Patent Description:
This section provides background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the invention. It should be understood that the statements in this section of this document are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art. <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> disclose examples of the related art.

When pipes and hoses are under pressure, an unintentional disconnect can have devastating consequences. There is a tendency for these hoes and pipes to whip around uncontrollably as pressure is released from them after a disconnect. A whipping hose or pipe can cause damage to personnel and equipment. Limiting movement of a disconnected hose or pipe may help to create a safer workplace for personnel and limit damage to nearby equipment.

According to the invention as defined in claim <NUM>, there is provided a method of controlling hoses and pipes. A hose or pipe is provided that has at least three segments. Each of the at least three segments has a pair of connection ends and a hollow body having a fluid channel. The at least three segments are attached by the pair of connection ends to create a joint such that the fluid channels of each of the at least three segments are in fluid communication. An elongate tether is positioned across each joint. Each of the elongate tethers has a first end and a second end. The first end of the elongate tether is attached to one of the segments adjacent the joint and the second end of the elongate tether is attached to an adjacent segment adjacent the joint. A further elongate tether is provided. The further elongate tether anchors at least one of the at least one elongate tethers to a first anchoring structure, the further elongate tether being attached to the at least one elongate tether and the first anchoring structure.

A zipper line is provided. The zipper line has a first end connected to the first anchoring structure and a second end connected to a second anchoring structure. The zipper line is attachable to each of the elongate tethers attached to the at least three segments. The zipper line is connected to the first anchoring structure independently of the further elongate tether connected to the first anchoring structure.

Preferred features of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

In one embodiment, the zipper line is attached to each of the elongate tethers by carabiners.

In one embodiment, the zipper line is made up of at least two zipper segments.

In one embodiment, the at least two zipper line segments may be connected together in an end to end relation.

In another embodiment, the at least two zipper line segments have a first end connected to one of the elongate tethers and a second end connected to either the first anchoring structure, the second anchoring structure, or a different elongate tether positioned on the hose or pipe.

In one embodiment, the first end of each of the elongate tethers and the second end of each of the elongate tethers are positioned equidistant from the joint which the elongate tether crosses.

In one embodiment, the first end of each of the elongate tethers has a first loop.

In one embodiment, the first end of the elongate tether is attached to the hose or pipe by passing the second end of the elongate tether through the first loop to create a tightenable loop around the hose or pipe.

In one embodiment, the second end of the elongate tether has a second loop. The second loop may be an adjustable eye loop.

In one embodiment, the second loop is attached to the hose or pipe by wrapping the second loop around the hose or pipe and connecting the second loop back to the elongate tether.

In one embodiment, the zipper line is connected to the first anchoring structure and the second anchoring structure by a choke hitch or basket choke.

According to the invention, at least one of the elongate tethers is connected to the first anchoring structure.

In one embodiment, at least one of the elongate tethers is connected to the first anchoring structure using a choke hitch or a basket choke.

In one embodiment, at least one of the elongate tethers is connected to the second anchoring structure.

In one embodiment at least one of the elongate tethers is connected to the second anchoring structure using a choke hitch or a basket choke.

These and other features will become more apparent from the following description in which references are made to the following drawings, in which numerical references denote like parts. The drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to in any way limit the scope of the invention to the particular embodiments shown.

A method of controlling hoses and pipes under pressure will now be described with reference to <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, a hose or pipe <NUM> that is made up of at least three segments 14a, 14b, and 14c. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, three segments 14a, 14b, and 14c are illustrated, however it will be understood by a person skilled in the art that hose or pipe <NUM> may be made of any number of segments. The number of segments may be determined by the length and width of hose or pipe <NUM>. Each segment 14a, 14b, and 14c, has a pair of connection ends 16a, 16b, and 16c, respectively. Segments 14a, 14b, and 14c are attached at connection ends 16a, 16b, and 16c to create joints 22a and 22b. When attached, segments 14a, 14b, and 14c are connected such that fluid channels 20a, 20b and 20c are in fluid communication with each other.

Referring to <FIG>, an elongate tether <NUM> has a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM>. Elongate tether <NUM> may be a synthetic rope or may be made of any other suitable material known to a person skilled in the art. Elongate tether <NUM> should have a tensile strength that can withstand the forces applied to it in the event of a disconnect. It will be understood that the tensile strength required will be different depending upon the amount of pressure of fluid within hose or pipe <NUM>. A person of skill will be able to calculate the tensile strength required based upon the amount of pressure of fluid within hose or pipe <NUM>. Elongate tether <NUM> is relatively short in length with a preferred length of <NUM> to <NUM> inches ( <NUM> inch = <NUM>). In one embodiment, elongate tether is <NUM> inches in length. Referring to <FIG>, this short length helps to limit movement of segments 14a, 14b, and 14c of hose or pipe <NUM> away from each other. In addition, the short length provides greater strength to elongate tether <NUM>. It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that different lengths of elongate tether <NUM> may be used.

Referring to <FIG>, elongate tethers <NUM> are positioned across each joint 22a and 22b and act to hold adjacent segments 14a and 14b or 14b and 14c in close proximity to each other in the event of a disconnect. This helps to limit movement during a disconnect and help to reduce or prevent damage or injury due to the chaotic motion of disconnected segments. In the embodiment shown, first end 26a of elongate tether 24a is attached to one of the segments 14a adjacent joint 22a and second end 28a of elongate tether 24a is attached to adjacent segment 14b adjacent joint 22a. A second elongate tether 24b is positioned across joint 22b. First end 26b of elongate tether 24b is attached to one of the segments 14b adjacent joint 22b and second end 28b of elongate tether 24b is attached to adjacent segment 14c adjacent joint 22b.

Referring to <FIG>, first end <NUM> of elongate tether <NUM> is attached to segment 14a of hose or pipe <NUM> adjacent joint 22a. In the embodiment shown, first end <NUM> forms a first loop <NUM>. First end <NUM> is attached to hose or pipe <NUM> by passing second end <NUM> of elongated tether <NUM> through first loop <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, to create loop <NUM> that is slid over connection end 16a and placed around hose or pipe <NUM>. It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that first end <NUM> of elongate tether <NUM> may be attached in any other way known to a person skilled in the art. After first end <NUM> of elongate tether <NUM> is attached to hose or pipe <NUM>, second end <NUM> of elongate tether <NUM> is attached to segment 14b of hose or pipe <NUM> adjacent joint 22a. In the embodiment shown, second end <NUM> is a second loop <NUM>. Second end <NUM> may be attached to segment 14b of hose or pipe <NUM> by sliding second loop <NUM> over connection end 16b and placing it around hose or pipe <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, second loop <NUM> is an adjustable eye loop that can be tightened or loosening by sliding elongate tether <NUM> through a binding, not shown. It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that second loop <NUM> may be adjusted in any other fashion known to a person skilled in the art. Other methods of attaching first loop <NUM> and second loop <NUM> will be known to persons skilled in the art. As an example only, second end <NUM> is attached to segment 14b of hose or pipe <NUM> by wrapping second loop <NUM> around hose or pipe <NUM> and connecting second loop <NUM> back to elongate tether <NUM>. This effectively creates a loop around hose or pipe <NUM>. Connecting second loop <NUM> back to elongate tether <NUM> may be done using a carabiner, a tie or any other type of connector known to a person skilled in the art. It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that second end <NUM> of elongate tether <NUM> may be attached in any other way known to a person skilled in the art. Second end <NUM> is tightened around hose or pipe <NUM>.

To help limit movement of segments 14a, 14b, and 14c of hose or pipe <NUM> away from each other, slack is removed from elongate tether <NUM> after connection between adjacent segments of hose are made. This is accomplished by loosening first loop <NUM> and/or second loop <NUM> and moving them away from each other. After slack has been removed, it is preferable that first loop <NUM> and second loop <NUM> be retightened around hose or pipe <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, first end <NUM> and second end <NUM> of elongate tether <NUM> are positioned substantially equidistant from joint 22a which is created when segments 14a and 14b are connected together.

Referring to <FIG>, a zipper line <NUM> is provided to create redundancy in control measures. Zipper line <NUM> has a first end <NUM> connected to a first anchoring structure 38a and a second end <NUM> connected to a second anchoring structure 38b. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, zipper line <NUM> is anchored using a basket choke <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, basket choke <NUM> is created using a second elongate tether or zipper line <NUM> that has a first loop <NUM> and a second loop <NUM>. Second elongate tether or zipper line <NUM> is wrapped twice around anchoring structure <NUM>. First loop <NUM> and second loop <NUM> are attached to zipper line <NUM> through the use of a connector, not shown. Connector may be a carabiner, or any other suitable connector known to a person skilled in the art. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, zipper line <NUM> is anchored using a choke hitch <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, choke hitch <NUM> is created using a second elongate tether or zipper line <NUM> that has a first loop <NUM> and a second loop <NUM>. Second elongate tether or zipper line <NUM> is wrapped around anchoring structure <NUM> and first loop <NUM> is passed through second loop <NUM> to create choke hitch <NUM>. First loop <NUM> of second elongate tether <NUM> is attached to elongate tether <NUM> through the use of a connector, not shown. Connector may be a carabiner, or any other suitable connector known to a person skilled in the art. In the embodiment shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, first end <NUM> and second end <NUM> have loops <NUM> and <NUM> that are connected to first anchoring structure 38a and second anchoring structure 38b. Simple loops <NUM> and <NUM> may be used where anchoring structures 38a and 38b allow for this simple type of attachment, however in most cases it is more practical to use a basket choke or choke hitch.

Referring to <FIG>, zipper line <NUM> is attachable to each elongate tether 24a and 24b attached to segments 14a, 14b, and 14c of hose or pipe <NUM>. Zipper line <NUM> may be attached to each elongate tether <NUM> by carabiner, tie, knot, or any other suitable mechanism known to a person skilled in the art. It will be understood that zipper line <NUM> may be positioned above or below pipe <NUM>. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, zipper line <NUM> may be a single line extending the entire distance between first anchoring structure 38a and second anchoring structure 38b. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, zipper line is made up of three zipper line segments 58a, 58b, and 58c. It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that any number of segments may be used. Using shorter zipper line segments can allow zipper line <NUM> to be tauter, which results in greater control during the disconnect of segments of hose or pipe <NUM>.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, zipper line segments 58a, 58b, and 58c may be connected in end to end relation to create a continuous zipper line <NUM> using carabiners, clevis, or any other method known to a person skilled in the art. Zipper line segment 58a is attached to first anchoring structure 38a and zipper line segment 58b. Zipper line segment 58b is attached to zipper line segments 58a and 58c. Zipper line segment 58c is attached to zipper line segment 58b and second anchoring structure 38b. Zipper line segment 58a is connected to elongate tethers <NUM> positioned across joints 22a, 22b, and 22c. Zipper line segment 58b is connected to elongate tethers <NUM> positioned across joints 22d, 22e, and 22f and zipper line segment 58c is connected to elongate tethers <NUM> positioned across joints <NUM>, <NUM>, and 22i.

In addition to anchoring zipper line <NUM> to anchoring structures 38a and 38b, at least one of elongate tethers <NUM> is also anchored to anchoring structures 38a or 38b. Elongate tethers <NUM> may also be attached to each other to provide additional control in the event of a hose or pipe disconnect. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, elongate tether <NUM> is anchored using a choke hitch. In the embodiment shown, choke hitch is created using a second elongate tether <NUM> that has a first loop <NUM> and a second loop <NUM>. Second elongate tether <NUM> is wrapped around anchoring structure <NUM> and first loop <NUM> is passed through second loop <NUM> to create choke hitch. First loop <NUM> of second elongate tether <NUM> is attached to elongate tether <NUM> through the use of a connector <NUM>. Connector <NUM> may be a carabiner, or any other suitable connector known to a person skilled in the art. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, elongate tether <NUM> is anchored using a basket choke. In the embodiment shown, basket choke is created using a second elongate tether <NUM> that has a first loop <NUM> and a second loop <NUM>. Second elongate tether <NUM> is wrapped twice around anchoring structure <NUM>. First loop <NUM> and second loop <NUM> are attached to elongate tether <NUM> through the use of a connector <NUM>. Connector <NUM> may be a carabiner, or any other suitable connector known to a person skilled in the art.

Any use herein of any terms describing an interaction between elements is not meant to limit the interaction to direct interaction between the subject elements, and may also include indirect interaction between the elements such as through secondary or intermediary structure unless specifically stated otherwise.

In this patent document, the word "comprising" is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article "a" does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.

Claim 1:
A method of controlling hoses and pipes (<NUM>) comprising the steps of:
providing a hose or pipe (<NUM>) having at least three segments (14a, 14b, 14c), the at least three segments (14a, 14b, 14c) each having a pair of connection ends (16a, 16b, 16c) and a hollow body having a fluid channel (20a, 20b, 20c), the at least three segments (14a, 14b, 14c) being attached by the pair of connection ends (16a, 16b, 16c) to create a joint (22a, 22b) such that the fluid channels (20a, 20b, 20c) of each of the at least three segments (14a, 14b, 14c) are in fluid communication;
positioning an elongate tether (<NUM>) across each of the joints (22a, 22b), each of the elongate tethers (<NUM>) having a first end (<NUM>) and a second end (<NUM>), the first end (<NUM>) of the elongate tether (<NUM>) being attached to one of the segments (14a, 14b, 14c) adjacent the joint (22a, 22b) and the second end (<NUM>) of the elongate tether (<NUM>) being attached to an adjacent segment (14a, 14b, 14c) adjacent the joint (22a, 22b), anchoring at least one of the at least one elongate tethers (<NUM>) to a first anchoring structure (38a) using a further elongate tether (<NUM>), the further elongate tether (<NUM>) being attached to at least one elongate tether (<NUM>) and the first anchoring structure (38a); and
providing a zipper line (<NUM>), the zipper line (<NUM>) having a first end (<NUM>) connected to the first anchoring structure (38a) and a second end (<NUM>) connected to a second anchoring structure (38b), the zipper line (<NUM>) being attachable to each of the elongate tethers (<NUM>) attached to the at least three segments (14a, 14b, 14c),
the method characterized by the zipper line (<NUM>) being connected to the first anchoring structure (38a) independently of the further elongate tether (<NUM>) connected to the first anchoring structure (38a).