Manual plastic pipe scraper and inspection tool

Abstract

A manual or hand-held plastic pipe scraper and inspection tool comprising a pipe scraper body 1 having an angled pipe-scraper blade (6, fig 3) and a mirror 2 to view difficult to see preparation areas

Description

Description This invention relates to a tool to prepare plastic pipe installations for additional jointing. When preparing plastic pipes for electrofusion jointing, or similar assembly methods, it is necessary to prepare / scrape the pipes surface to remove any debris and / or oxidation of the material being prepared to achieve a clean jointing area where the joint is to be made. There is a problem with being able to visually identify when the material is sufficiently clean in all areas being prepared around the periphery of the pipe(s), and it is difficult to inspect these properly, possibly resulting in joint failures. To overcome this, the present invention proposes to offer manual surface scraping, incorporating an easy to use visual inspection of hard to see areas of the manually scraped pipe, by the addition of the integrated mirror and (optional) powered light source to illuminate these area's. This manual plastic pipe scraper is ergonomically shaped to allow full pressure while scraping the pipe surface, and offers more uniformity to the prepared pipe surface. The mirror and (optional) powered integrated light offer the opportunity to visually inspect the area / surface that has been scraped and offer confirmation that the process is completed satisfactorily. The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings which: Figure 1 shows a typical plastic pipe installation in a trench a.) that is dug into the soil / road / earth, and indicates the area b.) where it is not possible to inspect the pipe surface visually whether before or after preparing / scraping the surface for any joint, because of the prevailing conditions of the pipe and installation position in the trench. With the invention positioned with the mirror angled and facing the operator and the pipe area as shown, it is possible to view the pipe surface through the mirror, and in poor light conditions, the addition of the purposely angled LED light source offers a visual improvement to the operation. Figure 2 shows the manual pipe scraper body 1, the mirror 2, the optional powered light source 3, the area c.) that needs to be circumferentially scraped clean for a successful joint, and b.) the area where it is not physically possible to inspect the operation has been successful. Figure 3 shows the invention details of 1,2,3, and 4 which is the built-in power switch, 5 showing the shaped palm rest, 6 where the metal scraper blade is positioned / affixed on a specific angled platform, and 7 the ergonomical shape of the scraper body. Manual Plastic Pipe Scraper and Inspection Tool Detailed Description In figure 1, the plastic pipe has been installed into a trench a.) to a given size and specification regarding depths and widths. In most cases when a new installation of pipe is installed, or during repairs to or additions to the pipes network requirements, there are times and places that often make the underside and trench wall sides of the pipe very difficult to view as indicated by b.) Area to be scraped. As the requirements for electrofusion welding, for example, dictate that the area where the joint is to be welded is scraped clean of any debris and oxidation and is greater than the electrofusion coupler or tee piece or similar joint dimensions. There are requirements to use a rotary or automatic scraper already manufactured and available wherever possible, but as in the example in Figure 1 shows, this may not be possible due to space requirements as these tools can be bulky and need space to operate correctly. To ensure the prepared area is clean this invention offers a solution to this particular problem. Figure 2 shows the invention has 2.) a built-in mirror coupled with 3.) an optional LED powered light source that is switchable for dark areas or night working. The industry already uses a commonly available wood scraper design that can in most cases reach the full required scape area c.) area to be scraped, but it is not always possible to inspect the area when the work has been carried out, as shown in the area b.) Area to inspect. This invention can manually scrape the area c.) circumference and hatched area, and by rotating the scraper to expose the mirror, and angle it in such a way as to see the scraped surface in difficult to observe areas, and fully visualise the area b.) to ensure the entire scraped surface is correctly prepared. Figure 3 shows the shape and proportions and locations of 1.) the manual plastic pipe scraper (shown without the required but commonly available steel blade) 2.) the integrated mirror 3.) the integrated LED light source 4.) the on / off operational switch for the light source 5.) the Palm Rest Shaped Top which offers the operator of the scraper the ability to use appropriate weight onto the scraper and hold the tool onto the pipe surface circumferentially even in difficult to scrape area's 6.) the Angled Scraper Blade Platform which is designed to hold any commonly available and appropriate steel scraper blade at the correct angle for scraping and 7.) the Shaped Grip which can be offered in either left or right handed versions and allows the scraper body to be held securely due to the inventions ergonomically shaped profile. A brief Method of use is detailed in Claim 6. for the purpose of explaining where the invention in terms of its improved manual scraping capabilities, and mirror and LED light source are completely advantageous and innovative when used as intended in difficult and challenging environments, whereby the operator can much better visualise whether or not the full pipe surface is completely clear of all contaminants and offers much more surety to the intended welding / jointing process and its long term viability. Manual Plastic Pipe Scraper and Inspection Tool

Claims

1. A manual plastic pipe scraper design incorporating a mirror and (optional) switchable light source, that when scraping underneath the pipe or in more awkward or restricted spaces, can be rotated by the user and angled against the pipe area to expose the integrated mirror feature and will show / expose whether the surface of the pipe is completely scaped clean of debris and material by the mirror reflecting the surface of the pipe to the operator / installer.

2. A manual plastic pipe scraper according to claim 1, which consists of an on and off switch to activate an integrated LED light source that is battery powered and rechargeable using an appropriate USB cable and power source to illuminate the underside of the pipe that has been scraped and expose areas that may be incorrectly scraped when observed using the integrated mirror,3. A manual plastic pipe scraper, that is ideally shaped to offer an ergonomical grip on the tool while scraping the surface / substrate and specified area, and could be supplied foreither / or left or right handed operators.

4. A manual plastic pipe scraper according to claim 3 that is shaped to offer an integrated palm shaped top to add pressure to the scraping action when held onto the pipe surface.

5. A manual plastic pipe scraper according to claim 1, that is shaped to allow a commonly available steel (or similar) blade to be mounted and held in place at the specified angle that facilitates easier and more effective scraping of the surface / substrate specified area to be cleaned.

6. A manual plastic pipe scraper according to claim 1 Method of use:Pipe Preparation - Pipe end to pipe end jointing of PE (or similar material) pipe e.g. mains or service pipes and all / any joints that need scraping before application;• After completing an inspection of the pipe, cutting one or both ends of the pipe to fit and align with each other and ensuring the trench is suitable to conduct a fusion joint in (Figure 1 - a) &Figure 2 - a), proceed as follows:• With the electrofusion fitting still in its bag, offer half the coupler length up to the end of the pipe, add approximately 25mm extra length, and draw a line around the full circumference of the pipe.• Cross hatch the area of pipe with the recommended highlighter pen, from the circumference mark to the end of the pipe (figure 2- c)), this is the scraping area for the electrofusion coupler.• Using the correct (left or right hand scraper, Figure 3 - 7.)) scraper tool, scrape the cross hatched markings off the PE pipe. The scraper is ergonomically designed to give the user better purchase of the tooling (Figure 2 -1.) &Figure 3 — 1.) &5.)); this is coupled together with an angled face for the scraper blade to sit on (Figure 3-6.).Manual Plastic Pipe Scraper and Inspection Tool• To check underneath the pipe (Figure 1 - b &Figure 2 - b), turn the scraper over and angle the mirror on the top of the scraper (Figure 2 - 2. &Figure 3 - 2.). and check for unscraped or poorly scraped areas and re-apply the scraper as required. Repeat this process until the cross hatched area under the pipe is completely removed.• If the environment is dark or working at night, use the (optional) LED light provided (Figure 2 - 3.) &Figure 3 - 3.) &4.) to determine a complete scrape and removal of the cross hatched markings.• Repeat this process for the other end of the pipe you are joining together.

7. A manual plastic pipe scraper according to claim 1 that could also be used in many / anysituations where there is any substrate to be scraped and / or prepared for subsequent actions and not limited to the specific intentions herein.

8. A manual plastic pipe scraper according to any of the preceding claims that could have an additional camera embedded into this design and accompanying an associated App to view and capture the information for use as evidence of correct procedure at any time.

9. A manual plastic pipe scraper according to any of the preceding claims that could have a curved or additional mirror(s) to aid viewing.Amendments to the claims have been filled as follows:Amended Claims Set1. A manual pipe scraper comprising a scraper body having a first end and a second end, a palm rest located adjacent to the first end and a platform extending from the second end towards the palm rest, the platform having an upper wall, that is positioned opposite to a lower wall, and a side wall that is positioned between the upper wall and the lower wall, the side wall having a first portion that is located at the second end of the scraper body and that is provided with at least one finger grip, the palm rest extending upwardly from the scraper body and ergonomically shaped to, in use, fit within the palm of a hand of the user, wherein a scraper blade is located adjacent to the lower wall of the platform and an upwardly directed mirror is located adjacent to the upper wall of the platform.

2. A manual pipe scraper as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side wall of the platform having a second portion that is provided with a grip feature.

3. A manual pipe scraper as claimed in claim 2, wherein the side wall of the platform has a third portion that is provided with a grip feature.

4. A manual pipe scraper as claimed in any of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the upper wall of the platform is substantially flat and wherein the scraper blade is angled relative to the upper wall such that a first portion of the scraper blade that is located nearest to the second end of the scraper body is further from the upper wall that a second portion of the scraper blade that is located nearest to the first end of the scraper body.

5. A manual pipe scraper as claimed in any of the preceding claims, further comprising a light source orientated to illuminate the mirror.

6. A manual pipe scraper as claimed in any of the preceding claims, further comprising a camera

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