Method of Securing Pipe Elements in End to End Relation
First Claim
1. 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:
- providing a pipe coupling assembly having a pair of coupling segments attached to one another end-to-end surrounding a central space, said coupling segments having surface regions disposed to interface circumferentially with the outer surfaces of said pipes;
inserting said end portions of said pipe elements into said central space;
moving said coupling segments toward one another so as to first engage said surface regions of said coupling segments with said outer surfaces of said pipe elements at a first contact point located between opposite ends of said coupling segments; and
deforming said coupling segments so as to next engage said surface regions of said coupling segments with said outer surfaces of said pipe elements at second and third contact points, said second and third contact points being positioned at said opposite ends of said coupling segments.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for joining pipe elements end-to-end using a pair of pipe couplings attached to one another end to end surrounding a central space includes inserting the pipe elements into the central space, moving the coupling segments toward one another and engaging surface regions of the coupling segments with outer surfaces of the pipe elements, initially at a first contact point on the coupling segments and subsequently at second and third contact points on the coupling segments. The first contact point is located between opposite ends of the coupling segments and may be located on a region of infinite radius of curvature, may project radially inwardly toward the pipe elements, and may be located midway between the opposite ends of the segments. The second and third contact points are located at opposite ends of the coupling segments.
108 Citations
5 Claims
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1. 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:
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providing a pipe coupling assembly having a pair of coupling segments attached to one another end-to-end surrounding a central space, said coupling segments having surface regions disposed to interface circumferentially with the outer surfaces of said pipes; inserting said end portions of said pipe elements into said central space; moving said coupling segments toward one another so as to first engage said surface regions of said coupling segments with said outer surfaces of said pipe elements at a first contact point located between opposite ends of said coupling segments; and deforming said coupling segments so as to next engage said surface regions of said coupling segments with said outer surfaces of said pipe elements at second and third contact points, said second and third contact points being positioned at said opposite ends of said coupling segments. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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Specification