US20150354194A1

US20150354194A1 - Methods and systems for pulling pipe

Info

Publication number: US20150354194A1
Application number: US14/730,879
Authority: US
Inventors: Ronald Wayne Pruitt, JR.
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-06-10
Filing date: 2015-06-04
Publication date: 2015-12-10

Abstract

The invention pertains to pipe pulling systems and methods for sequentially adjoining pipes enabling one or more operators to efficiently attach the receiving and adjoining pipe ends together. As part of the pulling system, a pipe pulling apparatus is secured and can easily pull one or more sequential cascading pipes into position for attachment or adjoining from a common location. The pulling apparatus can alternatively be moved to the distal end of the previously adjoined pipe making it the new receiving pipe. Progressively cascading extended pipe systems and clusters with lateral sections and risers are built in short periods of time as compared with typical manual methods of pipe assembly and construction. A variable length pulling member of the pulling system adjoins pipes, fittings, or pipes with fittings located at remote distances with directional turns, typically orthogonal, into their adjoining or attachment position using pulleys with securing members and mechanisms.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the filing benefits of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/997,787 filed Jun. 10, 2014, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to pulling various sizes and types of pipes and fittings, for the purpose of adjoining pipes in sections end-to-end, or progressively adjoining or attaching pipes and fittings to easily build pipe systems or clusters in conjunction with home and business plumbing construction and general piping. Applications include, but are not limited to OEM applications, water mains, and sewer mains.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Plumbers and construction workers have been installing piping for thousands of years possibly starting with lead wrapped and ceramic piping during Roman and medieval times. The basic challenge to interconnecting piping has been to bring two pipes together at the ends for attachment. Larger pipes in excess of approximately 0.2 meters in diameter may be quite heavy and difficult to lift or align for attachment depending on length and the type of material the pipe is made of. Bringing a receiving and an adjoining pipe together typically required force to overcome the weight of the adjoining pipe and associated frictional forces of the at least one pipe end being pulled into an adjoining or attaching position. Opposing axial forces have been needed for bringing the pipe ends together while the receiving and adjoining pipes are aligned. As the axial forces have been applied for joining pipes, alignment forces or positions have been needed, typically orthogonal to the axial forces. These combined forces, orientations, and positions needed for attachment of pipes have historically resulted in troublesome, difficult, slow, inefficient, and tedious procedures.
One typical method for adjoining two pipes involved the use of a railroad bar or equivalent bar type tool to pry the distal end of the adjoining pipe toward the receiving pipe. Since pipe systems have been typically laid and assembled in crushed stone beds, it has been difficult to use any form of prying bar to actuate the adjoinment of two pipes.
Piping applications include home construction, business construction, OEM assemblies, e.g., piped systems on skids, and others. In each of these applications the procedures for adjoining pipes should be as efficient, fast, and trouble free as possible.
In response to the need for efficient, fast, and trouble free adjoining of pipes to produce a piping system, an apparatus and method are desired that can be operated by one person with additional operators optional. In order to adjoin pipes in this manner, a pulling apparatus has been needed that is portable and operable by a single person. A pulling apparatus has been needed to easily attach to a primary receiving pipe at a common pulling position with an attachment mechanism to an adjoining pipe located nearby or may be located in a cluster of pipes including lateral sections and vertical risers. Pulling systems have been needed to work with various pipe diameters, materials, and attachment types (including gluing, welding, etc.). The ability to pull and adjoin pipe sections from a single pulling position has been needed. Furthermore, the ability to easily change pulling positions for the pulling apparatus and set up pulling operations from a previous position has been needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the idea of enabling as few as one individual operator to easily and efficiently attach or adjoin pipes forming progressive pipe sections and optionally forming clusters of pipes as commonly found in construction sites or plumbing projects.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the adjoinment of pipes are done in sections or steps wherein the pipe pulling apparatus of the pipe pulling system is moved forward to a new pulling position at the distal end of the previously adjoined pipe after each adjoinment thus transitioning the previous adjoining pipe to become the new receiving pipe. In this embodiment, there may not be a need for remote control of the pipe pulling apparatus.
Specific ranges of pipe diameters and associated fittings such as collars, tees, and elbows are supported within the embodiments of the invention.
According to another embodiment of the invention, a pipe pulling system provides for the adjoinment of multiple pipes from a single secured or fixed primary pipe pulling position or location. Various pulling attachments or mechanisms are used to pull the first adjoining pipe and also for pulling progressively any number of cascadedly successive adjoining pipes, collars, tees, or elbows forming sections within the piping system by using additional members such as pulleys and pulley securing mechanisms or attachments for optionally making 90 degree turns both horizontally and vertically in addition to any other angles as required by the piping system design. In this fixed or secured single pulling position embodiment, the need for remote control of the pipe pulling apparatus is increased as the operator may need to walk or move freely around the pipe system or cluster as it is being assembled in sections. Alternatively, additional assistants or operators may be used if the primary operator at the fixed or secured position remains at that location during pipe pulling operations.
Further novel features and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and discussion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an end view of the receiving pipe with the pulling apparatus attached.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the receiving pipe fitted with the pulling apparatus and the adjoining pipe as it illustrates being pulled into the attachment position.

FIG. 3 illustrates a view of a pipe cluster assembled by several pulling and adjoining operations.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow chart of the method of and system for using the pulling system and apparati to adjoin pipes in sections by repositioning the pulling apparatus to a new receiving pipe after at least one adjoinment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart of the method of and system for using the pulling system and apparati to progressively adjoin pipes from a common pulling location at a primary pipe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments provided herein will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all contemplated embodiments are shown. Indeed, the concepts embodied by this disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be misconstrued as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like, but not necessarily the same or identical, elements throughout.
Referring to FIG. 1, a pulling system 103 is embodied which includes a pulling apparatus 109, attached to receiving pipe 101, a pull control unit 110, and a pulling member 104 preferably a flexible metal cable but alternatively, could be a rope, chain, belt, or other flexible material with sufficient strength against breakage.
With continuing reference to FIG. 1, pulling apparatus 103 is shown attached to receiving pipe 101 using a chain 106 as a preferred embodiment as a variable securing element. The receiving pipe 101 is illustrated in FIG. 1 as a horizontal orientation relative to the surface of the ground but may also be vertical or any other angular orientation from 0 to 90 degrees relative to the surface of the ground. The preferred embodiment of a pipe securing mechanism as shown in FIG. 1 for securing a first pipe pulling position embodies a chain secured on one end with a chain link hook 116 and a tightening mechanism 113 on the distal end of 106. The combination of 116 and 113 provide termination points for initially taking the slack out of the chain at 106 and then provide a securing force along 106 sufficient to hold the receiving pipe 101 secure during subsequent pulling operations of the pulling system 103.
With continuing reference to FIG. 1, the securing of pulling apparatus 109 to receiving pipe 101 or pulling position can be alternately realized by articles or members at 106 other than a chain. Various materials and techniques are optional alternatives to a chain, such as with one or more straps, ropes, Velcro®, brackets, magnets, electromagnets, clamps, belts, chains, or other members.
With continuing reference to FIG. 1, the pulling apparatus 109 securing mechanism to secure pipe 101 is constructed of a fixed termination 116, an elongated securing member 106, and a variable termination 113. The fixed termination 116 is optionally constructed as a hook, eye-hook, bolt, clamp, weld, or other fixating mechanical termination. The variable termination is optionally constructed as a winding mechanism, reel, winder, locking lever or latch, hook, loop, tie-down, turnbuckle, or other temporary tightening and securing means for securing the pipe 101.
With continuing reference to FIG. 1, the pulling system 103 is optionally configured to pull an extensive range of pipe sizes or diameters. For example, a version of the pulling system 103 may be constructed to pull pipes with sizes ranging from 2 inches (0.05 meters) to 6 inches (0.15 meters) and a second version may be constructed to pull pipes with sizes ranging from 6 inches (0.15 meters) to 12 inches (0.3 meters). The receiving pipe 101 exemplary receiving collar 107 is the attachment location or hub for adjoining a second pipe or adjoining pipe 102.
With continuing reference to FIG. 1, the control unit 110 is used to control the pulling apparatus 109 such as on/off, in/out, slow/fast for example and may be hard wired using wire or cable 111 to the pulling apparatus 109 or may have a wireless connection 111 such as infrared or radio frequency (RF). Hard wired options include wire or cable lengths suitable for optimal operation of the pipe pulling system 103 including local, less than approximately 1 meter from the pipe pulling apparatus, or remote control of pipe pulling operations. The wire or cable lengths may be as short as less than 1 meter for local operation or as long as 10 meters for remote control allowing various separations between the control unit 110 carried by the operator and the securing mechanism. Other forms of remote control include infrared or RF. This remote control capability provides a single operator ability to move around as needed to efficiently assemble or attach one or more pipes, hub to hub, in a sequence. Furthermore, this remote control feature optionally provides the operator pipe alignment capability during pulling operations without requiring a second operator.
With continuing reference to FIG. 1, the pulling apparatus 109 optionally is constructed with an electric motor, hydraulic motor, servo motor, reel, winch, block-and-tackle, winder, or other mechanism for applying a pulling force on pulling member 104. The pulling apparatus 109 containing a motor or winch is optionally controlled remotely with torque and speed limits.
With continuing reference to FIG. 1, the pulling apparatus 109 optionally is constructed with a pipe mount frame member 112. This frame supports any motor, reel, winch, winder, or other mechanism used in the pulling apparatus 109 as part of the pulling system 103. The at least two pipe gripper pads 114 and 115 gripper pads located in pairs of opposing positions are attached to the pipe mount frame member 112 to protect the pipe from damage such as scrapes and scratches and to improve the securing ability of the securing mechanism to hold the pulling apparatus in position during pulling operations. The pipe gripper pads 114 and 115 may have form fitted shape to fit to a given pipe size or shape. There may be 2 or more pipe gripper pads in use and located in positions to contact the receiver pipe 101. The pipe gripper pads may be of various or differing materials such as rubber or plastic. The pipe gripper pads may be permanently affixed or may be easily detached and reattached.
Referring to FIG. 2 and with continuing reference to FIG. 1, the pulling apparatus 109 is optionally constructed with at least one handle 117 aligned with the center of mass of the pipe pulling apparatus 109 to allow an operator, with or without crane or lift assistance, to lift the pipe pulling apparatus 109 and transfer or move it to a desired pulling position on the receiving pipe 101. Alternatively, there may be two handles located on opposing sides of the pipe pulling apparatus in line with the center of mass of the pipe pulling apparatus. Once the adjoining pipe 102 has been pulled into adjoinment or attachment position and the adjoining or attaching operations has been completed, the adjoined pipe progressively may become the next receiving pipe.
Referring to FIG. 2 and with continuing reference to FIG. 1, after final attachment of receiving pipe 101 to adjoining pipe 102, the pulling apparatus 109 is disengaged and loosened from the receiving pipe 101 by reversing the tightening mechanism 113. The pulling apparatus 109 becomes portable when the disengagement with the receiving pipe 101 is performed by an operator. The disengaged pulling apparatus 109 can be repositioned using a handle 117 from the adjoinment or attachment end of pipe 101 to the adjoinment or attachment end of pipe 102. The receiving pipe 101 is illustrated in FIG. 2 as a horizontal orientation relative to the surface of the ground but may also be vertical or any other angular orientation from 0 to 90 degrees relative to the surface of the ground. The pulling operation can be repeated for pipe 102 as the new receiving pipe and a next cascading adjoining pipe in sequence added for the next attachment procedure.
Referring to FIG. 2, the pipe pulling system 103 is illustrated with the receiving pipe 101 and with the adjoining pipe 102 engaged in a pulling operation by pulling attachment 105 with force provided by pulling member 104. The pulling attachment 105 may optionally be a hook, strap, belt, bracket, bolt, clamp, Velcro®, tape, or other attachment mechanism. Pulling attachment 105 is attached to adjoining pipe 102 at the distal location proximity to include the distal end of the pipe 102. During a pulling operation, the pipe 102 is pulled and aligned in a single operation involving simultaneous distal end lifting or alignment followed by or simultaneous with insertion after the insertion section 108 is prepped for adjoinment or attachment. Final attachment positioning is achieved when the insertion section is inserted or transitioned into a fitting including the exemplary receiving collar 107 of the receiving pipe 101. The final adjoinment or attachment is made depending on the type of piping connection such as glue, threaded, welded, bonded, fused, press-fit, or any other type of piping connection.
It is usual to have pipes premanufactured to include a collar on one end of the pipe. A receiving or adjoining pipe may have a premanufactured collar present for adjoinment as an insertion section.
Referring to FIG. 3, pulling system 103 is illustrated as applied to a pipe system or cluster 300, specifically a pipe cluster consisting of several longitudinal, lateral, and vertical pipes or pipe sections and fittings including but not limited to collars, tees, and elbows. The cascaded longitudinal pipe sections include the primary receiving pipe 301 followed by pipe sections 302, 304, 307, 308, 311, 313, and 314. Pipe sections 301 and 302 are shown as previously adjoined at hub or collar 320. Pipe sections 302 and 304 are shown as previously adjoined at the dual lateral right angle junction or “tee” 303. Pipe sections 304 and 307 are shown as previously adjoined at right angle riser junction 305. Pipe sections 307 and 308 are shown as previously adjoined at hub or collar 321. Pipe sections 308 and 311 are shown as previously adjoined at the dual lateral right angle junction or “tee” 310. Pipe sections 311 and 313 are shown as previously adjoined at right angle riser junction 312. Pipe sections 313 and 314 are shown as previously adjoined at hub or collar 322. Pipe 316 is illustrated as previously joined to elbow 317 and tee 303. Pipe 326 is illustrated as previously joined to elbow 327 and tee 303. Pipe 336 is illustrated as previously joined to elbow 337 and tee 310. Pipe 346 is illustrated as currently being joined to tee 310 with elbow 347 previously joined to pipe 346. Alternatively according to the illustration of FIG. 3 the pipe 346 could have been previously joined to tee 310 by having the pulling attachment at the distal end of pipe 346 for the adjoining movement and currently the elbow 347 as shown could be adjoining pipe 346. The at least one operator can determine the sequence of joining pipes and fittings in a pipe system or cluster 300.
The open ended tee 305 is illustrated at 306. The open ended elbows 317, 323, 327, 337, and 347 are illustrated at 319, 324,329, 339, and 349 respectively.
With continuing reference to FIG. 3, the pulling system 103 is illustrated with the pulling apparatus 109 mounted and secured to receiving pipe 301. The pulling apparatus further illustrates the remote control unit 110, the wired or RF or IR remote signal 111, a handle 117, and pulling member 104 with pulling attachment 105. From this secured position on pipe 301 the pulling system 103 can pull and adjoin pipes or pipe sections anywhere in pipe cluster 300 as it is progressively assembled starting with adjoining pipe sections 301 and 302.
With continuing reference to FIG. 3, the securing mechanism, not shown in FIG. 3, of pulling apparatus 109 as illustrated in FIG. 1, is attached to receiving pipe 101 using a chain 106 as a preferred embodiment with one end fixated with a chain link hook 116 and the variable tightening mechanism on the opposing end of the chain or alternative securing member. Also not shown on FIG. 3, the combination of a chain link hook (similar to 116) and a tightening mechanism (similar to 113) provide termination points for initially taking the slack out of the securing chain 106 which is wrapped around pipe 301. The receiving pipe 101 is illustrated in FIG. 3 as a horizontal orientation relative to the surface of the ground but may also be vertical or any other angular orientation from 0 to 90 degrees relative to the surface of the ground.
With continuing reference to FIG. 3, pulling apparatus 109 provides a securing force along the opposing side of adjoining pipe 301 sufficient to hold the adjoining pipe 301 secure to the pulling apparatus 109. With the pulling attachment 109 secured to adjoining pipe 301 and the pulling attachment 105 optionally secured to elbow 347 and pipe pulling member 104 by bending 90 degrees at pulley 309 which is attached to the pulley securing member 333 by attachment mechanism 350 as completed by attachment linkage 334. The pipe 346 undergoes a controlled force or velocity movement during the subsequent pulling operation of the pulling system 103 pulling it into adjoinment or attachment position at tee 310.
With continuing reference to FIG. 3, prior to the adjoinment of pipe 346 to tee 310, the operator can optionally move around the pipe system 300 and use the remote control for tensioning or taking out pulling member 104 slack while setting up the pulling system to include the at pulley 309 which is secured by the pulley securing member 333 as completed by attachment linkage 334 with the pulley attached by attachment mechanism 350. During the final adjoinment of pipe 346 to tee 310 the operator can also walk around and use the remote control for controlling the movement while observing nearby the adjoinment.
With continuing reference to FIG. 3, the pulling system 103 may be moved to a new location at the distal end of the last adjoined pipe or it may preferentially remain at the original receiving pipe position. Pulling and adjoining multiple pipes from a common location minimizes the time and effort to pull any given interconnected pipe system or cluster 300. The pulling system 103 mounted at a common pulling location at receiving pipe 101 is illustrated in FIG. 3 as a horizontal orientation relative to the surface of the ground but may also be vertical or any other angular orientation from 0 to 90 degrees relative to the surface of the ground.
With continuing reference to FIG. 3, the pulling attachment 105 may be constructed in a variety of equivalent embodiments including straps, ropes, Velcro®, brackets, magnets, electromagnets, clamps, chains, or other members and may optionally have a direct or permanent termination to pulling member 104.
With continuing reference to FIG. 3, there may be any number of additional combinations of angular riggings comprised of pulley 309 and pulley attachment 350 which is further secured by the pulley securing member 333 as a chain or equivalent embodiment including strap, belt, or rope as completed by attachment linkage 334, each with an associated controlled movement at transitional 0 to 90 degree nonaligned angles, typically orthogonal or 90 degrees, during the subsequent pulling and adjoining operations of the pulling system 103 forming larger and a more complex pipe system or cluster optionally beyond what is illustrated in FIG. 3 as 300.
With continuing reference to FIG. 3, the pipe pulling operation of pipe 346 into tee 310 may be optionally accomplished by attachment of 105 to the distal end of pipe 346 prior to the attachment of elbow 347.
With continuing reference to FIG. 3, the pipe pulling operations may be applied to pipe sections, systems or clusters of any configuration with some or all of the resulting adjoined sections to remain above ground or alternatively some or all of the resulting adjoined sections to remain within ditches or otherwise enclosed by materials such as concrete, fill dirt, gravel, or other enclosing fill materials.
Referring to FIG. 4, a method of building a piping system using the pulling system 103 is illustrated by a flowchart. The flowchart illustrates the following steps:
401—Placing or Sliding the Pulling Apparatus 109 to Forward End of Receiving Pipe 101 near the attachment collar member 107.
402—Mounting the pulling apparatus 109 to forward end of Receiving Pipe 101 near the attachment member 107. The pulling apparatus 109 is mounted and secured to the receiving pipe 101 using securing mechanism constructed of; a fixed termination 116, an elongated securing member 106, and a variable termination 113. The variable termination mechanism is actuated to take up slack in the elongated securing member 106 and to provide the securing force.
403—Attaching pulling member end 105 from pulling apparatus 109 to the distal end of the next adjoining pipe 102 or alternatively 347 of a pipe system or cluster. An attachment method, as illustrated in FIG. 2, is by attaching the pulling end member or hook 105 to the distal end of the adjoining pipe 102.
404—Actuating as illustrated in FIG. 2 the pulling apparatus 109 with control unit 110 to pull into adjoining position the closest end of an adjoining pipe 102 toward the exemplary receiving collar 107 of the receiving pipe 101, or alternatively as illustrated in FIG. 3 elbow 347 toward pipe 346 of a pipe system or cluster 300. The pulling apparatus 109 in either pipe configuration is being controlled by actuating the pull control unit 110.
405—Pulling and guiding the adjoining pipe 102 into the receiving pipe 101 adjoining position. The adjoining section 108 of pipe 102 is being inserted into the receiving member 107 of pipe 101 for final adjoining or attaching of the two pipes.
406—Guiding the adjoining pipe 102 into the receiving pipe 101 until the adjoining position 405 is arrived at, otherwise proceed to 407.
407—Once the adjoining the receiving and adjoining pipes (101, 102) is completed, disengaging the pulling apparatus 109. The variable termination mechanism is reversed to provide slack in the elongated securing member 106 and remove the securing force.
After step 407 is completed a new adjoining pipe can be added to the pipe sequence by repeating steps 401-407 leading to an extended piping system.
Referring to FIG. 5, a method of building a piping system using the pulling system 103 is illustrated by a flowchart. The flowchart illustrates the following steps:
501—Placing or Sliding the Pulling Apparatus 109 to Forward End of Receiving Pipe 101 near the attachment collar member 107 at a common pulling position.
502—Mounting the pulling apparatus 109 to forward end of Receiving Pipe 101 near the attachment member 107 at the common pulling position. The pulling apparatus 109 is mounted and secured to the receiving pipe 101 using securing mechanism constructed of; a fixed termination 116, an elongated securing member 106, and a variable termination 113. The variable termination mechanism is actuated to take up slack in the elongated securing member 106 and to provide the securing force.
503—Attaching pulling member end 105 from pulling apparatus 109 to the distal end of the next adjoining pipe 102 or alternatively 347 using angular riggings of a pipe system or cluster. An attachment method, as illustrated in FIG. 2, is by attaching the pulling end member or hook 105 to the distal end of the adjoining pipe 102.
504—Actuating as illustrated in FIG. 2 the pulling apparatus 109 with control unit 110 to pull into adjoining position the closest end of an adjoining pipe 102 toward the exemplary receiving collar 107 of the receiving pipe 101, or alternatively as illustrated in FIG. 3 elbow 347 toward pipe 346 of a pipe system or cluster 300. The pulling apparatus 109 in either pipe configuration is being controlled by actuating the pull control unit 110.
505—Pulling and guiding the adjoining pipe 102 into the receiving pipe 101 adjoining position. The adjoining section 108 of pipe 102 is being inserted into the receiving member 107 of pipe 101 for final adjoining or attaching of the two pipes.
506—Guiding the adjoining pipe 102 into the receiving pipe 101 until the adjoining position 405 is arrived at, otherwise proceed to 507.
507—Once the adjoining the receiving and adjoining pipes (101, 102) is completed, disengaging the pulling apparatus 109. The variable termination mechanism is reversed to provide slack in the elongated securing member 106 and remove the securing force.
After step 507 is completed a new adjoining pipe can be added to the pipe sequence by repeating steps 503-507 leading to an extended piping system.
Although the pulling system is depicted in various drawings as oriented for horizontally extended piping, it can be used with pipes oriented at any angle from horizontal or 0 degrees to vertical or −90 degrees with adjoining pipes pulled upward against gravity.

Claims

That which is claimed:

1. A pipe pulling system comprising:

(a) a pipe securing mechanism for attachment to a first receiver pipe wherein the pipe securing mechanism is constructed with a pipe mount frame member shaped to secure the mounting of a range of pipe diameters with at least two pipe gripper pads located in pairs of opposing positions to contact the receiver pipe;

and wherein the pipe securing mechanism is further comprised of a fixed termination;

and an elongated securing member;

and a variable securing element for securing the pipe pulling apparatus to a receiver pipe ranging in diameter from 0.05 meters to 0.3 meters in diameter;

(b) a pull control unit for operating and controlling the pipe pulling system by as few operators as a single operator to efficiently adjoin pipes in a piping system;

(c) a pipe pulling apparatus comprised of the pipe securing mechanism;

and wherein a pulling member applies a pulling force on an adjoining pipe at the distal end to pull the adjoining pipe into an attachment position of the receiving section of the receiver pipe;

(d) the pulling member providing a pulling force and velocity for pulling an adjoining pipe into the receiving section of a receiving pipe;

and wherein the receiving and adjoining with pipes are in sections comprised of few as two adjoined pipes and at least one interconnecting fitting;

and wherein sections are progressively adjoined within a piping system comprising up to approximately 100 pipe sections;

(e) at least one handle for lifting and removing the pipe pulling apparatus to attach the pipe pulling apparatus in an alternate position;

2. The pipe pulling system of claim 1, the pipe securing mechanism securing element is selected from the group consisting of chains, straps, ropes, Velcro®, brackets, magnets, electromagnets, clamps, and belts;

3. The pipe pulling system of claim 1, wherein the pipe securing mechanism securing element embodies a chain secured on one end with a chain link hook and a tightening mechanism on the distal end of the securing element;

4. The pipe pulling system of claim 1, the fixed termination of the pipe securing mechanism securing element is selected from the group consisting of a hook, eye-hook, bolt, clamp, and weld;

5. The pipe pulling system of claim 1, the variable termination of the pipe securing mechanism securing element is selected from the group consisting of a winding mechanism, reel, winder, locking lever or latch, hook, loop, tie-down, and turnbuckle;

6. The pipe pulling system of claim 1, wherein the control unit is one of a hard wired wire, hard wired cable, or wireless connection;

7. The control unit of claim 6, wherein the control capability is selected as one of local, less than 1 meter from the pipe securing mechanism, or remote control, as long as 10 meters form the pipe securing mechanism, for pipe pulling operations.

8. The pipe pulling system of claim 1, wherein the pulling member is one of a metal cable, rope, chain, or belt.

9. The pulling member of claim 8 is further comprised of a pulling attachment selected from the group consisting of a hook, strap, belt, bracket, bolt, clamp, Velcro®, and tape.

10. The pipe pulling system of claim 1, wherein the at least one handle is selected as one of a handle located on top and aligned above the center of mass of the pipe pulling apparatus or two handles located on opposing sides of the pipe pulling apparatus aligned with the center of mass of the pipe pulling apparatus.

11. The pipe pulling system of claim 1, wherein the receiving pipe and adjoining pipe are adjoined with a fitting.

12. The pipe pulling system of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the adjoining pipe is further comprised of an attached fitting.

13. The pipe pulling system of claim 1, wherein one or more angular riggings are used to pull and adjoin pipe sections at nonaligned angles, preferably about 90 degree angles.

14. The pipe pulling method for attaching pipes in sections comprising;

(a) Placing a pipe pulling apparatus to the receiving end of a receiving pipe;

(b) Attaching the pipe pulling apparatus to the receiving end of receiving pipe at a pulling position;

(c) Attaching a pulling member end from the pulling apparatus to the distal end of the next adjoining pipe in the piping system;

(d) Actuating the pulling apparatus by the pull control unit to pull the adjoining pipe toward a receiving pipe for adjoinment at an adjoinment section further comprising an interconnecting fitting consisting of a collar, a tee, and an elbow;

(e) Adjoining an adjoining pipe to a receiving pipe with the interconnecting fitting;

(f) Disengaging the pulling member;

(g) Continuing steps (a) through (f) until the pipe system is completed.

15. The pipe pulling method for attaching pipes progressively from a common pulling position in pipe systems and clusters comprising;

a. Placing a pipe pulling apparatus at the receiving end of a primary receiving pipe at a common pulling location;

b. Attaching the pipe pulling apparatus to the receiving end of the primary receiving pipe at the common pulling location;

c. Attaching a pulling member end from the pulling apparatus to the next adjoining pipe in the piping system;

d. Actuating the pulling apparatus by the pull control unit to pull the adjoining pipe toward a progressive receiving pipe for adjoinment at an adjoinment section further comprising an interconnecting fitting;

e. Adjoining an adjoining pipe to a receiving pipe at an adjoinment section further comprising an interconnecting fitting;

f. Disengaging the pulling member;

g. Continuing steps (c) through (f) until the pipe system is progressively completed from a common pulling location.