Patent ID: 6212748
Filing Date: 2001-04-10
Classification: B29C,B29L,Y10T

Abstract:
For use with a machine for end-to-end welding of polyolefin pipes, a pipe gripping assembly comprising:a skid;a first jaw fixed to said skid for securing a first pipe in alignment with a longitudinal axis;a carriage slidably mounted on said skid for reciprocal movement along said longitudinal axis;a second jaw fixed to said carriage for securing a second pipe in longitudinal alignment with respect to the first pipe;means on said skid cooperable with a frame of the machine for aligning and supporting said skid on the frame with said first jaws forward of said second jaws in a first mounting position and with said second jaws forward of said first jaws in a second mounting position;means for securing said skid to the frame in a selected one of said first and second mounting positions; andmeans for pivotally engaging upper and lower portions of said first and second jaws at a first point external of the pipe in a first jaw arrangement and at a second point external of the pipe and diametrically opposite said first point in a second jaw arrangement.