Fiberglass flanged pipe and method of making same

An elongated pipe, having first and second ends, with each of the first and second ends thereof having an outwardly tapered portion. A tapered split collet embraces the outwardly tapered portion at the first end of the pipe and a tapered split collet embraces the outwardly tapered portion at the second end of the pipe. A pipe flange with a tapered central opening embraces the tapered split collet at the first end of the pipe. A pipe flange with a tapered central opening embraces the tapered split collet at the second end of the pipe. An adhesive material secures the pipe flanges and collets to the outwardly tapered portions at the first and second ends of the pipe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a fiberglass pipe having flanges secured to the opposite ends thereof. The flanges are secured to the pipe in a unique manner to prevent the separation of the flanges from the pipe. Further, this invention relates to the method of making the flanged fiberglass pipe.

2. Description of the Related Art

Fiberglass wound or fiberglass pipes have long been used in various fields. In most cases, the pipes have had flanges secured to the opposite ends thereof. Applicant's assignee has been manufacturing fiberglass pipes such as shown inFIG. 1for some time. As seen inFIG. 1, the flanges F are threaded onto the ends of the pipe P. InFIG. 2, a further prior art method of securing the flanges F to the pipe is shown. InFIG. 2, the ends of the pipe P are inwardly tapered with the ring-shaped opening in the flange F having a matching taper so that the flange may be slipped onto the tapered portion of the pipe and secured thereto with epoxy or some other adhesive. In the prior art pipe ofFIG. 2, the flange F may separate from the pipe P should the epoxy fail since the epoxy is the sole means for securing the flange to the pipe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A novel fiberglass flanged pipe and the method of making the same is disclosed. The method of fabricating the fiberglass flanged pipe comprises the steps of: (1) providing an elongated fiberglass pipe having first and second ends; (2) forming an outwardly tapered portion at each of the first and second ends of the pipe with each of the tapered portions having an outer end; (3) providing first and second fiberglass pipe flanges having a tapered central opening with the tapered central openings of the pipe flanges having a greater diameter than the diameter of the outer ends of the tapered portions of the pipe; (4) slipping the first and second pipe flanges onto the first and second ends of the pipe respectively; (5) providing first and second fiberglass tapered split collets; (6) spreading and slipping the first and second collets onto the first and second ends of the pipe; (7) positioning the first and second collets with respect to the first and second tapered portions of the pipe so that the collets embrace the tapered portions thereof; (8) securing the collets to the tapered portions of the pipe with an epoxy material; (9) positioning the first and second pipe flanges so that the tapered central openings in the first and second pipe flanges embrace the first and second tapered split collets respectively; and (10) securing the first and second pipe flanges to the first and second collets respectively with an epoxy material.

The resulting product is a flanged fiberglass pipe which is designed to prevent the separation of the flanges from the pipe.

It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide an improved fiberglass flanged pipe.

A further object of the invention is to provide a fiberglass pipe wherein the flanges thereof are secured to the pipe in a manner which will prevent the accidental separation of the flanges from the pipe.

A further object of the invention is to provide a fiberglass flanged pipe which is extremely durable in use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND METHOD

The term fiberglass as used herein is intended to encompass pipes constructed from a fiberglass material; pipes constructed of fiber reinforced plastic material; or a filament wrapped or wound fiberglass material; or any other material which includes fiberglass therein.

The fiberglass wound or fiberglass pipe of this invention is referred to by the reference numeral10. Pipe10is cylindrical and elongated and will have a length as much as 20 feet or more. The diameter of pipe10will vary depending on the intended use thereof. Pipe10will be described as having a pipe portion12with ends14and16. End14of pipe portion12has an outwardly tapered portion18with inner and outer ends20and22respectively. The outside diameter of inner end20has the same diameter as the outside diameter of pipe portion12. The outside diameter of outer end22of tapered portion18is greater than the outside diameter of inner end22and pipe portion12.

The numeral24refers to a fiberglass flange having a tapered central opening26which has a diameter which is just somewhat greater than the outside diameter of outer end22of tapered portion18to enable flange24to be initially slipped onto the end14of pipe portion12. As seen, flange24has a plurality of bolt openings28formed therein.

The numeral30refers to a fiberglass tapered collet30which has the same taper as the tapered portion18. As seen, tapered collet30is of the split type. The tapered collet30is spread apart to enable the collet30to be slipped inwardly past the outer end22of tapered portion18. The tapered collet30is positioned so as to embrace the tapered portion18and is secured to tapered portion18by epoxy or the like. The flange24is then moved outwardly so that the tapered central opening20of flange24embraces the tapered collet30. The flange24is secured to tapered collet30by epoxy or the like.

As seen, the combination of the tapered split collet30and the tapered central opening26oppose the tapered portion18so that it is almost impossible, if not completely impossible, for the flange24to be separated from the pipe10.

The end16of pipe portion12is identical to that just described with the end16having a tapered portion18′, flange24′ with a tapered central opening26′, tapered and split collet30′. The flange24′ and collet30′ are assembled as just described.

To summarize somewhat, the method of fabricating the fiberglass pipe10of this invention comprises the steps of: (1) providing an elongated fiberglass pipe having first and second ends; (2) forming an outwardly tapered portion at each of the first and second ends of the pipe with each of the tapered portions having an outer end; (3) providing first and second fiberglass pipe flanges having a tapered central opening with the tapered central openings of the pipe flanges having a greater diameter than the diameter of the outer ends of the tapered portions of the pipe; (4) slipping the first and second pipe flanges onto the first and second ends of the pipe respectively; (5) providing first and second fiberglass tapered split collets; (6) spreading and slipping the first and second collets onto the first and second ends of the pipe; (7) positioning the first and second collets with respect to the first and second tapered portions of the pipe so that the collets embrace the tapered portions thereof; (8) securing the collets to the tapered portions of the pipe with an epoxy material; (9) positioning the first and second pipe flanges so that the tapered central openings in the first and second pipe flanges embrace the first and second tapered split collets respectively; and (10) securing the first and second pipe flanges to the first and second collets respectively with an epoxy material.