Minimal penetration lateral pipe connection assembly
View Patent ↗A pipe connection assembly is disclosed including a cylindrical hub having an interior diameter and a leading end having an exterior beveled surface that defines a leading edge of the hub; and a cylindrical elastomeric sleeve having an inner end that includes a radially inwardly projecting lip having a seat surface inclined to correspond to the beveled surface of the hub so the seat surface engages the beveled surface of the hub. The lip includes an annular stop projecting inwardly and having an interior diameter that is less than the interior diameter of the hub, thereby to define a stop surface that contacts the leading edge of the hub when the hub is inserted into the sleeve. The assembly restricts to a minimal amount the penetration of a hub component of the assembly into the cored hole of the mainline pipe to which the assembly is connected.
1. A pipe connection assembly, comprising:
a cylindrical hub having an interior diameter and a leading end having an exterior beveled surface that defines a leading edge of the hub;
a cylindrical elastomeric sleeve having an inner end that includes a radially inwardly projecting lip that has a seat surface inclined to correspond to the beveled surface of the hub so that the seat surface engages the beveled surface of the hub when the leading end of the hub is inserted into the sleeve; and wherein
the lip includes an annular stop projecting radially or axially inwardly and having an interior diameter that is less than the interior diameter of the hub, thereby to define a stop surface that contacts and obstructs the penetration of the leading edge of the hub beyond the stop surface when the hub is inserted into the sleeve.
2. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the lip is shaped to define a pocket in the stop surface to receive the leading edge of the hub.
3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the seat surface normally extends from the sleeve by an amount sufficient to compress that portion as the seat surface engages the beveled surface of the hub when the hub is inserted into the sleeve.
4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the sleeve fits into a hole in a pipe that has an interior surface, the sleeve further comprising a radially outwardly extending rib formed thereon and arranged to abut the interior surface of the pipe when the sleeve is fit into the hole, thereby to restrict rotation of the lip out of the path of the hub as the hub is inserted into the sleeve and thereby facilitate the compression of the portion of the seat surface.
5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the sleeve fits into a hole in a pipe that has a thickness and an exterior surface, the sleeve further comprising a radially outwardly extending rib formed thereon and arranged to abut the exterior surface of the pipe when the sleeve is fit into the hole, and wherein the lip is spaced from the rib by an amount less than or substantially equal to the pipe thickness thereby to cause the seat surface to be compressed between the beveled surface and the pipe when the leading end of the hub is inserted into the sleeve.
6. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising annular protrusions formed on an inside surface of the sleeve to be compressed between the sleeve and the hub when the hub is inserted into the sleeve.
7. The assembly of claim 6 wherein the annular protrusions are configured to be compressed between the sleeve and a part of the hub that is spaced away from the beveled surface.
8. The assembly of claim 6 wherein the sleeve fits into a hole in a pipe and further comprises annular protrusions formed on an exterior surface of the sleeve to be compressed between the sleeve and a pipe into which the sleeve is fit when the leading end of the hub is inserted into the sleeve.