The present invention relates to a cutting device for removing the outer member of a plastic pipe joint.
Various types of plastic piping are known in the art and these include but are not limited polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS). During coupling, one pipe is typically mounted inside another with the respective diameters configured to achieve a snug fit that is secured with adhesive. A piece of pipe may be configured to have an end that directly fits into the end of another piece of pipe or a coupler may be used to join pipe sections. The coupler or mating pipe section may be straight, angled, provide a Y or a T intersection, or be otherwise configured.
There are times when it is necessary or desirable to cut a coupled pipe section and remount a pipe piece, for example, when a pipe is installed wrong or breaks or a redesign is implemented, etc. In certain situations, it is desirable to retain the smaller diameter inner pipe member and remove the outer pipe or coupler.
One example is when a pipe member is stubbed out of a wall and only a limited amount of pipe is present. In this instance, the length of pipe extending from the wall may be so small that it is undesirable to cut it, or cutting it will leave an insufficient length of pipe for adequate mounting. If the inner pipe stubbed out from the wall is cut too short, the wall must be opened to stub out a larger piece at significant expense and inconvenience. In these, like and other situations, it may be desirable to remove the outer pipe member of a pipe joint.
Accordingly, a need exists for an apparatus and method that readily removes the outer pipe member from a plastic pipe joint in a manner that does not significantly impact the shape or size of the remaining inner pipe member and leaves the inner pipe member ready for the remounting of another outer pipe member.
These and related objects of the present invention are achieved by use of a apparatus and method for removing the outer member of a plastic pipe joint as described herein.
The attainment of the foregoing and related advantages and features of the invention should be more readily apparent to those skilled in the art, after review of the following more detailed description of the invention taken together with the drawings.
Referring to
Device 20 includes an expansion collet (“collet”) 30 and a cutting tool (“cutter”) 40. The collet may include a bushing 1, a wedge 2, a washer 4, a snaplock ring 5 and a bushing nut 6. Bushing 1 is preferably positioned over wedge 2 with washer 4 and bushing nut 6 adjacent and held in place by snap ring 5 positioned in circumferential recess 11. Wedge 2 includes a substantially conical section 32 and a substantially cylindrical section 33. The base 35 of bushing 1 and collet nut 6 are provided about the cylindrical section 33, with threads 37 (
Cutter 40 may include a pilot shaft 7, cutter head 8, insert blades 3, fasteners 9 and set screw 10. Pilot shaft may be inserted into a drill or other rotary device on one end and inserted into the central hole 21 in wedge 2 on the other end.
In use, collet 30 is inserted into inner pipe member 51 and nut 6 is turned until the collet is securely mounted in the inner pipe member. Shaft 7 is then inserted through nut 6 into cylindrical opening 21. The shaft is rotated which in turn rotates head 8 and blades 3. Blades 3 are positioned to cut away at the plastic outer pipe member 52. An operator can visually inspect progress and continue cutting until the outer pipe member is removed entirely or to a desired depth. The inner pipe member is then available for the secure mounting of another outer pipe member.
Referring to
Pipe section 50 includes inner pipe member 51, of the type that might extend from the wall or be elsewhere located, and outer pipe member 52 that may be part of a coupler or a piece of pipe or otherwise configured.
Referring to
Blades 3,103A may have a concave face. Blade materials for cutting plastic are known in the art. Various other blade arrangements may be utilized without departing from the present invention.
While the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification, and this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth, and as fall within the scope of the invention and the limits of the appended claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/814,503, filed Jun. 16, 2006, and having the same title and inventor as above.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60814503 | Jun 2006 | US |