This invention relates generally to the bending of conduits and more particularly to a method and apparatus for bending corrugated pipes.
With the increased use of corrugated pipe in recent years has come a corresponding need to bend such pipe into a curved shape. For example, corrugated pipe may serve as an outer jacket for smooth pipe that extends within the corrugated pipe jacket. If the smooth pipe is curved in shape, as may be the case, the corrugated pipe must be bent such that it is curved in conformity with the curvature of the smooth pipe.
At present, there is a lack of equipment for bending corrugated pipe in a satisfactory manner. The machines that have been developed for use in bending smooth conduits are not able to successfully bend corrugated pipe due to the special problems presented by the corrugations. In particular, the corrugated pipe must be bent without deforming the corrugations excessively or unevenly; otherwise, the pipe will be weakened and the advantages of the corrugations will be negated. As a consequence, conventional pipe bending techniques are not acceptable when dealing with corrugated pipe, and there is a need for a method and apparatus for quickly and easily bending corrugated pipe. It is the principal goal of the present invention to meet that need.
More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for bending corrugated pipe in a simple and effective manner.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus of the character described which deforms the corrugations in a uniform manner and only to the extent necessary to achieve bending of the pipe, thereby retaining the strength and other benefits of the corrugations.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus of the character described which may be used to bend pipes of various sizes and configurations.
A further object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus of the character described which is adapted to bend corrugated pipe into virtually any desired shape.
An additional object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus of the character described wherein the pipe bending is carried out quickly and easily and without undue expense.
A still further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character described which operates reliably with low maintenance requirements.
Other and further objects of the invention, together with the features of novelty appurtenant thereto, will appear in the course of the following description.