Abstract
A pipe stop and stored energy dampening apparatus comprising a main body, a plurality of rollers connected to the main body, a gear connected to a first roller of the plurality of rollers, a gear lever connected to the main body and adapted to engage with the gear, a gear handle connected to the gear lever, and a clamp connected to the main body. Methods related to dispensing pipe or conduit or hosing from a spool or other device on which a pipe or conduit is wound or otherwise stored, controlling stored energy of the pipe or conduit in preventing injuries, and eliminating wasted pipe or conduit.
Claims
1. A pipe stop and stored energy dampening apparatus comprising: a main body; a plurality of rollers connected to the main body; a gear connected to a first roller of the plurality of rollers; a gear lever connected to the main body and adapted to engage with the gear; a gear handle connected to the gear lever; and a clamp connected to the main body.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an extension spring, wherein the extension spring is connected to the gear handle at a first end of the extension spring and wherein the extension spring is connected to the main body assembly at a second end of the extension spring.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an adjustable roller assembly connected to the main body, wherein the adjustable roller assembly is adapted to adjust the distance between the first roller of the plurality of rollers and a second roller of the plurality of rollers.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the main body comprises: a plurality of walls, wherein the plurality of walls comprises: a first wall connected to a second wall; a third wall connected to the second wall; and a fourth wall connected to the third wall.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the adjustable roller assembly further comprises: a first arm; a bridge plate connected to the first arm; a second arm connected to the bridge plate; and a rod connected to the bridge plate.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a gear box connected to the main body.
7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein at least a portion of the rod is threaded.
8. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a rotation adjustment assembly connected to the main body, wherein the rotation adjustment assembly is adapted to adjust the position of the main body in relation to a structure on which the clamp may be mounted.
9. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an angle adjustment assembly connected to the main body, wherein the angle adjustment assembly is adapted to adjust the angle of the clamp in relation to a structure on which the clamp may be mounted.
10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the rotation adjustment assembly comprises: a handle connected to a handle base; and a rotating base connected to the handle base.
11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the angle adjustment assembly comprises: a slide mount arm; an angle handle connected to an angle handle base; a bracket arm connected at one end to the clamp and at another end to the slide mount arm.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the clamp comprises: a first clamshell; a second clamshell; and a hinge connecting the first clamshell to the second clamshell.
13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the angle adjustment assembly further comprises: a mechanism adapted to open and close the clamp connected to the clamp.
14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the clamp is removably mounted or fixed mounted to a structure.
15. A method for controlling stored energy of a pipe or conduit in dispensing the pipe or conduit from a spool or other device on which the pipe or conduit is wound or otherwise stored comprising the steps of: providing the pipe stop apparatus of claim 1; mounting the main body to a structure; and moving a length of pipe or conduit through the plurality of rollers.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of: wherein the pipe stop apparatus further comprises: an adjustable roller assembly connected to the main body, wherein the adjustable roller assembly is adapted to adjust the distance between the first roller of the plurality of rollers and a second roller of the plurality of rollers; and adjusting the distance between the first roller of the plurality of rollers and the second roller of the plurality of rollers in order to apply tension to an outer surface of the pipe.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of: rotating the gear lever to engage the gear to stop the length of pipe or conduit from moving through the plurality of rollers.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of: adjusting the angle of the clamp for mounting the main body to the structure.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of: rotating the orientation of the main body for moving the length of pipe or conduit through the plurality of rollers.
20. A method for dampening, guiding a direction of, and selectively stopping a traveling pipe, comprising the steps of: connecting a main body to a structure; adjusting a setting of at least two rollers for squeezing and applying tension to an outer surface of the traveling pipe; moving a pipe through a main body containing a plurality of rollers; and stopping one of the at least two rollers from rotating for stopping the traveling pipe.
21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the step of connecting the main body to the structure further comprises clamping the main body to the structure; and adjusting a relative position between the main body and the structure.
22. A method for dispensing a pipe from a spool, comprising the steps of: winding the pipe on the spool and thereby creating stored energy in the pipe; and controlling stored energy of the pipe or conduit in preventing injuries.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The embodiments may be better understood, and numerous objects, features, and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings. These drawings are used to illustrate only typical embodiments of this disclosure, and are not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features and certain views of the figures may be shown exaggerated in scale or in schematic in the interest of clarity and conciseness.
[0007] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a pipe stop apparatus.
[0008] FIG. 2 depicts a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a pipe stop apparatus.
[0009] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective, back side view of the exemplary embodiment of the pipe stop apparatus of FIG. 2.
[0010] FIG. 4 depicts a back view of the exemplary embodiment of the pipe stop apparatus of FIG. 2.
[0011] FIG. 5 depicts a cross-sectional, partial, close-up view inside the gearbox of the exemplary embodiment of the pipe stop apparatus of FIG. 4.
[0012] FIG. 5A depicts a schematic cross-sectional, partial, close-up view inside a gearbox of an exemplary embodiment of a pipe stop apparatus.
[0013] FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the adjustable roller assembly of the exemplary embodiment of the pipe stop apparatus of FIG. 2.
[0014] FIG. 7 depicts a perspective, close-up view of an exemplary embodiment of the gearbox, gear, gear lever, and extension spring of FIG. 2.
[0015] FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the rotation adjustment assembly and an exemplary embodiment of the angle adjustment assembly of FIG. 2.
[0016] FIG. 9 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the rotation adjustment assembly and an exemplary embodiment of the angle adjustment assembly of FIG. 2.
[0017] FIG. 10 depicts a back view of an exemplary embodiment of a pipe stop apparatus having an exemplary embodiment of an adjustable roller assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S) SHOWN
[0018] The description that follows includes exemplary apparatus, methods, techniques, and instruction sequences that embody techniques of the inventive subject matter. However, it is understood that the described embodiments may be practiced without these specific details.
[0019] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a pipe stop apparatus 200. A pipe stop apparatus 200 may comprise a main body 10, a plurality of rollers 2 connected to the main body 10, a gear 4 connected to a first roller 2a of the plurality of rollers 2, a gear lever (which, by way of example only, may be a pawl) 6 connected to the main body 10 and adapted to engage with the gear 4, a gear handle 8 connected to the gear lever 6, and a clamp 14 connected to the main body 10. A pipe stop apparatus 200 may further comprise an extension spring 12, wherein the extension spring 12 is connected to the gear handle 8 at a first end 12a of the extension spring 12 and wherein the extension spring 12 is connected to the main body 10 at a second end 12b of the extension spring 12 (shown in FIG. 5A). Extension spring 12 may aid in keeping the gear 4 from rotating and preventing pipe 16 from being unexpectedly dispensed or retracted. For example, extension spring may prevent the gear handle 8 from releasing, which can allow pipe 16 to retract backward unexpectedly. The pipe stop apparatus 200 controls and dispenses piping or conduit or hosing or other tubing or tubular vessels 16 from a spool or other device on which a pipe or conduit or hosing or other tubing or tubular vessels 16 is wound or otherwise stored, controlling stored energy of the pipe or conduit 16 in preventing injuries, and eliminating wasted pipe or conduit 16. In particular, the gear lever 6 and gear handle 8 may be used to stop or lock rotation of the gear, which controllably prevents or stops piping 16 from being dispensed and retracted. Additionally, the gear lever 6 and gear handle 8 may be used to allow rotation of the gear, which allows piping 16 to be controlled, dispensed, and retracted. Clamp 14 may clamp to a trailer 20 or other suitable structure 22a, which, by way of example only, may be a post (which, by way of example only, may be a square tube) 22 for mounting the pipe stop apparatus 200 to control pipe or conduit 16. Pipe stop apparatus 200 may be mounted as a fixed mount and/or removeable mount as indicated by FIG. 1. Pipe stop apparatus 200 may be mounted as a movable mount. Main body 10 may comprise a plurality of walls 11. The plurality of walls 11 may comprise a first end plate wall 11a connected to a c-shaped plate wall 11b and a second end plate wall 11c connected to the c-shaped plate wall 11b. A second roller 2b of the plurality of rollers 2 may be connected to the first end plate wall 11a and the second end plate wall 11c. The first end plate wall 11a and the second endplate wall 11c may circumscribe the second roller 2b. The first end plate wall 11a may define a first end plate wall adjustment slot 11d. The second end plate wall 11c may define a second end plate wall adjustment slot 11e. The first end plate wall adjustment slot 11d and the second end plate wall adjustment slot 11e allow adjustment of the proximity or distance of the second roller 2b relative to (e.g., further or closer to) the first roller 2a to accommodate or adjust for pipes of different sizes/diameters. Pipe stop apparatus 200 may guide traveling pipe 16 in a direction 16a toward the area or region of delivery (e.g., underground installation of pipe into, e.g., a trench or ditch) of traveling pipe.
[0020] FIG. 2 depicts a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a pipe stop apparatus 200. FIG. 3 depicts a perspective, back side view of the exemplary embodiment of the pipe stop apparatus 200 of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 depicts a back view of the exemplary embodiment of the pipe stop apparatus 200 of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 depicts a cross-sectional, close-up perspective view inside the gearbox of the exemplary embodiment of the pipe stop apparatus of FIG. 4. FIG. 5A depicts a schematic cross-sectional, partial, close-up view inside a gearbox of an exemplary embodiment of a pipe stop apparatus.
[0021] FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the adjustable roller assembly of the exemplary embodiment of the pipe stop apparatus of FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 2 - 6, a pipe stop apparatus 200 may comprise a main body 10, a plurality of rollers 2 connected to the main body 10, a gear 4 connected to a first roller 2a of the plurality of rollers 2, a gear lever (which, by way of example only, may be a pawl) 6 connected to the main body 10 and adapted to engage with the gear 4, a gear handle 8 connected to the gear lever 6, and a clamp 14 connected to the main body 10. Pipe stop apparatus 200 may further comprise an extension or tension spring 12, wherein the extension spring 12 is connected to the gear handle 8 via hole 8a (shown in FIG. 7, and represented schematically in FIG. 5A) at a first end 12a of the extension spring 12 and wherein the extension spring 12 is connected to the main body 10 at a second end 12b of the extension spring 12 (shown in FIG. 5A). For example, extension spring 12 may be connected to a fixed surface such as an interior wall of gearbox 18 at a second end 12b of the extension spring 12, or extension spring may be connected to a bolt 13 at an end of a bolt 13a (represented schematically in FIG. 5A) threaded through and into the interior region of gearbox 18. Extension spring 12 may aid in keeping the gear 4 from rotating and preventing pipe 16 from being unexpectedly dispensed or retracted. For example, extension spring may prevent the gear handle 8 from releasing, which can allow pipe 16 to retract backward unexpectedly. Pipe stop apparatus 200 may further comprise a gearbox 18 connected to the main body 10. Main body 10 may comprise a plurality of walls 11. Main body 10 may comprise a plurality of walls, wherein the plurality of walls comprises a first wall 10a connected to a second wall 10b, a third wall 10c connected to the second wall, and a fourth 10d wall connected to the third wall 10c. Pipe stop apparatus 200 may further comprise an adjustable roller assembly 80 connected to the main body 10 adapted to adjust the distance D between the first roller of the plurality of rollers and a second roller of the plurality of rollers. The first wall 10a may define a first roller tension adjustment slot 24. The third wall 10c may define a second roller tension adjustment slot 26. The plurality of rollers 2 may connect to the main body 10 by each being mounted on the main body 10 by a plurality of roller mounting rods 28. A first roller 2a may connect to the main body 10 by being mounted with a first roller mounting rod 28a. A second roller 2b may connect to the main body 10 by being mounted with a second roller mounting rod 28b. The second roller mounting rod 28b of the second roller 2b may pass through the first roller tension adjustment slot 24 at a top portion 30 of the second roller mounting rod 28b. The second roller mounting rod 28b of the second roller 2b may pass through the second roller tension adjustment slot 26 at a bottom portion 32 of the second roller mounting rod 28b. The top portion 30 of the second roller mounting rod 28b may be threaded and may mount to the main body 10 with a top nut 34, a top roller bearing 36, a top roller bearing holder 38, and a top roller bearing holder flange 40. The top roller bearing holder flange 40 may mount to the main body with fasteners, such as screws and lock nuts. The bottom portion 32 of the second roller mounting rode 28b may be threaded and may mount to the main body 10 with a bottom nut 42, a bottom roller bearing 44, a bottom roller bearing holder 46, and a bottom roller bearing holder flange 48. The bottom roller bearing holder flange 48 may mount to the main body with fasteners, such as, for example, screws and lock nuts. Handle 9 may be connected to a handle base 9a, which may be threaded. Gear lever 6 may define a gear lever hole 6a (shown in FIG. 5) through which a screw may mount threaded handle base 9a and handle 9 to the main body 10. A spacer may be between gear lever 6 and the main body 10. Rotation or movement of the handle 9 moves or rotates the gear lever 6. Movement of the handle 9 may allow the gear 4 to spin freely in either direction (or, optionally, to assist in locking the gear 4 in place), which allows pipe to travel backwards such that an operate may remove pipe from the pipe stop apparatus 200.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 2 - 6, The first wall 10a may define a first roller rod passage 50. The third wall 10c may define a second roller rod passage 52. A first roller 2a may connect to the main body 10 by being mounted with a first roller mounting rod 28a. The first roller mounting rod 28a of the first roller 2a may pass through the first roller rod passage 50 at a top portion 54 of the first roller mounting rod 28a. The first roller mounting rod 28a of the first roller 2a may pass through the second roller rod passage 52 at a bottom portion 56 of the first roller mounting rod 28a. The top portion 54 of the first roller mounting rod 28a may be threaded and may mount to the main body 10 with a top roller bearing (first roller) 58 and a top roller bearing holder (first roller) 60. The bottom portion 56 of the first roller mounting rod 28a may be threaded and may mount to the main body with a bottom nut (first roller) 62, a bottom roller bearing (first roller) 64, and a bottom roller bearing holder (first roller) 66.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 2 - 6, Adjustable roller assembly 80 may comprise a first arm 82, a bridge plate 84 connected to the first arm 82, a second arm 86 connected to the bridge plate 84, and a rod 88 connected to the bridge plate 84. First arm 82 may define a hole or passage 90 through which the top portion 30 of the second roller mounting rod 28b may pass. First arm 82 may define holes which receive fasteners, such as, for example, screws. Second arm 86 may define a hole or passage 92 through which the bottom portion 32 of the second roller mounting rod 28b may pass. Second arm 86 may define holes which receive fasteners, such as, for example, screws. Adjustable roller assembly 80 is connected to the main body 10 and adapted to adjust the distance D between the first roller of the plurality of rollers and a second roller of the plurality of rollers. The adjustable roller assembly 80 is adapted to move the second roller 2b closer to and further from the first roller 2a guided by the first roller tension adjustment slot 24 and the second roller tension adjustment slot 26. Adjustable roller assembly 80 may comprise a mechanism adapted to move the second roller 2b closer to and further from the first roller 2a. At least a portion of rod 88 may be threaded. Adjustable roller assembly 80 may further comprise a locknut 94, weld on bushing 96, a washer 98, a nut 100, threaded handle bung 102, handle 104, and a handle nut 106. Fourth wall 10d may define a rod 88 passage 108 wherein the threaded handle bung 102 may be retained. Bridge plate 84 may define a rod 88 hole 110 where the rod 88 connects to the bridge plate, for example, with locknut 94, weld on bushing 96, a washer 98, and a nut 100.
[0024] FIG. 7 depicts a perspective, close-up view of an exemplary embodiment of the gearbox 18, gear 4, gear lever 6, and extension spring 12 of FIG. 2. Extension spring 12 may be connected to the gear handle 8 at a first end 12a of the extension spring 12 and wherein the extension spring 12 is connected to the main body 10 at a second end 12b of the extension spring 12. Gear handle 8 may define a hole or passage 8a that the first end 12a of the extension spring 12 engages with in order to be connected to the gear handle 8. Gearbox 18 is connected to the main body 10. As one example, gearbox may be bolted on to the main body 10. Gearbox 18 may be partially open. Rotation or movement of handle 9 moves or rotates the gear lever 6. Movement of the handle 9 may allow the gear 4 to spin freely in either direction, which allows pipe to travel backwards such that an operate may remove pipe from the pipe stop apparatus 200
[0025] FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the rotation adjustment assembly 120 and an exemplary embodiment of the angle adjustment assembly 140 of FIG. 2. FIG. 9 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the rotation adjustment assembly 120 and an exemplary embodiment of the angle adjustment assembly 140 of FIG. 2. A pipe stop apparatus 200 may further comprise a rotation adjustment assembly 120 connected to the main body 10. Rotation adjustment assembly 120 may be adapted to adjust the orientation or position of the pipe stop apparatus 200 with respect to a structure on which it may be mounted. Main body 10 may comprise a plurality of walls 11. Main body 10 may comprise a plurality of walls, wherein the plurality of walls comprises a first wall 10a connected to a second wall 10b, a third wall 10c connected to the second wall, and a fourth 10d wall connected to the third wall 10c. The second wall 10b may define a rotation slot 128. Rotation adjustment assembly 120 may comprise a handle 122 connected to a handle base 124, and a rotating base 126 connected to the handle base 124. Handle base 124 may be threaded or partially threaded in the interior of the handle base 124. Rotating base 126 may define a passage or hole 126a. Rotating base 126 may be connected to the handle base 124 by a fastener 130, which may be, by way of example only, a t-slot bolt 130a, which passes through the rotation slot 128 and threads into handle base 124. By way of example only, a washer may be between the handle base 124 and the rotating base 126. By way of example only, a spacer may be between the rotating base 126 and the second wall 10b. The rotation adjustment assembly 120 is adapted to allow adjustment or rotation of the pipe stop apparatus 200 depending upon the shape of the rotation slot 128 in order to maneuver the pipe stop apparatus 200 for efficient and convenient dispensing and dampening of pipe or conduit 16 (shown in FIG. 1) and convenient placing or mounting of the pipe stop apparatus 200. For example, rotation slot 128 may be semicircular such that the rotation adjustment assembly may be releasably mounted along the rotation slot 128. Rotation adjustment assembly 120 may rotate and be rotatable about an axis defined by the shape of the rotation slot 128. The rotation adjustment assembly 120 is adapted to allow vertical and horizontal adjustment of the pipe stop apparatus 200 for efficient and convenient dispensing and dampening of pipe or conduit 16 (shown in FIG. 1) and convenient placing or mounting of the pipe stop apparatus 200. The rotation adjustment assembly 120 is adapted to adjust vertically the pipe stop apparatus 200 for efficient and convenient dispensing and dampening of pipe or conduit 16 (shown in FIG. 1) and convenient placing or mounting of the pipe stop apparatus 200.
[0026] A pipe stop apparatus 200 may further comprise an angle adjustment assembly 140 connected to the main body 10. Angle adjustment assembly 140 may be adapted to adjust the angle of the clamp with respect to a structure on which it may be mounted. Main body 10 may comprise a plurality of walls 11. Main body 10 may comprise a plurality of walls, wherein the plurality of walls comprises a first wall 10a connected to a second wall 10b, a third wall 10c connected to the second wall, and a fourth 10d wall connected to the third wall 10c. The second wall 10b may define a rotation slot 128. An angle adjustment assembly 140 may comprise a slide mount arm 146, an angle handle 142 connected to an angle handle base 144, a bracket arm 148 connected at one end 148a to the clamp 14 and at another end 148b to the slide mount arm 146. For example, at least a portion of the angle handle base 144 may be threaded. A fastener, such as a screw, may connect the angle handle base 144 to the bracket arm 148 and through the slide mount arm 146. By way of example only, slide mount arm 146 may define a slide mount slot 146a, and slide mount slot 146a may be, for example, a curved shape. Angle adjustment assembly 140 may be connected to the main body 10 by being connected to the rotating base 126. Rotating base 126 may be connected to the main body 10 by being mounted to the second wall 10b of the main body 10. Slide mount arm 146 allows mounting of the clamp along the slide mount slot 146a in order to adjust the angle of the clamp with respect to a structure on which it may be mounted. Angle adjustment assembly 140 is adapted to adjust horizontally the pipe stop apparatus 200 for efficient and convenient dispensing and dampening of pipe or conduit 16 (shown in FIG. 1) and convenient placing or mounting of the pipe stop apparatus 200.
[0027] Clamp 14 may comprise a first clamshell 150, a second clamshell 152, and a hinge 154 connecting the first clamshell 150 to the second clamshell 152. An angle adjustment assembly 140 may further comprise a mechanism 156 adapted to open and close the clamp 14 connected to the clamp 14. For example, mechanism 156 adapted to open and close the clamp may comprise a clamp handle 158 connected to a clamp handle base 160, wherein at least a portion of the clamp handle base interior is threaded, a weld-on bolt 162 connected to the clamp handle base 160, a weld-on pin capture 164 connected to the weld-on bolt 162, and a weld-on pin 166, wherein the weld-on pin capture 164 is connected to the second clamshell 152 at a notch defined by the second clamshell 152, and wherein the weld on bolt 162 is connected to the first clamshell 150 by a clamshell weld on capture 168.
[0028] FIG. 10 depicts a back view of an exemplary embodiment of a pipe stop apparatus 200 having an exemplary embodiment of an adjustable roller assembly 80. Adjustable roller assembly 80 is connected to the main body 10, wherein the adjustable roller assembly 80 is adapted to adjust the distance D between a first roller 2a of the plurality of rollers and a second roller 2b of the plurality of rollers. The adjustable roller assembly 80 is adapted to move the second roller 2b closer to and further from the first roller 2a guided by the first roller tension adjustment slot 24 and the second roller tension adjustment slot 26. Adjustable roller assembly 80 may comprise a mechanism adapted to move the second roller 2b closer to and further from the first roller 2a. Adjustable roller assembly 80 may comprise an adjustable roller lock wing handle 170 and an adjustable roller turn wing handle 172. By way of example only, adjustable roller assembly 80 may be similar to Adjustable roller assembly 80 of FIG. 6.
[0029] The pipe stop apparatus 200 controls and dampens the stored energy of coiled pipe or conduit 16. Pipe stop apparatus 200 is adapted to control stored energy of a pipe or conduit in dispensing the pipe or conduit from a spool or other device on which the pipe or conduit is wound or otherwise stored. The main body 10 of a pipe stop apparatus 200 may be mounted to a structure by clamp 14. A length of pipe or conduit 16 may be moved through a plurality of rollers 2 connected to the main body 10 of the pipe stop apparatus 200. Pipe stop apparatus may comprise an adjustable roller assembly connected to the main body, wherein the adjustable roller assembly is adapted to adjust the distance between a first roller of the plurality of rollers and a second roller of the plurality of rollers. The distance between the first roller of the plurality of rollers and the second roller of the plurality of rollers may be adjusted in order to apply tension to an outer surface of the pipe or conduit 16, and may allow use with and between pipe or conduit 16 having different outer diameters. The angle of the clamp 14 may be adjusted in order to mount the main body 10 to a structure. Rotating the gear lever 6 to engage the gear 4 may stop the length of pipe or conduit from moving through the plurality of rollers 2. An extension spring 12 may further lock the pipe stop apparatus 200 to prevent the length of pipe or conduit from moving through the plurality of rollers 2. The orientation of the main body 10 may be rotated for moving the length of pipe or conduit through the plurality of rollers 2.
[0030] Generally, a method for dampening, guiding a direction of, and selectively stopping a traveling pipe, may comprise the steps of connecting a main body to a structure, adjusting a setting of at least two rollers for squeezing and applying tension to an outer surface of the traveling pipe, moving a pipe through a main body containing a plurality of rollers, and stopping one of the at least two rollers from rotating for stopping the traveling pipe. The method may further comprise wherein the step of connecting the main body to the structure further comprises clamping the main body to the structure and adjusting a relative orientation or position between the main body and the structure. Generally, a method for dampening and stopping a traveling pipe may comprise the step of connecting a main body to a structure, which, for example, may be a column or base structure. Generally, the step of connecting a main body to a structure may be clamping the main body to the structure. Generally, a method for dampening and stopping a traveling pipe may comprise the step of adjusting a relative position and angle between the main body and the structure.
[0031] For installing pipe 16 in a trench, a field worker may mount a pipe stop apparatus 200 on the appropriate side of a trailer based upon the location of the trench as compared to where the trailer is parked. The trailer may have a coil of pipe. The position or orientation of the pipe stop apparatus may be adjusted horizontally and vertically for efficient and convenient dispensing and dampening of pipe or conduit 16 (shown in FIG. 1) and convenient placing or mounting of the pipe stop apparatus 200. The field worker may pull the pipe 16 into the trench through a plurality of rollers and the coil of pipe unwinds from on the trailer. When enough pipe has been pulled into the trench, the field worker may cut the pipe near the pipe stopper apparatus. The field worker may lock the pipe stop apparatus prior to cutting the pipe such that the pipe is stopped and pipe cannot be dispensed or retracted. The coil of piping on the trailer may remain tightly wound, preventing issues with wasted pipe or pipe dragging off the trailer when the trailer is in transit. The pipe stop apparatus controls the stored energy of the coiled pipe and prevents the stored energy of the coiled pipe from releasing during the cutting process. The pipe stop apparatus 200 may be used in the dispensing process as a directional guide to install product. Pipe stop apparatus 200 may guide traveling pipe in a direction toward the area or region of delivery (e.g., underground installation of pipe into, e.g., a trench or ditch) of traveling pipe.
[0032] While the exemplary embodiments are described with reference to various implementations and exploitations, it will be understood that these exemplary embodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the inventive subject matter is not limited to them. Many variations, modifications, additions and improvements are possible.
[0033] Plural instances may be provided for components, operations or structures described herein as a single instance. In general, structures and functionality presented as separate components in the exemplary configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single component may be implemented as separate components. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of the inventive subject matter.
