Abstract:
A water main tapping apparatus comprising a sleeve for attachment around the water main, a branch a branch pipe on one side of the sleeve, a tapping valve rotatably connected to the branch pipe; and sealing apparatus to seal the tapping valve to the branch pipe.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/981,444 filed Apr. 18, 2014 which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to a water main tapping apparatus and more particularly to an adjustable water main tapping apparatus that allows vertical positioning of a valve connector. 
         [0003]    In general, a tapping sleeve is positioned around a main water line for connecting the main water line to the new branch. A tapping valve is frequently connected between the tapping sleeve and the new branch for regulating water flow in the branch. The main water line is then tapped in a sealed manner allowing water to flow into the branch via the tapping sleeve and the tapping valve combination. 
         [0004]    The tapping sleeve is typically comprised of steel and is attached to the tapping valve by means of a flange welded to the tapping sleeve&#39;s branch pipe and connected to the tapping valve by nut and bolt combinations. However, the tapping valves are attached to the tapping sleeve with by fixed means, usually bolds or other fixed means. In some cases, a stainless steel flange is incorporated in the tapping sleeve for connection to the flanged joint of the tapping valve. In any event, the orientation of the tapping valve is fixed relative to the tapping sleeve and hence fixed relative the overlying surface. 
         [0005]    In this arrangement, positioning the tapping sleeve on the water main is done with some difficulty, particularly where access is limited as in excavated underground locations. In addition, the orientation of the tapping sleeve and tapping valve combination dictated by the orientation of the water main. This can result in a non-vertical orientation of the attached tapping valve when the main water line is not level, or horizontal. Because the tapping valve is typically buried at a depth of at least six feet, manipulating a non-vertical tapping valve to control water flow from the surface of the ground down to the tapping valve is very difficult, and frequently impossible. 
         [0006]    It would be advantageous to provide a tapping sleeve and adjustable tapping valve that allows vertical orientation of the tapping valve after installation of the combination on a water main. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0007]    A water main tap having a tapping sleeve with a branch pipe, a tapping valve rotatably mounted on the branch pipe, sealed with a circular gasket and held in position by a split clamp. 
         [0008]    The tapping sleeve is positioned on the water main; the tapping valve is rotated about the branch pipe until the valve is orientated vertical to the surface. The split clamp is tightened to secure the tapping valve in place on the end of the branch pipe. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of the adjustable water main tap; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a partial cross-sectional view thereof. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    The following detailed description illustrates the tap assembly  10  by way of example and not by way of limitation. This description will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the invention, including what we presently believe is the best mode of carrying out the invention. Additionally, it is to be understood that the tap assembly  10  is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components or the dimensions set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The tap assembly  10  is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0012]    A sleeve  12  which, as shown, comprises a first half  14  and a second half  16  spit along seam  18 . In use the two halves are positioned around a water main pipe and secured together by a plurality of bolts  20  extending through opposed flanges  22 , or any other appropriate securing means. When the two halves are secured together the define bore  24 . The diameter of bore  24  is appropriate to allow sleeve  12  to surround a water main pipe and be tightened into a water tight seal with bolts  20  or other securing means. For example, the two halves could be held in position around a pipe with clamps or any other appropriate means. 
         [0013]    There is a branch pipe  26  on first half  14 . Branch pipe  26  defines bore  28 , which is in fluid communication with bore  24 . There is a clamp groove  30  around the open end of branch pipe  26 . Branch pipe  26  also includes test plug  31  to allow access for testing. A tapping valve  32  is positioned at the open end of branch pipe  26 . Tapping valve is conventional in its construction and operation. Tapping valve  32  includes a cylindrical extension  34  which defines an internal bore (not seen) that, when assembled, is in fluid communication with bore  28  of branch pipe  26 . There is a clamp groove  36  around the open end of cylindrical extension  34 . 
         [0014]    There is a rubber gasket  38  or O-ring style seal sized and configured to surround the abutted open ends of branch pipe  26  and cylindrical extension  34  at their juncture  39 . A split clamp  40  comprising a first half  41  and a complementary second half  42  surrounds gasket  38  and the abutted ends at juncture  39  to seal the tapping valve to the branch pipe. Each half of clamp  40  has a generally C-shaped cross-sectional configuration with a first side  44  and second side  46  defining a center channel  48 . First side  44  seats in clamp groove  30  and second side  46  seats in clamp groove  36  with gasket  38  tightly nested in channel  48 . The two halves of clamp  40  are secured together by bolt and nut assemblies  50  through holes  52  securing tapping valve  32  to branch pipe  26  with a water-tight seal. It will be understood that any type of clamp that accomplishes the intended function will suffice. 
         [0015]    Tap assembly  10 , particularly sleeve  12 , can be installed on a water main in a conventional manner. In other words, the installer excavates through the surface of the ground under which the water main is buried, if necessary, to expose a section of water main to be tapped. Sleeve  12  is positioned around the exposed water main and tightened in place with bolts  20 . Tapping valve  32  is secured to branch pipe  26  with seal  38  and clamp  40 , either before or after the sleeve  12  is secured to the water main. It will be understood tapping valve  32  and branch pipe  26  define rotational axis A. Depending upon the angle of the water main, or the surrounding terrain, prior to tightening clamp  40 , the installer determines the angular orientation required for tapping valve  32  such that it is in vertical alignment relative to the surrounding surface. Tapping valve  32  can be rotated around rotational axis A, as shown by arrow R, until it is orientated vertical to the surface (or any other desired orientation relative to the surroundings). Since there is rotational orientation the positions of the tapping valve relative to the sleeve and/or surroundings are substantially limitless. Once tapping valve  32  is in the desired and most useful orientation, clamp  40  is tightened. The water main is tapped or drilled into through the apparatus as known to the art, and a water line for service to an adjacent structure is attached to, and extends upwards from, the tapping valve. Because tapping valve  32  can be rotated this water line can extend up vertically despite the relative position of the water main and tapping sleeve.