Abstract:
A pipe homing tool includes a plurality of clamps each having a clamp cavity, a chain extending through the clamp cavity of each of the plurality of clamps and a binder engaging the chain and adapted to selectively shorten and lengthen the chain.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/410,200, filed Nov. 4, 2010 and entitled “PIPE HOMING TOOL AND METHOD”. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure generally relates to pipe homing tools and methods of using pipe homing tools. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a pipe homing tool which homes the joint ends of pipe members which are to be joined to each other and a method of using the pipe homing tool. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Piping is used in a variety of industries and can be used to convey fluids, cables and other objects or substances over long distances. For example, subterranean piping is commonly used in municipalities to convey potable water, sewage and cables. In cable-conveying applications, the distance across which the cable must be conveyed may exceed the length of a single pipe segment. Therefore, multiple pipe segments are designed in such a way as to be easily connected to one another to ensure that the assembled pipe traverses the required distance. 
     An example of a pipe segment which is used in municipal applications is known as a AWWA c900 pipe segment and is tapered at one end (known as the spigot end) and flared at the opposing end, forming an outer bell. The spigot end of an inner pipe segment is dimensioned to fit into the complementary outer bell of an adjoining outer pipe segment. In order to prevent leaks, ensure proper internal pipe pressure and prevent exposure to subterranean elements, a gasket lines a recess inside the outer bell. The gasket is shaped in such a way that when the spigot end of the inner pipe segment is inserted to a preferred depth within the outer bell of an adjacent outer pipe segment, the gasket deforms and seals the joint from exterior conditions. The depth at which the spigot end of the inner pipe segment is inserted into the outer bell of the outer pipe segment may be indicated with a stop mark on the surface of the inner pipe segment. The process of inserting the spigot end of the inner pipe segment to the preferred depth within the outer bell of the receiving outer pipe segment is referred to as homing the pipe. 
     If a pipe segment is improperly homed, proper sealing between the pipe segments may not occur. This may be costly to the contractors or municipalities who install the piping, as the improperly-homed pipe may require repair or replacement. One circumstance which can cause improper homing is environmental conditions. In general, since municipal piping is laid underground, a problem which arises when attempting to home a pipe is that the marker on the inner pipe gets covered with dirt, mud, or the like, thereby obscuring the marker. Once the marker cannot be seen, workers are no longer able to easily ensure that the inner pipe is properly homed. 
     What is desired is a tool and a method for ensuring that a pipe segment is properly and easily homed, regardless of marker visibility, so that the pipe segment may be properly homed for use in any weather or working conditions. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The disclosure is generally directed to a tool and method for homing pipe. 
     A first aspect of the disclosure provides a pipe homing tool which may include: 
     at least three clamps fabricated of a rigid material and defined by a proximal side wall, a distal side wall, a bottom face, a support rod, and a central cavity; 
     a chain; and 
     a binder able to apply tension to the chain, 
     wherein the chain passes through the central cavity of each clamp and is connected at either end to the binder. 
     In another aspect of the device, each clamp may be plastic. 
     In a further aspect of the pipe homing tool, the bottom face of the clamp may be shaped so as to immobilize each clamp against the surface of a pipe segment. 
     In another aspect of the pipe homing tool, the bottom face of each clamp may be fitted with multiple teeth. 
     In yet another aspect of the pipe homing tool, the bottom face of each clamp may include a configuration of spikes. 
     In yet another aspect of the pipe homing tool, the support rod may extend from the proximal side to the distal side at a height above the bottom face of each clamp such that the chain may be threaded through the support rod and the bottom face. 
     In a further aspect of the pipe homing tool, the tool may be used on a pipe having a surface, a spigot end at one end, an outer bell at the opposing end and a stop mark. 
     In another aspect of the pipe homing tool, the chain may be sufficiently long to substantially surround the spigot end of a pipe segment. 
     In another aspect of the pipe homing tool, the chain may be threaded through the central cavities of the clamps in such a way that the proximal side and bottom face of each clamp is aligned. 
     In another aspect of the pipe homing tool, the clamps and the chain may be placed around the spigot end of the pipe segment in such a manner that the bottom face of each clamp is in contact with the surface of the pipe and the proximal side of each clamp is aligned with the stop mark. 
     In yet another aspect of the pipe homing tool, both ends of the chain may be attached to the binder. 
     In another aspect of the pipe homing tool, the tension of the chain may be adjusted with a binder. 
     In another aspect of the pipe homing tool, the chain, the clamps and the binder may be removed from the pipe using a release mechanism. 
     In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for ensuring that a pipe is properly homed which comprises: 
     threading a chain through three or more clamps fabricated of a rigid material defined by a proximal side wall, a distal side wall, a bottom face, a support rod, and a central cavity in such a way that proximal side and bottom face of each clamp is aligned; 
     placing the chain and clamps around a spigot end of an inner pipe segment so that the bottom face of each clamp comes in contact with the surface of the inner pipe segment; 
     spacing the clamps evenly around the inner pipe segment; 
     attaching either end of the chain to a binder; 
     aligning the proximal side of each clamp to a spot mark on the spigot end of the inner pipe segment; 
     tightening the chain using the binder, 
     inserting the spigot end of the inner pipe segment into an outer bell of an outer pipe segment until the outer bell contacts the clamps; and 
     removing the chain, the clamps and the binder from the inner pipe segment. 
     These and other advantages of the disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, where like numerals denote like elements and in which: 
         FIG. 1  presents a perspective view of a clamp in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the pipe homing tool. 
         FIG. 2  presents a front view of the clamp as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  presents a bottom view of the clamp as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  presents a cross sectional view of the clamp as shown in  FIG. 1  with a chain passing under a support rod of the clamp. 
         FIG. 5  presents a side view of an inner pipe with a chain and multiple clamps around the circumference of the inner pipe in exemplary application of an illustrative embodiment of the pipe homing tool. 
         FIG. 6  presents a front view of the inner pipe with multiple clamps engaging an exterior surface of the pipe and a chain extending through the clamps in exemplary application of an illustrative embodiment of the pipe homing tool. 
         FIG. 7  presents a perspective view of an exemplary binder in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the pipe homing tool. 
         FIG. 8  presents a cross-sectional view of the binder as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  presents a cross-sectional view of a pipe joint in exemplary application of an illustrative embodiment of the pipe homing tool. 
         FIG. 10  presents a perspective view of the pipe joint as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  presents a side view of an exemplary binder in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the pipe homing tool, with a chain gear of the binder disengaging a chain of the pipe homing tool. 
         FIG. 12  presents a side view of an exemplary binder in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the pipe homing tool, with the chain gear of the binder engaging the chain of the pipe homing tool. 
         FIG. 13  presents a front view of the exemplary binder. 
         FIG. 14  presents a rear view of the exemplary binder. 
         FIG. 15  presents an exploded view of the exemplary binder. 
         FIG. 16  presents a left side view of a binder lever and chain gear with gear teeth of the exemplary binder. 
         FIG. 17  presents a right side view of the binder lever of the exemplary binder. 
         FIG. 18  presents an exploded perspective view of a gear mount bolt and bolt rod of the exemplary binder. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     Referring initially to  FIG. 6  of the drawings, an illustrative embodiment of a pipe homing tool is generally indicated by reference numeral  50 . As will be hereinafter described, the pipe homing tool  50  may be used to ensure that an inner pipe segment  300  is properly homed to facilitate adjoining of the pipe segment  300  to an adjacent outer pipe segment  500  ( FIG. 9 ). The pipe homing tool  50  may include multiple clamps  100 , at least one chain  200  which engages the clamps  100  and at least one binder  400  which engages the chain  200  and is operable to selectively tighten the chain  200  and secure the clamps  100  against the pipe segment  300 . In some embodiments, the pipe homing tool  50  may include four clamps  100 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 1-4  of the drawings, each clamp  100  may include a proximal side wall  102 , a distal side wall  104  which is spaced-apart with respect to the proximal side wall  102  and a connecting wall  105  which extends between and joins the proximal side wall  102  and the distal side wall  104 . In some embodiments the proximal side wall  102 , the distal side wall  104  and the connecting wall  105  may be generally elongated, as illustrated. The connecting wall  105  may have a clamp bottom face  110 . A clamp cavity  108  may be defined by and between the proximal side wall  102  and the distal side wall  104 . At least one transverse clamp support rod  106  may traverse the clamp cavity  108  between the proximal side wall  102  and the distal side wall  104  at a spacing of at least “H” ( FIG. 4 ) with respect to the connecting wall  105 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the spacing “H” may correspond to the thickness of the chain  200 . The clamp cavity  108  may be sized and dimensioned to accommodate the chain  200 . In some embodiments, each clamp  100  may be plastic; however, it is understood that in other embodiments the clamp  100  may be metal, composite material and/or any other suitable rigid material. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , in some embodiments, multiple clamp teeth  112  may be provided in the clamp bottom face  110  of the connecting wall  105  of each clamp  100 . The clamp teeth  112  may be oriented in parallel relationship with respect to a longitudinal axis of the connecting wall  105 . In application of the pipe homing tool  50 , which will be hereinafter described, the clamp teeth  112  engage the exterior surface of the pipe segment  300  ( FIG. 5 ) to immobilize the clamp  100  with respect to the pipe segment  300 . While depicted in the drawings as multiple adjacent rows of teeth  112 , it is understood that in some embodiments multiple spikes (not illustrated) and/or other structural elements may be provided on the clamp bottom face  110  for the purpose. 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 7 ,  8  and  11 - 15  of the drawings, an exemplary binder  400  of the pipe homing tool  50  may include a binder housing  402 . In some embodiments, the binder housing  402  may include a pair of generally elongated, parallel, spaced-apart binder housing sidewalls  410 . A binder housing connecting wall  412  may extend between and join the binder housing sidewalls  410  to each other. A binder housing interior  414  may be defined by and between the binder housing sidewalls  410  and the binder housing connecting wall  412 . 
     A chain gear  406  having gear teeth  407  may be journaled for rotation between the binder housing sidewalls  410  in the binder housing interior  414  of the binder housing  402 . As shown in  FIG. 15 , in some embodiments, a gear mount bolt  426  may be extended through registering gear mount bolt openings (not illustrated) in the respective binder housing sidewalls  410  of the binder housing  402  and through a registering bolt opening (not illustrated) in the chain gear  406 . A securing nut  427  may be threaded on the gear mount bolt  426 . A generally elongated binder lever  404  may extend from the chain gear  406  and protrude from the binder housing interior  414  of the binder housing  402 . 
     In some embodiments, the binder  400  may include a ratchet mechanism  416 . The ratchet mechanism  416  may include a ratchet plate  417  which has ratchet plate teeth  418  and is provided on the gear mount bolt  416 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the ratchet plate  417  may be disposed outside one of the binder housing sidewalls  410  of the binder housing  402 . As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the gear mount bolt  426  may have at least one elongated key slot  428 . A ratchet key  429  may be seated in each key slot  428 . The ratchet key  428  may engage the ratchet plate  417  at a key notch (not illustrated) in the ratchet plate  417 , for example and without limitation. Accordingly, the ratchet plate  417  moves with the rotating chain gear  406  as the binder lever  404  is pivoted or rotated in the binder housing interior  414  of the binder housing  402 . A pawl  420  having pawl teeth  421  may be pivotally attached to one of the binder housing sidewalls  410  via a pivot bolt  422 . Therefore, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the pawl teeth  421  of the pawl  420  disengage the ratchet plate teeth  418  of the ratchet plate  417  to facilitate free rotation of the chain gear  406  in the binder housing  402 . As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the pawl teeth  421  of the pawl  420  engage the ratchet plate teeth  418  of the ratchet plate  417  to prevent rotation of the chain gear  406  in the binder housing  402 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , in some embodiments, the chain  200  may have a chain fixed end  201  and a chain free end  202  which is opposite the chain fixed end  201 . The chain fixed end  201  may be affixed to the binder housing connecting wall  412  or other component of the binder housing  402  at a chain connection point  408 . As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the gear teeth  407  of the chain gear  406  mesh with the chain free end  202  of the chain  200 . Accordingly, as the binder lever  404  is pivoted or rotated in the binder housing interior  414  of the binder  400 , the chain gear  406  rotates in the direction in which the binder lever  404  is pivoted or rotated. As the chain gear  406  rotates, the gear teeth  407  are progressively introduced into subsequent chain link cavities  204  ( FIG. 7 ) of the chain  200 , thereby advancing the chain  200  through the binder housing interior  414 . Thus, the binder  400  progressively shortens or tightens the chain  200 . The pawl teeth  421  of the pawl  420  engages the ratchet teeth  418  of the ratchet plate  417  to prevent rotation of the chain gear  406  and linear movement of the chain  200  in the opposite direction. In alternative embodiments, the binder  400  may include a winch, geared screw or any other mechanism which is suitable to adjust the tension of the chain  200 . These alternative embodiments of the binder  400  may require that both the chain fixed end  201  and the chain free end  202  of the chain  200  be fixed or free. 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 4-6 ,  9  and  10  of the drawings, in exemplary application, the pipe homing tool  50  may be used to ensure that an inner pipe segment  300  is properly homed to facilitate adjoining of the inner pipe segment  300  to an adjacent outer pipe segment  500  ( FIG. 9 ). As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the inner pipe segment  300  may have a spigot end  302  and a stop mark  304  which is spaced-apart from the spigot end  302 . The stop mark  304  defines the depth to which the spigot end  302  is to be inserted into an outer bell  502  ( FIG. 9 ) of the outer pipe segment  500  for proper homing of the inner pipe segment  300 , as will be hereinafter described. 
     The chain free end  202  ( FIG. 7 ) of the chain  200  is threaded through the clamp cavity  108  ( FIG. 4 ) of each of the multiple clamps  100  and the binder housing interior  414  of the binder housing  402  of the binder  400 . Care may be taken to ensure that no twists are present in the chain  200 . As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the chain  200  meshes with the gear teeth  407  on the chain gear  406  in the binder housing interior  414  of the binder  400 . Accordingly, the chain  200  can be advanced through the binder housing  402  of the binder  400  and through the clamp cavity  108  ( FIG. 4 ) of each clamp  100  by pivoting the binder lever  404  in the binder housing interior  414  of the binder housing  402 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the clamps  100  and the chain  200  are draped around the circumference of the pipe  300 . The clamps  100  are then evenly spaced around the pipe  300  on the chain  200  and aligned with respect to the pipe  300  such that the proximal side wall  102  of each clamp  100  is aligned with the stop mark  304  ( FIG. 5 ), the distal side wall  104  of each clamp  100  is spaced-apart from the spigot end  302  of the inner pipe segment  300  and the clamp bottom face  110  of each clamp  100  disposed in contact with the exterior surface of the pipe  300 . 
     The chain  200  is next tensioned by pivoting the binder lever  404  in the binder housing interior  414  of the binder  400  until the clamps  100  are tightened and become immobilized against the exterior surface of the inner pipe segment  300 . Once the clamps  100  are immobilized, the spigot end  302  of the inner pipe segment  300  is inserted into the companion outer bell  502  of the receiving outer pipe segment  500 , thereby forming a pipe joint  600  ( FIG. 10 ) between the inner pipe segment  300  and the outer pipe segment  500 . The inner pipe segment  300  may be inserted into the outer pipe segment  500  until the clamps  100  of the pipe housing tool  50  contact the outer bell  502  of the outer pipe segment  500 . At this point, a gasket  504  ( FIG. 9 ) may form a seal between the inner pipe segment  300  and the outer pipe segment  500  and the inner pipe segment  300  is properly homed. Upon completion of the homing operation, the chain  200  may be released from the binder  400  and the clamps  100 , the chain  200 , and the binder  400  may be removed from the pipe  300 . 
     Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalence.