VARIABLE ANGLE JOINT

Abstract: A variable angle pipe joint which includes two hollow elements (10, 11) whereof each is provided with a straight, tubular portion (12, 18) which defines a polar axis, and a coupling portion (13, 19) integral with the tubular portion. The coupling portions have cylindrical end portions which define a spigot-like formation and a socket-like formation respectively. The spigot-like and socket-like formations de­ fine polar axes set at an angle of 135° to the polar axes of their respective tubular portions, and are interengageable such that their respective coupling portions are relatively rotatable to determine the relative orientation of the axes of the tubular portions. The pipe joint further includes a locking ring engageable over the socket-like formation to secure the socket-like and spigot-like formations together in sealing relationship.

Description: THIS INVENTION relates to a variable angle joint. An object of the invention is to provide a joint by which two pipes may be connected together with their respective axes in alignment or inclined to each other at any one of a range of angles, preferably from 900 to 1800. According to the invention there is provided a variable angle pipe joint comprising a first hollow element having an end tubular portion, which defines a polar axis, for connection to a pipe, and an end coupling portion connected at one end to said tubular portion and being formed with a spigot-like formation at its other end, said spigot-like formation defining a polar axis set at an angle to the axis of said end tubular portion; ; a second hollow element having an end tubular portion, which also defines a polar axis, for connection to a pipe, and an end coupling portion connected at one end to said end tubular portion of said second element and being formed with a socket-like formation at its other end, the socket-like formation also defining a polar axis that is at an angle to the axis of its associated end tubular portion the spigot-like formation being receivable within the socket-like formation with the end coupling portions being relatively rotatable to determine the relative orientation of the axes of the two tubular portions; and a locking ring capable of engaging over the socketlike formation to secure the socket-like formation and the spigot-like formation together in sealing relationship. The spigot-like formation may define an external cylindrical surface and the socket-like formation may define an internal cylindrical surface, such that when the spigot-like formation is received in the socket-like formation, the cylindrical internal surface of the socket-like formation is engaged over the cylindrical external surface of the spigot-like formation. The spigot-like formation may have a circumferential groove to receive a sealing ring. Each end coupling may be curved and the axis of each tubular portion and associated spigot-like and socket-like formation respectively may be at 1350 to each other. The locking ring may have an internal cylindrical surface and an inwardly extending flange at one end and may be fixed in place by adhesive or welding, whereupon the two hollow elements can still be rotated relative to each other, the flange engaging a rim on the spigot-like formation and the internal surface of the ring engaging over the socket-like formation of the other coupling portion. The invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an assembly of a variable angle joint according to the invention, comprising interconnected hollow elements; Figure 2 shows a first one of said hollow elements having an external surface; Figure 3 shows a second one of said hollow elements having an internal surface; and Figures 4A to 4C show plan, elevation and section of a locking ring for the variable angle joint of Figure 1. The joint assembly of the example shown in the drawings is intended to join toaether two pipes at angles of from 900 to 100 and comprises two hollow elements or pipes shown generally at 10 and 11. The pipe 10 is provided with a straight end tubular portion 12, which defines a polar axis and which may be screw-threaded internally or lined with solder, and an end coupling 13 formed integrally with the portion 12. The end coupling 13 (Figure 2) is enlarged in relation to the tubular portion in order to accommodate a cylindrical rim or end portion having a rib 14 and an external cylindrical surface 15 containing a circumferential groove 16 to receive a sealing ring 17 (see Figure 1). The surface 15 defines a polar axis at an angle of 1350 to the polar axis of the tubular portion 12. The pipe 11 is of similar construction to that of the pipe 10 in that an end tubular portion 18 which defines a polar axis is formed integrally with an end coupling 19 that is provided with a cylindrical internal surface 20 machined within a rim 21. The internal sur face 20 is made to a tolerance such that it engages the sealing ring 17 with a push fit. The internal surface 20 defines a polar axis which is at 1350 to the polar axis of the tubular portion 18. The locking ring (Figures 4A - 4c) comprises a cylindrical portion 24 and an internally extending flange 25. The locking ring and the external cylindrical surface 15 may be formed with screw-threads (not shown) to secure the two hollow elements together. The flange 25 of the locking ring engages the rib 14 and the internal surface of the locking ring engages over the end of the portion 19. On assembly the locking ring passes over the tubular portion 12 and end coupling 13 of the pipe 10. After the required angle has been determined the locking ring is secured by adhesive or by welding the ring to the exterior of the rim 21. When the ring is fixed in place, by virtue of the profile of the ring the assembly cannot come apart although the two cylindrical engaging surfaces 15 and 20 respectively may rotate one within the other. Even though rotation can be effected, the polar axes of the two tubular portions either intersect or may come into alignment.

Claims: 1. A variable angle pipe joint comprising a first hollow element having an end tubular portion, which defines a polar axis, for connection to a pipe, and an end coupling portion connected at one end to said tubular portion and being formed with a spigot-like formation at its other end, said spigot-like formation defining a polar axis set at an angle to the axis of said end tubular portion; ; a second hollow element having an end tubular portion, which also defines a polar axis, for connection to a pipe, and an end coupling portion connected at one end to said end tubular portion of said second element and being formed with a socket-like formation at its other end, the socket-like formation also defining a polar axis that is at an angle to the axis of its associated end tubular portion the spigot-like formation being receivable within the socket-like formation with the end coupling portions being relatively rotatable to determine the relative orientation of the axes of the two tubular portions; and a locking ring capable of engaging over the socketlike formation t6 secure the socket-like formation and the spigot-like formation together in sealing relationship. 2. An angle pipe joint as claimed in Claim 1, in which the spigot-like formation defines an external cylindrical surface and the socket-like formation defines an internal cylindrical surface, such that when the spigot-like formation is received in the socket-like formation, the cylindrical internal surface of the socket-like formation is engaged over the cylindrical external surface of the spigot-like formation. 3. A pipe joint as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the spigot-like formation has a circumferential groove in which is located a sealing ring, and the socket-like formation has a push fit over said ring. 4. A pipe joint as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each end coupling portion is curved. 5. A pipe joint as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the axis of each tubular portion and the axis of its associated spigot-like or socketlike formation respectively are at an angle of 1350 to each other. 6. A pipe joint as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said locking ring has an internal cylindrical surface and an inwardly extending flange at one end and is fixed in place by adhesive or welding, whereupon the two hollow elements can still be rotated relatively to each other, the flange engaging a rim on the spigot-like formation and the internal surface engaging over the socket-like formation. 7. A new pipe joint substantially as herein described and illustrated.

Inventors: MACINTYRE, HUGH MELVILLE GORDON
Applicants: CAMP DOUGLAS CHARLES P J
Application year: 1983
Main classification: F16L27
IPC codes: F16L27