Pipe thread cleaner

Abstract

A pipe cleaner for manually cleaning the threads of pipes of differing sizes includes a body into which is slidably engaged at least one arm with an abrasive member. The abrasive member at the end of the arm extends into an orifice in the body. A single arm opposing a 'V' shaped block may be used as well as a plurality of arms with abrasive members. A cover is rotatably mounted on the body and includes a number of angled slots, which are angled relative to radii of the cover and may be an arc segment of a spiral. Pegs that are coupled to each arm are engaged with the angled slot in the cover. Thus by rotating the cover relative to the body of the pipe cleaner, the arms with their abrasive members are driven inwards and outwards of the orifice by the peg and angled slot assembly. The cover includes an orifice that is approximately the same size as the orifice in the body, such that the cover does not inhibit a pipe from extending through the pipe cleaner. The body of the pipe cleaner may alternatively include opposing jaws upon which are mounted, respectively, a 'V' shaped block and a beam having an abrasive member. The jaws pivot to adjust the position of the abrasive member relative to the 'V' shaped block so as to accommodate pipes of various diameters.