Tube coupling assembly
First Claim
1. A coupling assembly for joining together the ends of a pair of tubes, particularly tubes made of plastic material, comprising:
- flange bushings defining a pair of planar radial flanks extending generally perpendicularly to the center lines of said pair of tubes and means attaching said bushings to said tubes;
sealing means sealingly engaging said radial flanks, said sealing means having a generally annular configuration and an outer circumferential face;
said radial flanks and said annular sealing means being structured so that said annular sealing means are held axially fixed between said radial flanks but radially adjustably movable relative thereto to allow for radial adjustment in the position of said sealing means;
said outer circumferential face of said sealing means having a diameter which is at least as large as the outermost diameter of said radial flanks; and
annular clamping means extending circumferentially about said flange bushings and said sealing means to provide a radial clamping force and to circumferentially engage said sealing means to effect radial adjustment of the position thereof;
said clamping means comprising a pair of generally semicircular shells, resilient pawl means for circumferentially joining said shells together and radially inner engaging means for engaging said outer circumferential face of said sealing means to effect radial positioning thereof;
said sealing means including an outer centering ring having a T-shaped profile, and an inner sealing ring with a lip seal directed radially inwardly of said assembly and formed with a U-shaped profile, with a radial web being provided on said centering ring, said radial web engaging in an outer circumferential groove of said sealing ring.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A coupling assembly for joining together the ends to a pair of tubes, particularly suitable for use with plastics material, includes a pair of flange bushings, a sealing arrangement effecting a centering function and two semicircular shells having a U-shaped inner cross-sectional profile, each of the shells being provided with a resilient pawl which joins the shells together circumferentially about the coupling assembly. The sealing arrangement includes a centering ring and an inner sealing ring with the outer diameter of the centering ring performing in cooperation with the inner contour of the shells a centering function for the sealing arrangement. This centering function prevents displacement of the sealing arrangement during assembly and operation and permits the utilization of different types of seals and of smooth end faces of the flange bushings.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A coupling assembly for joining together the ends of a pair of tubes, particularly tubes made of plastic material, comprising:
- flange bushings defining a pair of planar radial flanks extending generally perpendicularly to the center lines of said pair of tubes and means attaching said bushings to said tubes;
sealing means sealingly engaging said radial flanks, said sealing means having a generally annular configuration and an outer circumferential face;
said radial flanks and said annular sealing means being structured so that said annular sealing means are held axially fixed between said radial flanks but radially adjustably movable relative thereto to allow for radial adjustment in the position of said sealing means;
said outer circumferential face of said sealing means having a diameter which is at least as large as the outermost diameter of said radial flanks; and
annular clamping means extending circumferentially about said flange bushings and said sealing means to provide a radial clamping force and to circumferentially engage said sealing means to effect radial adjustment of the position thereof;
said clamping means comprising a pair of generally semicircular shells, resilient pawl means for circumferentially joining said shells together and radially inner engaging means for engaging said outer circumferential face of said sealing means to effect radial positioning thereof;
said sealing means including an outer centering ring having a T-shaped profile, and an inner sealing ring with a lip seal directed radially inwardly of said assembly and formed with a U-shaped profile, with a radial web being provided on said centering ring, said radial web engaging in an outer circumferential groove of said sealing ring. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
- flange bushings defining a pair of planar radial flanks extending generally perpendicularly to the center lines of said pair of tubes and means attaching said bushings to said tubes;
Specification