The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 04, 2012
Filed:
Jul. 03, 2006
Robert Stephen, Aberdeenshire, GB;
Robert Stephen, Aberdeenshire, GB;
Equalizer International Limited, Aberdeen, GB;
Abstract
A method and apparatus for separating or spreading flanges of pipes is disclosed and includes two bolt hole engaging devices and a force transmission system. The force transmission system selectively couples with a bolt hole engaging device and is capable of exerting a force thereon for selective movement of the flanges relative to one another. The bolt hole engaging device comprises an expandable member that is arranged to be at least partially accommodated within the bolt hole before expansion, and an expander means arranged to expand the expandable member such that at least a portion of an outer surface of the expandable member is expanded to contact the bolt hole. The expander means may include at least one wedge shaped member and an actuator means for causing relative movement between the wedge shaped member and the expandable member.