GB2147233A

GB2147233A - Improvements relating to soldering implements

Info

Publication number: GB2147233A
Application number: GB08325984A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Snyder Haydyn Douglas De
Original assignee: SNYDER HAYDYN DOUGLAS DE
Current assignee: SNYDER HAYDYN DOUGLAS DE
Priority date: 1983-09-28
Filing date: 1983-09-28
Publication date: 1985-05-09
Also published as: GB8325984D0

Abstract

A pliers-like device has jaws (9, 10) with concave electric heating elements (12, 13) which can co-operate closely to embrace a pipe joint. Thermostatic control (19) may govern the energisation, to ensure melting of the solder in the joint, and a lamp (18) can indicate attainment of sufficient temperature. The heating elements are replaceable by others of different size to cater for different gauges of pipework, the jaws having a plug-in engagement with a handle assembly (1, 2, 7, 8). The beating elements can have grooves (14) to accommodate solder-retaining ribs, and they may be made narrow for a single connection or wide for a double connection of two pipes into a straight joint. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to soldering implements This invention relates to soldering implements.

Most newly installed plumbing, particularly for hot water circuits, is now carried out in copper piping. The joints are made either by compression fittings, which are bulky and expensive, or by soldered joints.

The major problem with soldered joints is that hitherto a blowlamp has had to be used, and since pipes are usually run along skirting boards or in confined spaces under floors or in corners, there is often difficulty in shielding what lies behind the pipe from the flame. Also, the flame is somewhat indiscriminate and it is generally impossible to make the solder flow in one part of the joint only.

Thus, a loose joint has to be made first, with both pipe ends sleeved into the joint, and then the blowlamp is applied to melt the solder in both parts. In some circumstances it would be more convenient to have the joint secured to one pipe end and the other pipe end brought to it and soldered separately.

It is the aim of this invention to make the completion of soldered joints very much easier and safer, particularly for the amateur handyman.

According to the present invention there is provided a soldering implement comprising a pliers like device with the jaws having respective electrically heated concave elements for embracing a cylindrical member such as a pipe joint.

The implement will not actually come into contact with the solder.

Preferably, it will be provided with a thermostatic control with a sensor on at least one of the jaws arranged to signal when a given temperature is achieved. This will best be the temperature of the metal joint itself rather than that of the heating elements since it is the metal joint which conducts the heat to melt the solder, and it is the moment when the solder melts that is of importance. This signal may cause a bulb to light up or operate some other alarm and tell the user to release the jaws. It may be arranged that, once a given temperature is achieved, it is held for a few seconds before the signal is given. There can also be an over-ride control so that the heat can be maintained for longer periods. This would be used when dismantling a soldered joint, for the solder has to be kept melted while the joint is worked loose.The implement then also acts as pliers and can be used to pull the joint free.

In more sophisticated versions a lock could be operated to retain the jaws closed as they are clamped around the joint. This lock would be sprung open automatically when the given temperature and dwell was achieved, and thus release the jaws.

Ordinary electric mains supply will suffice and a cable can be led into the rear end of one of the handles. This will generally be provided with a thumb or finger switch so that the user can rapidly and easily turn the power on or off.

It will be necessary to provide different shaped and sized jaws for dealing with various pipe gauges and types of joint. Rather than have separate soldering implements for each type, it is proposed to have sets of plug-in jaws which can be fitted to a universal handle assembly. Most domestic plumbing is carried out in 15 mm and 22 mm copper pipe, and a common form of soldered joint has solder already provided at each end in a reservoir formed by an annular groove pressed out of the inner cylindrical surface. This forms an annular rib on the outside of the joint. The jaws for use with these joints will have matching grooves in their concave heating elements.

For straight joints it would be possible to have jaws with extra width so that both parts of the joint could be heated simultaneously.

For a better understanding of the invention one embodiment will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a soldering implement for plumbing joints, and Figure 2 is a perspective view of a detachable jaw for such a soldering implement.

The soldering implement has two handles 1 and 2, joined by a pivot 3 and urged apart by a spring 4 so that they operate like pliers The handles are heavily insulated and into the rear end of handle 1 there passes an electric cable 5. This extends through the handle and its supply can be switched on or off by a button 6.

Beyond the pivot 3 the handles provide sockets 7 and 8 for a pair of jaws 9 and 10. As best seen in Figure 2, each jaw has two pins 11 for making electrical connection with the mains supply, which is divided downstream of the switch 6 to pass to both sockets 7 and 8. The pins, or the general formation of the socket, may be asymmetrical to ensure that the jaw is fitted in the correct attitude.

However, generally it will be possible for the jaws to be fitted in either socket. The tightness of fit alone may suffice, but there could be a positive catch (not shown) to retain each jaw in its socket.

Each jaw is a block of insulating material with a semi-cylindrical recess in which is fitted a corre spondingly-shaped heating element 12 or 13.

These are connected to the pins 11 and heat up when the power is switched on.

In the version shown in Figure 2 the concave surface of the element 13 has an arcuate groove 14 to fit over the rib of the pre-soldered type of joint mentioned above.

A temperature sensor 15 is shown carried by the jaw 10, and its probe will make contact with the surface of the joint or the pipe immediately adjacent the joint. Rather than provide sensors with each set of jaws, and extra pins to transmit their signals back via the sockets, a single sensor is provided, connected to the handle assembly by its signal cable 16, and it can be fixed to the side of any jaw in a correctly located position by press studs (not shown) and recesses 17. The temperature corresponding to that at which the solder will melt within the joint will cause the sensor to respond and illuminate a lamp 18. It may also switch off the power independently of button 6. A first control 19 is provided to set the critical temperature; normally it will remain unchanged, but in certain circumstances it may be desired to alter it. A second control 20 can set a time delay so that a selected number of seconds elapse before the lamp 18 responds. This may have an extreme position where the lamp remains off and the power on indefinitely, under the sole control of the button 6.

Claims

1. A soldering implement comprising a device with mutually co-operable jaws having respective concave electric heating elements for embracing a cylindrical member such as a pipe joint.

2. An implement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device is of pliers-like form.

3. An implement as claimed in claim 1 or 2, and further comprising temperature sensing means for guiding operation of the electric heating elements.

4. An implement as claimed in claim 3, wherein the sensing means is adapted to sense the temperature of the embraced member.

5. An implement as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the sensing means is arranged to signal the attainment of a predetermined temperature.

6. An implement as claimed in claim 5, wherein the signal is arranged to be given a predetermined time after the attainment of said temperature.

7. An implement as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein thermostatic control is provided to operate in conjunction with said sensing SLISF means to govern the operation of the electric heating elements.

8. An implement as claimed in claim 7, and further comprising an over-ride control whereby the heating elements can be kept energised beyond a period determined by the sensing means and thermostatic control.

9. An implement as claimed in any preceding claim, and further comprising means for holding the jaws in their co-operating position.

10. An implement as claimed in claim 9 as appendant to claim 7 or 8, wherein the thermostatic control is arranged to release said holding means at the termination of a heating period.

11. An implement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the heating elements are replaceable by others of different size.

12. An implement as claimed in claim 11, wherein the jaws are plug-in members fittable to a handle assembly.

13. An implement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the heating elements are grooved to accommodate an annular rib on the outside of a soldered pipe joint.

14. An implement as claimed in claim 13, wherein the heating elements each have two axially spaced grooves to accommodate both ribs of a straight pipe joint.

15. A soldering implement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.