Pivoting Pipe Coupling Having a Movable Gripping Body
First Claim
1. A pipe coupling for securing end portions of a pair of pipe elements together end-to-end, said coupling comprising:
- a pair of segments connected 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 pivot attachment positioned at one end of said segments, said pivot attachment pivotally connecting said segments to one another;
connection members positioned on each of said segments at an end opposite to said pivot attachment, said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said segments toward one another;
at least one reaction surface positioned on each of said segments, said reaction surfaces facing toward said central space;
at least one gripping body positioned between said segments, said gripping body having a pair of gripping surfaces positioned in spaced apart relation and facing said central space;
a pair of contact surfaces positioned on said gripping body, each said contact surface being in facing relation with one of said reaction surfaces, andwherein adjustable tightening of said connection members pivots said segments about said pivot attachment thereby drawing said coupling segments together for engagement of said arcuate surfaces with said pipe elements, said contact surfaces interacting with said reaction surfaces to move said at least one gripping body toward said central space for engagement of said gripping surfaces with said pipe elements.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A coupling for securing pipe elements together in end-to-end relation has segments joined at one end by a pivot attachment and at an opposite end by an adjustable connection member. The segments surround a central space which receives the pipe elements. A gripping body is captured between the segments. The segments have angularly oriented reaction surfaces. The gripping body has 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 body radially inwardly. Inwardly facing arcuate surfaces on the segments and the gripping body engage and retain the pipe elements. A method of inserting pipe elements into the coupling while the segments and the gripping body are supported on a seal is also disclosed.
65 Citations
41 Claims
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1. A pipe coupling for securing end portions of a pair of pipe elements together end-to-end, said coupling comprising:
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a pair of segments connected 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 pivot attachment positioned at one end of said segments, said pivot attachment pivotally connecting said segments to one another; connection members positioned on each of said segments at an end opposite to said pivot attachment, said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said segments toward one another; at least one reaction surface positioned on each of said segments, said reaction surfaces facing toward said central space; at least one gripping body positioned between said segments, said gripping body having a pair of gripping surfaces positioned in spaced apart relation and facing said central space; a pair of contact surfaces positioned on said gripping body, each said contact surface being in facing relation with one of said reaction surfaces, and wherein adjustable tightening of said connection members pivots said segments about said pivot attachment thereby drawing said coupling segments together for engagement of said arcuate surfaces with said pipe elements, said contact surfaces interacting with said reaction surfaces to move said at least one gripping body toward said central space for engagement of said gripping surfaces with said pipe elements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A pipe coupling for securing end portions of a pair of pipe elements together end-to-end, said coupling comprising:
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a pair of segments connected 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 pivot attachment positioned at one end of said segments, said pivot attachment pivotally connecting said segments to one another; connection members positioned on each of said segments at an end opposite to said pivot attachment, said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said segments toward one another; a pair of reaction surfaces positioned on each of said segments, said reaction surfaces facing toward said central space; at least one gripping body positioned between said segments, said gripping body having a pair of gripping surfaces positioned in spaced apart relation and facing said central space; first and second pairs of contact surfaces positioned on said gripping body, each said contact surface being in facing relation with one of said reaction surfaces on said segments, and wherein adjustable tightening of said connection members pivots said segments about said pivot attachment thereby drawing said coupling segments together for engagement of said arcuate surfaces with said pipe elements, said contact surfaces interacting with said reaction surfaces to move said at least one gripping body toward said central space for engagement of said gripping surfaces with said pipe elements. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A method of joining pipe elements in end to end relation using a coupling having opposed coupling segments and a movable gripping body positioned therebetween, said method comprising:
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inserting said pipe elements into said coupling; drawing said coupling segments into engagement with said pipe elements by pivoting said coupling segments about a pivot axis; moving said gripping body into engagement with said pipe elements. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41)
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Specification