The invention has been devised particularly, although not solely, for separating two mating flanges.

Background of the Invention It is common for pipelines to be assembled from pipe sections connected one to another, with each pipe section being provided with connecting flanges at the ends thereof such that adjacent pipe sections can be bolted together by way of the flanges.

It is usual for there to be a gap between two flanges in mating arrangement.

Typically, the gap exists because of the presence of intervening elements between the two flanges, such as a blind and a gasket between each side of the blind and the adjacent flange.

The gap allows a wedge to be inserted between the two mating flanges to facilitate separation of the flanges so that the two pipe sections can be separated. Separation of the two flanges is commonly referred to as"flange splitting".

The use of a wedge to split the flanges is not an altogether safe practice. For instance, it is possible for the wedge, if not struck properly, to fly out of its position between the flanges and in so doing possibly cause injury or damage.

It is against this background, and the problems and disadvantages associated therewith, that the present invention has been developed.

Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a device for separating two members having a gap therebetween, the device comprising two jaws pivotally connected at one end thereof, the other end of the jaws presenting two opposed surfaces for insertion within the gap, a space being defined between the two jaws adjacent said other end to receive a wedge whereby the action of the wedge being driven into said space causes opening of the jaws and consequently applies separating forces through the two surfaces to the members, and blocking means preventing insertion of the wedge between the two jaws at any location other than at said space.

The blocking means may comprise a flange provided on one jaw and projecting inwardly thereof to overlay part of the other jaw thereby to provide a barrier against insertion of the wedge at a location other than said space.

Preferably, the device further comprises the wedge, with the wedge being attached to the device by way of a flexible link such as a chain. This is particularly advantageous as it ensures that the wedge is always available and limits the extent to which the wedge can fly out of the space between the two jaws in the event that it is not struck properly.

The device may further comprise retaining means for detachably positioning the two jaws on the members to be separated in a secure fashion.

The retaining means may comprise an arm one end of which defines a locating pin adapted to be received in a bolt hole in one of the members so as to pivotally connect the device to the member.

Where the two members are flanges with bolt holes therein to receive bolts for fastening the flanges together, the locating pin is preferably adapted to locate in one of such holes.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of one specific embodiment thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a flange-splitting device according to the embodiment; Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the flange-splitting device in position for splitting two flanges ; Figure 3 is a plan view of the flange-splitting device shown in a condition in which the jaws are closed ; and Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 except that the flange-splitting as shown in a condition in which the jaws are open ; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the flange-splitting device, together with an adaptor which can be used with the device; Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing the adaptor fitted onto the device; and Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the flange-splitting device with the adaptor fitted thereto, in position for splitting two flanges.

Best Mode (s) for Carrying out the Invention The first embodiment which is shown in figures 1 to 4 of the drawings is directed to a flange-splitting device 11 for separating two flanges 12,13 positioned in mating relationship. The flanges 12,13 are on adjacent ends of two pipeline sections 15,17 positioned in end-to-end relationship. Each flange 12,13 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced bolt holes 19 which align with

corresponding holes on the other flange to receive bolts (not shown) used for fastening the two flanges together.

Intervening elements such as gaskets and a blind are disposed between flanges 12,13 such that there is a peripheral gap 21 defined therebetween when they are in mating relationship. The peripheral gap 21 being is useful in separation of the flanges, as will be explained.

The device 11 according to the embodiment comprises a body 22 having two jaws 23,25 pivotally connected together at one end by pivot pin 27.

Each jaw 23,25 has an inner face 29 and an outer face 31. The outer face 31 of each jaw 23,25 is provided with a surface 35 adjacent the free end thereof for insertion in the gap 21 between the two flanges. The surface 35 is knurled or otherwise configured to facilitate some gripping engagement with the face of the respective flange 12,13.

A space 41 defined between the two jaws 23,25 adjacent the free end thereof to receive a wedge 43. The wedge 43 has a tapered shank 45 and a head 47. The head 47 projects laterally of the shank 45 and presents an outer face 48 and an inner face 46. The tapered shank 45 of the wedge 43 is adapted to be inserted into the space 41 such that when the wedge is driven through the space 41 by striking the outer face 48 of the head 47 thereof, the tapered shank causes the jaws 23,25 to pivot outwardly about the hinge 27 to apply separating forces to the flanges 12,13. The wedge 43 can be extracted from the space 41 by striking the inner face 46 of the head 47.

It is particularly important that the wedge 43 be introduced into the region between the two jaws 23,25 adjacent the free ends thereof for safety reasons. A barrier 49 is therefore provided to prevent insertion of the wedge 43 into any region between the two jaws 23,25 apart from the space 41. The barrier 49 comprises a flange 51 mounted on one side of jaw 25 to extend inwardly thereof and overlay the adjacent side of the other jaw 23. In this way, the barrier 49

blocks insertion of the wedge 23 into the region between the two jaws other than at the space 41.

The device 11 is provided with retaining means 55 for positioning the two jaws in a secure fashion in relation to the flanges 12,13 to provide stability during the flange-splitting operation and in particular when the head 47 of the wedge 43 is being struck. The retaining means 55 includes an arm 57 of U-shaped configuration, with one side 59 of the arm being connected to jaw 25 and the other side 61 of the arm 57 defining a locating pin 63 spaced from the free ends of the jaws. With this arrangement, the locating pin 63 can be inserted into a bolt hole 19 of one of the flanges, as can be seen in Figure 2 where the locating pin 63 is shown inserted into bolt hole 19a of flange 12. This allows the body 22 to pivot about an axis defined by the locating pin 63 to present the free ends of the jaws 23,25 to the peripheral gap 21 between the flanges 12,13, while retaining the body on the flange 12. This feature is particularly advantageous as it is merely necessary to insert the locating pin 63 into the selected bolt hole 19 in one of the flanges (which is bolt hole 19a in flange 12 in this embodiment) with influence of gravity presenting the jaws 23, 25 (when in a closed condition) to the gap 21. The wedge 43 can then be inserted into the designated space 41 between the two jaws 23,25. When the wedge 43 is driven into the space 41, the tapered shank 45 causes the jaws 23,25 to pivot outwardly with respect to each other about pivot pin 27, thereby applying separating forces through the surfaces 35 to the mating flanges 12,13. The separating forces cause the flanges 12,13 to separate (i. e. split). The body 22 can then simply be removed from the flanges by withdrawing the locating pin 63 from the bolt hole 19 in which it is accommodated.

The wedge 43 is connected to the arm 57 by way of a flexible link in the form of a chain 53. The chain 53 not only ensures that the wedge 43 does not become separated from the body 22 but also provides a safety feature in that it limits the extent to which the wedge 43 can fly out of the jaws 23,25 in the event that it is not struck properly and dislodges from the space 41 between the two jaws.

In cases where the gap 21 between the flanges 12,13 is large, it may be necessary to increase the effective width of the jaws 23,25. This may be achieved by use of an adaptor 70 as shown in Figures 5,6 and 7.

The adaptor 70 comprises a body 71 adapted to be fitted onto the free end of jaw 25. The body 71 provides a lateral extension of jaw 25 and has a side face 73 for engaging the respective flange which would otherwise be engaged by surface 35 on the jaw 25. Because of the lateral extension provided by the adaptor 70, the device 11 is able to operate effectively in separating flanges which has larger gaps therebetween and which otherwise might present difficulties to the device.

The body 71 of the adaptor includes a pocket 75 in which the free end of jaw 25 can be received.

The body 71 also includes a securing means 77 for detachably securing the adaptor 70 onto the jaw 25. The securing means 77 comprises a flange 79 and securing bolts 81 by means of which the body 71 can be clampingly secured to the jaw 25, as shown in Figure 6.

With the adaptor 70 mounted on the jaw 25, the device is used in the same way as was described in relation to Figures 1 to 4, with the exception that the jaws 23,25 are positioned in the gap 21 between the flanges 12,13 such that surface 35 on jaw 23 engages one flange and side face 73 of the adaptor 70 engages the other flange, as shown in Figure 7.

From the foregoing, it is evident that the present invention provides a simple yet highly effective arrangement for splitting mating flanges, with the device being constructed so that it ensures that it is correctly used. In particular, the barrier 49 ensures that the wedge 43 can only be inserted between the jaws 23,25 at the designated location where the device can be used safely.

While the invention has been described in relation to a flange splitter, it should be appreciated that it need not be limited thereto and may have application in other areas where mating members with a gap therebetween are to be separated. Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise"or variations such as"comprises"or"comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.