The invention relates to pipes, particularly to the installation of an insert into a pipe where the pipe is situated in a remote location, for example underground.

5 Pipes such as those carrying water are often underground. They often feed a water supply into a location such as a domestic dwelling. It often becomes necessary or desirable to install an insert such as a water meter in the pipe. So that there is as little disruption as possible to the house-hold, it is preferable

10 for the meter to be installed in the pipe outside the dwelling. On the other hand, any installation work should preferably be as unobtrusive as possible, and any housing for the meter should be unobtrusive too, both from the point of aesthetic environmental considerations and hazard, as a large concrete chamber as is used

15 hitherto can create a dangerous obstacle. In addition, such chambers are expensive because they have had to be large enough for manual work to take place at the pipe level in order to install the meter satisfactorily. Such manual work increases the cost of installation too.

20 It is accordingly among the objects of the invention to seek to mitigate the disadvantages.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for installing an insert in a pipe, comprising means adapted for mounting at spaced locations along a pipe and for 25 isolating a length of pipe between the locations, means to remove the length of pipe between two locations, and means to install an insert in the pipe between said locations after removal of the pipe length.

The mounting and isolating means may comprise guide means whereby 30 the removing means and/or insert installing means can be guided to

the pipe. This assists in installing an insert in a remote pipe such as an underground pipe.

The guide means may comprise channel-sectioned means. This is a convenient construction which lends itself to mass-production.

There may be two channel-sectioned means with their open channels facing.

The channel-sectioned means may comprise substantially parallel side members of a frame having two spaced frame members which may be substantially parallel and which may extend in planes substantially transverse to the lengths of the channel-sectioned side members.

The side members may project beyond one of the frame members and may terminate in freezing means for freezing the pipe at the said locations.

The freezing means may comprise a flexible bag at each location connectible with means for supplying and recirculating coolant under pressure through the bags in series. Such freezing means provides a relatively simple way of isolating the pipe length to be removed, particularly where the pipe is a water pipe.

The coolant supplying and recirculating means may comprise a compressor/evaporator device.

The compressor/evaporator device may be remote from the bag. This allows the device, which may be located away from a dwelling for example, on a skid, which can be mounted and operated free-standing or in the back of a vehicle such as a van.

The other frame member may comprise control means for the freezing means and pipe removing means.

The removing means may comprise a cutting device, such as a pneumatically operable rotary cutter which may have a slide means for sliding engagement with the guide means.

The rotary cutter may preferably comprise a disc cutter. Such a cutter has relatively small lateral dimensions which may allow it to be inserted in a relatively narrow hole.

The slide means may comprise spaced rotatable means for engaging in the guide means. Such rotatable means, ^~ such as wheels, allow for relatively easy insertion and withdrawal of the cutter. Alternating other slide means such as skid means may be utilised.

There may be means to indicate the position of the cutting device in relation to the second frame member, for example a rod may be carried by a body of the cutting device and may include a marker device whereby the position of the device can be determined. This construction allows an operator to know when the cutter has reached the level of the pipe to be cut when that pipe is located in a blind hole for example.

The installing means may comprise a carrier for the insert, and the carrier may have remotely operable devices for thrusting pipe fittings of the insert into the free ends of the pipe.

The thrusting devices may comprise yokes for engaging the pipe fittings and toggle devices for moving the fittings in the direction of the length of the pipe whereby to connect the fittings and pipe together.

The carrier may include slide means for sliding engagement with the guide means, for example the slide means may comprise spaced rotatable means such as wheels. This construction may allow for relatively easy insertion and withdrawal of the installing means.

The pipe fittings may each comprise a remotely operable deformable means adapted to grip the pipe at the respective locations. Such deformable means may provide a firm leak-free connection.

The deformable means may comprise a longitudinally compressible and radially expansible member and a longitudinally movable compressing device, and the arrangement may be that when the compressing device is actuated to move longitudinally it compresses the deformable means and causes it to expand radially to grip the pipe.

The compressing device may be moved by remotely operable fluid pressure means.

The fluid pressure means may comprise a flowable, settable, rubber-like composition.

The pipe fittings may each comprise non-return means whereby to maintain the compressing device in a longitudinally shifted position after cessation of pressure on the fluid pressure means.

The non-return means may preferably comprise teeth on a body of the pipe fitting and locking teeth on the compressing device. A relatively simple locking arrangement is thereby attained when the teeth mechanically engage.

The deformable means may comprise a eoprene seal.

The fluid pressure means may be operated by a remote gun or pedal device connected with the pipe fitting by a flexible hose.

The pipe may comprise a water pipe and the insert a water meter housing.

The pipe may be an underground pipe.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provi method of installing an insert in a pipe, comprising provid pipe, providing apparatus as hereinbefore defined, mountin apparatus on the pipe at spaced locations and isolating a l of the pipe between the locations, removing the length of and installing an insert in the pipe between the locations.

The method may include the steps, of locating a pipe underg and excavating a hole at a position where the insert is t installed.

The hole may be excavated by vacuum excavation.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provid fitting for mounting on a pipe end, comprising a device which slide on a pipe end and is radially deformable to grip the end whereby to mount the fitting on the pipe end.

The device may comprise a member which may be deform longitudinally and radially and a longitudinally movable membe deform the deformable member.

The longitudinally movable member may comprise a piston which be moved by a fluid under pressure, for example a flowable settable composition.

The composition may be forced under pressure by remote mean move the piston to compress the deformable member. This al the fitting to be installed in difficult positions where acces not easy.

The remote means may comprise gun or pedal means.

There may be non-return means to maintain the piston in longitudinally shifted position on cessation of pressure.

The non-return means may comprise teeth on a body of the fitt and locking teeth on the piston.

The deformable means may comprise a Neoprene seal.

It will be understood that the term pipe used herein relates any pipe, conduit or service duct, including a channel , where insert is required, such as a water pipe, gas main or electric conduit.

Apparatus embodying the invention is hereinafter described, by of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment apparatus according to the invention for installing an insert an underground water pipe;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing an insert in the f of a water meter housing being installed in the pipe?

Fig. 3 is to an enlarged scale a perspective view of part o pipe cutter;

Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view, to a reduced scale, o mounting means according to the invention;

Fig. 5 shows to an enlarged scale a pipe fitting and illustrat the method of mounting same on the pipe;

Fig. 6 shows a part longitudinal sectional view, to a smal scale than that of Fig. 5, of the pipe fitting;

Fig. 7 shows the pipe fitting of Fig. 6 after actuation to mo it on a pipe.

Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of apparatus according to the invention for installing an insert in an underground water pipe;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged schematic perspective view of a mounting and isolating means for isolating a length of pipe between spaced locations;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged schematic perspective view of means to remove a length of pipe isolated by the means of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of a means to mount inserts in cut ends of a pipe;

Fig. 12 is a schematic view of a mounting sequence using- the means of Fig. 11; and

Fig. 13 shows a second er iodiment of pipe fitting mounted in a pipe-line.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 7 of the drawings there is shown apparatus 1 for installing an insert such as a water meter housing 2, in a pipe 3 such as a water pipe, comprising means for mounting at spaced locations 5 and 6 along the pipe 3 and for isolating a length 7 of pipe between the locations 5 and 6, means 8 to remove the length 7 of pipe between the two locations 5 and 6 (in the embodiment shown) and means 9 to install an insert 2 in the pipe 3 between the locations 5 and 6 after removal of the pipe length 7.

The mounting and isolating means 4 comprises guide means in the form of two substantially parallel channel-section members or limbs 10 in which the open channels face one another and have a flared entry or upper (as viewed) mouth 11. The limbs 10 form side members of a frame 12 having connected therewith two spaced frame members 13 and 14 which are substantially parallel to each

of the limbs 10.

The limbs 10 project beyond the first or lower frame member 13 and terminate in freezing means 14 in the form of clip-on feet or housings 15 in each of which is housed a flexible bag 16, each of which is connected with a remote source of coolant/refrigerant by flexible tubing 17 which is connected with a control means 18 in the form of a rocker-switch 19 assembly carried by the second or upper frame member 14. The frame member 14 also carries control means 20 in the form of a rocker-switch 21 which controls a pressurised air supply from a source to the pipe cutting tool means 8 in the form of a disc cutter 22 mounted in a housing 23. The cutting tool 8 is connected with the control means 20 by a flexible hose 24. The cutter 8 has a body 25 which carries a slide means 26 with rotatable means or wheels 27 which are adapted to slide in the channels 10. The body 25 also has a socket 28 and a guide clip 29 for receiving a control rod 30, suitably made of fibre-glass and having a handle 31 so that the cutter 8 can be raised and lowered in the guide channels 10 on its slide or carrier 26-. The rod 30 has indicating means 32 in the form of a mark or notch so that the position of the cutter 8 can be ascertained, that is the mark 32 when aligned with the top of a limb 10 indicates that the cutter 8 is at the level of the pipe 3 being cut.

The apparatus 1 includes installing means 9 in the form of a U-shaped harness or carrier which has slide means 33 in the form of a body with rotatable means such as pairs of rollers 34 and remotely operable devices 35 such as yokes 37 and toggle devices 36 for thrusting the pipe fittings 38 in the direction of length of the pipe 3 to mount the fittings on the pipe ends.

The yokes 37 are pivotably connected to the slides 33, which are adapted for sliding in the channels 10, by the toggle devices 35 which are also pivotably mounted on the slides 33. Each yoke 37

can receive a body 39 of a pipe fitting 38, each of which has part 40 which is connected into the meter housing, a part 41 whic is effectively a cylinder and which houses within it an annula deformable member 42 which is longitudinally ccmpressible an 5 simultaneously radially expansible and a longitudinally movabl member 43 in the form of an annular piston which has an annula nose 44 which abuts the deformable member 42, which in th embodiment shown is a Neoprene seal. The cylinder 41 is screw engaged with a third part 45 of the fitting 38 which has a flare

10 lead-in portion or entry mouth 46 for guiding the fitting 38 ont a pipe end 3 and which has a passage 47 which terminates in on end adjacent the piston 43 and at the other end in a nipple 4 like a grease gun nipple. The fitting 38 also has non-retur means 49 in the form of teeth 50 on the inner wall of the cylinder

15 41 and oppositely directed teeth 51 on the outer surface of the piston 43. The pipe fitting 38 is universal in that it can be used to mount on pipes of variety of diameters, for example inch (1.26 cm) or % inch (1.91 cms)

The nipple.48 is connectible with a flexible hose 52 and a remote 0 source of fluid such as a flowable settable material silicon grease or rubber composition, the source being a gun 53 or pedal.

In use of the apparatus 1 to install an insert 2 such as a water meter housing in an existing water pipe 3 which is underground, the pipe 2 is located and a small hole 54 is formed by vacuum 5 excavation to expose a section of the pipe 3. The apparatus 1 is then inserted in the hole so that the bags 16 engage and grip round the pipe at the two spaced locations 5 and 6. The refrigerant control is switched on so that the coolant, suitably glycol, is cooled by a cc pressor/evaporator which, with a 0 secondary stage pump, coolant reservoir and associated equipment, is mounted remote from the hole 54 on a skid as a free-standing unit or in the back of a van. A portable generator such as a 110 volt power supply powers the system.

The compressor/evaporator is a primary stage of a two-stage refrigeration system, the second stage comprising the bags 16 and pipe 3. The cooled coolant is circulated in series through the bags 16 and round the system, so that water in the pipe 3 freezes at the locations 5 and 6. The length 7 of pipe is therefore isolated from the rest of the pipe, which stays 'live', in other words the water supply does not have to be cut off during insertion. The glycol is circulated under pressure.

When plugs of ice are formed at the two locations 5 and 6, the cutter 8 is passed down the guide channel 10 at one side of the apparatus 1 and operated pneumatically to sever the pipe. It is then retracted and inserted down the other channel, to sever the pipe at the second location. The mark 32 indicates when the tool 22 is at the correct depth adjacent the pipe 3 to cut the pipe. The pipe length 7 therefore falls away and the plugs of ice prevent water from gushing out.

The meter housing 2 is then mounted in the carrier 9 by gripping the bodies 39 of the two opposed pipe fittings 38 in respective yokes 37 and lowering the complete carrier 9 down the frame 12. When adjacent the cut pipe ends with the bottom of the slides 33 resting on the freezer housings 15 or clamps as datum, the handle 55 of the carrier is raised, so tending the "lengthen" limbs 36 of the toggles 35. The only way this ^' apparent lengthening can be accoiritiodated is by the fittings 38 being.urged to right and left respectively, so that they are in effect thrust onto the recently cut and exposed pipe ends, location being assisted by the ^" flared mouths 46 riding over the pipe ends.

When fully home, the silicon rubber gun or pedal 53 is operated to pump the composition 56 through the passage 47, to force the piston 43 to the left (as viewed, Figs. 6, 7). This movement is accommodated by longitudinal compression of the Neoprene seal 42, which expands radially to accommodate its decreased length. In

expanding radially the seal 42 grips the end of the pipe 3 firmly and is effectively wedged between the pipe end, the opposite wall of the cylinder, an end wall 57 and a nose 58 of the cylinder 41. This wedging action forces the fittings 38 to grip the pipe end tightly so that the fittings cannot be removed from the pipe end. The piston 43 is maintained in its longitudinally shifted positon by the inter-locking teeth 50, 51, which prevent return of the piston 43 to its initial position.

The flow of composition 56 is ceased, and the pipe 52 disconnected from the nipple 48. The composition 56, a settable silicone rubber, sets to form a firm seal.

The carrier 9 is then lifted out of the hole 54 by pulling upwardly to disengage the yokes 37 from the fittings 38, and the apparatus 1 is then removed from the pipe 3 by manipulating the freezer heads 15, 16 off the pipe 3. The ice plugs unfreeze, and the pipe 3 can operate, now with a water meter 2 installed along its length.

The hole 54 is filled in.

Referring now to Figs. 8 to 13 of the drawings there is shown apparatus 100 for installing an insert such as a water meter housing (not shown) like the one shown in the first embodiment, in a pipe 101 such as a water pipe, comprising means 102 for mounting at spaced locations 103 and 104 along the pipe 101 and for isolating a length of pipe between the locations 103 and 104, means 105 to remove the length of pipe between the two locations 103 and 104 and means 106 to install an insert 107 in the pipe 101 between the locations 103 and 104 after removal of the pipe length between the locations.

The apparatus 100 comprises a generally upright metal frame 108 which is of substantially square or rectangular shape in plan view and comprises an upper (as viewed and as in use) frame part 109, a lower (as viewed and in use) frame part 110, and an intermediate frame part 111. The frame parts 109, 111 are connected together by splayed uprights 112 and the frame parts 111 and 110 are connected by uprights 113 all the parts and uprights 109-113 being secured as by welding to provide a substantially rigid unit. The upper frame part 109 has extensions which provide lifting and carrying handles 114 for maneouvering the apparatus 100 and for lifting it into and out of a hole. For ease of manipulation and control the apparatus 100 has, suitably mounted on the upper frame part 109, a control 115 including an on-off switch for the mounting and isolating means 102, a control 116 including an on-off switch for the cutting means 105 and a control 117 including an on-off switch for the insertion means 106. There is also mounted on the upper frame part a means such as a grease gun 118 for use with the insert, or universal fitting, 107. Various connections 119 lead from the respective controls to the respective means 102, 105 etc.

There are outriggers or feet 120 extending outwardly from the lower frame part 110 on which is mounted the mounting and isolating means 102 and the cutting or severing means 105, the mounting and isolating means 102 being connected via pipes 121 secured to the intermediate frame part 111 to a refrigerating unit which re-cycles the coolant, which refrigerating unit (not shown) comprises a dual circuit utilising a suitable coolant such as diethylbenzene with its isomers, suitably that sold under the trade mark rX*7IΗERM J.

The mounting and isolating means 102 comprises rigid hollow metal, suitably aluminium blocks 122 at each location 103 or 104 (only one means 102 is described for simplicity) . There are two blocks 122 each with a facing V-grcove 123. Each block 122 is connected

by suitable connections with the coolant/refrigerant supply pipes 121, there being a conduit 124 to connect the two blocks 122, a coolant inlet 125 in one block and an outlet 126 in the other so that coolant/refrigerant ciculates through the two blocks 5 seriatim. Each block 122 is supported by a pivot linkage 127 assembly to an actuating means in the form of an air driven double action ram 128 connected with the control 115. The linkage 127 is pivotably connected at 129 to the frame 108 one end of a pivot arm 130 remote from the block 122 being connected by a knuckle joint 10 pivotably connected to the frame 108 with the distal end of the ram 131, which extends from cylinder 132.

The removing or severing means 105 comprises a suitable cutter such as a diamond disc cutter 133 shielded on a -side remote (in use) from the pipe 101 to be cut at 103 or 104 by a shroud 134

15 which mounts a motor 135, suitably an air motor for rotating the cutter 133 and which is pivoted to the frame at 136, and a pivot linkage 137 pivoted to the frame at 138 which is also a connection point for connection with a distal end of a ram 139 extending from a cylinder 140, the ram 139 and cylinder 140 comprising an air

20 driven double action ram arrangement. The air motor 135 and ram arrangement 139, 140 are connected to the control 116 on the frame 108.

There is between the frame parts 110 and 111 substantially vertical fixing guides 141 which each support at their lower ends

25 a pair of substantially parallel rails 162 of circular section. The guides 141 support pivotably a pivot linkage 143 which extends to the top of the frame where there is an operating mechanism in the form of a manually operable lever or handle 144 which is adjacent the upper frame part 109 for ease of use. The linkage

30 143 terminates at its lower (as viewed and in use) end in facing, spaced, pins 145 which engage between a lug or upstand 146 and a shoulder 147 on the body 148 of a pipe insert or universal fitting 107 which in other respects is similar to that 38 of Figs. 5 to 7.

There are two pipe fittings 148, one for insertion in each cut end of the pipe 101 to provide an uninterrupted flow pipe-line from one cut end, through the ^" meter (not shown) to the other.

Each pipe fitting 107 has a part 149 which is connected into the meter housing via a flexible pipe 150, a part 151 which is effectively a cylinder and which houses within it an annular deformable member 152 which is longitudinally compressible and simultaneously radially expansible and a longitudinally movable member in the form of an annular piston 153, which has an annular flat nose 154 which abuts the deformable member 152, which in the embodiment shown is a Neoprene or Nitryl rubber seal. The part 151 is screw- engaged with a third part 154' of the fitting which has a flared lead-in portion or entry mouth 155 for guiding the fitting 107 onto a pipe end lOl and which has a passage 156 which terminates in one end adjacent the piston 153 and at the other end in a nipple like a grease gun nipple. The fitting 107 also has a non-return valve means 157. There are teeth 158 on the distal end of the pipe 150. The pipe fitting 107 is universal in that it can be used to mount on pipes of a variety of diameters, for example h inch (1.27 cms) or \ inch (1.91 cms).

The grease gun nipple is connectable with a flexible hose and a remote source of fluid such as mineral oil, the source being a gun 114.

In use of the apparatus 100 to install an insert (not shown) such as a water meter housing in an existing water pipe which is under¬ ground, the pipe 101 is located and small hole is formed as by vacuum excavation to expose a section of the pipe. The apparatus 100 is then inserted in the hole with the blocks 122 spaced apart. The linkage 127 is then operated via the rams 132 to move the blocks 122 together to engage and grip round the pipe 101 at the two spaced locations 103 and 104. The refrigerant control 115 is switched on so that the coolant is cooled by a compressor/

evaporator which, with a secondary stage pump, coolant reservoir and associated equipment, is mounted remote from the hole on a skid as a free-standing unit or in the back of a van. A portable generator such as a 110 volt power supply powers the system.

The compressor/evaporator is a primary stage of a two-stage refrigeration system, the second stage comprising the blocks 122 and pipe 101. The cooled coolant is circulated in series through the blocks 122 and round the system, so ^" that water in the pipe 101 freezes at the locations 103 and 104. The length of pipe between these locations is therefore isolated from the rest of the pipe, which stays 'live' , in other words the water supply does not have to be cut off during insertion. The refrigerant is circulated under pressure.

When plugs of ice are formed at the two locations 103 and 104, the cutting disc 133 is rotated via the air motor 135 and swing in operation of the ram 140 to sever the pipe. The cutters 105 and the locations 103 and 104 are oppositely mounted, or stated in another way they approach the pipe from opposite sides, as shown in Fig. 8. This provides a balanced structure and a compact design.

The meter housing is mounted by the mounting pins 145 engaging the two opposed pipe fittings 107 between the respective lugs and shoulders 146 and 147. When adjacent the cut pipe ends the handles 144 are operated to tend to "lengthen" linkage 143. The only way this apparent lengthening can be accommodated is by the fittings 107 being urged to right and left respectively _r ~ so that they are in effect thrust onto the recently cut and exposed pipe ends, location being assisted by the flared mouths 151 riding over the pipe ends. During this action which is "arcuate" the flexible pipes 150 are drawn out of the meter housing.

When fully home, the oil gun 118 is operated to pump the mineral

oil through the passage 150, to force the piston to the left (as viewed. Fig. 13) past the non-return valve in the form of an O-ring 157. This movement is accorrmodated by longitudinal compression of the Neoprene or Nitryl rubber seal 152, which expands radially to accommodate its decreased length. In expanding radially the seal grips the end of the pipe 101 firmly. This effective wedging action forces the fittings 107 to grip the pipe end tightly so that the fittings cannot be removed from the pipe end. The pipe is forced onto teeth 154, which provides a secure grip.

The apparatus 100 is then lifted out of the holder, after disconnecting the line for the mineral oil, and opening the blocks 122, by pulling upwardly. The ice plugs unfreeze, and the pipe 101 can operate, now with a water meter installed along its length.

The hole is filled in.

It will be understood that the invention above described with reference to the drawings provides a compact unit which is integral for mounting in and withdrawal from the hole.