System and Method of Releasably Connecting Pipe Sections

Abstract

A pipe fitting system, including a first pipe section with at least one male end, a second pipe section with at least one female end, and a connecting means for releasably connecting the pipe sections together such that the male end is at least partially received within the female end. The connecting means comprising releasably engageable first and second connectors associated with the first and second pipe sections respectively, wherein the first connector comprises at least one outwardly extending protrusion and wherein the second connector comprises corresponding recesses adapted to releasably receive the or each protrusion of the first connector. The pipe fitting system is suitable for applications such as end of line connections, repair/replacement of fixed existing pipes, and in enabling temporary removal of pipes for maintenance or access purposes.

1 . A pipe fitting system, including:
 a first pipe section;   a second pipe section; and   a connecting means for releasably connecting the first pipe section and the second pipe section together.   
     
     
         2 . A pipe fitting system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first pipe section has at least one male end, and the second pipe section has at least one female end. 
     
     
         3 . A pipe fitting system according to  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein the connecting means is configured such that, when the first pipe section and the second pipe section are connected together the male end of the first pipe section is at least partially received within the female end of the second pipe section. 
     
     
         4 . A pipe fitting system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first pipe section is a straight pipe fitting or an angled pipe fitting. 
     
     
         5 . A pipe fitting system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first pipe section has a hollow body defining a passage through which fluid, energy or data can flow, from one end of the first pipe section to the other end. 
     
     
         6 . A pipe fitting system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second pipe section is a straight pipe fitting or an angled pipe fitting. 
     
     
         7 . A pipe fitting system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second pipe section has a hollow body defining a passage through which fluid, energy or data can flow, from one end of the second pipe section to the other end. 
     
     
         8 . A pipe fitting system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting means includes a first connector associated with the first pipe section, and a second connector associated with the second pipe section, wherein the first and second connectors are releasably engagable with one another to thereby connect the first and second pipe sections together. 
     
     
         9 . A pipe fitting system according to  claim 8 , wherein the first connector is integrally formed with the body of the first pipe section as a one-piece unit. 
     
     
         10 . A pipe fitting system according to  claim 8  or  9 , wherein the second connector is integrally formed with the body of the second pipe section as a one-piece unit. 
     
     
         11 . A pipe fitting system according to any one of  claims 8  to  10 , wherein the first connector is arranged on, or adjacent to, an end of the first pipe section. 
     
     
         12 . A pipe fitting system according to  claim 11 , wherein the first connector is spaced back from a free edge of the end of the first pipe section to provide a continuous edge for abutting a portion of the second pipe section, when engaged. 
     
     
         13 . A pipe fitting system according to any one of  claims 8  to  12 , wherein the second connector is arranged on, or adjacent, to an end of the second pipe section. 
     
     
         14 . A pipe fitting system according to any one of  claims 8  to  13 , wherein the first connector includes at least one protrusion extending from a surface of the male end of the first pipe section, the protrusion being adapted to releasably engage the second connector. 
     
     
         15 . A pipe fitting system according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least one protrusion extends outwardly from an outer surface of the male end. 
     
     
         16 . A pipe fitting system according to  claim 14  or  claim 15 , wherein the first connector has two or more protrusions, the two or more protrusions of the first connector being arranged symmetrically about the surface of the male end from which they extend. 
     
     
         17 . A pipe fitting system according to any one of  claims 14  to  16 , wherein each protrusion has generally flat side faces which extend in a circumferential direction around the outer surface of the male end of the first pipe section. 
     
     
         18 . A pipe fitting system according to  claim 17 , wherein the flat side edges are angled with respect to each other. 
     
     
         19 . A pipe fitting system according to  claim 18 , wherein the flat side edge furthest from the free edge of the male end is substantially parallel to the free edge and the flat edge closest to the free edge extends at an angle relative to the free edge. 
     
     
         20 . A pipe fitting system according to any one of  claims 14  to  19 , wherein the second connector includes at least one receiving formation associated with the female end of the second pipe section, the receiving formation being adapted to releasably receive the or each protrusion of the first connector. 
     
     
         21 . A pipe fitting system according to  claim 20 , wherein the receiving formation is associated with an inner surface of the female end of the second pipe section. 
     
     
         22 . A pipe fitting system according to  claim 20  or  claim 21 , wherein the receiving formation is a generally L-shaped recess having a first arm segment extending from an opening at a free end face of the female end of the second pipe section, and a second arm segment extending transversely from a distal end of the first arm segment. 
     
     
         23 . A pipe fitting system according to any one of  claims 14  to  22 , wherein the connecting means includes discrete pairs of protrusions and recesses. 
     
     
         24 . A pipe fitting system according to any one of  claims 14  to  23 , wherein side edges of the second arm segment are angled with respect to each other. 
     
     
         25 . A pipe fitting system according to  claim 24 , wherein the side edge of the second arm segment furthest from the free end of the second pipe section is substantially parallel to the free end, and the side edge closest to the free edge is angled relative to the free edge, thereby enabling substantially face-to-face sliding engagement with the angled face of the protrusion when the first and second pipe sections are rotated relative to one another. 
     
     
         26 . A pipe fitting system according to  claim 24  or  claim 25 , wherein at least one of the angled side edges of the receiving formation is configured to act on the respective protrusion of the first connector such that, upon relative rotation between the first and second pipe sections, the first and second pipe sections are positively driven towards one another in an axial direction. 
     
     
         27 . A pipe fitting system according to any one of  claims 14  to  26 , wherein one or more of the receiving formations has a positive locking member, the positive locking member being arranged to restrain the first and second pipe sections against displacement away from an engaged position. 
     
     
         28 . A pipe fitting system according to  claim 27 , wherein one or more recess includes a positive locking member arranged within the second arm segment of the recess, the positive locking member being spaced from the closed end of the second arm such that the protrusion can be captively retained between the closed end segment and the positive locking member. 
     
     
         29 . A pipe fitting system according to  claim 28 , wherein the positive locking member is generally in the form of a raised member. 
     
     
         30 . A pipe fitting system according to  claim 28  or  claim 29 , wherein the positive locking member is a locking ramp having a first ramp wall facing generally towards the open end of the recess, and a second ramp wall facing generally towards the closed end of the recess. 
     
     
         31 . A pipe fitting system according to  claim 30 , wherein the locking ramp is configured such that, upon rotational movement between first and second pipe sections towards the engaged position, the protrusion abuts the first ramp wall, whereby further rotation causes the male end carrying the protrusion to resiliently deform enabling the protrusion to slide along the first ramp wall, and past the locking ramp into the engaged position. 
     
     
         32 . A pipe fitting system according to  claim 30  or  claim 31 , wherein the first ramp wall has a different profile to that of the second ramp wall, thereby providing different shaped obstructions with corresponding different levels of resistance to movement of the protrusion past the locking ramp. 
     
     
         33 . A pipe fitting system according to  claim 32 , wherein the first ramp wall provides less resistance during connection of the first and second pipe sections, relative to the resistance provided by the second ramp wall when disconnecting the pipe sections. 
     
     
         34 . A pipe fitting system according to any one of  claims 14  to  33 , wherein the female end of the second pipe section includes a sealing means for providing a seal between the first and second pipe sections, when the pipe sections are in an engaged position. 
     
     
         35 . A pipe fitting system according to  claim 34 , wherein the sealing means includes a primary seal arranged within the female end of the second pipe section and adapted to sealingly engage a first face of the male end of the first pipe section. 
     
     
         36 . A pipe fitting system according to  claim 35 , wherein the female end includes a first seal retaining formation in which the primary seal is seated. 
     
     
         37 . A pipe fitting system according to any one of  claims 34  to  36 , wherein the sealing means includes a secondary seal arranged within the female end of the second pipe section and adapted to sealingly engage a second face of the male end of the first pipe section. 
     
     
         38 . A pipe fitting system according to  claim 37 , wherein the female end includes a secondary seal retaining formation in which the secondary seal is seated. 
     
     
         39 . A pipe fitting system according to any one of  claims 14  to  38 , wherein the first pipe section includes a gripping formation for facilitating grasping of the first pipe section during connection and disconnection with the second pipe section, thereby enabling a greater turning force to be applied to the first pipe body. 
     
     
         40 . A pipe fitting system according to  claim 39 , wherein the gripping formation is configured as a handgrip and/or as lever point for a mechanical lever. 
     
     
         41 . A pipe fitting system according to  claim 39  or  claim 40 , wherein the gripping formation extends circumferentially around the outer surface of the body of the first pipe section. 
     
     
         42 . A pipe fitting system according to any one of  claims 39  to  41 , wherein the gripping formation is configured as a continuous band extending circumferentially about the first pipe section. 
     
     
         43 . A pipe fitting system according to any one of  claims 39  to  41 , wherein the gripping formation is an interrupted formation, having discrete gripping elements. 
     
     
         44 . A pipe fitting system according to  claim 42 , wherein the continuous band includes a raised rib extending circumferentially about the body, and a plurality of gripping elements arranged in spaced relation about the rib. 
     
     
         45 . A pipe fitting system according to  claim 44 , wherein the gripping elements are offset with respect to the protrusions of the first connector on the male end of the first pipe section. 
     
     
         46 . A pipe fitting system according to  claim 44  or  claim 45 , wherein the gripping elements provide an anchor or pivot point for the mechanical lever. 
     
     
         47 . A pipe fitting system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first pipe section and/or the second pipe section is formed from a substantially rigid plastic material. 
     
     
         48 . A pipe fitting system according to  claim 47 , wherein the first pipe section and/or the second pipe section is formed from polyvinylchloride (PVC) or polyethylene (PE). 
     
     
         49 . A pipe fitting assembly, including:
 a body having a first open end and a second open end; and   a first pipe member having an inner end and an outer end;   wherein, the inner end of the first pipe member is telescopically received within the first open end of the body and adapted for sliding movement between a retracted position and an extended position, and the outer end has a first connecting means for releasably connecting the first pipe member to an upstream or downstream pipe section.   
     
     
         50 . A pipe fitting assembly according to  claim 49 , wherein a second pipe member has an inner end and an outer end, the inner end of the second pipe member is telescopically received within the second open end of the body and adapted for sliding movement between a retracted position and an extended position, and the outer end has a first connecting means for releasably connecting the second pipe member to a downstream or upstream pipe section. 
     
     
         51 . A pipe fitting assembly according to  claim 49  or  claim 50 , wherein the outer end of the first and second pipe members is configured as a male end. 
     
     
         52 . A pipe fitting assembly according to  claim 51 , wherein the upstream and downstream pipe sections are configured to have at least one female end to complement the male outer ends of the first and second pipe members. 
     
     
         53 . A pipe fitting assembly according to  claim 52 , wherein the female end of the upstream and downstream pipe sections has a second connecting means releasably engagable with the first connecting means of the respective first and second pipe members. 
     
     
         54 . A pipe fitting assembly according to  claim 52  or  claim 53 , wherein the opposite end to the female end of the upstream and downstream pipe sections is a slip-on fitting or a threaded fitting. 
     
     
         55 . A pipe fitting assembly according to  claim 53  or  claim 54 , wherein the first connecting means of the first and second pipe members has a first connector adapted to releasably engage the second connecting means. 
     
     
         56 . A pipe fitting assembly according to  claim 55 , wherein the second connecting means of the upstream and downstream pipe sections is in the form of a second connector adapted to releasably engage the first connector. 
     
     
         57 . A pipe fitting assembly according to any one of  claims 50  to  56 , wherein a sealing mechanism is arranged between the first open end of the body and the inner end of the first pipe member. 
     
     
         58 . A pipe fitting assembly according to  claim 57 , wherein the sealing mechanism is configured to provide a seal between an inner surface of the first open end of the body and an outer surface of the inner end of the first pipe member, the seal mechanism being adapted to maintain a seal when the first pipe member is at or between the extended and retracted positions. 
     
     
         59 . A pipe fitting assembly according to  claim 57  or  claim 58 , wherein the seal mechanism has two sealing members. 
     
     
         60 . A pipe fitting assembly according to any one of  claims 57  to  59 , wherein a second sealing mechanism is arranged between the second open end of the body and the inner end of the second pipe member, the second sealing mechanism being configured to maintain a seal when the second pipe member is at or between the extended and retracted positions. 
     
     
         61 . A pipe fitting assembly according to  claim 60 , wherein the second sealing mechanism includes two or more sealing members arranged in spaced apart side-by-side relation. 
     
     
         62 . A pipe fitting assembly according to  claim 61 , wherein the inner surface of the first open end and the second open end have a seal member retaining formation in which the two sealing members are seated. 
     
     
         63 . A pipe fitting assembly according to any one of  claims 50  to  62 , wherein one or both of the first and second pipe members has a gripping formation adapted to facilitate grasping of the first pipe section during connection and disconnection with the respective upstream and downstream pipe sections. 
     
     
         64 . A pipe fitting assembly according to any one of  claims 50  to  63 , wherein the body is a T-shaped pipe section having a main body section in which the first and second open ends are formed, and a leg extending transversely from the main body and in which a third opening is formed. 
     
     
         65 . A pipe fitting assembly according to  claim 64 , wherein a cover is releasably attached to the leg of the body to cover the third opening. 
     
     
         66 . A pipe fitting assembly according to  claim 64 , wherein a pipe section is releasably attached to the leg of the body to cover the third opening, the pipe section providing a connection point for a branch line pipe to extend from the third opening.