Abstract:
A tapping sleeve assembly comprising a sleeve having first and second shells, a gasket, a connection assembly comprising first and second side bar elements connected to the first and second shells, respectively, multiple lugs extending from the first and second side bar elements, and a bolt extending between each of the respective lugs, the first side bar element comprising an upper leg connected to the first shell at an upper connection, a lower leg supporting at least one of the lugs, an intermediate bearing unit configured to bear against the first shell, and the bearing unit having at least one bearing surface not affixed to the outer surface of the first shell, whereby the first and second side bar elements may be drawn towards each other to tighten the sleeve to a conduit.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to the field of pipe fittings, and more particularly to an improved tapping sleeve tightening assembly. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    Tapping sleeves are used to enable or permit branch connections to be made to fluid carrying (i.e. water main for distribution) pipes and pipelines. Current tapping sleeve designs typically employ a connection assembly for the sleeve having an “A” lug type design. Such designs are shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,040,828, 6,173,967, 6,227,234 and 6,360,771. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    With parenthetical reference to corresponding parts, portions or surfaces of the disclosed embodiment, merely for the purposes of illustration and not by way of limitation, the present invention provides an improved tapping sleeve assembly ( 14 ) comprising a sleeve ( 15 ) configured to clamp on to a main fluid conduit oriented about a longitudinal axis; the sleeve having a first shell member ( 34 ) and a second shell member ( 40 ) separate from the first shell member; a gasket ( 17 ) disposed between the first shell member and the main fluid conduit; a branch aperture ( 23 ) in the first shell member configured to communicate with a branch fluid conduit ( 29 ) attached to the first shell member; a connecting assembly ( 21   a ,  21   b ) configured and arranged to tighten the first and the second shell members to the main fluid conduit from a non-actuated position to a tightened position; the connection assembly comprising: a first side bar element ( 19   a ,  119   a ,  219   a ,  319   a ,  419   a ) connected proximate to a longitudinally extending edge ( 73   a ) of the first shell member and a second side bar element ( 24   a ) connected proximate to a longitudinally extending edge ( 74   a ) of the second shell member; multiple bolt receiving lugs ( 26   a - g ) extending from the first side bar element and multiple bolt receiving lugs ( 28   a - g ) extending from the second side bar element at corresponding positions along the longitudinal axis; and a bolt ( 18   a - g ) extending between each of the respective lugs on the first side bar element and the second side bar element; the first side bar element comprising: an upper leg ( 45 ,  145 ,  245 ,  345 ) having an upper edge ( 46 ,  146 ,  246 ) and connected to the first shell member at an upper connection ( 48 ,  148 ,  248 ,  348 ); a lower leg ( 49 ,  149 ,  249 ,  349 ) having a lower edge ( 50 ,  150 ,  250 ) and connected to the upper leg and supporting at least one of the bolt receiving lugs; an intermediate bearing unit ( 52 ,  152   a ,  152   b ,  152   c ,  252   a ,  252   b ,  252   c ,  352 ) configured and arranged to bear against an outer surface ( 35 ) of the first shell member between the upper edge of the upper leg and the lower edge of the lower leg; and the bearing unit having at least one bearing surface ( 53 ,  153   a ,  153   b ,  153   c ,  253   a ,  253   b ,  253   c ,  353 ) not affixed to the outer surface of the first shell member; whereby the first side bar element and the second side bar element may be drawn towards each other to tighten the first and second members to the main fluid conduit. 
         [0004]    The bearing unit may comprise a bearing projection ( 52 ,  152   b ,  252   b ) extending towards the outer surface of the first shell member from the lower leg. The bearing unit may comprise a bearing projection ( 52 ,  152   a ,  152   b ,  152   c ,  252   a ,  252   b ,  252   c ) extending towards the outer surface of the first shell member from the upper leg and/or the lower leg. The bearing projection may comprise a longitudinally extending rod ( 252   a ,  252   b ,  252   c ) attached to the upper leg and/or the lower leg. The rod ( 252   a ) may be attached to the first side bar element at a junction ( 254 ) between the upper leg and the lower leg. The bearing unit may comprise multiple bearing projections ( 152   a - c,    252   a - c ) extending towards the outer surface of the first shell member from the upper leg and/or the lower leg. Each of the bearing projections may comprise a longitudinally extending rod ( 252   a - c ). The bearing surface may comprise a continuous curved surface ( 353 ) having a curvature substantially similar to a corresponding curvature of the outer surface of the first shell member. The upper leg may comprises a longitudinally extending plate and the lower leg may comprise a longitudinally extending plate connected to the upper leg plate. The lower leg may be connected to the shell at a lower connection ( 51 ,  151 ,  251 ). The lower connection may comprise a weld between the lower edge ( 50 ,  150 ,  250 ) of the lower leg and the longitudinally extending edge ( 73   a ) of the first shell member. The upper connection may comprise a weld between the upper edge ( 46 ,  146 ,  246 ) of the upper leg and the first shell member. The first side bar element and lugs may be formed as a unitary solid piece ( 419   a ). The lug may comprise a moment reaction wing ( 96 ,  97 ). The second side bar element ( 24   a ) may comprises: a lower leg ( 45   b ) having an lower edge ( 46   b ) and connected to the second shell member at a lower connection ( 48   b ); an upper leg ( 49   b ) having an upper edge ( 50   b ) and connected to the lower leg and supporting at least one of the bolt receiving lugs; a bearing unit  52 ( b ) configured and arranged to bear against an outer surface ( 35   b ) of the second shell member between the lower edge of the lower leg and the upper edge of the upper leg; and the bearing unit having at least one bearing surface ( 53   b ) not affixed to the outer surface of the second shell member. 
         [0005]    In another aspect a tapping sleeve assembly is provided comprising: a sleeve configured to clamp on to a main fluid conduit oriented about a longitudinal axis; the sleeve having a first shell member and a second shell member separate from the first shell member; a gasket disposed between the first shell member and the main fluid conduit; a branch aperture in the first shell member configured to communicate with a branch fluid conduit attached to the first shell member; a connecting assembly configured and arranged to tighten the first and the second shell members to the main fluid conduit from a non-actuated position to a tightened position; the connection assembly comprising: a first side bar element connected proximate to a longitudinally extending edge of the first shell member and a second side bar element connected proximate to a longitudinally extending edge of the second shell member; multiple bolt receiving lugs extending from the first side bar element and multiple bolt receiving lugs extending from the second side bar element at corresponding positions along the longitudinal axis; and a bolt extending between each of the respective lugs on the first side bar element and the second side bar element; the first side bar element comprising: an upper leg ( 45 ,  145 ,  245 ,  345 ) and a lower leg ( 49 ,  149 ,  249 ,  349 ) connected at a leg junction ( 54 ,  154 ,  254 ,  354 ); the upper leg connected to the first shell member at an upper force transfer connection ( 48 ,  148 ,  248 ); the lower leg configured to apply a force to the first shell member at a lower force transfer connection ( 51 ,  151 ,  251 ,  351 ); the lower leg orientated relative to the upper leg such that an inner angle ( 55 ,  155 ,  255 ,  355 ) defined by the intersection of a first imaginary plane between the upper connection and the leg junction and a second imaginary plane between the lower connection and the leg junction is greater than about 90 degrees and less than about 180 degrees. 
         [0006]    The inner angle may be greater than about 120 degrees. The lower leg may be connected to the first shell member at the lower force transfer connection. The lower force transfer connection may comprise a weld between a lower edge of the lower leg and the longitudinally extending edge of the first shell member. The upper force transfer connection may comprise a weld between an upper edge of the upper leg and the first shell member. 
         [0007]    In another aspect, a tapping sleeve assembly is provided comprising: a sleeve configured to clamp on to a main fluid conduit oriented about a longitudinal axis; the sleeve having a first shell member and a second shell member separate from the first shell member; a gasket disposed between the first shell member and the main fluid conduit; a branch aperture in the first shell member configured to communicate with a branch fluid conduit attached to the first shell member; a connecting assembly configured and arranged to tighten the first and the second shell members to the main fluid conduit from a non-actuated position to a tightened position; the connection assembly comprising: a first side bar element connected proximate to a longitudinally extending edge of the first shell member and a second side bar element connected proximate to a longitudinally extending edge of the second shell member; multiple bolt receiving lugs extending from the first side bar element and multiple bolt receiving lugs extending from the second side bar element at corresponding positions along the longitudinal axis; and a bolt extending between each of the respective lugs on the first side bar element and the second side bar element; the first side bar element comprising: an upper leg and a lower leg connected at a leg junction; the upper leg connected to the first shell member at an upper force transfer connection; the lower leg configured to apply a force to the first shell member at a lower force transfer connection; the lower leg orientated relative to the upper leg such that an off-tangent angle ( 56 ,  156 ,  256 ,  356 ) defined by an intersection of a first imaginary plane ( 64 ) tangent to the first shell member at the upper force transfer connection and a second imaginary plane ( 65 ) between the upper force transfer connection and the leg junction ( 65 ) is less than about 30 degrees. 
         [0008]    The off-tangent angle may be less than about 10 degrees. The off-tangent angle may be less than about 5 degrees. The lower leg may be connected to the first shell member at the lower force transfer connection. The lower force transfer connection may comprise a weld between a lower edge of the lower leg and the longitudinally extending edge of the first shell member. The upper force transfer connection may comprise a weld between an upper edge of the upper leg and the first shell member. 
         [0009]    In another aspect, a tapping sleeve assembly is provided comprising: a sleeve configured to clamp on to a main fluid conduit oriented about a longitudinal axis; the sleeve having a first shell member and a second shell member separate from the first shell member; a gasket disposed between the first shell member and the main fluid conduit; a branch aperture in the first shell member configured to communicate with a branch fluid conduit attached to the first shell member; a connecting assembly configured and arranged to tighten the first and the second shell members to the main fluid conduit from a non-actuated position to a tightened position; the connection assembly comprising: a first side bar element connected proximate to a longitudinally extending edge of the first shell member and a second side bar element connected proximate to a longitudinally extending edge of the second shell member; a bolt extending in a first load plane ( 60 ) between each of the respective lugs on the first side bar element and the second side bar element; the first side bar element comprising: an upper leg and a lower leg connected at a leg junction; the upper leg configured to transfer a force to the shell member at an upper connection in a force transfer plane ( 61 ) when said bolts are loaded in said first load plane; the lower leg configured to apply a force to the first shell member at a lower force transfer connection; the lower leg orientated relative to the upper leg such that an off-tangent angle defined by an intersection of a first imaginary plane tangent to the first shell member at the upper force transfer connection and the force transfer plane is less than about 30 degrees. 
         [0010]    The off-tangent angle may be less than about 10 degrees. The off-tangent angle may be less than about 5 degrees. The upper leg may be connected to the first shell member at the upper force transfer connection and the lower leg may be connected to the first shell member at the lower force transfer connection. The upper force transfer connection may comprise a weld between an upper edge of the upper leg and the first shell member and the lower force transfer connection may comprise a weld between a lower edge of the lower leg and the longitudinally extending edge of the first shell member. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a top isometric view of an embodiment of the improved tapping sleeve tightening assembly. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a left side view of the tapping sleeve assembly shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged detailed view of the tapping sleeve assembly shown in  FIG. 2 , taken generally within the indicated circle A of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a top isometric view of the upper shell branch conduit and upper side bar shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a left side view of the upper shell assembly shown in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of the lug and side bar shown in  FIG. 5 , taken generally within the indicated circle B of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged view of the lugs and side bar shown in  FIG. 4 , taken within the indicated circle C of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a first alternative embodiment of the side bar shown in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a second alternative embodiment of the side bar shown in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a third alternative embodiment of the side bar shown in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a fourth alternative embodiment of the side bar shown in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a right isometric view of the sidebar shown in  FIG. 11 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a schematic of the side bar shown in  FIG. 1  with reaction forces when loaded. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]    At the outset, it should be clearly understood that like reference numerals are intended to identify the same structural elements, portions or surfaces consistently throughout the several drawing figures, as such elements, portions or surfaces may be further described or explained by the entire written specification, of which this detailed description is an integral part. Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are intended to be read (e.g., cross-hatching, arrangement of parts, proportion, degree, etc.) together with the specification, and are to be considered a portion of the entire written description of this invention. As used in the following description, the terms “horizontal”, “vertical”, “left”, “right”, “up” and “down”, as well as adjectival and adverbial derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally”, “rightwardly”, “upwardly”, etc.), simply refer to the orientation of the illustrated structure as the particular drawing figure faces the reader. Similarly, the terms “inwardly” and “outwardly” generally refer to the orientation of a surface relative to its axis of elongation, or axis of rotation, as appropriate. 
         [0025]    Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIG. 1  thereof, this invention provides an improved tapping sleeve and gasket assembly, of which a first embodiment is generally indicated at  14 . As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , assembly  14  generally comprises tapping sleeve  15 , which in operation is mounted on the outside of a main pipe or fluid conduit (not shown), and gasket  17 , which in operation is disposed between the main pipe and sleeve  15 . 
         [0026]    Tapping sleeve  15  includes semi-cylindrical top half shell  34 , semi-cylindrical lower half shell  40 , and spanners  30  and  31 . Top half shell  34  and bottom half shell  40  are connected and tightened around pipe  16  with connection assembly  21   a  and  21   b.    
         [0027]    Gasket  15  includes upper gasket  32  and lower spanning gasket  42 . As described in further detail below, upper gasket  32  and lower gasket  42  are flexible elastomeric matte gasket sheets having specially contoured raised or thickened sealing beads, including circumferential seal beads  37  and thickened branch aperture seal  22  on upper gasket  32 . 
         [0028]    Tapping sleeve assembly  14  is formed by joining and welding in place a cylindrical branch connection  29  to top half shell  34 , which is then mated to the fluid carrying pipe with upper gasket  32 , lower half shell  40  and lower gasket  42 . Gaskets  32  and  42  are sandwiched between the inside cylindrical surfaces of shells  34  and  40  and the outside cylindrical surface of the main fluid carrying pipe to provide sufficient sealing force to prevent leakage of fluid from the interface once a tap is made into the fluid carrying pipe through branch outlet  29 . Elastic (sealing) energy is imparted into the structure by tightening actuating connections  21   a  and  21   b  from a loosened or non-actuated position to a tightened sealed position. 
         [0029]    Upper gasket  32  is sized to encircle substantially completely the outside diameter of the smallest diameter fluid carrying pipe for the given sleeve size. Lower matte gasket  42  is sized to span the zone of reduced gasket thickness and any gap between the longitudinal tapered proximal edge portions of lower gasket  32 . Thus, as the pipe diameter on which assembly  14  is installed increases, the ends of upper matte gasket  32  separate, and lower matte gasket  42  further engages upper gasket  32  to continue the sealing action. 
         [0030]    Lower gasket  42  includes inwardly extending raised seal beads that running circumferentially and transversely to the longitudinal axis x-x of the pipe. The inner seal beads face the outer surface of the main fluid carrying pipe to provide for increased localized gasket sealing pressure. 
         [0031]    Upper gasket  32  is formed of a flexible sheet with a specially contoured thickened aperture seal  22  and multiple transversely extending protruding or raised inner circumferential seal beads  37 . Main aperture seal  22  could be molded separately from the remainder of gasket  32 , thereby allowing for different main seal profiles to be used interchangeably, which provide manufacturing costs reductions and improved inventory efficiency. 
         [0032]    Upper gasket  32  includes inwardly extending raised seal beads  37  that running circumferentially and transversely to longitudinal axis x-x of the fluid carrying pipe. Inner seal beads  37  face the outer surface of the fluid carrying pipe to provide for increased localized gasket sealing pressure. These circumferential seal beads provide for improved seal performance if the main fluid carrying pipe should suffer a complete circumferential break, as is possible when tapping sleeve  14  is used to branch into brittle conductor pipe materials such as ductile iron, asbestos cement or concrete pipe materials. These circumferential raised seal beads provide matte gasket stiffening support, and prevent the matte gasket from undergoing extrusion at the shell free ends. 
         [0033]    Circumferential seal beads  37  utilize a double o-ring radial inwardly-facing geometry. Thus, the main matte gasket circumferential seal beads (both upper and lower gasket sheets) have parallel (double) seal beads of semicircular cross section, raised by pedestal above the main gasket sheet sealing surface, to provide for increased seal pressure and seal reliability. 
         [0034]    Branch aperture seal  22  has a varying, non-uniform thickness relative to axis x-x and is substantially set back or separated from branch line  29  to upper shell  34  connection  54  by a varying and non-uniform distance. 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , spanners  30  and  31  are metallic strips that span the arc shaped gap between the longitudinally extending edges  73  and  74  of top half-shell  34  and lower half-shell  40 , respectively, using the compression force exerted by the top and lower half-shell edges as sleeve  15  is tightened to the fluid carrying pipe to compress matte gaskets  32  and  42  to the fluid carrying pipe. 
         [0036]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-7 , specially configured side bars  19   a  and  19   b  are welded to the two edges  73   a  and  73   b , respectively, of top shell  34  that are coincident with longitudinal axis x-x of the pipe. Similarly, specially configured side bars  24   a  and  24   b  are welded to the two edges  74   a  and  74   b  of lower shell  40  that are coincident with longitudinal axis x-x of the pipe. 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , in a first embodiment side bar  19   a  generally comprises longitudinally extending upper leg  45  connected at longitudinally extending junction  54  to longitudinally extending lower leg  49 , with the plane of lower leg  49  offset about junction  54  from the plane of upper leg  45  by inner angle  55 . Inner angle  55  between upper leg  45  and lower leg  49  is greater than about 90 degrees and less than about 180 degrees, and preferably less than about 120 degrees. Upper edge  46  of upper leg  45  is welded longitudinally to outer surface  35  of top shell  34  at longitudinally extending connection  48 . Lower edge  50  of lower leg  49  is in turn welded longitudinally to longitudinal edge  73   a  of top shell  34  at longitudinally extending connection  51 . As shown, in this embodiment upper connection  48  is provided such that the plane of upper leg  45 , or the plane of the force transfer along leg  48  when lugs  26   a - g  are loaded with tightening of bolts  18   a - g,  is offset from an imaginary plane tangent to outer surface  35  of top shelf  34  at connection  48  by angle  56 . Off-tangent angle  56  is less than about 30 degrees, and preferably less than about 5 degrees. In this embodiment, off-tangent angle  56  is about 3 degrees. 
         [0038]    As shown, intermediate leg  52  extends from junction  54  of side bar  19   a.  The longitudinally extending end surface  53  of projection  52  bears against outer surface  35  of top shelf  34  between upper junction  48  and lower junction  51 . Leg  52  is not fixedly connected to shell  34  and is thereby allowed to float. This serves to add to the radial inwardly directed gasket force applied by shell  34  when sleeve  15  is tightened. Because there is no fixed connection between spacer  52  and shell  34 , under certain loading conditions spacer  52  may translate away from shell  34  without pulling shell  34  outward at that point, and under other loading conditions may slide and push radially inward as material is stretched, which assists in applying gasket pressure in the subject region of shell  34 . While in this embodiment lower leg  49  is welded to shell  34  at connection  51 , is contemplated that end  50  of lower leg  49  may be provided without a weld and may be allowed to move relative to edge  73   a  of shell  34 . 
         [0039]    An alternative embodiment  119   a  of side bar  19   a  is shown in  FIG. 8 . Side bar  119   a  is somewhat similar to side bar  19   a . It comprises upper leg  145  having longitudinally extending edge  146  connected to top shell  34  at longitudinally extending connection  148  and lower leg  149  connected at longitudinally extending edge  150  to the longitudinally extending edge  73   a  of shell  34  at longitudinally extending connection  151 . Upper leg  145  is offset from lower leg  149  about junction  154  by inner angle  155 . Also, upper connection  148  is configured such that the plane  165  of upper leg  145  has an off-tangent angle  156  relative to a plane  164  tangent to surface  35  of shell  34  at connection  148 . However, in this embodiment side bar  119   a  includes three projections or spacers  152   a - 152   c . The middle and longest projection  152   a  extends from junction  154  and has an end bearing surface  153   a  that bears against outer surface  35  of shell  34 . Second and shorter projection  152   c  extends from upper leg  145  and has an end bearing surface  153   a  that bears against outer surface  35  of shell  34  closer to upper connection  148 . A third and shorter projection  152   b  extends from lower leg  149  towards outer surface  35  of shell  34  and has an end bearing surface  153   b  that bears against outer surface  35  of shell  34  closer to lower connection  151 . Projections  152   a - 152   c  are not welded to shell  34  and therefore are configured to float and to apply inward radial forces to shell  34  depending on loading conditions. Such multiple projections provide additional radial inwardly directed gasket forces being applied to shell  34  under optimal loading conditions when tapping sleeve  15  is tightened around the main conduit or pipe. 
         [0040]      FIG. 9  shows second alternative embodiment side bar  219   a . This third embodiment  219   a  includes upper leg  245  connected at longitudinally extending junction  254  to lower leg  249 , with upper leg  245  and lower leg  249  offset about junction  254  by inner angle  255 . Upper leg  245  is connected at upper end  246  to shell  34  at longitudinally extending welded connection  248  and lower leg  249  is in turn welded at its lower longitudinally extending end  250  to longitudinally extending edge  73   a  of shell  34  at longitudinally extending welded connection  251 . As shown, upper leg  245  is connected to shell  34  at attachment  248  so as to provide an off tangent angle  256 , representatively shown relative to the intersection of lines  264  and  265 , of less than about 30 degrees, and preferably less than about 10 degrees. However, in this embodiment, longitudinally extending rod  252   a  is tack welded to the inside arc of junction  254  between upper leg  245  and lower leg  249 . Thus, rod  252   a  extends longitudinally along the inside of junction  254  the length of side bar  291   a . Longitudinally extending inner surface  253   a  of rod  252   a  thereby bears against outer surface  35  of top shelf  34  under loaded conditions. Rod  252   a  is not welded directly to shell  34  and is thereby able to float relative to surface  35  of shell  34 . 
         [0041]    In alternative embodiment  319   a  shown in  FIG. 10 , two additional longitudinally extending intermediate rods  252   b  and  252   c  are tack welded to legs  249  and  245 , respectively. In particular, upper intermediate rod  252   c  is tack welded to the inside surface of upper leg  245  between junction  254  and connection  248 . Intermediate rod  252   b  is tack welded or otherwise attached to the inside surface of lower leg  249  between junction  254  and weld connection  251 . Rods  252   b  and  252   c  have a diameter that is less than the diameter of center rod  252   a.  Bearing surfaces  253   b  and  253   c  of rods  252   b  and  252   c , respectively, bear against outer surface  35  of upper shell  34  under certain loading conditions. As with the other embodiments, these longitudinally extending bearing rods provide compressive forces on shell  34  and underlying gasket  17  at intermediate positions to provide an improved seal when tapping sleeve  15  is tightened to the pipe. 
         [0042]      FIGS. 11-12  show a fourth alternative embodiment side bar  419   a . In this fourth embodiment  419   a , the sidebar and lugs are provided as a single unitary cast member having an inner radius of curvature  353  appropriate for the upper shell  34  outside diameter. As shown, side bar  419   a  includes upper leg  345  connected at longitudinally extending junction  354  to lower leg  349 , with upper leg  345  and lower leg  349  offset about junction  354  by inner angle  355 . Upper leg  345  is connected at the upper end of shell  34  at longitudinally extending welded connection  348  and lower leg  349  is in turn welded at its lower longitudinally extending end to longitudinally extending edge  73   a  of shell  34  at longitudinally extending welded connection  351 . As shown, upper leg  345  is connected to shell  34  at attachment  348  so as to provide an off tangent angle  356  of less than about 30 degrees, and preferably less than about 10 degrees. Curved longitudinally extending inner surface  353  of side bar  419   a  thereby bears against outer surface  35  of top shell  34  under loaded conditions. 
         [0043]    A number of alternative spacers or bearing units may be used. For example, multiple rods of varying diameters may be used. Furthermore, such spacers may have alternative cross sections and could be oval, square or polygonal. As a further alternative, the bearing unit or units may have a continuous curved surface, such as surface  353  of sidebar  419   a , having a curvature substantially similar to a corresponding curvature of outer surface  35  of shell  34 . 
         [0044]    The improved side bars provide a number of significant benefits. For example, as shown in  FIG. 11 , tightening nuts  20  on bolts  18  to load lugs  26  results in force vector  60 , which in turn produces force transfer vector  61  on sidebar  19  and upper attachment weld  48  that is predominantly tangent to surface  35  of top shell  34  at longitudinally extending connection  48 . Thus, in these embodiments, the resulting plane of the force transfer  61  in the upper leg,  45 ,  145 ,  245 ,  345 , of each sidebar,  19   a ,  119   a ,  219   a ,  319   a  and  419   a , respectively is in a direction offset from a plane tangent to upper shell  34  at the upper connection,  48 ,  148 ,  248  and  348 , by less than about 30 degrees and preferably less than about 10 degrees. In certain embodiments, such tangent offset is less than 5 degrees and may be 3 degrees or less. The radial outward component of this force vector at upper attachment  48  is thereby greatly reduced compared to prior art side bar designs. Tightening bolts  18   a - g  pulls down on lugs  26   a - g , making it want to rotate about the centroid of the side bar/shell cross section. This rotating moment is counteracted by the new tangent connections of the upper leg and lower leg to the shell. Thus, the movement about the upper connection point is reduced. These connections load the shell circumferentially instead of radially. The absence of an outwardly directed radial component of force maximizes the gasket loading of the sleeve to the gasket. The short inward facing bearing units places additional compressive forces on the sleeve and underlying gasket, thereby improving performance and the seal. 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIGS. 2-5 , side bar  19   b  on the left side of upper shell  34  is of the same design as side bar  19   a . Similarly, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , side bars  24   a  and  24   b  on lower shell  40  are of the same design as side bars  19   a  and  19   b,  just orientated upside down relative to side bars  19   a  and  19   b . Thus, with reference to  FIG. 3 , side bar  24   a  comprises lower leg  45   b  having longitudinally extending edge  46   b  connected to lower shell  40  at longitudinally extending connection  48   b  and upper leg  49   b  connected at longitudinally extending edge  50   b  to the longitudinally extending edge  74   a  of shell  40  at longitudinally extending connection  51   b . Lower leg  45   b  is offset from lower leg  49   b  about junction  54   b  by an inner angle greater than about 90 degrees and less than about 180 degrees, and preferably by less than about 120 degrees. Also, lower connection  48   b  is configured such that the plane of lower leg  45   b  has an off-tangent angle relative to a plane tangent to surface  35   b  of shell  40  at connection  48   b  of less than about 30 degrees, and preferably less than about 10 degrees. Side bar  24   b  is the same configuration as side bar  24   a , just proximate to the other longitudinal edge  74   b  of lower shell  40 . 
         [0046]    As shown, a series of upper lugs  26   a - g  are welded to lower leg  49  of upper right side bar  19   a , a series of lugs  25   a - g  are welded to upper left side bar  19   b , a series of lugs  28   a - g  are welded to upper leg  49   b  of right lower side bar  24   a , and a series of lugs  27   a - g  are welded to lower left side bar  24   b . These lugs and side bars provide the necessary clearance outside of shells  34  and  40  for bolts  18   a - n.  Threaded bolts  18   a - g  extend between lugs  26   a - g  and  28   a - g,  respectively, and threaded bolts  18   h - n  extend between lugs  25   h - n  and lugs  27   h - n , respectively. Corresponding nuts  20  are tightened on bolts  18  to draw opposed side bars  19   a  and  19   b  of top shell  34  and opposed side bars  24   a  and  24   b  of lower shell  40  together, thereby tightening sleeve  15  to the pipe. 
         [0047]    The top shell  34  to branch  29  attachment connection  44 , conventionally a welded lap joint, tended to stiffen a region of upper shell  34 , which limited deflection (radial flexure) in the vicinity of branch  29  as sleeve  15  was tightened to the fluid carrying pipe. With specially-configured side-bars  19  and  24  and lugs  25 - 28 , and by using a butt weld for connection  44 , this stiffened region is reduced and more flexible regions are provided, resulting in an improved seal as sleeve  15  is tightened to the fluid carrying pipe. Furthermore, with a size-on-size connection, cut-outs in side bars  24   a  and  24   b  are not needed around connection  44  to allow for side bars  24   a  and  24   b  to be connected to upper shell  34 . 
         [0048]    As shown, lugs  25 - 28  are specially configured to include moment reaction wings  96 ,  97  and U-shaped lug openings  92  and  93  in upper lugs  26  and  25 , with such openings being recessed or cut-away so that outer depth  98  of the opening is less than depth  99  closer to the side bar. Wings  96  and  97  engage lower shell  40  and thereby prevent the shell edges from creasing spanners  30  and  31 , respectively, and snagging the outer surface of the spanners. 
         [0049]    Upper lugs  26   a - g  have U-shaped lug openings  92  and upper lugs  25   a - g  have U-shaped lug-openings  93 . This is another factor in increasing the range of sleeve  15 . When used on a diameter pipe in the lower range, bolt  18  is more in alignment with lugs  25  and  27 . In a diameter pipe on the upper range, although bolts  18  are not as aligned with lugs  25  and  27 , because of U-shaped openings  92  and  93 , the bolt  18  passages between upper and lower shells  34  and  40  remain open and are not partially blocked by the pipe. Also, the bolt heads of bolts  18  and nuts  20  on bolts  18  are permitted to migrate towards axis x-x in both the maximum and minimum diameters of the nominal tapping sleeve range. 
         [0050]    In addition, lug openings  92  and  93  are recessed in depth near the bottom of the U, such that the outside depth  98  of the opening is less than the depth  99  closer to side bars. This allows bolts  18  to articulate in the respective lug opening, thereby permitting the hinging action, in which lower shell  40  is able to move in a hinged arc further away from the pipe. Thus, lugs  26  and  25  are configured such that bolts  18  can pivot in lug openings  92  and  93  relative to the mounting plates, such that shell  34  may engage the pipe and shell  40  may be moved from a first position substantially disengaged from the main fluid conduit to a second position engaging the main fluid conduit. 
         [0051]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , lugs  25 - 28  include moment reactions wings  96  and/or  97 . Lugs  26   a - c  are single tined, having a single downwardly extending outside left tine  96 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . Lugs  26   d - g  are also single tined, having a single downwardly extending outside right tine  97 . Opposing lugs  28   a - c  are also single tined, having an upwardly extending tine positioned on the other side of bolts  18   a - c,  respectively, to the single tines of lugs  26   a - c.  This orientation is switched with respect to lugs  26   d - g  and opposed lugs  28   d - g , as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0052]    While side bar  19   a  and lugs  26   a - g , for example, may be welded together, as an alternative they can be formed as a complete casting. In yet another alternative, four portions of side bar  19   a  and lugs  26   a - g  may be cast and then the four pieces welded at side bar joints to form the assembly part. As yet other alternatives, the side bars and lugs may be forged, extruded or molded to form a solid unitary piece. 
         [0053]    Connections  21   a  and  21   b  result in less stiffening of the longitudinal ends of shells  34  and  40  and thereby allow sleeve  15  to flex and actuate gasket  32  to form a tight seal when connections  21   a  and  21   b  are tightened. 
         [0054]    Near shell to branch transition  44 , top shell  34  behaves as a rigid body. Between branch transition  44  and upper shell  34  side bars  19   a  and  19   b , elastic bending occurs when bolts  18  are tightened. Also, elastic behavior of top shell  34  occurs at a distance from the body to branch transition  44 , providing gasket compression at main seal bead  22 . This elastic bending is utilized to energize specially configured gasket main seal  22 , which provides for gasket sealing on an increased range of fluid carrying pipe diameters for a given sleeve size. Thus, gasket seal  22  is thicker where shell  34  will flex to allow that flexure and the resulting conformance of sleeve  15  to the diameter of pipe  16 . Gasket seal  22  is thinner where shell  34  is more rigid and flexure is less likely to occur. The additional outlet seal bead thickness (stand off height) is also divided between the tapping sleeve shell side and the fluid carrying pipe side of the main matte sheet of the upper gasket to eliminate the potential for gasket rollover. 
         [0055]    The present invention contemplates that many changes and modifications may be made. Therefore, while forms of the improved tapping sleeve assembly has been shown and described, and a number of alternatives discussed, persons skilled in this art will readily appreciate that various additional changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, as defined and differentiated by the following claims.