Pipe coupling having keys with camming surfaces

• US 20050242585A1
• Filed: 03/28/2005
• Published: 11/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Victaulic Company
• Original Assignee: Victaulic Company of America
• Inventors: Dole, Douglas R., Cuvo, Anthony J.
• Application Number:
  US11/091,216
• Publication Number:
  US 20050242585A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 285/367
• CPC Class Codes: B21D 17/04 by rolling
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 17/025 the sealing rings having radially directed ribs
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 17/04 with longitudinally split or divided sleeve
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 21/065 tightened by tangentially-arranged threaded pins
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 23/08 connection by tangentially arranged pin and nut
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 23/22 made exclusively of a material other than metal
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 25/12 Joints for pipes being spaced apart axially
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 43/00 Bends; Siphons with cleaning apertures F16L45/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49948 Multipart cooperating fastener [e.g., bolt and nut]

Abstract

A coupling for connecting two pipes together end to end is disclosed. The coupling includes a plurality of segments positionable circumferentially around the pipes. Each of the segments is attachable to one another end to end. Each of the segments has a pair of keys projecting radially inwardly toward the pipes. Each key is engageable with a circumferential groove on one of the pipes. Camming surfaces are positioned on the keys adjacent to the ends of the segments. Each camming surface preferably has an angularly oriented face that forms a wedge to provide a mechanical advantage when the camming surface engages the groove.

Claims

1. A coupling for connecting two pipes together end to end, said pipes having circumferential grooves proximate to each end, said coupling comprising a plurality of segments positionable end to end circumferentially around said pipes, each of said segments having a pair of keys projecting radially inwardly toward said pipes, each key for engagement with said circumferential groove of one of said pipes, said keys being positioned in spaced apart relation from one another and defining a space therebetween, at least one of said keys on one of said segments having a first camming surface positioned adjacent to one end of said segment, said first camming surface being engageable with one of said grooves to force one of said pipes in an axial direction a predetermined distance away from the other of said pipes when said segments are forcibly engaged circumferentially around said pipes.

2. A coupling according to claim 1, wherein said first camming surface is angularly orientated with respect to an axis oriented substantially tangential to said key thereby forming a wedge to provide a mechanical advantage when said first camming surface engages said groove.

3. A coupling according to claim 2, wherein said first camming surface has an orientation angle up to about 10°

with respect to said axis.

4. A coupling according to claim 2, wherein said first camming surface has an orientation angle of about 5°

with respect to said axis.

5. A coupling according to claim 2, wherein said camming surface faces away from said space between said keys.

6. A coupling according to claim 1, wherein each said segment has lugs at each end, said lugs aligning with one another and being adapted to receive fasteners for joining said segments to one another end to end.

7. A coupling according to claim 1, further comprising means for attaching said segments to one another end to end.

8. A coupling according to claim 1, further comprising a second camming surface positioned on said one key adjacent to another end of said segment, said second camming surface being engageable with said one groove to force said one pipe in said axial direction a predetermined distance away from said other pipe when said segments are forcibly engaged circumferentially around said pipes.

9. A coupling according to claim 8, further comprising third and fourth camming surfaces positioned on another of said keys on said one segment, said third and fourth camming surfaces each being positioned adjacent to an end of said one segment, said third and fourth camming surfaces being engageable with another of said grooves to force the other of said pipes in an axial direction a predetermined distance away from said one pipe when said segments are forcibly engaged circumferentially around said pipes.

10. A coupling according to claim 9, further comprising fifth and sixth camming surfaces positioned on one of said keys on another of said segments, said fifth and sixth camming surfaces each being positioned adjacent to respective ends of said other segment, said fifth and sixth camming surfaces being engageable with said one groove to force said one pipe in an axial direction a predetermined distance away from the other of said pipes when said segments are forcibly engaged circumferentially around said pipes.

11. A coupling according to claim 10, further comprising seventh and eighth camming surfaces positioned on another of said keys on said other segment, said seventh and eighth camming surfaces each being positioned adjacent to respective ends of said other segment, said seventh and eighth camming surfaces being engageable with another of said grooves to force the other of said pipes in an axial direction a predetermined distance away from said one pipe when said segments are forcibly engaged circumferentially around said pipes.

12. A coupling according to claim 11, wherein each of said camming surfaces is angularly oriented with respect to an axis oriented substantially tangential to said key on which said camming surface is positioned thereby forming a wedge to provide a mechanical advantage when said camming surfaces engage said grooves in said pipes.

13. A coupling according to claim 12, wherein each of said camming surfaces has an orientation angle up to about 10°

with respect to said axis.

14. A coupling according to claim 12, wherein each of said camming surfacse has an orientation angle of about 5°

with respect to said axis.

15. A coupling according to claim 11, wherein said camming surfaces face away from said space between said keys.

16. A coupling according to claim 2, having a longitudinal axis oriented substantially coaxially with said pipes, said first camming surface having a radial angular orientation up to about 70°

relative said longitudinal axis.

17. A coupling according to claim 2, having a longitudinal axis oriented substantially coaxially with said pipes, said first camming surface having a radial angular orientation of about 50°

relative to said longitudinal axis.

18. A coupling according to claim 1, further comprising a sealing member positionable with said space between said keys, said sealing member extending circumferentially around said pipes to provide a fluid tight seal between said pipe ends.

19. A coupling for connecting two pipes together end to end, said pipes each having a circumferential groove proximate to their ends, said coupling comprising:

first and second arcuate segments positionable end to end circumferentially around said pipes;

a lug positioned at each end of each said segment, said lugs on said first segment being positionable in facing relation with said lugs on said second segment;

a pair of fasteners, each said fastener extending between two of said lugs for attaching said lugs in facing relation to one another;

a pair of keys extending lengthwise along each segment and projecting radially inwardly, said keys on each segment being in spaced relation to one another, each said key being engageable with a groove on one of said pipes for retaining said pipes to said segments; and

a pair of camming surfaces positioned on each of said keys adjacent to each of said lugs, said camming surfaces being angularly orientated with respect to an axis oriented substantially tangential to said keys thereby forming a wedge at each end of said keys, said wedges being engageable with said grooves for forcing said pipes into spaced relation to one another when said segments are forcibly engaged circumferentially around said pipes.

20. A coupling according to claim 19, wherein said camming surfaces have an orientation angle up to about 10°

with respect to said axis.

21. A coupling according to claim 19, wherein said camming surfaces have an orientation angle of about 5°

with respect to said axis.

22. A coupling according to claim 19, wherein said camming surfaces face outwardly from said segments.

23. A coupling according to claim 19, having a longitudinal axis oriented substantially coaxially with said pipes, said camming surfaces having a radial angular orientation up to about 70°

with respect to said longitudinal axis.

24. A coupling according to claim 19, having a longitudinal axis oriented substantially coaxially with said pipes, said camming surfaces having a radial angular orientation of about 50°

with respect to said longitudinal axis.

26. A coupling portion according to claim 19, wherein said camming surfaces are angularly orientated with respect to an axis oriented substantially tangential to said keys thereby forming a wedge at each end of said keys, said wedges being engageable with said grooves for forcing said pipes into spaced relation to one another when said segment is forcibly engaged circumferentially with said pipes.

27. A coupling portion according to claim 26, wherein said camming surfaces have an orientation angle up to about 10°

with respect to said axis.

28. A coupling according to claim 26, wherein said camming surfaces have an orientation angle of about 5°

with respect to said axis.

25. A coupling portion attachable to like coupling portions for forming a coupling joining pipes together end to end, said pipes each having a circumferential groove proximate to their ends, said coupling portion comprising:

an arcuate segment positionable circumferentially engaging said pipes;

a lug positioned at each end of said segment and projecting outwardly therefrom, said lug facilitating attachment of said coupling portions to one another;

a pair of keys extending lengthwise along said segment and projecting radially inwardly, said keys on said segment being in spaced relation to one another, each said key being engageable with a groove on one of said pipes for retaining said pipes to said segment; and

a pair of camming surfaces positioned on each of said keys adjacent to each of said lugs, said camming surfaces being engageable with said grooves to force said pipes in an axial direction a predetermined distance away from one another when said segments are forcibly engaged circumferentially around said pipes.

29. A coupling portion according to claim 25, wherein said camming surfaces face outwardly from said segment.

30. A coupling portion according to claim 25, having a longitudinal axis oriented substantially coaxially with said pipes, said camming surfaces having a radial angular orientation up to about 70°

with respect to said longitudinal axis.

31. A coupling portion according to claim 25, having a longitudinal axis oriented substantially coaxially with said pipes, said camming surfaces having a radial angular orientation of about 50°

with respect to said longitudinal axis.

32. A coupling for connecting two pipes together end to end, at least one of said pipes having a circumferential groove proximate to an end thereof, said coupling comprising a plurality of segments positionable end to end circumferentially around said one pipe, one of said segments having a key projecting radially inwardly for engagement with said circumferential groove of said one pipe, said key having a camming surface positioned adjacent to one end of said segment, said camming surface being engageable with said groove when said segments are forcibly engaged circumferentially around said one pipe.

33. A coupling according to claim 32, wherein said camming surface is angularly orientated with respect to an axis oriented substantially tangential to said key thereby forming a wedge to provide a mechanical advantage when said camming surface engages said groove.

34. A coupling according to claim 33, wherein said camming surface has an orientation angle up to about 10°

with respect to said axis.

35. A coupling according to claim 33, wherein said first camming surface has an orientation angle of about 5°

with respect to said axis.

36. A coupling according to claim 32, further comprising a flange mounted on one of said segments, said flange extending radially outwardly and being positioned opposite to said key, said flange being engageable with a mating flange for connecting said coupling to a flanged pipe.