Pipe coupling for large diameter pipe

• US 3,966,237 A
• Filed: 06/23/1975
• Issued: 06/29/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tyler Pipe Co. (Mcwane Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Aeroquip Corporation (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Thiessen, Leo K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Callaghan, Thomas F.
• Application Number:
  US05/589,056
• Time in Patent Office: 372 Days
• Field of Search: 285/112, 285/373, 285/367, 285/366, 285/365, 285/337, 285/423
• US Class Current: 285/112
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 17/04 with longitudinally split or divided sleeve

Abstract

A pipe coupling includes arcuate shaped housing segments for positioning on the enlarged diameter ends of thin wall large diameter pipe as a complete coupling. The inside diameter of the coupling housing is larger than the corresponding pipe diameter such that the coupling does not contact the outside surface of the pipe. Each of the housing segments include a base portion and radial inward projections forming a gasket receiving groove. Each of the housing segments additionally include interlocking alignment means at connecting ends to radially and axially align the housing segments. The coupling also includes a gasket positioned within the gasket receiving groove and clamping means for drawing the housing segments together to couple and seal the connecting pipes with the gasket.

Claims

1. A pipe joint comprising, in combination,

two lengths of thin wall, large diameter pipe arranged end to end for connection one to the other,

each of said pipe lengths having a continuous, circumferential, enlarged diameter end portion thereon at the juxtaposed ends for pipe end connection purposes,

said end portions of substantial rectangular cross section, whereby to provide therewith a peripheral flat circumferential bearing surface thereon and a substantially radially extending circumferential engaging shoulder,

and mechanical coupling means overlying and engaging said enlarged diameter pipe end portions comprising:

a plurality of arcuate segments adapted for assembled positioning, in a group, as a complete, pipe-end-encircling, rigid, circular coupling housing;

each of said segments having an arcuate, outboard, with respect to the pipe lengths being connected, rectangular base portion;

said assembled housing segments having an inside diameter, at the concave inner faces of said rectangular base portions, greater than the outside diameter of the enlarged pipe end portions;

said segments having a width somewhat greater than the combined width of the two pipe end enlarged portions to be connected;

said housing segments each having a pair of radial projections extending inwardly from the concave inner face of the base portion, spaced inwardly from the side edges thereof and laterally from one another, whereby to form a gasket receiving groove therebetween;

the said radial projections, in the assembled housing, having an inside diameter slightly greater than the outside diameter of the enlarged pipe end bearing surface portions and adapted to overlie same;

said housing segments each having a pair of radial flange portions of greater depth than the depth of said projections extending radially inwardly from the side edges of said base portion, whereby to enclose and overlap, when the housing is assembled around the pipe ends, the two juxtaposed, aligned, enlarged diameter pipe end portions;

said radial flange portions having, in the assembled housing on the pipe, an internal diameter less than the outer diameter of the pipe end enlarged portions, but somewhat greater than that of the pipe lengths, per se, and a lateral spacing therebetween somewhat greater than the combined width of the two pipe end enlarged portions;

a C-section gasket positioned inboard of the segment housing base portions, retained laterally by the inboard radial projections and having a sealing portion engaging the peripheral bearing surface portion of each of the enlarged pipe end portions,

clamping means positioned at each end of each arcuate segment adapted to cooperate with like clamping means on adjacent arcuate segments to form the circular housing; and

guide-interlock means positioned on each side of each arcuate segment and cooperating with like guide-interlock means on adjacent segment endings to rigidly retain and maintain the said segments coupled into the rigid circular housing, in cooperation with the said clamping means,

said guide-interlock means comprising first and second guide members, one of which is positioned along each side and outside of each housing segments at each connecting end thereof, each housing segment having two guide members at each end thereof,

said first guide members each having a V-shaped projection extending beyond the end of the housing segment carrying same, shaped cut-out positioned alongside but within the arc of said segment carrying same,

whereby, upon assembly of said segments into said circular housing, axial and radial alignment of said housing segments is achieved and maintained by the cooperation of the clamping and guide-interlock means.

2. A coupling as in claim 1 wherein each segment of said housing is made up of a pair of L-section angle-iron stock members welded together along one edge to form a C-section member and having inwardly extending projections formed of round stock attached to the concave base thereof.