Pipe coupling methods

Abstract

A pipe coupling method includes an inlet insert, a clamping ring, a clamp and the forming of a flange on an end of two adjacent pipes. A clamping ring is sized to receive the flanges. The inlet insert is sized to be inserted into first and second pipes. The clamp is placed over the clamping ring. The clamp is tightened to secure the two pipes. A second embodiment of the pipe coupling method includes an inlet insert, and a pair of latch clamps for joining a pipe to a sprinkler pipe. A third embodiment of the pipe coupling method includes an inlet insert, two collars, a peripheral clamp and enlarging a perimeter of two coupled pipes. A fourth embodiment of the pipe coupling method includes an inlet insert, an inlet insert, a clamp and enlarging a perimeter of two coupled pipes.

1 . A method of coupling two adjacent pipes, comprising the steps of: 
 forming a first flange on the end of the first pipe;    forming a second flange on the end of the second pipe;    providing an inlet insert that is inserted into inlets of the first and second pipes; and    capturing the first and second flanges and said inlet insert with a clamp, coupling the first and second pipes by closing said clamp.    
   
   
       2 . The method of coupling two adjacent pipes of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of: 
 providing a clamping ring having an inner groove, said inner groove being sized to receive said first and second flanges.    
   
   
       3 . The method of coupling two adjacent pipes of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of: 
 forming at least one first sealing groove in a first end of said inlet insert and forming at least one second sealing groove in a second end of said inlet insert.    
   
   
       4 . The method of coupling two adjacent pipes of  claim 2 , further comprising the step of: 
 providing said clamp with at least one clamp body and means for securing said clamp body around said clamping ring, each one of said at least one clamp body including a U-shaped cross section, said U-shaped cross section being sized to receive said clamping ring.    
   
   
       5 . The method of coupling two adjacent pipes of  claim 3 , further comprising the step of: 
 providing a sealing member which is sized to be received by each said sealing groove, each said sealing member providing a seal between said inlet insert and the first pipe or the second pipe.    
   
   
       6 . The method of coupling two adjacent pipes of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of: 
 forming a first taper on an inner perimeter of said inlet insert at a first end thereof and forming a second taper on an inner perimeter of said inlet insert at a second end thereof.    
   
   
       7 . The method of coupling two adjacent pipes of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of: 
 forming a peripheral projection around said inlet insert.    
   
   
       8 . The method of coupling two adjacent pipes of  claim 7 , further comprising the step of: 
 providing said peripheral projection with a first angled face and a second angled face, said first and second angled faces being sized to receive said first and second flanges.    
   
   
       9 . The method of coupling two adjacent pipes of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of: 
 forming a first flare on the first pipe, extending said first flange from an end of said first flare, forming a second flare on the second pipe, extending said second flange from an end of second flare.    
   
   
       10 . The method of coupling two adjacent pipes of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of: 
 providing said clamp with a first clamp body, a second clamp body and a draw fastener, pivotally connecting one end of said first clamp body and said second clamp body, drawing the other ends of said first clamp body and said clamp body together with said draw fastener.    
   
   
       11 . A method of coupling a pipe and a sprinkler pipe, comprising the steps of: 
 providing an inlet insert that is inserted into inlets of the pipe and the sprinkler pipe;    providing a seal between said inlet insert and one of the pipe and the sprinkler pipe;    attaching a retention tab to one of the pipe and the sprinkler pipe; and    attaching pivotally a latch to one of the sprinkler pipe and the pipe, engaging said latch with said retention tab to couple the pipe and the sprinkler pipe.    
   
   
       12 . A method of coupling a pipe and a sprinkler pipe of  claim 11 , comprising the steps of: 
 forming at least one first sealing groove in a first end of said inlet insert and forming at least one second sealing groove in a second end of said inlet insert.    
   
   
       13 . A method of coupling a pipe and a sprinkler pipe of  claim 12 , comprising the steps of: 
 providing a sealing member which is sized to be received by each said sealing groove, each said sealing member providing a seal between said inlet insert and the pipe or the sprinkler pipe.    
   
   
       14 . A method of coupling a pipe and a sprinkler pipe of  claim 11 , comprising the steps of: 
 forming a peripheral projection around said inlet insert.    
   
   
       15 . A method of coupling a pipe and a sprinkler pipe of  claim 11 , comprising the steps of: 
 fabricating the sprinkler pipe by attaching a boss to a wall of a pipe, taping the boss to threadably receive a fitting.    
   
   
       16 . A method of coupling two adjacent pipes, comprising the steps of: 
 sliding a first end collar over an end of a first pipe and forming a first flange on an end of the first pipe;    sliding a second end collar over an end of a second pipe and forming a second flange on the end of the second pipe;    providing an inlet insert that is inserted into inlets of the first and second pipes; and    capturing the first and second collars, the first and second flanges and said inlet insert with a clamp, coupling the first and second pipes by closing said clamp.    
   
   
       17 . The method of coupling two adjacent pipes of  claim 16 , further comprising the step of: 
 expanding the end of the first pipe before sliding on said first end collar and expanding the end of the second pipe before sliding on said second end collar    
   
   
       18 . The method of coupling two adjacent pipes of  claim 16 , further comprising the step of: 
 forming at least one first sealing groove in an inner perimeter of the first pipe and forming at least one second sealing groove in an inner perimeter of the second pipe.    
   
   
       19 . The method of coupling two adjacent pipes of  claim 18 , further comprising the step of: 
 providing a sealing member which is sized to be received by each said sealing groove, each said sealing member providing a seal between said inlet insert and the first pipe or the second pipe.    
   
   
       20 . The method of coupling two adjacent pipes of  claim 16 , further comprising the step of: 
 forming a peripheral projection around said inlet insert.    
   
   
       21 . The method of coupling two adjacent pipes of  claim 20 , further comprising the step of: 
 providing said clamp with at least one clamp body and means for securing said clamp body around said first and second end collars, said first and second flanges and said peripheral projection, each one of said at least one clamp body including a U-shaped cross section, said U-shaped cross section being sized to receive said first and second end collars, said first and second flanges and said peripheral projection.    
   
   
       22 . The method of coupling two adjacent pipes of  claim 16 , further comprising the steps of: 
 providing each said end collar with a ring body, a flange projection and a ring projection, radially extending said flange projection from an end of said ring body, extending said ring projection from an outer edge of said flange projection.