Hammerless pipe union

Abstract

A device for forming a union of pipe end includes two pipe connectors, each configured for attachment to an end of a length of pipe at one end and for joining to the other of the two connectors at the other end and a nut having a bore with internal threads configured to mate with outer threads on the outer surface of one or both of the two pipe connectors. The outer lateral surface of the nut includes a plurality of handle connection structures. The device includes a handle for increasing the amount of manually-generated torque on the nut during tightening or loosening of the nut with respect to the outer threads. The handle has a nut attachment end configured to engage the handle connection structures and is provided with a mechanism for reversibly locking the handle to any of the plurality of handle connection structures of the nut.

1 . A device for forming a union of two pipe ends to allow flow of high-pressure fluid between the pipe ends, the device comprising:
 two pipe connectors, each configured for attachment at one end to one of the two pipe ends, and for mating with the other of the two pipe connectors at the other end to make a pipe connection, each pipe connector having:
 an outer surface; and 
 an annular body enclosing a bore configured to align with a throughbore in each pipe end for allowing fluid flow between the pipe ends and the pipe connectors; 
   a nut having:
 an outer surface with a plurality of handle connection structures; and 
 a bore with internal threads configured to mate with outer threads on the outer surface of at least one of the two pipe connectors; 
 wherein the nut is configured to abut or directly connect to the outer surface on both of the pipe connectors; and 
   a handle for increasing the amount of manually-generated torque on the nut during tightening or loosening of the nut with respect to the outer threads, the handle having:
 a nut attachment end configured to engage any one of the handle connection structures; and 
 a mechanism for reversibly locking the handle to any one of the handle connection structures of the nut. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein the outer threads are on the outer surface of only one of the two pipe connectors, and the nut is configured to abut the outer surface on the other of the two pipe connectors. 
     
     
         3 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein the outer threads are on the outer surface of both of the two pipe connectors. 
     
     
         4 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein the outer surface on one of the two pipe connectors includes an outer abutment which cooperates with a ridge on an interior surface of the bore of the nut to stop the threading of the internal threads onto the outer threads. 
     
     
         5 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein the two pipe connectors are a female connector and a male connector. 
     
     
         6 . The device as in  claim 5 , wherein the outer threads are on the outer surface of only the female connector and the internal threads are configured to mate with the outer threads on the female connector, and wherein the male connector outer surface includes an outer abutment which cooperates with a ridge on an interior surface of the bore of the nut to stop the threading of the internal threads onto the outer threads. 
     
     
         7 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein the handle connection structures are sockets formed in the outer surface of the nut, the sockets configured to receive the nut attachment end of the handle. 
     
     
         8 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein the handle connection structures are protrusions formed in or attached to the outer surface of the nut, the protrusions configured to be received by sockets formed in the nut attachment end of the handle. 
     
     
         9 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism for reversibly locking the handle to any one of the plurality of handle connection structures of the nut is provided by a retaining pin configured to pass through aligned openings in the nut and in the nut attachment end of the handle. 
     
     
         10 . The device as in  claim 1 , further comprising a hammer pad having a nut attachment end configured to engage any one of the plurality of handle connection structures of the nut, and a mechanism for reversibly locking the hammer pad to any one of the handle connection structures, the hammer pad having a flat laterally extending surface for striking with a hammer to increase the amount of manually-generated torque on the nut during tightening or loosening of the nut with respect to the outer threads. 
     
     
         11 . The device as in  claim 7 , wherein the mechanism for reversibly locking the hammer pad to any one of the plurality of handle connection structures of the nut is provided by a retaining pin configured to pass through aligned openings in the nut and in the nut attachment end of the hammer pad. 
     
     
         12 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of handle connection structures is six equi-spaced handle connection structures. 
     
     
         13 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein the sockets are square. 
     
     
         14 . The device as in  claim 6 , wherein the handle connection structures are square-shaped sockets. 
     
     
         15 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the pipe connectors includes a seat for an o-ring to receive a seal for preventing leaking of fluid from the device when the union of pipe ends is formed with the device. 
     
     
         16 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein the handle comprises a bar. 
     
     
         17 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein each pipe connector is configured for attachment to the end of the length of the pipe via welding or threading. 
     
     
         18 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein mating of the nut with the outer threads on one or both of the pipe connectors is sufficient to fasten the pipe ends together without requiring further components. 
     
     
         19 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein the outer lateral surface of the nut is polygonal-shaped. 
     
     
         20 . A kit for forming a union of two pipe ends to allow flow of high-pressure fluid between the pipe ends, the kit comprising:
 two pipe connectors, each configured for attachment at one end to one of the two pipes and for mating with the other of the two pipe connectors at the other end to make a pipe connection, each pipe connector having:
 an outer surface; and 
 an annular body enclosing a bore configured to align with a throughbore in each pipe for allowing fluid flow between the pipes and the pipe connectors; 
   a nut having:
 an outer surface with a plurality of handle connection structures; and 
 a bore with internal threads configured to mate with outer threads on the outer surface of at least one of the two pipe connectors; 
 wherein the nut is configured to abut or directly connect to the outer surface on both of the pipe connectors; 
   a handle for increasing the amount of manually-generated torque on the nut during tightening or loosening of the nut with respect to the outer threads, the handle having:
 a nut attachment end configured to engage any one of the handle connection structures; and 
 a mechanism for reversibly locking the handle to any one of the handle connection structures of the nut; and 
   a hammer pad having a nut attachment end configured to engage any one of the plurality of handle connection structures of the nut, and a mechanism for reversibly locking the hammer pad to any one of the handle connection structures, the hammer pad having a flat laterally extending surface for striking with a hammer to increase the amount of manually-generated torque on the nut during tightening or loosening of the nut with respect to the outer threads.   
     
     
         21 . The kit as in  claim 20 , wherein the external surface on one of the two pipe connectors includes an outer abutment which cooperates with a ridge on an interior surface of the bore of the nut to stop the threading of the internal threads onto the outer threads.