subject: connection joint for corrugated pipes [print this page] connection joint for corrugated pipes connection joint for corrugated pipes
Corrugated pipes are used for many purposes, such as for public utilities reasons, including the transport of water, waste and other materials. In the installation of corrugated pipe, several sections of pipe are fitted together to the desiredlength using a pipe connection joint. Problems arise when the pipe connection joint is not relatively watertight, does not allow some longitudinal offset between adjacent sections for applications in which the length of pipe is not completely straight,is not easily used, and cannot be easily fabricated at the construction site. Existing pipe connection joints are relatively effective, but are subject to the above-mentioned problems.
It is with respect to these considerations and other background information relative to prior art pipe connectors that the significant improvements of the present invention have evolved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention, in general terms, concerns corrugated pipes connection joint that is substantially leak-proof, and is convenient to construct and use. The present invention includes a corrugated pipe connection joint structure forjoining two sections of corrugated pipe each having a bell-formed end, a connector insert defining opposing ends and a push-ring, and at least one gasket positioned on at least one of the opposing ends of the connector insert wherein the opposing ends ofthe connector insert are each positioned in a bell-formed end of a pipe section, with the corresponding at least one gasket forming a seal therebetween.
The present invention further includes a corrugated pipe connector insert including a pair of opposing ends, each capable of fitting into a bell-formed end on a section of pipe in which the bell-formed ends have an inner diameter greater than anouter diameter of the opposing ends of the insert, at least one gasket positioned on at least one of the opposing ends having an outer diameter greater than inner diameter of the bell-formed ends, and a push-ring disposed between the opposing ends havingan outer diameter substantially equal to an outer diameter of the bell formed ends.
The present invention also includes a method for joining two corrugated pipe sections including the steps of bell-forming at least one end of a first corrugated pipe section and at least one end of a second corrugated pipe section, reducingcorrugations at the bell-formed ends of the first and second corrugated pipe sections, inserting a connector insert having a first end and a second end into the first and second bell-formed ends of the corrugated pipe sections, respectively.
The present invention advantageously provides a corrugated pipe connection joint and method for connecting two pieces of corrugated pipe, which is relatively watertight, allows for longitudinal offset between adjacent sections and is easilyfabricated at the construction site.
The foregoing and other features, utilities and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings and defined in theappended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of two adjacent corrugated pipes sections joined by a connector insert, forming the joint structure of the present invention.
FIG. 1A is a partial section taken through line I--I of FIG. 1 showing two adjacent corrugated pipe sections connected by a pipe connection joint according to the present invention having bell-formed ends joined by a first embodiment of aconnector insert having flanges, a push-ring and two gaskets.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a corrugated pipe section having bell-formed ends and showing one standard corrugation and several reduced corrugations. A number of the corrugations have not been shown to identify the bell-formed end moreclearly.
FIG. 2A is a partial section taken through line II--II of FIG. 2 showing one bell-formed end of one of the adjacent pipe sections shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A.
FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the connector insert shown in FIG. 1A.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the connector insert shown in FIGS. 1A and 3.
FIG. 5 is a partial section taken through line I of FIG. 1 showing two adjacent corrugated pipe sections connected by a pipe connection joint according to the present invention having bell-formed ends joined by a second embodiment of theconnector insert having a smooth outer diameter, four gaskets and a push-ring.
FIG. 6 is a partial section of the connector insert shown in FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Corrugated pipes connection joints are used to connect sections of corrugated pipe during installation. Corrugated pipe is used for many purposes, generally including, but not limited to, public utilities uses. These uses generally require longlengths of corrugated pipe, sometimes extending for very long distances. Unfortunately, however, corrugated pipe is typically made in sections of approximately fifty feet due to both production and transport limitations. Therefore, installation ofcorrugated pipe often requires several sections to be connected together. Pipe connection joints are used to connect these relatively short sections of corrugated pipe to create longer, continuous sections suitable for common applications and uses.
Corrugated pipe is well known in the art, and is made of an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner wall is smooth, and defines an inner diameter. The outer wall is corrugated, and defines an outer diameter. The corrugated outer wall can havespiral corrugations, which is one continuous corrugation spiraling around the outside of the inner wall along the length of a pipe section, or concentric ring corrugation, where each corrugation is formed by a separate ring formed around the outside ofthe inner wall. Corrugated pipe of this type is typically made of polyvinylchloride (PVC), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene terpolymer (ABS) or any other such material having the characteristics as described below andsuitable for the intended use. The materials and construction of corrugated pipe are generally known to those skilled in the art.
