Clampable pipe bender for restricted area

Abstract

A clampable pipe bender is provided having a pivotable base plate coupled to a clamp. Atop the pivotable base plate is a pipe bending assembly with a pivotable holding clamp. The pivotable holding clamp is locked in place by way of a pull pin. The pipe bending assembly is comprised of at least one but preferably a plurality of channels into any of which a pipe can be inserted for bending purpose.

Claims

1. A clampable pipe bender comprising: a clamp configured to removably attach to a post, a railing, or a guardrail; a pivotable base plate rotatably coupled to the clamp; a pipe bending assembly attached to the pivotable base plate, wherein the pipe bending assembly comprises a channel configured to receive a pipe for bending; and, a pivotable holding clamp coupled to the pipe bending assembly, wherein the pivotable holding clamp is configured to secure the pipe into the channel of the pipe bending assembly.

2. The clampable pipe bender of claim 1, wherein the clamp is a C-clamp.

3. The clampable pipe bender of claim 1, further providing a locking handle, wherein the lockable spring handle is configured to prevent the pivotable base plate from rotating in both directions, such that rotation is limited to one direction.

4. The clampable pipe bender of claim 1, further comprising a handle configured to rotate the pivotable base plate.

5. The clampable pipe bender of claim 1, wherein the pipe bending assembly comprises a plurality of channels having varying diameters such that multiple diameter pipes are configured to be bent via the clampable pipe bender.

6. The clampable pipe bender of claim 1, further comprising a pipe straighter configured to straighten pipes.

7. The clampable pipe bender of claim 1, further comprising a deburring tip holder configured to receive a deburring tip for cleaning a cut end of a pipe.

8. The clampable pipe bender of claim 1, wherein the pivotable holding clamp is locked in place by way of a shoulder pin.

9. A method of bending a pipe in a restricted area, comprising steps: (a) providing a clampable pipe bender comprising a clamp a pivotable base plate rotatably coupled to the clamp, a pipe bending assembly attached to the pivotable base plate, wherein the pipe bending assembly comprises a channel; and, a pivotable holding clamp coupled to the pipe bending assembly; (b) securing the clampable pipe bender to a post, a railing, or a guardrail via the clamp; (c) inserting the pipe into the channel; (d) securing the pipe into the channel via the pivotable holding clamp; (e) locking the pivotable base plate from rotation in one direction via a locking spring handle; (f) bending the pipe via the pipe bending assembly; (g) rotating the pivotable base plate by pulling a handle coupled to the pivotable base plate according to the space available for the bended pipe; (h) the sequence being repeated from step (f) until the pipe has been given the required bend; and, (i) removing the bended pipe by unlocking the pivotable holding clamp.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent when the following detailed description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0012] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a clampable pipe bender with a bent pipe inserted therein according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the clampable pipe bender according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0014] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the clampable pipe bender with the pivotable holding clamp opened according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a top view of the clampable pipe bender with a bent pipe inserted therein according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a side view of the clampable pipe bender with the pivotable holding clamp opened according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0017] The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the general principles of the present invention have been defined herein to specifically provide a clampable pipe bender for use on a lifting platform or restricted area.

[0018] It is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as to mean “at least one”. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, not necessarily mechanically, and not permanent. The term “providing” is defined herein in its broadest sense, e.g., bringing/coming into physical existence, making available, and/or supplying to someone or something, in whole or in multiple parts at once or over a period of time. As used herein, the terms “about”, “generally”, or “approximately” apply to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider near the stated amount by about 0%, 5%, or 10%, including increments therein. In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure.

[0019] Referring now to any of the accompanying FIGS. 1-5, a clampable pipe bender 10 is illustrated. In one embodiment, the clampable pipe bender is used for lifting platforms and restricted areas. For the purposes of this disclosure, guardrail 50 is illustrated, wherein the guardrail forms a portion of a platform (not shown). In one embodiment, the clampable pipe bender 10 is attached to the guardrail 50 via clamp 14, wherein the clamp is configured to be tightened by way of tightening screw knobs 52. In one embodiment, the clamp 14 is comprised of a “C” channel 40. As previously mentioned, the channel of clamp is configured and sized to fit on guardrail or railing 50 forming part of a lifting platform, scaffolding, or nacelle assembly (not shown).

[0020] In one embodiment, the clampable pipe bender 10 comprises a pivotable base plate 12 coupled to clamp 14. In one embodiment, a pipe bending assembly 16 is mounted on the top the pivotable base plate 12, wherein the pipe bending assembly includes a pivotable holding clamp 18 configured to hold one or more pipes during use. The pipe bending assembly will be discussed in further detail below.

[0021] In one embodiment, the pivotable holding clamp 18 is configured to pivot in and out of position so as to hold or release a pipe 36 during use. In one embodiment, the pivotable holding clamp 18 is mechanically attached to the pivotable base plate 12 by way of positioning pin 13. In some embodiments, the pivotable holding clamp 18 may include one or more channels such that one or more pipes of different diameters may be bent during use. More specifically, the pipe bending assembly 16 is comprised of a plurality of channels 34 into which the pipe 36 is inserted. The user may choose which channel of the plurality of channels 34 based on the diameter of the pipe, as each channel 34 has a different size so as to fit a pipe 36 of a given diameter. In some embodiments, there are also markings 38 to guide the user as to how much to bend to achieve the desired result. Advantageously, the bending assembly 16 eliminates the need for multiple pip benders configured to bend a different diameter of pipe. Although three channels 34 are provided, it is understood that more than three channels may be provided.

[0022] In one embodiment, the pivotable holding clamp 18 is configured to slide positioning pin 13, wherein the positioning pin 13 is fixed to the pivotable base plate 12. During use, pulling handle 32 moves the pivotable holding clamp 18 backwards so that it may clear block 33 and can thus pivot. In one embodiment, block 33 is fastened to the pivotable base plate 12 via fasteners 57.

[0023] In one embodiment, the pivotable base plate 12 comprises a handle 15 for facilitating its rotation during use. The rotation is enabled in one direction only so that the pipe bending can occur. This will be explained in further details below. In one embodiment, the rotation of the pivotable base is achieved by way of a bushing holder 20, a shaft 22, bushing 24, and a roller bearing 26, wherein the roller bearing 26 includes keyway channel 27 for receiving a key 28 forming part of shaft 22. In some embodiments, the key may be a separate component as well known in the art. In one embodiment, the roller bearing 26 is configured to be inserted into the bushing 24 and the shaft 22, which are housed in bushing holder 20. In one embodiment, the shaft 22 includes tip portion 19 protruding from the shaft 22, wherein the tip portion 19 is inserted into an insertion hole 25 positioned on the pivotable base plate 12. In one embodiment, the tip portion 19 is fixedly attached to the pivotable base plate 12 by way of a base plate mechanical fastener 54.

[0024] In one embodiment, the bushing holder 20 has an insertion port 56 for inserting lockable spring handle 58 which is further inserted into a hole 29 of a plurality of holes forming part of the bushing 24. When the locking handle is inserted in a selected hole 29, it lets the pivotable base plate 12 rotate only in one direction as the bushing 24 is fixedly attached to the groove 23 of the bearing 26 which only rotates in one direction. When the lockable spring handle 58 is removed from the holes 29, rotation becomes possible in both directions to facilitate maneuvers.

[0025] In some embodiments, a pipe straightener 46 is used for making corrections on pipes 36 that are not perfectly straight or have been over bent. In some embodiments, a deburring tip holder 48 can also be used for inserting a deburring tip for cleaning the cut ends of the pipe 36.

[0026] In one embodiment, the method of operating the clampable pipe bender is provided below, comprising steps: (a) inserting a pipe 36 in a given channel 34 on the pipe bending assembly 16; (b) locking the pipe 36 in place by rotating a holding clamp 18 in its locking position; (c) inserting the lockable spring handle 58 into a hole 29 so as to lock the base plate 12; (d) bending the pipe, via a user standing behind the pipe and pulling the pipe; (e) pulling the handle 15 to rotate the pivotable base plate according to the space available; (f) the sequence is repeated from step (d) until the pipe has been given the required bend; (g) removing the pipe by pulling on handle 32 which clears the holding clamp 18 from the block 33 so that it can pivot, wherein by pivoting, the holding clamp 18, unlocks the pipe 36 out of the channel 34; and, (h) optionally deburring the end of the pipe.

[0027] By doing this procedure, the operator can control the sweeping motion of the pipe 36 so that it does not interfere with any impediment and stays within a given area of the workspace which sits just above the lifting platform guardrail or nacelle so does not require any additional space. It should be mentioned, that in step (b) alternatively, the pipe 36 can slide in the channel 34 while the holding clamp 18 is already in its locking configuration. It should be mentioned, that in step (c) alternatively, the pipe 36 can slide in the channel 34 while the locking spring handle 58 is already in its locking configuration.

[0028] Although the invention has been described in considerable detail in language specific to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific features are disclosed as exemplary preferred forms of implementing the claimed invention. Stated otherwise, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Therefore, while exemplary illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Such variations and alternate embodiments are contemplated, and can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0029] It should further be noted that throughout the entire disclosure, the labels such as left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise, counter clockwise, up, down, or other similar terms such as upper, lower, aft, fore, vertical, horizontal, oblique, proximal, distal, parallel, perpendicular, transverse, longitudinal, etc. have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction or orientation. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions/orientations between various portions of an object.

[0030] In addition, reference to “first,” “second,” “third,” and etc. members throughout the disclosure (and in particular, claims) are not used to show a serial or numerical limitation but instead are used to distinguish or identify the various members of the group.