FIELD OF THE IVENTION

The invention generally relates to a device for retaining a pipe in a pipe cutting process and a method of using the device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cast iron pipes have historic use as a pressure pipe for transmission of water, gas and sewage. Cast iron pipes were used before the introduction of PVC pipes and was the choice of pipe for many waste drains. Cast iron pipes are used in many older buildings and may need to be removed and/or replaced as they wear down over time.

When cast iron pipes are to be removed and/or replaced from within underground ducts, it is necessary to cut the worn pipe to remove this from the underground ducts. Cutting tools are well known in the art for cutting unwanted and worn cast iron pipes. However, 'off the shelf cutting tools are not suitable alone for removing worn pipes from underground ducts. Usually, the cutting tools that cut cast iron pipes are used for commercial use where the cast iron pipes exceed lengths of two metres. In a trial in replicated conditions using a section of cast iron pipe, a section of pipe measuring approximately two metres was used. The pipe was cut, but due to the forces involved in the cutting process, the cut section of pipe broke off and travelled some distance from where the pipe was being cut. This can be very dangerous for the person operating the cutting tool during the pipe removing process - especially since they may be in a highly regulated environment and are in a confined space.

Therefore, what is needed to alleviate these problems is a device and method for containing the section that breaks off during a cutting process and absorbs the forces associated with cutting a worn pipe. SUM ARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for retaining a pipe in a pipe cutting process. The device comprises a frame configured to define a volume, wherein the volume is adapted to receive, in use, a longitudinal portion of pipe. The device further comprises a clamp for holding the pipe such that the longitudinal portion of pipe remains in the volume, in use. Also, the device has one or more members for absorbing forces at a first end of the longitudinal portion of pipe as or after the pipe is cut, the one or more members for absorbing forces being mounted resiliently to the frame and configured to move axialiy along the frame to engage with the first end of said longitudinal portion of pipe so as to at least partially absorb the forces along the axial direction as or after the pipe is cut.

Advantageously, the members for absorbing forces allow for forces to be absorbed as or after a pipe is cut and the device allows for the pipe to be retained in the frame. Therefore, the force absorbing mechanism of the device prevents a cut portion of pipe flying off as a result of a cutting process.

Preferably, the device may further include a release for the one or more members for absorbing forces, operable in use, and after the pipe has been cut, such that the longitudinal portion of pipe can be removed from said frame.

In a preferred embodiment, the release comprises one or more quick-release pins located on the frame. In this embodiment, the quick-release pins may be arranged to demount the one or more members for absorbing forces from the frame.

Preferably, the one or more members for absorbing forces are spring-loaded to absorb the forces. The one or more members are spring-loaded so as to be resiliently mounted to the frame.

In a further embodiment, the frame comprises a plurality of frame members that define the volume. Preferably, the frame members are rods, slats or bars.

Preferably, the one or more members for absorbing forces comprise a plate. In a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for retaining a pipe in a device during a pipe cutting process. The method comprises introducing a longitudinal portion of a pipe into a volume of the device, the volume being defined by a frame; clamping the pipe such that the longitudinal portion of pipe remains in the volume; and at least partially absorbing axial forces at an end of the longitudinal portion of pipe as or after the pipe is cut. Advantageously, the method prevents a cut portion of pipe flying off during a cutting process.

Preferably, the absorbing step is carried out by one or more members for absorbing forces being mounted resiliently to the frame and configured to move axia!iy along the frame to engage with the first end of the longitudinal portion of pipe so as to at least partially absorb the forces along the axial direction.

In a preferred embodiment, the one or more members for absorbing forces comprise a plate.

In a further preferred embodiment, the method further comprises releasing the one or more members for absorbing forces, in use, and after the pipe has been cut, such that the longitudinal portion of pipe can be removed from the frame,

Preferably, the releasing step is carried out by one or more quick-release pins located on the frame, and wherein the quick-release pins are arranged to demount the one or more members for absorbing forces from the frame.

In a further embodiment, the frame comprises a plurality of frame members that define the volume. Preferably, the frame members are rods, slats or bars.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which: Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a device for retaining a pipe in a pipe cutting process according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a face on view of a clamping mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 3 shows a face on view of a back plate according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Generally, a device for retaining a pipe in a pipe cutting process and a method of using the device is disclosed.

Referring now to Figure 1 , a device 1 for retaining a longitudinal portion of a pipe during a pipe cutting process is shown. The device 1 has a forward end 100 and a rear end 200. The forward end 100 may, in the example shown in Figure 1 , provide a clamping mechanism such that the device may ciamp a pipe in use.

Extending longitudinally from the forward end 100, toward the rear end 200, may be a plurality of frame members 3. The frame members 3 are spaced apart so as to define a volume having a cross-sectional area A in which the pipe can be received in use. As an example, the frame members 3 may be a plurality of rods.

Alternatively, the frame members 3 may be slats or bars. What is important is that the frame members 3 define the area A in which one or more longitudinal portions of the pipe can be received in use.

As shown in Figure 1 , the frame members 3 are attached to the forward end 100 of the device 1. In the exampie shown, the frame members 3 are connected to frame member supports 10 provided on the forward end 100. The forward end 100 may also include clamping portions 13. As shown in Figure 1 , the clamping portions 13 may be held together by a nut 9 and bolt 4. The bolt 4 may extend through the clamping portions 13 and the nut 9 may be provided on one of the clamping portions 13. The bolt 4 may be rotated so as to be received by the nut 9 located in the clamping portions 13. As shown in Figure 1 , the bolt 4 may be rotated by a T- bar 5. As the user rotates the bolt 4, this is received in the nut 9 - for example, a threaded nut. The rotation of the bolt 4, by the user, allows the clamping portions 13 to close and tighten around the pipe in use.

The clamping portions 13 are shown in more detail in Figure 2. In the example shown in Figure 2, the clamping portions 13 are two separate clamping portions 13a and 13b. The clamping portions 13a and 13b each have a recess 13a' and 13b' that are shaped to receive the pipe. The recesses 13a' and 3b' are arranged to face each other such that, when the clamping portions 13a and 13b are moved together, the recesses 13a' and 13b' engage with the pipe. This allows for the clamping portions 13a and 13b to clamp around the pipe and hold the pipe in place ready for the cutting process.

Also shown in Figure 2 is the nut 9 and bolt 4 that allow for the clamping portions 13a and 13b to close and tighten around the pipe. As an example shown in Figure 2, there is provided a bolt 4 that extends through a side of the clamping portion 13a to be received by a nut 9 provided in a side of clamping portion 13b. As the bolt 4 is rotated and received by the nut 9, the clamping portions 13a and 13b move together to close and tighten around the pipe in use. In the example shown in Figure 2, the nut 9 and bolt 4 is shown to be at the left hand side of the clamping portions 13a and 13b. However, it is to be understood that there will also be provided a nut 9 and bolt 4 on the right hand side of the clamping portions 13a and 13b so that the clamping portions 13a and 13b close and tighten around the outer surface of the pipe for the cutting process. The clamping portions 13a and 13b also have one or more apertures 130 for receiving the frame members 3 or the frame member supports 10. In the example shown in Figure 2, the clamping portion 13a has two apertures 130 and the clamping portion 13b also has two apertures 130 for receiving the frame members 3 or the frame member supports 10. The frame members 3 may be held in place within the frame member supports 10 that are received by the apertures 130. The apertures 130 are shaped so as to receive the frame members 3 or the frame member supports 10. In the example shown in Figure 2, the apertures 130 are circular. However, it is envisaged that the apertures 130 could be any shape to fit any type of frame member or frame member support (e.g. rectangular for slats etc).

Referring back to Figure 1 , at the rear end 200 of the device 1 there is provided a force-absorbing mechanism that can prevent a cut portion of the pipe flying off as a result of a cutting process. As shown in Figure 1 , a back plate 12 is slidingly received on the frame members 3. For example, the back plate 12 may have portions cut away to move onto the plurality of frame members 3. It is important here that the back plate 12 can move in a longitudinal or axial direction, and along the frame members 3, towards the forward end 100 to, for example, engage with an end section of the pipe in use. The back piate 12 is shown in more detail in Figure 3. As can be seen in this

Figure, the back plate 12 may have one or more apertures 20 to receive the frame members 3 (shown in Figure 1 ). The apertures 20 therefore allow the back piate 12 to be slidingly received on the frame members 3. As shown in the example of Figure 3, the back plate may include four apertures 20. However, it is to be understood that any number of apertures may be included for any number of frame members. The apertures 20 are shaped so as to receive the frame members 3. In the example shown in Figure 3, the apertures 20 are circular to receive rods.

However, it is envisaged that the apertures 20 could be any shape to fit any type of frame member (e.g. rectangular for slats etc).

Further, the back plate 12 is spring loaded so as to be resiliently mounted to the frame members 3. As shown in Figure 1 , springs 7 are provided at the rear end 200 of the device 1. The ends of the springs 7 closest to the forward end 100 of the device 1 are connected to a back surface 12a of the back plate 12. The other ends of the springs 7 - i.e., the ends closest to the rear end 200 of the device 1 - are connected to spring stoppers 6. The spring stoppers 6 are arranged on the frame members 3 at the rear end 200 of the device 1.

In a further example, the frame members 3 also include 'quick release' pins 8. The 'quick release' pins 8 assist in keeping the back plate 12 in a fixed location along the frame members 3 when the back plate 12 is positioned against or in the vicinity of the pipe to be cut. Once the pipe has been cut, the 'quick release' pins 8 may be activated to release the back plate 12 such that the pipe can be removed from the area A. The pipe can be removed, as an example, through spacings provided between the frame members 3 or may be removed from the forward end 100 of the device 1 .

An example of a method of using the device 1 is now described, in use, the device 1 is located at an end section of a pipe (not shown) to be cut. The device 1 is moved to insert the pipe through the forward end 100 such that the end section of the pipe is received in the area A, When the desired length of pipe to be cut is inserted into the area A, the clamping portions 13 are activated by the user to clamp the device 1 to the external surface of the pipe. This therefore allows for the pipe to remain in place in the area A (i.e., the clamping portions 13 fix the pipe in a longitudinal position for cutting). The back plate 12 may then be moved to the end section of the pipe. The back plate 12 may contact the end section of the pipe or may be moved, and fixed, within a close vicinity of the end section of the pipe. The back plate 12 may be fixed in place using the 'quick release' pins 8 of the frame members 3. The pipe is then cut using, as an example, a hydraulic cutter known in the art. As mentioned above, the back plate 12 is resi!iently mounted to the frame members 3. The spring loaded back plate 12 moves axially to absorb forces when the pipe is cut using, as an example, a hydraulic cutter, and the cut portion of the pipe at the rear jumps back from the clamped portions 13 at the front. After the pipe has been cut, the pipe is retained in the device 1 since the clamping portions 13 and back plate 12 act as supports to hold the two separate portions of pipe in the area A. Multiple cuts may be made along the longitudinal portion of pipe, for example to produce several cut sections, before the cut sections are discarded and the device 1 is moved forwards along the uncut remaining pipe. When the user wants to dispose of the cut pipe sections, the 'quick release' pins 8 may be activated to move the back plate 12 rapidly to the rear end 200 such that the cut pipe sections can 'fall away' through spacings between the frame members 3. In addition, or alternatively, the clamping portions 13 may be released and one or more of the cut pipe sections removed by removing the pipe from the forward end 100.

After the cutting of the pipe, the 'quick release' pins 8 may be activated to move the back plate 12 to the rear end 200 and the device 1 may receive a second section of pipe to be cut. For example, the back plate 12 may move back to the rear end 200 and the clamping portions 13 be opened. The device 1 may then be moved along to a second section of pipe to be cut. The clamping portions 13 could then be closed to support an external surface of the second section of pipe to be cut. The back plate 12 could, once again, be moved to the end section of the cut pipe (i.e. the first cut section) to act as a support against the cut pipe section and a further second end section of the uncut pipe. The back plate 12 can again be fixed against, or in the vicinity of, the end section of the first cut pipe to absorb forces during cutting of the second section of pipe. After cutting, the cut sections of pipe can be removed in the same manner as discussed above.

Generally, the above device and method are used with cast iron pipes. However, it is to be understood that the device and method can also be used with pipes made from other materials - for example, UPVC or other metals.

Further modifications wil! be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.