Pipe coupon extraction tool

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11478910-B2
Application number	US-202016799337-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 24, 2020
Priority date	Feb 24, 2020
Publication date	Oct 25, 2022
Grant date	Oct 25, 2022

Abstract

A pipe coupon extraction tool includes: a rod defining a first end, a second end, and a central axis; and a spring bar defining a first end and a second end, the spring bar rotatably secured to the rod, a surface of the spring bar configured to be angled with respect to the central axis when the pipe coupon extraction tool is engaged with a pipe coupon.

First claim

That which is claimed is:

1. A pipe coupon extraction tool comprising:
a rod defining a first end, a second end, and a central axis; and
a spring bar defining a first end and a second end, the spring bar rotatably secured to the rod, a surface of the spring bar configured to be angled with respect to the central axis when the pipe coupon extraction tool is engaged with a pipe coupon, the spring bar defining a taper in which an overall width of the spring bar measured in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the spring bar and perpendicular to a direction of rotation of the spring bar during movement of the spring bar narrows from the second end to the first end.

2. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the spring bar is flexible.

3. The tool of claim 2 , wherein the first end of the spring bar remains fixed while the second end of the spring bar rotates with respect to the first end, the spring bar biased radially outward in a deformed state when pushed radially inward from an undeformed state, the first end of the spring bar remaining stationary in each of the undeformed state and the deformed state and the second end of the spring bar configured to move between the undeformed state and the deformed state.

4. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the spring bar defines a serration between the first end of the spring bar and the second end of the spring bar.

5. The tool of claim 4 , wherein the spring bar defines a plurality of serrations between the first end of the spring bar and the second end of the spring bar.

6. The tool of claim 1 , wherein:
the rod further defines a slot proximate to the second end, the slot angled with respect to the central axis in a cross-sectional plane intersecting the central axis; and
the spring bar is positioned inside the slot.

7. The tool of claim 1 , further comprising a fastener securing the spring bar to the rod.

8. The tool of claim 7 , wherein the fastener is angled with respect to the central axis of the rod.

9. A pipe coupon extraction tool comprising:
a tool head comprising:
a rod defining a first end, a second end, and a central axis; and
a spring bar defining a first end and a second end, the spring bar rotatably secured to the rod, a surface of the spring bar angled with respect to the central axis when the pipe coupon extraction tool is engaged with a pipe coupon, the spring bar defining a taper in which an overall width of the spring bar measured in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the spring bar and perpendicular to a direction of rotation of the spring bar during movement of the spring bar narrows from the second end to the first end; and

a tool extension secured to the first end of the rod of the tool head, the tool extension defining a tool end and a handle end, the tool extension comprising a handle portion proximate to the handle end, the handle portion configured to be grasped by a hand of a user of the tool.

10. The tool of claim 9 , wherein the tool head is removably secured to the tool extension with a removable fastener.

11. The tool of claim 9 , wherein the handle of the tool extension comprises a first portion and a second portion, each of the first portion and the second portion extending in opposite directions away from a central shaft of the tool extension.

12. The tool of claim 9 , wherein the tool extension comprises a valve configured to selectively place an interior cavity of the tool head in fluid communication with an inlet defined in the handle end of the tool extension.

13. The tool of claim 9 , wherein the spring bar is symmetrical about the longitudinal axis, geometry on one side of the spring bar with respect to the longitudinal axis being a mirror image of geometry on an opposite side of the spring bar with respect to the longitudinal axis.

14. A method of extracting a pipe coupon from a pipe, the method comprising:
inserting a tool head of a pipe coupon extraction tool into a bore cut into the pipe coupon, a bore axis of the bore angled with respect to an axis of the pipe from which the pipe coupon is cut, the tool head defining a first end and a second end;
inserting at least a portion of each of a rod and a spring bar of the tool head into the bore of the pipe coupon, the spring bar biased radially outward in a deformed state when pushed radially inward from an undeformed state;
engaging a portion of the spring bar with an inner surface of the pipe coupon, the spring bar configured to stop against and not pass through the bore of the pipe coupon in an engaged position; and
pulling the pipe coupon away from the pipe with the tool head.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein engaging the portion of the spring bar with the inner surface of the pipe coupon comprises contacting an engagement surface of at least one serration of the spring bar with the inner surface of the pipe coupon.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein engaging the portion of the spring bar with the inner surface of the pipe coupon comprises contacting a flange of the spring bar with the inner surface of the pipe coupon.

17. The method of claim 14 , further comprising manipulating a position of the tool head with a tool extension secured to a mounting end of the tool head, the tool extension defining a tool end and a handle end, the tool extension comprising a handle proximate to the handle end.

18. A pipe coupon extraction tool comprising:
a tool head comprising:
a rod defining a first end, a second end, and a central axis; and
a spring bar defining a first end and a second end, the spring bar rotatably secured to the rod, a surface of the spring bar angled with respect to the central axis when the pipe coupon extraction tool is engaged with a pipe coupon; and

a tool extension secured to the first end of the rod of the tool head, the tool extension defining a tool end and a handle end, the tool extension comprising:
a handle portion proximate to the handle end, the handle portion configured to be grasped by a hand of a user of the tool; and
a valve configured to selectively place an interior cavity of the tool head in fluid communication with an inlet defined in the handle end of the tool extension.

19. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the spring bar is symmetrical about the longitudinal axis, geometry on one side of the spring bar with respect to the longitudinal axis being a mirror image of geometry on an opposite side of the spring bar with respect to the longitudinal axis.

Assignees

• Mueller Int Llc

Inventors

• Mitchell Timothy J
• Hughes Jr David Latimore

Classifications

• B25B27/14 Primary

  for assembling objects other than by press fit or detaching same · CPC title

• B25G1/04

  telescopic; extensible; sectional · CPC title

• F16L55/00

  Devices or appurtenances for use in, or in connection with, pipes or pipe systems (F16L1/00 - F16L53/00, F16L57/00, F16L59/00 take precedence; repairing or joining pipes on or under water F16L1/26; cleaning of pipes B08B9/02, e.g. removal of blockages B08B9/027; devices for preventing bursting of water pipes by freezing E03B7/10) · CPC title

• B25G1/005

  for screwdrivers, wrenches or spanners with additional levers, e.g. for increasing torque · CPC title

• B25G3/26

  comprising nails, screws, bolts, or pins traversing or entering the socket · CPC title