Abstract:
A device comprising an adjustable band configured to be installed around a pipe and a locking assembly disposed on the adjustable band.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to pipe fittings, and more specifically to a lock band that can be used to secure two pipes together. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Piping can include male and female fittings, where the male fitting can be inserted into the female fitting in order to form a joint. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A device comprising a band configured to be installed around a pipe is disclosed, with a locking assembly disposed on the band that locks to a pipe joint assembly. 
         [0004]    Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    Aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a diagram of a dual lock band in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a diagram of a unitary lock band with a hooked attachment in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a diagram of a unitary lock band with a lanced clip in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a diagram of a dual lock band installed on a pipe fitting in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a diagram of a unitary lock band with a hooked attachment installed on a pipe fitting in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a diagram of a unitary lock band with a lanced clip installed on a pipe fitting in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    In the description that follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference numerals. The drawing figures might not be to scale and certain components can be shown in generalized or schematic form and identified by commercial designations in the interest of clarity and conciseness. 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a diagram of a dual lock band  100  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Dual lock band  100  can be made from metal, plastic or other suitable materials. 
         [0014]    Dual lock band  100  includes adjustable bands  102 , which are configured to be placed on adjacent pipe segments that have been mated to form a joint. Adjustable bands  102  are fed through lock band straps  104 , which hold the adjustable bands  102  in a predetermined relationship, so as to secure the adjacent pipe segments. In one exemplary embodiment, a pipe segment with a female pipe fitting will include a flare that increases the outer diameter of the pipe end, and the male pipe fitting can be placed inside of the female pipe fitting to form a joint. Dual lock band  100  can be installed on the male and female pipe ends after the joint is formed, and prevents the male and female pipe segments from separation. Although adjustable bands are shown and described both here and throughout the application, a band that is not adjustable can also or alternatively be used, where suitable. 
         [0015]    Dual lock band  100  can be manufactured from metal bands, which are machined to form a number of slots  110  along the length of the metal band. A lock assembly  106  can be secured to one end of the metal band, and can include a slot for receiving the other end of the metal band. A locking mechanism (not explicitly shown) within lock assembly  106  is then inserted into one or more of slots  110 , and screw  108  the lock mechanism to secure lock assembly  106  to the metal band. Prior to inserting the metal band into lock assembly  106 , the metal band is inserted through lock band straps  104 . In one exemplary embodiment, a hose clamp assembly can be used for adjustable bands  102 . Lock band straps  104  can be made from plastic or metal, although a durable and flexible plastic can be used to improve the ease of assembly without detracting from the reliability of dual lock band  100 . Each lock band strap  104  includes four slots  112 , with two slots disposed on either end and configured to allow adjustable band  102  to be threaded through each slot as shown, so as to secure lock band strap  104  to each adjustable band  102 . Although two slots are shown, a single slot or other suitable numbers of slots can also or alternatively be used. 
         [0016]    In operation, dual lock band  100  provides a mechanism for securely and reliably ensuring that two pipes at a pipe joint will remain jointed. Dual lock band  100  can be readily manufactured and assembled on site prior to forming a pipe joint. 
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a diagram of a unitary lock band  200  with a hooked attachment in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Unitary lock band  200  includes three attachments  202 , which each include clip  206  that secures attachment  202  to adjustable band  102 , and hook  204  that hooks to an edge of the female pipe fitting, such as a gasket bead or other suitable edges. Attachment  202  includes a bend  208  that is provided to allow attachment  200  to clip over the female pipe fitting. In this exemplary embodiment, unitary lock band  200  can be placed on the male pipe fitting before or after the pipe joint is formed. Although unitary lock band  200  is shown with adjustable band  102 , lock assembly  106  and screw  108 , unitary lock band  200  can alternatively be a solid band that fits over the end of the male pipe fitting prior to forming the joint, such as a metal band, a plastic band, a composite band, a fiberglass band or a band formed of other suitable materials, and attachment  202  can be fitted onto unitary lock band  200  prior to assembly on the pipe fitting. Likewise, unitary lock band  200  can be manufactured in place on a pipe fitting where suitable, or other suitable configurations can also or alternatively be implemented. 
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a diagram of a unitary lock band  300  with a lanced clip in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Unitary lock band  300  includes three attachments  302 , which can each be welded or otherwise secured to adjustable band  102 . Lance  304  is formed in attachment  302 , such as by lancing, punching or my otherwise causing part of attachment  302  to extend outwards from bent portion  306 . In this exemplary embodiment, unitary lock band  300  can be placed on the male pipe fitting before or after the pipe joint is formed. Although unitary lock band  300  is shown with adjustable band  102 , lock assembly  106  and screw  108 , unitary lock band  300  can alternatively be a solid band that fits over the end of the male pipe fitting prior to forming the joint, such as a metal band, a plastic band, a composite band, a fiberglass band or a band formed of other suitable materials, and attachment  302  can be welded onto unitary lock band  300  prior to assembly on the pipe fitting. Likewise, unitary lock band  300  can be manufactured in place on a pipe fitting where suitable, or other suitable configurations can also or alternatively be implemented. 
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is a diagram of a dual lock band  100  installed on a pipe fitting  400  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 4 , adjustable bands  102  of dual lock band  100  are disposed on either side of the joint formed by female pipe fitting  402  and male pipe fitting  404  (shown transparent). In this manner, female pipe fitting  402  and male pipe fitting  404  cannot separate as long as dual lock band  100  remains in place and operational. Adjustable bands  102  can be installed on female pipe fitting  402  and male pipe fitting  404  after the joint is formed. 
         [0020]      FIG. 5  is a diagram of a unitary lock band  200  with a hooked attachment installed on a pipe fitting  500  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 5 , adjustable band  102  of unitary lock band  200  is disposed on the male pipe fitting of the joint formed by female pipe fitting  502  and male pipe fitting  504  (shown transparent), and hook  204  is placed over female pipe fitting  502 . Bend  206  is used to ensure that attachment  202  can fit over female pipe fitting  502 . In this manner, female pipe fitting  502  and male pipe fitting  504  cannot separate as long as unitary lock band  200  remains in place and operational. Adjustable band  102  can be installed on male pipe fitting  504  after the joint is formed. Alternatively, a non-adjustable band can be installed on male pipe fitting  504  before the joint is formed, and attachment  202  can be clipped on the non-adjustable band before or after the joint is formed. 
         [0021]      FIG. 6  is a diagram of a unitary lock band  300  with a lanced clip installed on a pipe fitting  600  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 5 , adjustable band  102  of unitary lock band  300  is disposed on the male pipe fitting of the joint formed by female pipe fitting  602  and male pipe fitting  604  (shown transparent), and protrusion  304  is placed over female pipe fitting  602 . Bend  306  is used to ensure that attachment  302  can fit over female pipe fitting  602 . In this manner, female pipe fitting  602  and male pipe fitting  604  cannot separate as long as unitary lock band  300  remains in place and operational. Adjustable band  102  can be installed on male pipe fitting  604  after the joint is formed. Alternatively, a non-adjustable band can be installed on male pipe fitting  604  before the joint is formed, and attachment  302  can be welded on the non-adjustable band before or after the joint is formed. 
         [0022]    It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely examples of possible implementations. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the principles of the present disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.