Patent US2095157A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5131688A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5131688A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pipe insulator and method for making same
Assignee: Sensus Spectrum LLC
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Filing: 1990-12-28
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Granted: 1992-07-21
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Expires: 2010-12-28
Abstract
Abstract An electrically insulated pipe coupling and method is disclosed in which a first sleeve member and a second sleeve member are positioned in axial alignment and include oppositely positioned end portions axially spaced from one another to create an axial space therebetween. A resilient annular seal portion is gradually formed in situ (preferably by applying liquid urethane onto a rotating mandrel) in the axial space. The seal portion is chemically bonding to the oppositely positioned end portions and creates a low pressure coupling seal between said first and second sleeve members. An outer protective layer made from continuous synthetic resin saturated fiberglass strand windings is encircled around at least a portion of the end portions of the first and second sleeve members to enclose the seal portion. Finally, a rigid reinforcing sleeve is embedded in and covered by the fiberglass windings of the outer protective layer.
Inventors
- 👤 John D. Tricini
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 16:20
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C44/00; B29C44/02; B29C44/12; B29C44/1295; B29C44/1228; B29C44/1242; F; F16; F16L; F16L25/00; F16L25/02; F16L25/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
An electrically insulated pipe coupling comprising: a first sleeve member and a second sleeve member positioned in axial alignment and including oppositely positioned end portions axially spaced from one another to create an axial space therebetween; a resilient annular seal portion gradually formed in situ in said axial space, said seal portion chemically bonding to said oppositely positioned end portions whereby said seal portion provides a low pressure coupling seal between said first and second sleeve members; an outer protective layer comprising of continuous uncut synthetic resin saturated fiberglass strand windings encircling at least a portion of the end portions of said first and second sleeve members and encircling all of said annular seal portion; and a rigid reinforcing sleeve embedded in and covered by said fiberglass windings of said outer protective layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
An electrically insulated pipe coupling comprising: a first sleeve member and a second sleeve member positioned in axial alignment and including oppositely positioned end portions axially spaced from one another to create an axial space therebetween; a resilient annular seal portion gradually formed in situ in said axial space, said seal portion chemically bonding to said oppositely positioned end portions whereby said seal portion provides a low pressure coupling seal between said first and second sleeve members; an outer protective layer comprising of continuous uncut synthetic resin saturated fiberglass strand windings encircling at least a portion of the end portions of said first and second sleeve members and encircling all of said annular seal portion; and a rigid reinforcing sleeve embedded in and covered by said fiberglass windings of said outer protective layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electrically insulated pipe coupling according to claim 1 wherein said end portions each have a plurality of concentric grooves provided therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrically insulated pipe coupling according to claim 2 wherein at least some of said fiberglass windings are provided in said concentric grooves.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
An electrically insulated pipe coupling according to claim 1 wherein annular seal has an outer diameter dimension substantially equal to an outer diameter dimension of said first and second sleeve members and said annular seal has an inner diameter dimension substantially equal to an inner diameter dimension of said first and second sleeve members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
An electrically insulated pipe coupling according to claim 1 wherein an annular seal portion is gradually formed in situ in a continuously applied layer of a liquid urethane material which hardens into a resilient solid urethane seal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
An electrically insulated pipe coupling according to claim 1 wherein said fiberglass windings of said protective outer layer are tension windings which exert a radially inwardly compressive force on said annular seal portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
150 words
An electrically insulated pipe coupling comprising: a first sleeve member and a second sleeve member positioned in axial alignment and including oppositely positioned end portions axially spaced from one another to create an axial space therebetween; a resilient annular seal portion gradually formed in situ in said axial space, aid seal portion chemically bonding to said oppositely positioned end portions whereby said seal portion provides a low pressure coupling seal between said first and second sleeve members; an outer protective layer comprising of continuous synthetic resin saturated fiberglass strand windings encircling at least a portion of the end portions of said first and second sleeve members and encircling all of said annular seal portion, said outer protective layer including radially innermost windings which are provided in a closely spaced hoop winding pattern; and a rigid reinforcing sleeve embedded in and covered by said fiberglass windings of said outer protective layer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
150 words
An electrically insulated pipe coupling comprising: a first sleeve member and a second sleeve member positioned in axial alignment and including oppositely positioned end portions axially spaced from one another to create an axial space therebetween; a resilient annular seal portion gradually formed in situ in said axial space, aid seal portion chemically bonding to said oppositely positioned end portions whereby said seal portion provides a low pressure coupling seal between said first and second sleeve members; an outer protective layer comprising of continuous synthetic resin saturated fiberglass strand windings encircling at least a portion of the end portions of said first and second sleeve members and encircling all of said annular seal portion, said outer protective layer including radially innermost windings which are provided in a closely spaced hoop winding pattern; and a rigid reinforcing sleeve embedded in and covered by said fiberglass windings of said outer protective layer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
150 words
An electrically insulated pipe coupling comprising: a first sleeve member and a second sleeve member positioned in axial alignment and including oppositely positioned end portions axially spaced from one another to create an axial space therebetween; a resilient annular seal portion gradually formed in situ in said axial space, said seal portion chemically bonding to said oppositely positioned end portions whereby said seal portion provides a low pressure coupling seal between said first and second sleeve members; an outer protective layer comprising of continuous synthetic resin saturated fiberglass strand windings encircling at least a portion of the end portions of said first and second sleeve members and encircling all of said annular seal portion, said outer protective layer including radially outermost windings which are provided in a widely spaced helical winding pattern; and a rigid reinforcing sleeve embedded in and covered by said fiberglass windings of said outer protective layer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
150 words
An electrically insulated pipe coupling comprising: a first sleeve member and a second sleeve member positioned in axial alignment and including oppositely positioned end portions axially spaced from one another to create an axial space therebetween; a resilient annular seal portion gradually formed in situ in said axial space, said seal portion chemically bonding to said oppositely positioned end portions whereby said seal portion provides a low pressure coupling seal between said first and second sleeve members; an outer protective layer comprising of continuous synthetic resin saturated fiberglass strand windings encircling at least a portion of the end portions of said first and second sleeve members and encircling all of said annular seal portion, said outer protective layer including radially outermost windings which are provided in a widely spaced helical winding pattern; and a rigid reinforcing sleeve embedded in and covered by said fiberglass windings of said outer protective layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
An electrically insulated pipe coupling according to claim 1 wherein said rigid reinforcing sleeve and said first and second sleeve members are formed of metal and said annular seal portion and said outer protective layer is formed of an electrically non-conductive materials.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
An electrically insulated pipe coupling according to claim 1 wherein terminal end portions of said first and second sleeve portion include a beveled or a curved surface.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
174 words
A method for making an electrically insulated pipe coupling comprising the steps of: positioning and securing a first sleeve member and a second sleeve member in axial alignment onto a mandrel with end portions of said first and second sleeve members axially spaced from one another with an axial space therebetween through which said mandrel fully extends; rotating said mandrel and said secured sleeve members; applying a liquid urethane material onto said rotating end portions and onto said mandrel which extends through said axial space to gradually form a resilient seal portion between said end portions thereby joining said end portions together in a sealing engagement; encircling said end portions and said seal portion with continuous synthetic resin saturated fiberglass strand windings to form an outer protective layer; and placing a rigid reinforcing sleeve onto said outer protective layer when said layer is partially formed and thereafter completing the formation of said outer protective layer whereby said rigid reinforcing sleeve is embedded in and covered by said fiberglass windings of said outer protective layer.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
174 words
A method for making an electrically insulated pipe coupling comprising the steps of: positioning and securing a first sleeve member and a second sleeve member in axial alignment onto a mandrel with end portions of said first and second sleeve members axially spaced from one another with an axial space therebetween through which said mandrel fully extends; rotating said mandrel and said secured sleeve members; applying a liquid urethane material onto said rotating end portions and onto said mandrel which extends through said axial space to gradually form a resilient seal portion between said end portions thereby joining said end portions together in a sealing engagement; encircling said end portions and said seal portion with continuous synthetic resin saturated fiberglass strand windings to form an outer protective layer; and placing a rigid reinforcing sleeve onto said outer protective layer when said layer is partially formed and thereafter completing the formation of said outer protective layer whereby said rigid reinforcing sleeve is embedded in and covered by said fiberglass windings of said outer protective layer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 11 further comprising the step of cutting a plurality of concentric grooves into said ends the first and second sleeve member prior to securing said members onto said mandrel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 12 wherein at least some of said fiberglass windings are provided in said concentric grooves.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein said liquid urethane is applied until said annular seal portion has an outer diameter dimension substantially equal to an outer diameter dimension of said first and second sleeve members.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein the portion of said mandrel which extends through said axial space has an outer diameter dimension substantially equal to the inner diameter dimension of said first and second sleeve members.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein said fiberglass windings of said protective outer layer are encircled around said end portions and said seal portion under high tension to exert a radially inwardly compressive force on said annular seal portion.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein said fiberglass windings of said protective outer layer are initially encircled around said sleeve ends and said annular seal portion in a closely spaced hoop winding pattern.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein radially outermost windings of said protective outer layer are encircled around said sleeve ends and said annular seal portion in a widely spaced helical winding pattern.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein said rigid reinforcing sleeve and said first and second sleeve members are formed of metal and said annular seal portion and said outer protective layer are formed of an electrically non-conductive materials.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 11 further comprising the step of beveling or curving terminal end portions of said first and second sleeve members.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 11 further comprising the step of applying a chemical primer solution to said end portions prior to applying said liquid urethane.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-07-21 | 1996-01-20 | 1996-07-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-07-21 | 2000-01-20 | 2000-07-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-07-21 | 2004-01-20 | 2004-07-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |