Connection tool for low profile connections

摘要

The assembly of a connection that uses cooperating grooved surfaces to provide an easily disassembled and assembled connection is improved by a tool that clamps separate brackets onto the two ends of the pipe connection and radially and axially aligns pipe ends as a bolt draws the two brackets together. Drawing the brackets together causes contact between alignment surfaces that provide radial and axial alignment of the separate connection halves for installation of pipe connection links. No additional clamping means is needed to provide any necessary force to keep the connector faces of the connection ends sufficiently close together for placement of the links and the addition of the locking ring or other retaining means. The tool prevents disengagement of the link members from engagement with the grooves on either connection end before the locking sleeve is placed over the links. The tool also provides a recess for retaining the locking ring until needed for holding the links in place. The tool is particularly for the compact installations where low profile connections are most useful and may fit on the connection ends of a pipe without requiring large amounts of radial clearance around the pipe ends.