PIPE JOINT

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a pipe joint for connecting pipes used for a pipe- connection type structure. More particularly, the present invention relates to a pipe joint for connecting pipes, which comprises separate joint bodies, each having a pipe fixing portion comprising a plurality of diamond or pyramid-shaped protrusions formed on an inner surface thereof to provide a strong coupling force with respect to the pipes in order to prevent the pipes from being released from the joint.

[2]

Background Art

[3] In general, a structure used for holding or transporting light products or enhancing activity in the field of construction is constructed using pipes (which will hereinafter be referred to as a pipe or pipes ) such as stainless pipes, aluminum pipes or coated pipes, and materials for such structures have joint structure in which, in a state of interposing a pipe or pipes therebetween, separate joint bodies are coupled by bolts and nuts at respective ends of the pipes facing each other or at an intermediate portion of the pipe in order to connect the pipes. Here, each of the separate joint bodies has a pipe receiving section, which has suitable dimension and shape to receive the pipe.

[4]

[5] Figs. 3 and 4 are an exploded perspective view and an assembled cross-sectional view of a conventional pipe joint used for connecting pipes which have a resin layer coated on their surface. In Figs. 3 and 4, each of the pipes 10 is coated with a resin layer 20, and is securely connected with another pipe by the pipe joint comprising separate joint bodies 30 in such a way that, when two separate joint bodies 30 are coupled by a bolt 40 and a nut 42, protrusions 32 circumferentially formed on each separate joint body 30 dig into the resin layer 20 on each pipe 10.

[6]

[7] In addition, Figs. 5 and 6 are an exploded perspective view and an assembled cross- sectional view of another conventional pipe joint used for connecting pipes which are machined on their surface. In Figs. 5 and 6, each of the pipes 30 has recesses 50 formed along an outer periphery of the pipe, and each of separate joint bodies 30 has protrusions 52 circumferentially formed thereon, so that, when the two separate joint bodies 30 are coupled by a bolt 40 and a nut 42, the recesses 50 of the pipes 10 securely engage with the protrusions 52 of the separate joint bodies 30.

[8]

[9] Although the pipe joint shown in Figs. 3 and 4 has been widely used due to its merits in that a post process such as plating or painting after connecting is not needed, it suffers from easy separation or damage of the resin layer after a long period of time. In addition, upon disuse of the pipes, since it is necessary to separate the resin layer coated on the pipe from the pipe by heating the resin layer, it requires cumbersome operation, and since the pipe is disused in a state of being coated with the resin layer, it is not environmentally friendly.

[10]

[11] Meanwhile, the pipe joint shown in Figs. 5 and 6 has a merit in that, since the resin layer is not coated on the surface of the pipes, this structure is environmentally friendly. However, this pipe joint has problems in that, since separate machining operations for forming the recesses on the pipes and the protrusions on the separate joint bodies are required, manufacturing costs are significantly increased, and that, if a user wants to recycle the pipes, it is necessary to form new recesses on the pipes. Accordingly, the pipe joint shown in Figs. 5 and 6 is low in its practical utility, and thus is not widely used.

[12]

[13] Thus, it has been needed to provide a simple and convenient pipe joint, which is environmentally friendly and easy in disuse or recycling thereof, and does not require additional machining operation except for the cutting of the pipes.

[14]

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[15] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a simple and convenient pipe joint, which is environmentally friendly and easy in disuse or recycling thereof, and does not require additional machining operation except for the cutting of the pipes. Technical Solution

[16] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a pipe joint for connecting a plurality of pipes from upper, lower, left and right sides, the pipe joint comprising separate joint bodies coupled by a bolt and a nut at respective ends of the pipes facing each other or at an intermediate portion of one of the pipes in a state of being interposed between the separate joint bodies, wherein each of the separate joint bodies includes a pipe fixing portion comprising a plurality of diamond or pyramid-shaped protrusions formed on the surface.

[17] The plurality of diamond or pyramid-shaped protrusions may compress and slightly

dig into a surface of an associated pipe to prevent the pipe from being separated from the coupled joint bodies.

[18]

Advantageous Effects

[19] According to the present invention, since the pipe joint does not require additional machining operation except for the cutting of the pipes, and has the plurality of diamond or pyramid-shaped protrusions designed to provide a strong coupling force, it has low manufacturing cost, and remarkably enhances the endurance of a pipe- connected structure.

[20] In addition, the pipe joint of the invention increases recycling opportunity of the pipes without pollution, so that wide application of the pipe joint according to the invention is also environmentally friendly.

[21]

Brief Description of the Drawings

[22] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[23] Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a pipe joint in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[24] Fig. 2 is an assembled cross-sectional view illustrating the pipe joint in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention;

[25] Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a conventional joint used for connecting pipes having a resin layer coated on their surface;

[26] Fig. 4 is an assembled cross-sectional view illustrating the pipe joint shown in Fig.

3;

[27] Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating another conventional pipe joint used for connecting pipes which are machined on their surface; and

[28] Fig. 6 is an assembled cross-sectional view illustrating the pipe joint shown in Fig.

5.

[29]

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[30] Features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent by description of the following embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the terms and words used in the specification must be interpreted as means and concepts equivalent to the spirit of the present invention on the basis of principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the terms and words in order to describe the invention with the best method.

[31] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although the present invention can be applied to a pipe joint, such as an I -type pipe joint for linear connection of pipes, an L -type or a T -type pipe joint for connection of pipes at a predetermined angle, + -type pipe joint for connection of plural pipes in the form of + , and the like, the T -type pipe joint is illustrated as an example herein, and it is assumed that respective pipes used for assembly of construction have identical thickness and diameter.

[32] Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a pipe joint in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is an assembled cross-sectional view illustrating the pipe joint. Referring to Fig. 1, the pipe joint of the present invention includes two separate joint bodies 30, each of which comprises a pipe receiving section 34, and a pipe fixing portion 60 comprising a plurality of diamond or pyramid-shaped protrusions 62 circumferentially formed in the pipe receiving section 34.

[33] The plurality of protrusions 62 may have various shapes in consideration of coupling force with respect to a pipe 10. According to one embodiment, the protrusions 62 are formed over the entire surface of the pipe receiving section 34. According to another embodiment, the protrusions 62 are partially formed on the surface of the pipe receiving section 34, and in this case, the protrusions 62 can be arranged in two or three rows. In addition, a distance between tips of the protrusions 62, and a height of the protrusions 62 can be changed, if necessary. Preferably, the distance between tips of the protrusions 62 is in the range of 0.2 - 3 D, and the height of the protrusions 62 is in the range of 0.1 ~ 1 D.

[34] The pipe fixing portion 60 is formed by a typical pressing process in which each separate joint body 30 is placed on a mould having diamond or pyramid-shapes corresponding to the protrusions 62, and compressed to form the pipe fixing portion 60. At this time, each of the separate joint bodies 30 is formed with a press groove 63.

[35] As shown in Fig. 2, when coupling the separate joint bodies 30 with the pipes 10 interposed therebetween, the plurality of protrusions 62 of the pipe fixing portion 60 engages with the surface of each pipe 10 while compressing the pipe 10, thereby forming a more secure construction.

[36] Meanwhile, although the pipe joint may be the T-type, L-type, +-type, and the like according to shapes of the construction, it is formed with the pipe fixing portion 60 comprising the plurality of protrusions 62, thereby allowing the construction to be formed in various shapes.

[37]

[38]

Industrial Applicability

[39] As apparent from the above description, since the pipe joint of the invention does not require additional machining operation except for the cutting of the pipes, and has the plurality of diamond or pyramid-shaped protrusions designed to provide a strong coupling force, it has low manufacturing cost, and remarkably enhances the endurance of a pipe-connected structure.

[40] In addition, the pipe joint of the invention increases recycling opportunity of the pipes without pollution, so that wide application of the pipe joint of the invention is also environmentally friendly.

[41] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

[42]

[43]