Mechanical pipe coupling having pipe clearance notches
First Claim
1. Interconnectable pipe coupling segments, each positionable straddling facing end portions of a pair of pipe elements for securing said pipe elements together in end-to-end relationship, wherein said end portions of said pipe elements have an outer surface of substantially cylindrical profile and wherein each said segment comprises:
- a pair of arcuate surfaces adapted to interface with the outer surfaces of said pipe elements, said arcuate surfaces being in spaced apart relation to one another and projecting inwardly toward said pipe elements, one of said arcuate surfaces having first and second notches positioned at opposite ends thereof, said notches providing clearance for inserting said pipe elements between said segments when said segments are interconnected with one another; and
at least one connection member for adjustably connecting one coupling segment to another, said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said arcuate surfaces into engagement with said outer surfaces of said pipe elements.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A preassembled mechanical pipe coupling for joining pipe elements in end-to-end relationship is disclosed. The coupling is formed from a plurality of interconnectable segments that are initially maintained in spaced apart relation. The segments have arcuate surfaces that project inwardly. Connection members in the form of lugs and fasteners are mounted on the segments. The connection members are adjustably tightenable for drawing the coupling segments together and forcing the arcuate surfaces into engagement with the outer surfaces of the pipe elements. Notches are formed at ends of the arcuate surfaces to provide clearance allowing the pipe elements to be inserted between the segments when they are in the pre-assembled, spaced apart configuration.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. Interconnectable pipe coupling segments, each positionable straddling facing end portions of a pair of pipe elements for securing said pipe elements together in end-to-end relationship, wherein said end portions of said pipe elements have an outer surface of substantially cylindrical profile and wherein each said segment comprises:
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a pair of arcuate surfaces adapted to interface with the outer surfaces of said pipe elements, said arcuate surfaces being in spaced apart relation to one another and projecting inwardly toward said pipe elements, one of said arcuate surfaces having first and second notches positioned at opposite ends thereof, said notches providing clearance for inserting said pipe elements between said segments when said segments are interconnected with one another; and
at least one connection member for adjustably connecting one coupling segment to another, said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said arcuate surfaces into engagement with said outer surfaces of said pipe elements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. Interconnectable pipe coupling segments, each positionable straddling facing end portions of a pair of pipe elements for securing said pipe elements together in end-to-end relationship, wherein said end portions of said pipe elements have an outer surface of substantially cylindrical profile and wherein each said segment comprises:
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a pair of arcuate surfaces adapted to interface with the outer surfaces of said pipe elements, said arcuate surfaces being in spaced apart relation to one another and projecting inwardly toward said pipe elements, at least one of said arcuate surfaces subtending an angle of less than 180°
, a first one of said arcuate surfaces having a first notch positioned at one end thereof, said notch providing clearance for inserting said pipe elements between said segments when said segments are interconnected with one another; and
connection members for adjustably connecting one coupling segment to another, said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said arcuate surfaces into engagement with said outer surfaces of said pipe elements. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A pipe coupling positionable straddling facing end portions of a pair of pipe elements for securing said pipe elements together in end-to-end relationship, wherein said end portions of said pipe elements have an outer surface of substantially cylindrical profile and wherein said pipe coupling comprises:
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first and second coupling segments interconnected with one another in spaced apart relationship, each coupling segment having a pair of arcuate surfaces adapted to interface with the outer surfaces of said pipe elements, said arcuate surfaces being in spaced apart relation to one another and projecting inwardly toward said pipe elements, said arcuate surfaces having first and second notches positioned at opposite ends thereof, said notches providing clearance for inserting said pipe elements between said segments; and
each said coupling segment having connection members for adjustably connecting one coupling segment to another, said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said arcuate surfaces into engagement with said outer surfaces of said pipe elements. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A pipe coupling positionable straddling facing end portions of a pair of pipe elements for securing said pipe elements together in end-to-end relationship, wherein said end portions of said pipe elements have an outer surface of substantially cylindrical profile and wherein said pipe coupling comprises:
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first and second coupling segments interconnected with one another in spaced apart relationship, one of said coupling segments having a pair of arcuate surfaces adapted to interface with the outer surfaces of said pipe elements, said arcuate surfaces being in spaced apart relation to one another and projecting inwardly toward said pipe elements, said arcuate surfaces having first and second notches positioned at opposite ends thereof, said notches providing clearance for inserting said pipe elements between said segments; and
each said coupling segment having connection members for adjustably connecting one coupling segment to another, said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said arcuate surfaces into engagement with said outer surfaces of said pipe elements. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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28. A pipe coupling positionable straddling facing end portions of a pair of pipe elements for securing said pipe elements to one another in end-to-end relation, wherein said end portions of said pipe elements have an outer surface of substantially cylindrical profile, said coupling comprising:
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a plurality of coupling segments, each coupling segment subtending an angle less than 180°
, each coupling segment having a pair of arcuate surfaces adapted to interface with the outer surfaces of said pipe elements, said arcuate surfaces projecting inwardly and being in spaced apart relation to one another, said coupling segments each having notches positioned at opposite ends of their respective arcuate surfaces, said notches providing clearance for inserting said pipe elements between said segments forming said coupling; and
each said coupling segment having connection members for adjustably connecting one coupling segment to another, said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said arcuate surfaces of said segments into engagement with the outer surfaces of said pipe elements. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
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31. A pipe coupling positionable straddling facing end portions of a pair of pipe elements for securing said pipe elements to one another in end-to-end relation, wherein said end portion of one of said pipe elements has an outer surface of substantially cylindrical profile, said coupling comprising:
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first and second coupling segments, each coupling segment having a arcuate surface adapted to interface with the outer surface of said one pipe element, said arcuate surfaces projecting inwardly and having first and second notches positioned at opposite ends thereof, said notches providing clearance for inserting said one pipe element between said segments; and
each said coupling segment having connection members for adjustably connecting one coupling segment to another, said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said arcuate surfaces of said segments into engagement with the outer surfaces of said pipe elements. - View Dependent Claims (32)
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33. Interconnectable pipe coupling segments, each positionable straddling facing end portions of a pair of pipe elements for securing said pipe elements together in end-to-end relationship, wherein said end portions of said pipe elements have an outer surface of substantially cylindrical profile and wherein each said segment comprises:
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a pair of arcuate surfaces adapted to interface with the outer surfaces of said pipe elements, said arcuate surfaces being in spaced apart relation to one another and projecting inwardly toward said pipe elements, said arcuate surfaces each having a notch positioned at one end thereof, said notches on each said segment being positioned adjacent to one another, said segments being arranged with said notches substantially diametrically opposite to one another, said notches providing clearance for inserting said pipe elements between said segments when said segments are interconnected with one another; and
connection members for adjustably connecting one coupling segment to another, said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said arcuate surfaces into engagement with said outer surfaces of said pipe elements.
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34. A method of securing facing end portions of pipe elements together in end-to-end relationship, wherein said end portions of said pipe elements have an outer surface of substantially cylindrical profile, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a pipe coupling having a plurality of coupling segments attached to one another end-to-end in spaced apart relation surrounding a central space, said coupling segments having arcuate surfaces adapted to interface with the outer surfaces of said pipes, said arcuate surfaces having notches therein positioned at opposite ends of said arcuate surface;
inserting said end portions of said pipe elements into said central space; and
drawing said coupling segments toward each other so as to engage said arcuate surfaces of said coupling segments with said outer surfaces of said pipe elements.
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Specification