Patent Application
20120305097
This application relates generally to tapping devices and methods for using such devices to tap into a pipe. More specifically, this application relates to tapping devices that contain a hand protector that increases the safety of a user when tapping a gas pipe.
Natural gas transmission and distribution companies often new to make new connections to pipelines after they have been installed. This helps the companies expand or modify their existing systems. Both hot tapping and cold tapping procedures have been used to create new connections. In a cold tapping procedure, a portion of the system is shut down and the gas in the desired section of the pipeline is purged into the atmosphere to ensure that a safe connection is made. Cold tapping procedures can result in methane emissions, loss of product and sales, customer inconvenience, and the increased costs associated with evaluating the desired section of the system.
In hot tapping procedures, the desired section of the pipeline is not shut down. Instead, the new connection is made while the pipeline remains in service and natural gas continues to flow under pressure within the pipe. The hot tapping procedure involves attaching a branch connection and valve on the outside of the operating pipeline, and then cutting out the pipe wall within the branch and removing the wall section through the valve.
This application describes tapping devices and methods for using such devices to tap into a pipe. The tapping device contains a drill connected to the proximal portion of a shaft, a tapping tool attached to a distal portion of the shaft, and a protection device attached to the shaft. The protection device itself contains containing an enlarged distal portion, an enlarged proximal portion, and a middle member extending therebetween. The user can hold and use the tapping device with a first hand on a handle of the drill and a second hand on the middle member of the protection device. The protection device protects the hand from hitting an object (including the pipe), the socket, or the drill, thereby improving the safety for the user.
The following description can be better understood in light of the Figures, in which:
a, 4b, and 4c depict some embodiments of the configurations for the outer surface of the protection device;
a and 5b depict some embodiments of a sleeve that can be used in the gap between the protection device and a shaft of the tapping device;
The Figures illustrate specific aspects of the tapping devices and methods for using such devices to tap into a pipe. Together with the following description, the Figures demonstrate and explain the principles of the structures, methods, and principles described herein. In the drawings, the thickness and size of components may be exaggerated or otherwise modified for clarity. The same reference numerals in different drawings represent the same element, and thus their descriptions will not be repeated. Furthermore, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the described devices. Moreover, the Figures may show simplified or partial views, and the dimensions of elements in the Figures may be exaggerated or otherwise not in proportion for clarity.
The following description supplies specific details in order to provide a thorough understanding. Nevertheless, the skilled artisan will understand that the tapping devices and associated methods of making and using the tapping devices can be implemented and used without employing these specific details. Indeed, the tapping devices and associated methods can be placed into practice by modifying the described devices and methods and can be used in conjunction with any other apparatus and techniques conventionally used in the industry. For example, while description refers to tapping devices used to tap into a gas pipe, it could be modified and used to safely tap into other pipes. Indeed, the protection device could be used as an add-on feature to protect a user in other tools that contain shafts, and can be installed on any shaft for the purpose of removing or installing other objects like drill bits and grounding bars.
As the terms on, attached to, or coupled to are used herein, one object (e.g., a material, a layer, a substrate, etc.) can be on, attached to, or coupled to another object regardless of whether the one object is directly on, attached, or coupled to the other object or there are one or more intervening objects between the one object and the other object. Also, directions (e.g., above, below, top, bottom, side, up, down, under, over, upper, lower, horizontal, vertical, “x,” “y,” “z,” etc.), if provided, are relative and provided solely by way of example and for ease of illustration and discussion and not by way of limitation. In addition, where reference is made to a list of elements (e.g., elements a, b, c), such reference is intended to include any one of the listed elements by itself, any combination of less than all of the listed elements, and/or a combination of all of the listed elements.
Some embodiments of the tapping devices and methods for using such devices are described herein and illustrated in the Figures. As shown in
The drill used in the tapping device 10 can be any drill used in tapping procedures. Examples of such drills include power drills or air-powered drills (or air drills). In some embodiments, and as illustrated in
The base of the handle 12 is connected to a hose 14. The hose 14 typically contains pressurized air which is used to power the air drill. The air typically can be kept at any normal operating pressure known in the art. The hose 14 can be connected to the handle using any connection known the art. The other end of the hose 14 can be connected to a compressor (not shown) that keeps the air within the desired pressure range.
As shown in
The shaft 30 of the tapping device 10 can be configured to be used with the desired drill and the desired tapping tool. The shaft 30 can also be configured to withstand the pressures and forces that will be placed on the shaft during the tapping process. In the embodiments depicted in the Figures, the shaft can be configured with a circular cross section, any diameter, and any length that can provide the support and strength to tap into the desired object using the drill. The shaft 30 can also be made of any material, including metals like steel.
In some embodiments, the shaft 30 can be connected to a tapping tool 40. In other embodiments, the tapping tool 40 and the shaft 30 can be manufactured with the tapping tool 40 already formed at its end. In both embodiments, the tapping tool 40 comprises an outer periphery with a hollow inner portion, as known in the art. The outer periphery comprises any known cutting surface that cuts into the gas pipe as the air drill rotates the shaft 30 and, in turn, the shaft rotates the tapping tool 40. As it rotates and cuts, the tapping tool 40 will eventually cut through the wall of the pipe 60 and create a hole with a size similar to the outer diameter of the tapping tool. The diameter of the tapping tool 40 can therefore be selected with the desired size of the hole needed in the gas pipe.
The tapping device 10 also contains a protection device 50. As shown in
In the embodiments illustrated in
In the embodiments depicted in
The protection device 50 contains a distal portion 52 that is enlarged relative to the middle section. The distal portion 52 prevents (or reduces) the user's hand from slipping off the middle section towards the tapping tool 40. Accordingly, the distal potion 52 can be configured with any shape or size that accomplishes this purpose. In the embodiments illustrated in
The protection device 50 also contains a proximate portion 54 that is enlarged relative to the middle section 56. The proximal portion 54 prevents (or reduces) the ability of the user's hand from slipping off the middle section towards the drill. Accordingly, the proximal portion 54 can be configured with any shape or size that accomplishes this purpose. The proximate portion can be configured substantially similar to or the distal portion, as shown in
In some embodiments, the protection device 50 can be removably attached to the shaft 30. In these embodiments, the protection device 50 can be separated into two parts as shown in
In other embodiments, the protection device 50 can be permanently attached to the shaft 30. In these embodiments, the protection device can be separated into two parts as shown in
In some configurations, the inner surface 51 of the protection device 50 can be configured to fit around the shaft 30. Thus, the inner surface of the protection device 50 contains an indentation 58 substantially matching the outer surface of the shaft 30. In the embodiments depicted in
In some embodiments, the inner surface 51 of the protection device 50 can be configured to leave a slight gap 64 between the indentations 58 and the shaft 30, as shown in
Optionally, the tapping device 10 can contain an inner sleeve 62 and/or and an outer sleeve 66, as shown in
The protection device 50 can be made of any known material that, with the structure described, will add protection to the hand of a user. In some embodiments, the protection device can be made of ceramic materials, composite materials, and metals like steel, or brass. The protection device can also be made using any combination of these materials.
In some configurations, the tapping device 10 also contains a stopping member that prevents the protection device from moving beyond a specific location along the shaft. In some embodiments, that stopping member can be located close to the drill so that the protection device is prevented from contacting the drill, preventing damage to the drill and to the user. One example of such a location is illustrated in
The stopping member can have any configuration consistent with this stopping function. In the embodiments illustrated in
In some embodiments, the nipple 70 can be removably attached to the shaft 30. In these embodiments, the nipple can be separated into two parts as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6-7. The two parts can then be connected to each other using any removable connection device. In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6-7, this connection device includes screws 72 which slide through holes 74 (optionally with grooves) in one of these two parts and then screw into mating connections 76 with grooves in the other part of the nipple. Other connection devices like clamping mechanisms can be used in place of, or in addition, to the screws and mating connections.
In other embodiments, the nipple 70 can be permanently attached to the shaft 30. In these embodiments, the nipple can be separated into two parts as shown in
The inner surface 69 of the nipple 70 can be configured to fit around the shaft 30. Thus, the inner surface 69 contains an indentation 71 substantially matching the outer surface of the shaft 30. In the embodiments depicted in
The tapping device 10 can be assembled using any process that forms the structures described above. In some embodiments, the tapping device can be assembled by connecting or attaching the tapping tool to the distal end of the shaft. The proximal end of the shaft is then connected to the drill using any process known in the art and secured to the drill using the socket 16. The separated parts of the nipple 70 can then be situated along the desired part of the shaft 30 and can be connected to each other using the connection device. The separated parts of the protection device are then connected to each other using the connection device.
Once assembled, the user grasps the handle of the drill with a first hand (not shown) and the middle section of the protection device with a second hand 200, as shown in
The protection device 50 allows better control during tapping procedure. It allows the user to effectively hold the shaft 30 closer to the tapping location of the pipe, allowing better placement of the tapping tool, increased pressure during the tapping procedure, and easier removal from the pipe once the tapping process is completed. As well, the protection device 50 increases the safety of the user. It prevents—or reduces the chance—of a user's hand contacting the drill, shaft, or pipe during the tapping process, which contact can cause injury to the user.
In some variations of the tapping devices, two or more protection devices could be added to a single shaft. Such a modification could be used when larger tapping devices are used or where more than a single person are operating the device.
In addition to any previously indicated modifications, those skilled in the art may devise numerous other variations and alternative arrangements without departing from the spirit and scope of this description. The appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the information has been described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred aspects, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, form, function, manner of operation and use may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein. Also, as used herein, examples are meant to be illustrative only and should not be construed to be limiting in any manner.
