Pipe coupon extraction tool

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11951599-B2
Application number	US-202217945163-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 15, 2022
Priority date	Feb 24, 2020
Publication date	Apr 9, 2024
Grant date	Apr 9, 2024

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 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 being configured not to flex between the first end and the second end; and

a tool extension secured to the first end of the rod of the tool, 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 pipe coupon extraction tool, the tool extension further comprising 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.

2. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the spring bar is rigid, and wherein the spring bar is configured not to flex between the first end and the second end.

3. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the spring bar comprises at least one flange configured to prevent flexing of the spring bar.

4. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the spring bar defines a taper from the first end towards the second end.

5. The tool of claim 1 , wherein a radius formed by the spring bar when the pipe coupon extraction tool is engaged with the pipe coupon and defined with respect to a radial direction of the tool is configured to be greater than a bore of the pipe coupon with which the tool is configured to be engaged.

6. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the spring bar is a first spring bar, the tool further comprising a second spring bar and a fastener, the second spring bar rotatably secured to the rod at a position proximate to the second end of the rod and opposite from the first spring bar, the fastener connecting both the first spring bar and the second spring bar to the rod.

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. The tool of claim 8 , wherein the fastener is angled at 90 degrees with respect to the central axis of the rod.

10. The tool of claim 1 , further comprising a biasing element in contact with the spring bar, the biasing element configured to maintain an open position of the spring bar.

11. The tool of claim 10 , wherein the biasing element is a torsion spring, a first end of the torsion spring contacting an inside surface of the spring bar.

12. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the tool head is removably secured to the tool extension with a fastener.

13. The tool of claim 1 , 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.

14. The tool of claim 13 , wherein the first portion and the second portion extend away from the central shaft of the tool extension relative to an axis of the tool extension.

15. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the tool extension is secured to the first end of the rod of the tool head with a fastener extending through the tool extension and the rod, the fastener comprising a pin.

16. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the first end of the rod defines a connection bore defining an axis angled with respect to the central axis, the tool extension secured to the first end of the rod of the tool head with a fastener extending through the tool extension and the connection bore of the rod.

17. 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, the tool head comprising a rod defining a first end and a second end;
inserting at least a portion of each of the rod and a spring bar of the tool head into the bore of the pipe coupon without the spring bar itself flexing;
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;
manipulating a position of the tool head with a tool extension secured to the tool head, the tool extension defining a tool end and a handle end, the tool extension further comprising 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; and
pulling the pipe coupon away from the pipe with the tool head.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein engaging a 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.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the tool head further comprises a biasing element configured to push a portion of the spring bar away from the rod towards an open or engaged position, inserting at least a portion of each of the rod and the spring bar of the tool head into the bore comprising loading the biasing element by pushing the spring bar towards a closed position in which the spring bar is in close proximity to the rod and against a force exerted by the biasing element.

20. The method of claim 17 , wherein the tool head comprises the rod defining the first end, the second end, and a central axis, the first end defining a connection bore defining an axis angled with respect to the central axis, the tool extension secured to the first end of the rod of the tool head with a fastener extending through the tool extension and the connection bore of the rod.

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

• 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

• B25G1/04

  telescopic; extensible; sectional · 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