoverable sleeve around the first sleeve and the pipe coating on at least one side of the first sleeve which side, in use, will be towards the leading edge of the pipe joint, so that the second sleeve overlaps at least part of the first sleeve and at least part of the said coating on the said at least one side of the first sleeve; (iv) heating the second heat recoverable sleeve to cause it to recover into contact with (a) the first sleeve and (b) the said pipe coating on at least one side of the sleeve after the heating of the first heat recoverable sleeve; and (v) fastening a band around the second sleeve at the edge of the sleeve which, in use, is towards the leading edge of the pipe joint.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
267 words
A method of covering a joint between two coated pipes the coating of which has been bared in the joint region, and which pipes are to be pushed or pulled through soil so that, in use, the pipe joint has a leading and a trailing edge, the method including the use of a first heat recoverable sleeve and a second heat recoverable sleeve, and the method comprising the steps of: (i) positioning the first heat recoverable sleeve around the joint region so that it covers the bared joint and overlaps the coating on either side of the joint region; (ii) heating the first heat recoverable sleeve to cause it to recover into contact with the bared joint and with the coating on either side of the joint region; (iii) positioning the second heat recoverable sleeve around the first sleeve and the pipe coating on at least one side of the first sleeve which side, in use, will be towards the leading edge of the pipe joint, so that the second sleeve overlaps at least part of the first sleeve and at least part of the said coating on the said at least one side of the first sleeve; (iv) heating the second heat recoverable sleeve to cause it to recover into contact with (a) the first sleeve and (b) the said pipe coating on at least one side of the sleeve after the heating of the first heat recoverable sleeve; and (v) fastening a band around the second sleeve at the edge of the sleeve which, in use, is towards the leading edge of the pipe joint.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the band is fastened to a tension that is high enough to prevent fraying of the second sleeve as the pipes are pushed or pulled through the soil, but that is low enough not to damage completely the underlying coating on the pipes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein either or both the first and second heat recoverable sleeves comprise heat shrinkable fibers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the band comprises a metal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second sleeves are lined with adhesive.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
235 words
An assembly which can be pulled or pushed in use through the soil, comprising; (i) two coated pipes which have been bared of coating and joined in a butting relationship to form a pipe joint, the pipe joint, in use, having a leading edge and a trailing edge when pushed or pulled through the soil; (ii) a first sleeve positioned around the bared joint region so that it covers the bared joint and overlaps the coating on the pipes on either side of the joint; (iii) a second sleeve positioned so that it overlaps at least part of the first sleeve and extends beyond the first sleeve in a direction towards the leading edge of the pipe joint; and (iv) a band fastened around the second sleeve at the edge of the sleeve which, in use, is towards the leading edge of the pipe joint, wherein (a) the first sleeve has been so positioned by first placing a first heat recoverable sleeve around the bared pipe joint and the coating on either side thereof, then heating the first recoverable sleeve to cause it to recover and (b) the second sleeve has been so positioned by then placing a second heat recoverable sleeve so that it overlaps at least part of the first sleeve and extends beyond the first sleeve in the said direction, and then heating the second recoverable sleeve to cause it to recover.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
235 words
An assembly which can be pulled or pushed in use through the soil, comprising; (i) two coated pipes which have been bared of coating and joined in a butting relationship to form a pipe joint, the pipe joint, in use, having a leading edge and a trailing edge when pushed or pulled through the soil; (ii) a first sleeve positioned around the bared joint region so that it covers the bared joint and overlaps the coating on the pipes on either side of the joint; (iii) a second sleeve positioned so that it overlaps at least part of the first sleeve and extends beyond the first sleeve in a direction towards the leading edge of the pipe joint; and (iv) a band fastened around the second sleeve at the edge of the sleeve which, in use, is towards the leading edge of the pipe joint, wherein (a) the first sleeve has been so positioned by first placing a first heat recoverable sleeve around the bared pipe joint and the coating on either side thereof, then heating the first recoverable sleeve to cause it to recover and (b) the second sleeve has been so positioned by then placing a second heat recoverable sleeve so that it overlaps at least part of the first sleeve and extends beyond the first sleeve in the said direction, and then heating the second recoverable sleeve to cause it to recover.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
An assembly according to claim 6, wherein the band comprises a metal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
An assembly according to claim 6, wherein the first and second sleeves are lined with adhesive.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
149 words
A method of covering a joint between two coated pipes, the coating of which has been bared in the joint region, and which pipes are to be pushed or pulled through soil so that, in use, the pipe joint has a leading and a trailing edge, the method including the use of a first sleeve which is heat recoverable, and comprising the steps of: (i) positioning the first heat recoverable sleeve around the joint region, so that it covers the bared joint and overlaps the coating on either side of the joint region; (ii) heating the first heat recoverable sleeve to cause it to recover into contact with the bared joint and with the coating on either side of the joint region; and (iii) fastening a band around the first sleeve at the edge of the sleeve which, in use, is towards the leading edge of the pipe joint.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
149 words
A method of covering a joint between two coated pipes, the coating of which has been bared in the joint region, and which pipes are to be pushed or pulled through soil so that, in use, the pipe joint has a leading and a trailing edge, the method including the use of a first sleeve which is heat recoverable, and comprising the steps of: (i) positioning the first heat recoverable sleeve around the joint region, so that it covers the bared joint and overlaps the coating on either side of the joint region; (ii) heating the first heat recoverable sleeve to cause it to recover into contact with the bared joint and with the coating on either side of the joint region; and (iii) fastening a band around the first sleeve at the edge of the sleeve which, in use, is towards the leading edge of the pipe joint.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 9, wherein the band comprises a metal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 9, wherein the first sleeve is lined with adhesive.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
144 words
An assembly which can be pulled or pushed in use through the soil, comprising; (i) two coated pipes which have been bared of coating and joined in a butting relationship to form a pipe joint, the pipe joint, in use, having a leading edge and a trailing edge when pushed or pulled through the soil; (ii) a first sleeve positioned around the bared joint region so that it covers the bared joint and overlaps the coating on the pipes on either side of the joint; and (iii) a band fastened around the first sleeve at the edge of the sleeve which, in use, is towards the leading edge of the pipe joint, wherein the first sleeve has been so positioned by placing a first heat recoverable sleeve around the bared pipe joint and then heating the first recoverable sleeve to cause it to recover.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
144 words
An assembly which can be pulled or pushed in use through the soil, comprising; (i) two coated pipes which have been bared of coating and joined in a butting relationship to form a pipe joint, the pipe joint, in use, having a leading edge and a trailing edge when pushed or pulled through the soil; (ii) a first sleeve positioned around the bared joint region so that it covers the bared joint and overlaps the coating on the pipes on either side of the joint; and (iii) a band fastened around the first sleeve at the edge of the sleeve which, in use, is towards the leading edge of the pipe joint, wherein the first sleeve has been so positioned by placing a first heat recoverable sleeve around the bared pipe joint and then heating the first recoverable sleeve to cause it to recover.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
An assembly according to claim 12 wherein the band comprises a metal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
An assembly according to claim 12, wherein the first sleeve is lined with adhesive.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR1388672A
Cited
DE1475661A1
Cited
US4271329A
Cited
US4796669A
Cited
EP0246043A1
Cited
US4830539A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-05-26 | 1995-11-25 | 1996-05-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-05-26 | 1999-11-25 | 2000-05-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-05-26 | 2003-11-25 | 2004-05-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |