Patent ID: 9347597
Filing Date: 2016-05-24
CPC Classification: B25B,F16L

Claim Text:
1. A guidance tool for restricting the potential angular misalignment between the axial centerlines of a pipe end and corresponding socket arrangement during a pipe installation process, the guidance tool comprising: a sleeve assembly including sleeve segments, wherein each sleeve segment has side edges, is arc shaped in cross section and has a radially outwardly extending ridge perpendicular to the axial centerline, and wherein the sleeve segments are configured to be arranged on pipe end such that the side edge of one of the sleeve segment is adjacent the side edge of another one of the sleeve segments; and a clamp including a radially inwardly facing clamping surface configured to extend circumferentially around the sleeve assembly while arranged on the pipe end, the clamping surface including a circumferential groove configured to receive the ridges of the sleeve segments, and the clamp is configured to removably engage the sleeve with an external surface of a pipe end, such that at least part of the sleeve assembly and the pipe end may be inserted into a corresponding socket arrangement and wherein the clamp is configured to allow removal of the sleeve assembly from engagement with the external surface of a pipe end, once the pipe end has been inserted into a corresponding socket arrangement.