PIPE COUPLING HAVING MOVABLE GRIPPING BODIES

• US 20080284161A1
• Filed: 05/13/2008
• Published: 11/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Victaulic Company
• Original Assignee: Victaulic Company
• Inventors: Porter, Michael V., Dole, Douglas R., Sipos, Torrey G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,950,701 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 285/148.8
• 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 21/08 with additional locking means F16L17/035, F16L17/04, F16L21/04, F16L21/06 take precedence; screwed joints F16L19/08; couplings of the quick-acting type F16L37/00
• 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: Y10T 29/49947 by applying separate fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49948 Multipart cooperating fastener [e.g., bolt and nut]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49963 Threaded fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53987 Tube, sleeve or ferrule

Abstract

A coupling for securing pipe elements together in end-to-end relation is disclosed. The coupling has segments joined end-to-end by adjustable connection members. The segments surround a central space which receives the pipe elements. One or more gripping bodies are captured between the segments. The gripping bodies are arranged opposite to each other. The segments have angularly oriented reaction surfaces on the connection members. The gripping bodies have angularly oriented contact surfaces which interface with the reaction surfaces. When the segments are drawn toward each other by the connection members, interaction between the reaction surfaces and the contact surfaces forces the gripping bodies radially inwardly. Inwardly facing arcuate surfaces on the segments and the gripping bodies engage and retain the pipe elements.

Claims

1. A pipe coupling for securing end portions of a pair of pipe elements together end-to-end, said coupling comprising:

a plurality of segments connectable end-to-end surrounding a central space for receiving said pipe elements, each said segment having a pair of arcuate surfaces positioned in spaced relation, said arcuate surfaces facing said central space and being engagable with said pipe elements;

connection members positioned at opposite ends of each of said segments for adjustably connecting said segments to one another, said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said segments toward one another and into engagement with said pipe elements;

respective reaction surfaces positioned on at least two of said connection members facing one another, said reaction surfaces facing said central space;

a gripping body positioned between two of said segments, said gripping body having a pair of gripping surfaces positioned in spaced apart relation and facing said central space;

a first pair of contact surfaces positioned on said gripping body in facing relation with said reaction surfaces, and

wherein adjustable tightening of said connection members draws said coupling segments together, said contact surfaces interacting with said reaction surfaces to move said gripping body into said central space for engagement of said gripping surfaces with said pipe elements.

2. A pipe coupling according to claim 1, wherein said connection members comprise a pair of projections extending outwardly from the ends of said segments, said projections being adapted to receive fasteners for adjustably connecting said segments to one another, said fasteners being adjustably tightenable for drawing said arcuate surfaces of said segments into engagement with said pipe elements.

3. A pipe coupling according to claim 2, wherein said reaction surfaces are angularly oriented with respect to said projections.

4. A pipe coupling according to claim 3, wherein said reaction surfaces are oriented at an angle from about 30°

to about 60°

.

5. A pipe coupling according to claim 3, wherein said reaction surfaces are oriented at an angle of about 45°

.

6. A pipe coupling according to claim 3, wherein said contact surfaces have a convex shape.

7. A pipe coupling according to claim 3, wherein said contact surfaces are angularly oriented with respect to said projections.

8. A pipe coupling according to claim 7, wherein said contact surfaces are oriented at an angle from about 30°

to about 60°

.

9. A pipe coupling according to claim 7, wherein said contact surfaces are oriented at an angle of about 45°

.

10. A pipe coupling according to claim 7, wherein said reaction surfaces have a convex shape.

11. A pipe coupling according to claim 1, wherein said contact surfaces project radially outwardly away from said central space.

12. A pipe coupling according to claim 1, further comprising a second pair of contact surfaces, said first and second pairs of contact surfaces being positioned on opposite sides of said gripping body.

13. A pipe coupling according to claim 1, further comprising a sealing member captured between said segments and positioned between said arcuate surfaces, said sealing member having inwardly facing sealing surfaces engagable with said pipe elements for forming a fluid-tight joint between said pipe elements.

14. A pipe coupling for securing end portions of a pair of pipe elements together end-to-end, said coupling comprising:

a pair of segments connectable end-to-end surrounding a central space for receiving said pipe elements, each said segment having a pair of arcuate surfaces positioned in spaced relation, said arcuate surfaces facing said central space and being engagable with said pipe elements;

a connection member positioned at each end of each of said segments for adjustably connecting said segments to one another, said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said segments toward one another and into engagement with said pipe elements;

a respective reaction surface positioned on each of said connection members, said reaction surfaces facing said central space;

a pair of gripping bodies positioned between said segments opposite to one another, said gripping bodies each having a pair of gripping surfaces positioned in spaced apart relation and facing said central space;

a first pair of contact surfaces positioned on each of said gripping bodies in facing relation with said reaction surfaces, and

wherein adjustable tightening of said connection members draws said coupling segments together, said contact surfaces interacting with said reaction surfaces to move said gripping bodies into said central space for engagement of said gripping surfaces with said pipe elements.

15. A pipe coupling according to claim 14, wherein said connection members comprise a pair of projections extending outwardly from the ends of said segments, said projections being adapted to receive fasteners for adjustably connecting said segments to one another, said fasteners being adjustably tightenable for drawing said arcuate surfaces of said segments into engagement with said pipe elements.

16. A pipe coupling according to claim 15, wherein said reaction surfaces are angularly oriented with respect to said projections.

17. A pipe coupling according to claim 16, wherein said reaction surfaces are oriented at an angle from about 30°

to about 60°

.

18. A pipe coupling according to claim 16, wherein said reaction surfaces are oriented at an angle of about 45°

.

19. A pipe coupling according to claim 16, wherein said contact surfaces have a convex shape.

20. A pipe coupling according to claim 16, wherein said contact surfaces are angularly oriented with respect to said projections.

21. A pipe coupling according to claim 20, wherein said contact surfaces are oriented at an angle from about 30°

to about 60°

.

22. A pipe coupling according to claim 20, wherein said contact surfaces are oriented at an angle of about 45°

.

23. A pipe coupling according to claim 20, wherein said reaction surfaces have a convex shape.

24. A pipe coupling according to claim 14, wherein said contact surfaces project radially outwardly away from said central space.

25. A pipe coupling according to claim 14, further comprising a second pair of contact surfaces on each of said gripping bodies, said first and second pairs of contact surfaces being positioned on opposite sides of said gripping bodies.

26. A pipe coupling according to claim 14, further comprising a sealing member captured between said segments and positioned between said arcuate surfaces, said sealing member having inwardly facing sealing surfaces engagable with said pipe elements for forming a fluid-tight joint between said pipe elements.

27. A pipe coupling for securing end portions of a pair of pipe elements together end-to-end, said coupling comprising:

a plurality of segments connectable end-to-end surrounding a central space for receiving said pipe elements, each said segment having a pair of arcuate surfaces in spaced relation, said arcuate surfaces facing said central space and being engagable with said pipe elements;

connection members positioned at opposite ends of each of said segments for adjustably connecting said segments to one another, said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said coupling segments toward one another and into engagement with said pipe elements;

first and second reaction surfaces positioned at opposite ends of each said coupling segment in spaced relation, said reaction surfaces facing said central space;

first and second gripping bodies being positioned between said segments at opposite ends thereof, each of said gripping bodies having a pair of gripping surfaces positioned in spaced relation facing said central space, said gripping surfaces being engagable with said pipe elements, each of said gripping bodies having a plurality of contact surfaces positioned in spaced relation, each of said contact surfaces being engaged with one of said reaction surfaces of said segments, each of said gripping bodies having end faces positioned opposite to one another, said segments having inwardly projecting shoulders positioned adjacent to said reaction surfaces, said shoulders being engagable with said end faces, at least one of said end faces or said shoulders being angularly oriented so as to cause rotation of said gripping bodies about an axis substantially perpendicular to said pipe elements when said coupling segments are drawn together; and

wherein adjustable tightening of said connection members drawing said coupling segments together, said contact surfaces interacting with said reaction surfaces to move said gripping bodies radially inwardly for engagement of said gripping surfaces with said pipe elements.

28. A pipe coupling according to claim 27, wherein said reaction surfaces extend in a tangential direction of said segments.

29. A pipe coupling according to claim 27, further comprising a sealing member captured between said segments and positioned between said arcuate surfaces, said sealing member having inwardly facing sealing surfaces engagable with said pipe elements for forming a fluid-tight joint between said pipe elements.

30. A pipe coupling according to claim 27, wherein said connection members comprise a pair of projections extending outwardly from the ends of each of said segments, said projections being adapted to receive fasteners for adjustably connecting said segments to one another, said fasteners being adjustably tightenable for drawing said arcuate surfaces of said segments into engagement with said pipe elements.

31. A pipe coupling according to claim 27, wherein said segments further comprise a pair of angularly oriented surfaces positioned adjacent to each of said connection members, said angularly oriented surfaces on each of said segments having opposite slopes, said angularly oriented surfaces on one said segment being in facing relation with said angularly oriented surfaces on another said segment, said angularly oriented segments engaging one another when said segments are drawn together and causing said segments to rotate relatively to one another about an axis substantially perpendicular to said pipe elements.

32. A pipe coupling according to claim 27, wherein said gripping bodies comprise a channel adapted to receive a sealing member, said channel being skewed relatively to said gripping surfaces so as to substantially align with said sealing member upon rotation of said gripping bodies.

33. A pipe coupling according to claim 27, wherein said end faces are angularly oriented with respect to said gripping surfaces.

34. A pipe coupling according to claim 27, wherein said shoulders are angularly oriented with respect to said arcuate surfaces.

35. A pipe coupling for securing end portions of a pair of pipe elements together end-to-end, said coupling comprising:

a plurality of segments connectable end-to-end surrounding a central space, each said segment having first and second arcuate grooves in spaced relation facing said central space;

connection members positioned at opposite ends of each of said segments for adjustably connecting said segments to one another, said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said segments toward one another;

first and second reaction surfaces positioned at opposite ends of each said coupling segment in spaced relation to one another, said reaction surfaces facing said central space;

first and second gripping bodies positioned between said segments at opposite ends thereof, each of said gripping bodies having first and second arcuate grooves positioned in spaced relation and facing said central space, each of said gripping bodies having a plurality of contact surfaces positioned in facing relation with said reaction surfaces, each of said contact surfaces being engaged with one of said reaction surfaces on each of said segments;

first and second retainers, each of said retainers comprising an annular band having a plurality of teeth extending radially inwardly, each said annular band being split so as to permit radial motion of said teeth when said band is radially compressed, said first retainer being received within said first grooves in said coupling segments and said gripping bodies, said second retainer being received within said second grooves in said coupling segments and said gripping bodies, said teeth of said first retainer being angularly oriented toward said teeth of said second retainer and said teeth of said second retainer being angularly oriented toward said teeth of said first retainer; and

wherein adjustable tightening of said connection members draws said coupling segments together, said contact surfaces interacting with said reaction surfaces to move said gripping bodies radially inwardly for compressing said retainers into engagement with said pipe elements.

36. A pipe coupling according to claim 35, wherein said reaction surfaces extend in a tangential direction of said segments.

37. A pipe coupling according to claim 35, further comprising a tab projecting radially outwardly from at least one of said retainers, said tab engaging one of said grooves, said tab facilitating radial compression of said one retainer for engagement of said teeth thereon with one of said pipe elements.