GB2390561A

GB2390561A - Pipe chamfering and deburring apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2390561A
Application number: GB0216329A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Gebbie Lovejoy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-07-13
Filing date: 2002-07-13
Publication date: 2004-01-14
Anticipated expiration: 2022-07-13
Also published as: GB0216329D0; GB2390561B

Abstract

Apparatus for use in the smoothing and shaping of a cut end of a pipe comprises a plate 10, within said plate, an aperture 20 sized and shaped to receive a cut end of said pipe; an abrasive surface 30 provided to said aperture and arranged to abrasively contact said received cut end of the pipe; and provided to the plate, one or more defined pressure areas 40,42. In use, pressure is applied to the one or more pressure areas thereby retaining the plate essentially immobile as the received cut end of the pipe is abrasively contacted. The abrasive surface 30 may be tapered (fig 2). Several apertures 20,22,23 and 24 may be provided. The plate may be retained stationary by a user placing his feet on pressure areas 40,42 and standing on the plate. The apparatus may be used with plastic piping such as waste or soil pipes. The abrasive surface may be removable.

Description

239056 1

Smoothing apparatus Technical Field

The present invention is in the field of apparatus for use in smoothing and

shaping the end of a cut pipe, particularly the end of a plastic water or waste pipe. Background to the Invention

The installation of plumbing pipe work is an important component in the construction of domestic and industrial buildings. Plastic piping for use in waste and soil piping is generally supplied to a construction site in standard lengths, which are cut to size on the construction site to meet the particular needs of the job. One problem with cutting plastic pipe 'on site' is that inevitably the cut ends of the pipe have rough surfaces with burrs and other surface imperfections. This necessitates the use of a cut end smoothing (or finishing) process, which to date has been conducted using files or rasps to manually de-burr and otherwise smooth off the cut end. This process is fiddly, time-consuming and inefficient in the context of a construction site environment where rapid, effective progress is desired. In some circumstances, it is also desirable to shape the cut end, for example to provide it with a tapered end profile. This sort of profile is particularly desirable where the end is to be received by a ring seal fitting without damaging that fitting.

Shaping is difficult to achieve in a uniform manner with a process involving the manual use of a file or rasp.

The Applicants have now invented an apparatus for use in the smoothing and shaping of the end of a cut plastic pipe, which solves the aforementioned problem and in embodiments, enables tapered or other shape profiles to be achieved in a uniform, time-effcient manner.

The apparatus comprises a plate ti.e. a planar surface) having an aperture provided within it, which is sized and shaped to receive a cut end of the pipe. An abrasive surface is provided to the aperture and arranged to abrasively contact a

received cut end of the pipe. The plate or an associated component thereof is also provided with one or more defined pressure areas. In use, pressure is applied to the one or more pressure areas thereby retaining the plate essentially immobile (i.e. stable and free of unnecessary movement) as the received cut end of the pipe is abrasively contacted and thereby smoothed and shaped.

Summary of the Invention

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for use in the smoothing and shaping of a cut end of a pipe, said apparatus composing a plate; within said plate, an aperture sized and shaped to receive a cut end of said pipe; an abrasive surface provided to said aperture and arranged to abrasively contact said received cut end of the pipe; and one or more defined pressure areas, wherein in use pressure is applied to the one or more pressure areas thereby retaining the plate essentially immobile as the received cut end of the pipe is abrasively contacted.

The term plate herein, is used to mean a generally planar surface to which the aperture and pressure area features of the invention may in aspects, be provided. it is appreciated that in embodiments, the plate may comprise other features, such as for example, cut-away or frame-like portions.

In embodiments, the plate may also be provided as a multi-part element with the aperture and pressure area elements potentially being located on different component parts of the plate.

The apparatus herein is suitable for use with known forms of piping, particularly plastic (e.g. PVC) pipe. Known variations of plastic pipe for plumbing use typically have a diameter of from 20 to 100mm, particularly 35mm, 42mm, 50mm, 75mm and 100mm. It will be appreciated that the diameter of the aperture of the apparatus will be selected to accommodate known (e.g. trade standard) pipe diameters. In aspects herein, the apparatus is provided with one or more further apertures, each having an abrasive surface provided thereto. In particular aspects, the apertures are of varying sizes to enable the accommodation of pipes of different (e.g. trade standard) diameters.

Suitably, the abrasive surface presents an inwardly tapering (i.e. conical) profile to the cut end of the pipe. The extent and gradient of the taper may be varied according to the desired pipe end profile.

Suitably, the abrasive surface extends throughout the thickness of the plate. That is to say, the aperture extends throughout the thickness of the plate and the inner surface which defines the aperture is abrasive in character.

Suitably, the abrasive surface extends above and beyond the plate.

Suitably, the abrasive surface comprises glass or sand particles embedded therein. In one aspect, sand or glass paper or a similar lamellar abrasive surface is used to provide the necessary surface covering.

Suitably, the plate is provided with two pressure areas sized and shaped to accommodate the feet of a user. In aspects, the pressure areas may be provided with surface features to guide the user to appropriate feet positioning areas and/or to assist frictional contact between the pressure areas and the feet of the user. In one aspect, the abrasive surface is integral with the plate.

In another aspect, the abrasive surface is comprised within an abrasive element, which is receivable within the aperture and securable thereto. The abrasive element is therefore separable from the plate.

It may be appreciated that the abrasive element may thus be supplied as a replaceable 'refill' element, which is replaced on a periodic basis. Replacement abrasive elements may be supplied in any suitable form (e.g. in packs of five or ten refills).

Suitably, the abrasive element is provided with plural securing tabs and the plate is correspondingly provided with tab-securing means for securing a received abrasive element. The term 'tab' is used to denote any suitable securing element which in aspects may have the form of a hook, pin or otherwise shaped protuberance or surface feature.

In embodiments, the tab-type securing mechanism may be replaced by a Velcro (trade name) type securing arrangement.

Suitably, the tab-securing means comprise a clamp mechanism. The clamp may be fitted with 'quick release' mechanism features.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus, of the above-described type in kit of parts form.

Suitably, the kit of parts comprises

l.. a first kit element comprising a plate; within said plate, an aperture sized and shaped to receive an abrasive element for abrading a cut end of said pipe; and provided to the plate, one or more defined pressure areas; and a second kit element comprising an abrasive element receivable within the aperture and securable thereto, wherein in use, the kit is assembled, and pressure is applied to the one or more pressure areas thereby retaining the plate essentially immobile as the received cut end of the pipe Is abrasively contacted.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an abrasive element suitable for use with the apparatus described herein. As noted above, the abrasive element may be supplied separately from the apparatus.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided the use of the apparatus described herein in the smoothing and shaping of a cut end of a pipe. In one particular use aspect, the apparatus is laid on a generally flat surface (e.g. a floor surface or on the ground) and the feet of a user are applied to the pressure areas to hold the apparatus still. The end of a pipe is then fed into the aperture and associated abrasive surface. It will be appreciated that the pipe will be positioned perpendicular to the plane defined by the plate. The pipe is then rotated backwards and forwards by the user whilst applying moderate downward pressure, thereby causing the received end of the pipe to be smoothed and shaped by abrasive action.

Suitably, the pipe is made of plastic, for example PVC.

Suitably, the pipe is a water or sewage waste pipe.

Brief description of the drawings

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1. shows a top view of an apparatus according to the present invention;

l,, Figure 2 shows a sectional side view of part of the apparatus of Figure 1 whilst receiving the cut end of a pipe in accord with a use aspect of the present invention; Figure 3 shows a sectional side view of a second apparatus herein having a replaceable abrasive element; Figure 4 shows a top view of the second apparatus of Figure 4 in an in use configuration. Detailed description of the invention

The present invention is here described by means of examples, which constitute possible embodiments of the invention.

Figure 1. shows a view from above of suitable apparatus herein comprising a plate 10 having a major aperture 20 provided thereto, which extends throughout the thickness of the plate 10. It may be seen that the bore of the aperture 20 decreases, and hence that an inwardly tapering inner surface 30 is provided.

That tapering inner surface 30 has an abrasive character as a result of abrasive particles having been applied thereto. The plate 10 is also provided with three minor apertures 22, 23, 24, each of which has a tapered inner surface 32, 33, 34 of abrasive character. The major apertures 20 and minor apertures 22-24 are sized for receipt of known end diameters of PVC plastic plumbing pipe.

The plate 10 is also provided with pressure areas 40, 42 sized and shaped to accommodate the feet of a user who will, in effect, stand on the plate 10 whilst vertically feeding the end of a pipe into either the major 20 or one of the minor apertures 22-24. Rotating the pipe (not shown in Figure 1) in sequential clockwise and then anti-clockwise fashion results in abrasive shaping and smoothing of its received end portion.

Operation aspects may be better understood by reference to Figure 2, which shows a sectional side view of the 'major aperture' part of the apparatus of Figure 1 at the point of time in which the smoothed and shaped cut end 52 of a pipe 50 is removed there from after a smoothing/shaping operation has been completed.

It will be noted that the abrasive surface 30 of Figure 2 extends above and beyond the plane defined by the plate, the surface 30 being supported on a conical protruding element 31. Whilst, in the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the conical abrasive element 31 is integral with the plate 10, it may be appreciated that in embodiments that element may be separable from the plate 10 and provided as a 'refill' element therefor.

Figures 3 and 4 show respective sectional side and top views of a second apparatus, which has a replaceable abrasive element. In more detail, the apparatus comprises a base plate 108 and a second plate 110 mounted thereon.

An aperture 120 is provided within the second plate, wherein the bore of that aperture tapers inwardly towards the base plate 108. A conical element 131 having four secure-able arms 160-163 arranged in cruciform fashion there around is arranged to be received by the aperture 120. The conical element 131 is secured in place, once received, by the action of four securing clamps 170-173 on the respective arms 160-163 of the conical element 131. It may also be seen that the conical element 131 has an inwardly tapering abrasive inner surface 130 sized and shaped to receive the cut end of a pipe (not shown).

The apparatus of Figures 3 and 4 will also be provided with pressure areas (e.g. to receive the feet of a user as in Figure 1) although these are not shown explicitly. Once the replaceable abrasive element is secured in place, the usage operation of the second apparatus of Figures 3 and 4 corresponds essentially to that of the first apparatus of Figures 1 and 2.

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Claims

1,, Claims

1. Apparatus for use in the smoothing and shaping of a cut end of a pipe, said apparatus comprising a plate; within said plate, an aperture sized and shaped to receive a cut end of said pipe; an abrasive surface provided to said aperture and arranged to abrasively contact said received cut end of the pipe; and one or more defined pressure areas, wherein in use pressure is applied to the one or more pressure areas thereby retaining the plate essentially immobile as the received cut end of the pipe is abrasively contacted.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said abrasive surface presents an inwardly tapering profile to the cut end of the pipe.

3. Apparatus according to either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the abrasive surface extends throughout the thickness of the plate.

4. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the abrasive surface extends above and beyond the plate.

5. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the abrasive surface comprises glass or sand particles embedded therein.

6. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the plate is provided with two pressure areas sized and shaped to accommodate the feet of a user.

7. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the abrasive surface is integral with the plate.

8. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the abrasive surface is comprised within an abrasive element, which is receivable within the aperture and securable thereto.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the abrasive element is provided with plural securing tabs and the plate is correspondingly provided with tab securing means for securing a received abrasive element.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the tab-securing means comprise a clamp mechanism.

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11. Apparatus for use in the smoothing and shaping of a cut end of a pipe, substantially as described herein and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. Apparatus, in kit of parts form, for use in the smoothing and shaping of a cut end of a pipe, said apparatus comprising a first kit element comprising a plate; within said plate, an aperture sized and shaped to receive an abrasive element for abrading a cut end of said pipe; and one or more defined pressure areas; and a second kit element comprising an abrasive element receivable within the aperture and securable thereto, wherein in use, the kit is assembled, and pressure is applied to the one or more pressure areas thereby retaining the plate essentially immobile as the received cut end of the pipe is abrasively contacted.

13. Apparatus, in kit of parts form, for use in the smoothing and shaping of a cut end of a pipe substantially as described herein and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14. Abrasive element suitable for use with the apparatus according to any of claims 8 to 12.

15. Use of the apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 14, in the smoothing and shaping of a cut end of a pipe.

16. Use according to claim 15, wherein said pipe is made of plastic.

17. Use according to either of claims 15 or 16, wherein said pipe is a water or sewage waste pipe.