Pipe coupling clamp with bolt pads and linear extending lugs

• US 5,240,294 A
• Filed: 08/30/1991
• Issued: 08/31/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Corcoran Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Corcoran Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Corcoran, Daniel P.
• Primary Examiner(s): AROLA, DAVE W
• Application Number:
  US07/753,450
• Time in Patent Office: 732 Days
• Field of Search: 285/373, 285/419, 285/424, 285/112
• US Class Current: 285/373
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 17/04 with longitudinally split or divided sleeve

Abstract

What is disclosed are novel pipe segments, pipe fittings, and methods of coupling pipe together wherein the novelty resides in the use of fastener means and coupling segments containing lugs with holes therethrough as couplers for the pipe segments whereby the pipe segments have metal deformations near their ends to accomodate the holes of the lugs.

Claims

1. A pipe coupling segment for use in joining pipe, said coupling segment comprising

an arcuate body comprised of radial and axial walls providing a receptacle for a sealing means wherein each radial wall has an interior surface and an exterior surface and each radial wall of each said arcuate body being radially inwardly extending from the axial wall to provide a support for a projecting lug which is intended for engagement with a metal deformation in the ends of pipe members, said pipe members having a linear axis, said pipe members being arranged in juxtaposed relationship to each other;

each arcuate body terminating in bolt pads at both ends, said bolt pads being used as a means, in combination with a fastening means, for securing said coupling segment with another like coupling segment in an end-to-end encircling relationship about said pipe;

each said radial wall having positioned on its center exterior surface, a lug, each said lug having a lower surface and an upper surface, said lug being essentially integrally associated with and a continuation of a portion of the radial side wall projecting along a linear axis of the pipe members, said lower surface being aligned in essentially a pipe conforming configuration with said side;

each said lug having slots therethrough which are vertical to said lower surface, said slots being configured to receive metal deformations situated on the respective ends of the pipe members, whereby, as the fastening means of said arcuate bodies are secured and tightened on the bolt pads, the lugs are seated around the segment on the metal deformations to cause the pipe members to be held together.

2. A pipe coupling for joining pipe, said pipe coupling including two arcuate coupling segments in combination with a fastening means;

each said coupling segment comprising an arcuate body comprised of radial and axial walls providing a receptacle for a sealing means wherein each radial wall has an interior surface and an exterior surface and each radial wall of each said arcuate body being radially inwardly extending from the axial wall to provide a support for a projecting lug which is intended for engagement with a metal deformation in the ends of pipe members, said pipe members having a linear axis, said pipe member ends being arranged in juxtaposed relationship to each other;

each arcuate body terminating in bolt pads at both ends, said bolt pads being used as a means, in combination with a fastening means, for securing said coupling segment with another like coupling segment in an end-to-end encircling relationship about said pipe;

each said radial wall having positioned on its center exterior surface, a lug, each said lug having a lower surface and an upper surface, said lug being essentially integrated with and a continuation of a portion of the radial side wall projecting along the linear axis of the pipe members, said lower surface being aligned in essentially a pipe conforming configuration with said side;

each said lug having slots therethrough which are vertical to said lower surface and the slots are configured to receive metal deformations situated on the respective ends of the pipe members, whereby, as the fastening means of said arcuate bodies are secured and tightened on the bolt pads, the lugs are seated around the metal projections to cause a drawing down of the coupling segment on the metal deformations to cause the pipe members to be held together.

3. A method of coupling smooth pipe segments at their ends, the method comprising

(I) forming a metal deformation on the outside surface of each pipe segment, a predetermined distance from each pipe end, to obtain prepared pipe ends;

(II) axially aligning the prepared pipe ends with each other in close proximity to each other;

(III) applying to the prepared pipe ends a pipe coupling for joining pipe, said pipe coupling including two arcuate coupling segments in combination with a fastening means;

each said coupling segment comprising an arcuate body comprised of radial and axial walls providing a receptacle for a sealing means wherein each radial wall has an interior surface and an exterior surface and each radial wall of each said arcuate body being radially inwardly extending from the axial wall to provide a support for a projecting lug which is intended for engagement with a metal deformation in the ends of pipe members, said pipe members having a linear axis, said pipe member ends being arranged in juxtaposed relationship to each other;

each arcuate body terminating in bolt pads at both ends, said bolt pads being used as a means, in combination with a fastening means, for securing said coupling segment with another like coupling segment in an end-to-end encircling relationship about said pipe;

each said radial wall having positioned on its center exterior surface, a lug, each said lug having a lower surface and an upper surface, said lug being essentially integrated with and a continuation of a portion of the radial side wall projecting along the linear axis of the pipe members, said lower surface being aligned in essentially a pipe conforming configuration with said side;

each said lug having slots therethrough which are vertical to said lower surface and the slots are configured to receive metal deformations situated on the respective ends of the pipe members,

(IV) tightening the fastening means whereby, as the fastening means of said arcuate bodies are secured and tightened on the bolt pads, the lugs are seated around the metal projections to cause a drawing down of the coupling segment on the metal deformations to cause the pipe members to be held together.

4. A method of coupling together a high pressure smooth pipe system, the method comprising utilizing pipe segments comprising pipe having at least one outwardly extending metal deformation on each end of the pipe segment at a pre-determined distance from each end, and at least one pipe coupling for joining pipe, said pipe coupling including two arcuate coupling segments in combinations with a fastening means;

each said coupling segment comprising an arcuate body comprised of radial and axial walls providing a receptacle for a sealing means wherein each radial wall has an interior surface and an exterior surface and each radial wall of each said arcuate body being radially inwardly extending from the axial wall to provide a support for a projecting lug which is intended for engagement with a metal deformation in the ends of pipe members, said pipe members having a linear axis, said pipe member ends being arranged in juxtaposed relationship to each other;

each arcuate body terminating in bolt pads at both ends, said bolt pads being used as a means, in combination with a fastening means, for securing said coupling segment with another like coupling segment in an end-to-end encircling relationship about said pipe;

each said radial wall having positioned on its center exterior surface, a lug, each said lug having a lower surface and an upper surface, said lug being essentially integrated with and a continuation of a portion of the radial side wall projecting along the linear axis of the pipe members, said lower surface being aligned in essentially a pipe conforming configuration with said side;

each said lug having slots therethrough which are vertical to said lower surface and the slots are configured to receive metal deformations situated on the respective ends of the pipe members, whereby, as the fastening means of said arcuate bodies are secured and tightened on the bolt pads, the lugs are seated around the metal projections to cause a drawing down of the coupling segment on the metal deformations to cause the pipe members to be held together.