Pipe coupling for plain ended pipe and for plain ended pipe attached to grooved pipe

• US 6,170,884 B1
• Filed: 06/18/1998
• Issued: 01/09/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Victaulic Company of America
• Original Assignee: Victaulic Company of America
• Inventors: McLennan, William Ross, Brown, Dennis R., Dole, Douglas R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Browne, Lynne H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BINDA, GREGORY JOHN
• Application Number:
  US09/100,787
• Time in Patent Office: 936 Days
• Field of Search: 285/112, 285/340, 285/367, 285/373, 285/915, 411/5, 411/10
• US Class Current: 285/112
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 17/04 with longitudinally split or divided sleeve
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 21/08 with additional locking means F16L17/035, F16L17/04, F16L21/04, F16L21/06 take precedence; screwed joints F16L19/08; couplings of the quick-acting type F16L37/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 285/915 Mastic

Abstract

A segmented coupling for use in coupling lengths of plain ended pipe employs cutter members of high strength steel to perform the required interconnection of the pipes, the cutter members being immovably held in the respective coupling segments and, upon tightening down of the coupling being operative to bite into the exterior surface of the associated pipes.

Claims

1. A coupling system for a segmented pipe coupling for use with plain ended pipe, said coupling segment including:

at least two channels, one of said at least two channels provided adjacent each opposite side edge of said coupling segment; and

at least one cutter member of high strength steel secured within at least said one of said at least two channels by means for securing said at least one cutter member with at least said one of said at least two channels, said means for securing being applied to said at least one cutter member and to at least said one of said at least two channels;

said at least one cutter member being arcuate about a radius and concentric with an inner radius of said coupling segment;

said a least one cutter member having a radially innermost edge providing a cutting edge;

at least one of said at least one cutter member being of a shape in radial cross-section having four sides, two of said four sides being longer than the remaining two sides, said two of said four sides being substantially parallel and linear.

at least one of said at least two channels having a wall contacting a side of said two of said four sides along substantially an entire length of said side.

2. The coupling segment of claim 1, in which said at least one cutter member extends at an angle to a longitudinal axis of said coupling segment, said at least one cutter member at a first of said opposite side edges of said coupling segment being arranged in converging relation with respect to said at least one cutter member at a second of said opposite side edges of said coupling segment.

3. The coupling segment of claim 1, wherein said means for securing comprises acrylic adhesive.

4. The coupling segment of claim 1, wherein said at least one cutter member comprises a plurality of cutter members at said each opposite side edge of said coupling segment.

5. The coupling segment of claim 1, wherein said at least one cutter member comprises a plurality of cutter members arranged in angularly spaced relation at said each opposite side edge of said coupling segment.

6. The coupling segment of claim 1, in which said at least one cutter member is comprised of a metal stamping, and in which said radially innermost cutting edge comprises a ground portion of said at least one cutter member.

7. A coupling segment for a segmented pipe coupling for use in securing the ends of a pipe together, said coupling segment including:

at least two channels, one of said at least two channels provided adjacent each opposite side edge of said coupling segment;

at least one cutter member secured within at least said one of said at least two channels by means for securing said at least one cutter member within at least said one of said at least two channels, said means for securing being applied to said at least one cutter member and to at least said one of said at least two channels;

said coupling segment formed of a first material and said at least one cutter member formed of a second material;

said at least one cutter member being arcuate about a radius and concentric with an inner radius of said coupling segment;

said at least one cutter member having a radially innermost edge providing a cutting edge;

at least one of said at least one cutter member being of a shape in radial cross-section having four sides, two of said four sides being longer than the remaining two sides, said two of said four sides being substantially parallel and linear;

said second material being predeterminedly selected such that said cutting edge can bite into the material forming the pipe; and

at least said one of said at least two channels having a wall contacting a side of said two of said four sides along substantially an entire length of said side.

8. The coupling segment of claim 7, in which said first material is a plastic material.

9. The coupling segment of claim 7, in which both said first material and the material of the pipe are plastic materials.

10. The coupling segment of claim 7, wherein said second material is harder than said first material.

11. The coupling segment of claim 7, wherein said at least one cutter member comprises at least one pair of cutter members, the individual cutter members of said at least one pair of cutter members being secured within each of said one of said at least two channels provided adjacent each opposite side edge of said coupling segment.

12. The coupling segment of claim 11, wherein the individual cutter members of said at least one pair of said cutter member are of substantially equal arcuate extent.

13. A plurality of coupling segments for a segmented pipe coupling for use with plain ended pipe, each coupling segment of said plurality of coupling segments including:

at least two channels;

at least one cutter member of high strength steel secured within each channel of said at least two channels, two of said at least two channels being adjacent respective opposite side edges of said coupling segment;

said at least one cutter member being arcuate about a radius and concentric with an inner radius of said coupling segment;

said at least one cutter member having a radially innermost edge providing a cutting edge;

said at least one cutter member being of a shape in radial cross-section having four sides, two of said four sides being longer than the remaining two sides, said two of said four sides being substantially parallel and linear;

adjacent coupling segments of said plurality of coupling segments having means for indicating when the strength of connection between said adjacent coupling segments is acceptable;

one of said at least one cutter member having a side of said two of said four sides contacting a wall of one of said at least two channels along substantially an entire length of said side.

14. A plurality of coupling segments as claimed in claim 13, wherein said means for indicating comprises at least one breakaway nut.

15. A method for tightening the adjacent coupling segments of the plurality of coupling segments of claim 14, said method comprising the steps of:

a. placing the breakaway nut on a bolt connecting the adjacent coupling segments, said breakaway nut contacting a bolting pad, said bolting pad being a part of one of the adjacent coupling segments; and

b. tightening the breakaway nut against the bolting pad until an upper portion of the breakaway nut separates from the remainder of the breakaway nut.

16. A plurality of coupling segments as claimed in claim 13, wherein said means for indicating comprises at least one collapsible washer.

17. A method for tightening the adjacent coupling segments of the plurality of coupling segments of claim 16, said collapsible washer comprising a plurality of plates, adjacent plates being spaced apart from each other vertically, said method comprising the steps of:

a. placing said collapsible washer on a bolt connecting the adjacent coupling segments, said collapsible washer being placed between a nut and a bolting pad, said bolting pad being a part of one of the adjacent coupling segments; and

b. tightening the nut, thereby compressing the collapsible washer, until each plate is in contact with at least one plate adjacent to each said plate.

18. A plurality of coupling segments for a segmented pipe coupling for use in securing the ends of a pipe together, each coupling segment of said plurality of coupling segments including:

at least two channels;

at least one cutter member secured within said coupling segment, at least one of said at least one cutter member being in each of said at least two channels;

said coupling segment formed of a first material and said at least one cutter member formed of a second material;

said at least one cutter member being arcuate about a radius and concentric with an inner radius of said coupling segment;

said at least one cutter member having a radially innermost edge providing a cutting edge;

said at least one cutter member being of a shape in radial cross-section having four sides, two of said four sides being longer than the remaining two sides, said two of said four sides being substantially parallel and linear;

said second material being predeterminedly selected such that said cutting edge can bite into the material forming the pipe;

adjacent coupling segments of said plurality of coupling segments having means for indicating when the strength of connection between said adjacent coupling segments is acceptable;

one of said at least one of said at least one cutter member having a side of said two of said four sides contacting a wall of one of said at least two channels along substantially an entire length of said side.

19. A plurality of coupling segments as claimed in claim 18, wherein said means for indicating comprises at least one breakaway nut.

20. A method for tightening the adjacent coupling segments of the plurality of coupling segments of claim 19, said method comprising the steps of:

a. placing the breakaway nut on a bolt connecting the adjacent coupling segments, said breakaway nut contacting a bolting pad, said bolting pad being a part of one of the adjacent coupling segments; and

b. tightening the breakaway nut against the bolting pad until an upper portion of the breakaway nut separates from the remainder of the breakaway nut.

21. A plurality of coupling segments as claimed in claim 18, wherein said means for indicating comprises at least one collapsible washer.

22. A method for tightening the adjacent coupling segments of the plurality of coupling segments of claim 21, said collapsible washer comprising a plurality of plates, adjacent plates being spaced apart from each other vertically, said method comprising the steps of:

a. placing said collapsible washer on a bolt connecting the adjacent coupling segments, said collapsible washer being placed between a nut and a bolting pad, said bolting pad being a part of one of the adjacent coupling segments; and

b. tightening the nut, thereby compressing the collapsible washer, until each plate is in contact with at least one plate adjacent to each said plate.

23. A coupling segment for a segmented pipe coupling for use with a plain ended pipe juxtaposed to a grooved ended pipe, said coupling segment including:

at least one channel, one of said at least one channel provided adjacent a first side edge of said coupling segment;

at least one cutter member of high strength steel secured within at least said one of said at least one channel; and

a key provided adjacent a second side edge of said coupling segment;

said at least one cutter member being arcuate about a radius and concentric with an inner radius of said coupling segment;

said at least one cutter member having a radially innermost edge providing a cutting edge;

said at least one cutter member being of a shape in radial cross-section having four sides, two of four four sides being longer than the remaining two sides, said two of said four sides being substantially parallel and linear;

at least said one of said at least one channel having a wall contacting a side of said two of said four sides of one of said at least one cutter member along substantially an entire length of said side.

24. The coupling segment of claim 23, in which said at least one cutter member extends at an angle to a longitudinal axis of said coupling segment.

25. The coupling segment of claim 23, wherein said at least one cutter member is secured within said at least one channel by at least one crimp formed in said first side edge of said coupling segment.

26. The coupling segment of claim 23, wherein said at least one cutter member is secured within said at least one channel by acrylic adhesive.

27. The coupling segment of claim 23, wherein said at least one cutter member comprises a plurality of cutter members at said first side edge of said coupling segment.

28. The coupling segment of claim 23, wherein said at least one cutter member comprises a plurality of cutter members arranged in angularly spaced relation at said first side edge of said coupling segment.

29. The coupling segment of claim 23, in which said at least one cutter member is comprised of a metal stamping, and in which said radially innermost cutting edge comprises a ground portion of said at least one cutter member.

30. A coupling segment for a segmented pipe coupling for use in securing the ends of a pipe together, said coupling segment including:

at least one channel, one of said at least one channel provided adjacent a first side edge of said coupling segment;

at least one cutter member secured within at least said one of said at least one channel;

a key provided adjacent a second side edge of said coupling segment;

said coupling segment formed of a first material and said at least one cutter member formed of a second material;

said at least one cutter member being arcuate about a radius and concentric with an inner radius of said coupling segment;

said at least one cutter member having a radially innermost edge providing a cutting edge;

said at least one cutter member being of a shape in radial cross-section having four sides, two of said four sides being longer than the remaining two sides, said two of said four sides being substantially parallel and linear;

said second material being predeterminedly selected such that said cutting edge can bite into the material forming the pipe; and

at least said one of said at least one channel having a wall contacting a side of said two of said four sides of one of said at least one cutter member along substantially an entire length of said side.

31. The coupling segment of claim 30, in which said first material is a plastic material.

32. The coupling segment of claim 30, in which both said first material and the material of the pipe are plastic materials.

33. The coupling segment of claim 30, wherein said second material is harder than said first material.

34. The coupling segment of claim 30, including at least one pair of said cutter member, the individual cutter members of said at least one pair of said cutter member being secured within said one of said at least one channel provided adjacent said first side edge of said coupling segment.

35. The coupling segment of claim 34, wherein the individual cutter members of said at least one pair of said cutter member are of substantially equal arcuate extent.

36. A plurality of coupling segments for a segmented pipe coupling for use with a plain ended pipe juxtaposed to a grooved ended pipe, each coupling segment of said plurality of coupling segments including:

at least one cutter member of high strength steel secured within said coupling segment adjacent a first side edge of said coupling segment;

at least one channel, one of said at least one channel being provided adjacent said first side edge of said coupling segment;

a key provided adjacent a second side edge of said coupling segment;

said at least one cutter member being arcuate about a radius and concentric with an inner radius of said coupling segment;

said at least one cutter member having a radially innermost edge providing a cutting edge;

said at least one cutter member being of a shape in radial cross-section having four sides, two of said four sides being longer than the remaining two sides, said two of said four sides being substantially parallel and linear;

adjacent coupling segments of said plurality of coupling segments having means for indicating when the strength of connection between said adjacent coupling segments is acceptable;

at least said one of said at least one channel having a wall contacting a side of said two of said four sides of one of said at least one cutter member along substantially an entire length of said side.

37. A plurality of coupling segments as claimed in claim 36, wherein said means for indicating comprises at least one breakaway nut.

38. A method for tightening the adjacent coupling segments of the plurality of coupling segments of claim 37, said method comprising the steps of:

a. placing the breakaway nut on a bolt connecting the adjacent coupling segments, said breakaway nut contacting a bolting pad, said bolting pad being a part of one of the adjacent coupling segments; and

b. tightening the breakaway nut against the bolting pad until an upper portion of the breakaway nut separates from the remainder of the breakaway nut.

39. A plurality of coupling segments as claimed in claim 36, wherein said means for indicating comprises at least one collapsible washer.

40. A method for tightening the adjacent coupling segments of the plurality of coupling segments of claim 39, said collapsible washer comprising a plurality of plates, adjacent plates being spaced apart from each other vertically, said method comprising the steps of:

a. placing said collapsible washer on a bolt connecting the adjacent coupling segments, said collapsible washer being placed between a nut and a bolting pad, said bolting pad being a part of one of the adjacent coupling segments; and

b. tightening the nut, thereby compressing the collapsible washer, until each plate is in contact with at least one plate adjacent to each said plate.

41. A plurality of coupling segments for a segmented pipe coupling for use in securing the end of a plain ended pipe and the end of a grooved ended pipe together, each coupling segment of said plurality of coupling segments including:

at least one channel;

at least one cutter member secured within said coupling segment in said at least one channel;

a key provided within said coupling segment;

said coupling segment formed of a first material and said at least one cutter member formed of a second material;

said at least one cutter member being arcuate about a radius and concentric with an inner radius of said coupling segment;

said at least one cutter member having a radially innermost edge providing a cutting edge;

said at least one cutter member being of a shape in radial cross-section having four sides, two of four four sides being longer than the remaining two sides, said two of said four sides being substantially parallel and linear;

said second material being predeterminedly selected such that said cutting edge can bite into the material forming the pipe;

adjacent coupling segments of said plurality of coupling segments having means for indicating when the strength of connection between said adjacent coupling segments is acceptable;

at least one of said at least one channel having a wall contacting a side of said two of said four sides of one of said at least one cutter member along substantially an entire length of said side.

42. A plurality of coupling segments as claimed in claim 41, wherein said means for indicating comprises at least one breakaway nut.

43. A method for tightening the adjacent coupling segments of the plurality of coupling segments of claim 42, said method comprising the steps of:

a. placing the breakaway nut on a bolt connecting the adjacent coupling segments, said breakaway nut contacting a bolting pad, said bolting pad being a part of one of the adjacent coupling segments; and

b. tightening the breakaway nut against the bolting pad until an upper portion of the breakaway nut separates from the remainder of the breakaway nut.

44. A plurality of coupling segments as claimed in claim 41, wherein said means for indicating comprises at least one collapsible washer.

45. A method for tightening the adjacent coupling segments of the plurality of coupling segments of claim 44, said collapsible washer comprising a plurality of plates, adjacent plates being spaced apart from each other vertically, said method comprising the steps of:

a. placing said collapsible washer on a bolt connecting the adjacent coupling segments, said collapsible washer being placed between a nut and a bolting pad, said bolting pad being a part of one of the adjacent coupling segments; and

b. tightening the nut, thereby compressing the collapsible washer, until each plate is in contact with at least one plate adjacent to each said plate.