GB2162606A - Anti-tampering device for a pipe joint - Google Patents

Anti-tampering device for a pipe joint Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2162606A
GB2162606A GB08419713A GB8419713A GB2162606A GB 2162606 A GB2162606 A GB 2162606A GB 08419713 A GB08419713 A GB 08419713A GB 8419713 A GB8419713 A GB 8419713A GB 2162606 A GB2162606 A GB 2162606A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
pipe
gas
nut
elements
component
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB08419713A
Other versions
GB2162606B (en
GB8419713D0 (en
Inventor
Peter Spence Clough
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
British Gas Corp
Original Assignee
British Gas Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by British Gas Corp filed Critical British Gas Corp
Priority to GB08419713A priority Critical patent/GB2162606B/en
Publication of GB8419713D0 publication Critical patent/GB8419713D0/en
Publication of GB2162606A publication Critical patent/GB2162606A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2162606B publication Critical patent/GB2162606B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
    • B65D85/02—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for annular articles
    • B65D85/04—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for annular articles for coils of wire, rope or hose
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L19/00—Joints in which sealing surfaces are pressed together by means of a member, e.g. a swivel nut, screwed on or into one of the joint parts
    • F16L19/005—Joints in which sealing surfaces are pressed together by means of a member, e.g. a swivel nut, screwed on or into one of the joint parts comprising locking means for the threaded member
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L2201/00—Special arrangements for pipe couplings
    • F16L2201/20—Safety or protective couplings

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Measuring Volume Flow (AREA)

Abstract

A device for indicating whether or not a pipe union has been tampered with, comprises a pair of hinged C-shaped interlockable elements 1 and 2 which are interlockable to enclose the pipe union, one element 2 having a ratchet 7 for engaging in a catch 9 in the other element 1 to lock the elements together. The device may have an integrally moulded tongue (11-Fig 4) for engaging the body of a gas tap to prevent rotation of the device. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Device for indicating whether or not pipe component has been tampered with The present invention relates to a device for indicating whether or not a pipe component such as a pipe union has been tampered with.
Gas service pipes which supply gas to dwellings are connected by way of a tap or cock to the inlet of a gas meter. The tap enables the consumer manually to shut off the gas supply when for instance the dwelling is to be vacated for a period.
The tap is incorporated in a short length of pipe one end of which is connected to the service pipe, the other end being connected to the inlet of the gas meter. These connections or unions are usually made by means of an internally threaded nut which is slidably received on one pipe and is secured to a suitably externally threaded end of the other pipe. The end of this pipe in use buts against a flange on the end of the other pipe, the flange also serving as a means for retaining the nut on the first pipe. By releasing this connection it is possible to connect a by-pass from the free end of a pipe upstream of the gas meter to a pipe which is downstream of the gas meter, the downstream pipe having been temporarily disconnected from the gas meter outlet.
In this way the consumer can consume gas without its consumption being metered.
Other methods exist by which gas can be consumed without actually recording its use on the meter or by causing the meter to give an incorrectly low reading. All these practices are of course both illegal and dangerous and all require at least one of the pipe unions upstream of the meter to be disconnected. So far detection of such practices has been difficult even by gas meter readers since the consumer is usually given a fore-warning of an impending visit by the gas meter reader and is able to reconnect the meter to its adjacent pipes to give an appearance of normality.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a means indicating that such practices are likely to have occurred.
According to the present invention a device is provided for indicating whether or not a pipe component such as a pipe union has been tampered with, the device comprising a pair of hinged interlockable elements which are adapted to enclose the component when interlocked around the pipe such that subsequent external access to the component is only possible by breaking or damaging the device in some way.
An embodiment of the invention will now be particularly described with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view in perspective of the device in the open position, Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 with the device in the closed position, Figure 3 is a sectional view of an alternative interlocking tooth, and Figure 4 is a side view of a modified form of the device enclosing a pipe union nut on one side of a consumer gas tap.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the device com prises a pair of C- shaped elements 1 and 2 which are engagable and interlockable to enclose a suita ble pipe component, particularly a pipe union nut in a domestic gas pipe upstream of the gas meter.
Each element comprises two generally arcuate side portions 3 and 4 and an adjoining wall portion 5, the side portions having suitably recessed edges to fit onto the pipe.
The device is made as a moulding of a suitable plastics material with the elements connected to each other at one end by an integrally moulded hinge 6 between the walls 5 of the elements.
The lowermost element 2 is formed at its other end with an integrally moulded toothed ratchet 7 upstanding from a ledge 8 formed on the outside of the wall 5. The ratchet 7 is designed to engage lockably in an integrally moulded apertured catch 9 formed on the outside of the wall 5 at the other end of the element 1. When the device is in the closed position shown in Figure 5 the correspondence between the ratchet 7 and catch 9 is such that the ratchet 7 cannot be released from the catch 9 except by breaking or damaging either of these items.
The ratchet 7 may take the form shown in Figure 3 ie an arrow shaped element, the head 10 of which is adapted to fit lockably into the aperture of the catch 9.
Two devices may be fitted to enclose both of the pipe union nuts located on each side of the consumer gas tap or cock by firstly fitting the device in the open position onto the nut and then locking the elements together as shown in Figure 2.
Once in position over the nut, access to the nut to disconnect the pipes forming the union is only possible by breaking or damaging the device in some way. Such breakage or damage will be detectable by a gas meter reader.
To prevent the consumer from rotating the nut by squashing the device between the jaws of a pair of grips one, or both of the elements of the device may be provided with an integrally moulded tongue 11 (as shown in Figure 4) for engaging the body 12 of the tap 13, the tongue 11 projecting sideways from the element.
It will be appreciated that in Figure 4 both nuts shown should be enclosed by a device.
1. A device for indicating whether or not a pipe component such as a pipe union has been tampered with, the device comprising a pair of hinged interlockable elements which are adapted to enclose the component when interlocked around the pipe such that subsequent external access to the component is only possible by breaking or damaging the device in some way.
2. A device as claimed in Claim 1 in which one of the elements has a toothed member which interlocks with a corresponding portion in the other element.
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Device for indicating whether or not pipe component has been tampered with The present invention relates to a device for indicating whether or not a pipe component such as a pipe union has been tampered with. Gas service pipes which supply gas to dwellings are connected by way of a tap or cock to the inlet of a gas meter. The tap enables the consumer manually to shut off the gas supply when for instance the dwelling is to be vacated for a period. The tap is incorporated in a short length of pipe one end of which is connected to the service pipe, the other end being connected to the inlet of the gas meter. These connections or unions are usually made by means of an internally threaded nut which is slidably received on one pipe and is secured to a suitably externally threaded end of the other pipe. The end of this pipe in use buts against a flange on the end of the other pipe, the flange also serving as a means for retaining the nut on the first pipe. By releasing this connection it is possible to connect a by-pass from the free end of a pipe upstream of the gas meter to a pipe which is downstream of the gas meter, the downstream pipe having been temporarily disconnected from the gas meter outlet. In this way the consumer can consume gas without its consumption being metered. Other methods exist by which gas can be consumed without actually recording its use on the meter or by causing the meter to give an incorrectly low reading. All these practices are of course both illegal and dangerous and all require at least one of the pipe unions upstream of the meter to be disconnected. So far detection of such practices has been difficult even by gas meter readers since the consumer is usually given a fore-warning of an impending visit by the gas meter reader and is able to reconnect the meter to its adjacent pipes to give an appearance of normality. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a means indicating that such practices are likely to have occurred. According to the present invention a device is provided for indicating whether or not a pipe component such as a pipe union has been tampered with, the device comprising a pair of hinged interlockable elements which are adapted to enclose the component when interlocked around the pipe such that subsequent external access to the component is only possible by breaking or damaging the device in some way. An embodiment of the invention will now be particularly described with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view in perspective of the device in the open position, Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 with the device in the closed position, Figure 3 is a sectional view of an alternative interlocking tooth, and Figure 4 is a side view of a modified form of the device enclosing a pipe union nut on one side of a consumer gas tap. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the device com prises a pair of C- shaped elements 1 and 2 which are engagable and interlockable to enclose a suita ble pipe component, particularly a pipe union nut in a domestic gas pipe upstream of the gas meter. Each element comprises two generally arcuate side portions 3 and 4 and an adjoining wall portion 5, the side portions having suitably recessed edges to fit onto the pipe. The device is made as a moulding of a suitable plastics material with the elements connected to each other at one end by an integrally moulded hinge 6 between the walls 5 of the elements. The lowermost element 2 is formed at its other end with an integrally moulded toothed ratchet 7 upstanding from a ledge 8 formed on the outside of the wall 5. The ratchet 7 is designed to engage lockably in an integrally moulded apertured catch 9 formed on the outside of the wall 5 at the other end of the element 1. When the device is in the closed position shown in Figure 5 the correspondence between the ratchet 7 and catch 9 is such that the ratchet 7 cannot be released from the catch 9 except by breaking or damaging either of these items. The ratchet 7 may take the form shown in Figure 3 ie an arrow shaped element, the head 10 of which is adapted to fit lockably into the aperture of the catch 9. Two devices may be fitted to enclose both of the pipe union nuts located on each side of the consumer gas tap or cock by firstly fitting the device in the open position onto the nut and then locking the elements together as shown in Figure 2. Once in position over the nut, access to the nut to disconnect the pipes forming the union is only possible by breaking or damaging the device in some way. Such breakage or damage will be detectable by a gas meter reader. To prevent the consumer from rotating the nut by squashing the device between the jaws of a pair of grips one, or both of the elements of the device may be provided with an integrally moulded tongue 11 (as shown in Figure 4) for engaging the body 12 of the tap 13, the tongue 11 projecting sideways from the element. It will be appreciated that in Figure 4 both nuts shown should be enclosed by a device. CLAIMS
1. A device for indicating whether or not a pipe component such as a pipe union has been tampered with, the device comprising a pair of hinged interlockable elements which are adapted to enclose the component when interlocked around the pipe such that subsequent external access to the component is only possible by breaking or damaging the device in some way.
2. A device as claimed in Claim 1 in which one of the elements has a toothed member which interlocks with a corresponding portion in the other element.
3. A device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which where the pipe component is a pipe union of a consumer gas meter tap, one or both elements is provided with a tongue extending outwardly from the element to engage the body of the tap so as to prevent rotation of the pipe union nut by squashing the device when in of situ on the pipe.
4. A device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB08419713A 1984-08-02 1984-08-02 Anti-tampering device for a pipe joint Expired GB2162606B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08419713A GB2162606B (en) 1984-08-02 1984-08-02 Anti-tampering device for a pipe joint

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08419713A GB2162606B (en) 1984-08-02 1984-08-02 Anti-tampering device for a pipe joint

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8419713D0 GB8419713D0 (en) 1984-09-05
GB2162606A true GB2162606A (en) 1986-02-05
GB2162606B GB2162606B (en) 1988-02-24

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB08419713A Expired GB2162606B (en) 1984-08-02 1984-08-02 Anti-tampering device for a pipe joint

Country Status (1)

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GB (1) GB2162606B (en)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2631003A1 (en) * 1988-05-03 1989-11-10 Yves Muller Package for roll of strip tape
GB2221041A (en) * 1988-07-22 1990-01-24 Craig Taylor Security device for gas meter
DE4343877C1 (en) * 1993-12-22 1995-08-03 Helmut Sassnowski Pipe clamp for water or central heating pipes
EP0704652A1 (en) * 1994-09-28 1996-04-03 Cajon Company Tube coupling locking device
GB2304843A (en) * 1995-09-08 1997-03-26 Kevin Christopher Weet Pipe coupling security seal
DE19852122C2 (en) * 1998-11-12 2001-12-20 Hansgrohe Ag Connection device for a sanitary object
DE102004025163A1 (en) * 2004-05-21 2005-12-15 Mtu Friedrichshafen Gmbh Screening unit for use as splash guard, has housing divided at one of many passage openings for circuit parts that cut surface in associated housing parts through hinge arrangement, and closing mechanism provided between housing parts
WO2007066452A1 (en) * 2005-12-07 2007-06-14 Fujikin Incorporated Pipe joint locking device
KR101314494B1 (en) 2013-04-08 2013-10-07 최봉순 Valve nut locking apparatus

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2014680A (en) * 1978-02-11 1979-08-30 United Gas Industries Ltd Collar Preventing Access to Nuts
US4405161A (en) * 1981-06-09 1983-09-20 A. Steven Young Wellhead security apparatus

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2014680A (en) * 1978-02-11 1979-08-30 United Gas Industries Ltd Collar Preventing Access to Nuts
US4405161A (en) * 1981-06-09 1983-09-20 A. Steven Young Wellhead security apparatus

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
WO 83/03458 *

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2631003A1 (en) * 1988-05-03 1989-11-10 Yves Muller Package for roll of strip tape
GB2221041A (en) * 1988-07-22 1990-01-24 Craig Taylor Security device for gas meter
DE4343877C1 (en) * 1993-12-22 1995-08-03 Helmut Sassnowski Pipe clamp for water or central heating pipes
EP0704652A1 (en) * 1994-09-28 1996-04-03 Cajon Company Tube coupling locking device
GB2304843A (en) * 1995-09-08 1997-03-26 Kevin Christopher Weet Pipe coupling security seal
DE19852122C2 (en) * 1998-11-12 2001-12-20 Hansgrohe Ag Connection device for a sanitary object
DE102004025163A1 (en) * 2004-05-21 2005-12-15 Mtu Friedrichshafen Gmbh Screening unit for use as splash guard, has housing divided at one of many passage openings for circuit parts that cut surface in associated housing parts through hinge arrangement, and closing mechanism provided between housing parts
DE102004025163B4 (en) * 2004-05-21 2006-04-27 Mtu Friedrichshafen Gmbh Screening unit for use as splash guard, has housing divided at one of many passage openings for circuit parts that cut surface in associated housing parts through hinge arrangement, and closing mechanism provided between housing parts
WO2007066452A1 (en) * 2005-12-07 2007-06-14 Fujikin Incorporated Pipe joint locking device
JP2007155044A (en) * 2005-12-07 2007-06-21 Fujikin Inc Pipe joint locking device
US7980598B2 (en) 2005-12-07 2011-07-19 Fujikin Incorporated Pipe joint locking device
KR101314494B1 (en) 2013-04-08 2013-10-07 최봉순 Valve nut locking apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2162606B (en) 1988-02-24
GB8419713D0 (en) 1984-09-05

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
732 Registration of transactions, instruments or events in the register (sect. 32/1977)
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee