Mechanical Pipe Coupling Having Spacers

• US 20080272595A1
• Filed: 07/17/2008
• Published: 11/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Victaulic Company
• Original Assignee: Victaulic Company
• Inventors: Dole, Douglas R., Gibb, John
• Application Number:
  US12/174,803
• Publication Number:
  US 20080272595A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 285/337
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 17/04 with longitudinally split or divided sleeve
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 21/005 made of elastic material, e.g. partly or completely surrounded by clamping devices comprising packing adapted to sealing by fluid pressure F16L17/04, F16L11/20; hose clips F16L33/02
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 21/02 with elastic sealing rings between pipe and sleeve or between pipe and socket, e.g. with rolling or other prefabricated profiled rings F16L21/06, F16L21/08 take precedence ; sealing ring with radial ribs F16L17/025; sealing ring with axial lips F16L17/03; if adjustability is essential F16L27/00
• 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 23/18 the sealing means being rings
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 25/14 Joints for pipes of different diameters or cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53987 Tube, sleeve or ferrule

Abstract

A mechanical pipe coupling is disclosed having an arcuate band with first and second ends in facing relation. A hinge is positioned between the first and second ends allowing the ends to move relatively to one another. Connection members are mounted on the ends, and a spacer is positioned between the ends to maintain the ends in spaced apart relation sufficient to allow end portions of a pipe to be inserted between arcuate surfaces which extend radially inwardly from the band. The spacer is configured to allow for tightening of the connection members to draw the ends together and permit the arcuate surfaces to engage the outer surfaces of the pipe elements and form a joint.

Claims

1. A pipe coupling positionable surrounding facing end portions of a pair of pipe elements for securing said pipe elements together in end-to-end relationship, said end portions of said pipe elements having an outer surface of substantially cylindrical profile, said coupling comprising:

an arcuate band having first and second ends in substantially facing relation, said band surrounding a central space;

a hinge positioned between said first and second ends, said hinge allowing said first and second ends to move relatively to one another;

connection members mounted on said first and second ends, said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said first and second ends toward one another;

first and second arcuate surfaces mounted lengthwise along said band on a side thereof, said arcuate surfaces being in spaced relation alongside one another and projecting substantially radially inwardly into said central space;

a spacer positioned between said first and second ends of said band, said spacer for maintaining said first and second ends in a predetermined spaced apart relation sufficient to allow said end portions of said pipe elements to be inserted between said arcuate surfaces in said end-to-end relationship; and

wherein said spacer being configured to allow for tightening of said connection member to permit said arcuate surfaces to engage said outer surfaces of said pipe elements when said pipe elements are inserted within said central space.

2. A pipe coupling according to claim 1, wherein said spacer is configured to be collapsible upon application of a predetermined compressive force resulting from tightening of said connection member, collapse of said spacer permitting said arcuate surfaces to engage said outer surfaces of said pipe elements.

3. A pipe coupling according to claim 1, wherein said spacer is configured to be removable from between said ends of said band, removal of said spacer allowing for tightening of said connection members permitting said arcuate surfaces to engage said outer surfaces of said pipe elements.

4. A pipe coupling according to claim 1, wherein said spacer comprises a spring element, said spring element being deformable upon tightening of said connection member, deforming of said spacer permitting said arcuate surfaces to engage said outer surfaces of said pipe elements.

5. 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 and said other pipe element has an end flange mounted thereon, said coupling comprising:

a plurality of coupling segments, each of said coupling segments having a arcuate surface adapted to interface with the outer surface of said one pipe element, a flange being mounted on each of said coupling segments in spaced apart relation to said arcuate surface, said flange extending radially outwardly and being engagable with said end flange of said other pipe element;

each of said coupling segments further 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 surface of said one pipe element and said flanges into alignment with said end flange;

a spacer positioned between two of said coupling segments, said spacer for maintaining said arcuate surfaces in a predetermined spaced apart relation sufficient to allow said one pipe element to be inserted between said coupling segments; and

wherein said spacer is configured to allow for tightening of said connection member to permit said arcuate surfaces to engage said outer surface of said one pipe element and said flanges to align with said end flange to effect connection of said pipe elements in said end-to-end relationship.

6. A pipe coupling according to claim 5, wherein said spacer is configured to be collapsible upon application of a predetermined compressive force resulting from tightening of said connection member, collapse of said spacer permitting said arcuate surfaces to engage said outer surfaces of said one pipe element and said flanges to align with said end flange of said other pipe element.

7. A pipe coupling according to claim 5, wherein said spacer is configured to be removable from between said segments, removal of said spacer allowing for tightening of said connection members permitting said arcuate surfaces to engage said outer surfaces of said one pipe element and said flanges to align with said end flange of said other pipe element.

8. A pipe coupling according to claim 5, wherein said spacer comprises a spring element, said spring element being deformable upon tightening of said connection member, deforming of said spacer permitting said arcuate surfaces to engage said outer surfaces of said one pipe element and said flanges to align with said end flange of said other pipe element.