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Anti-mismatch of near-sized coupling segments

  • US 7,090,259 B2
  • Filed: 08/20/2003
  • Issued: 08/15/2006
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/05/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. In a series of successively sized segmented pipe couplings each coupling adapted to securably connect the similarly configured and sized pipe ends of juxtaposed pipes;

  • each one of said series of segmented pipe couplings comprising at least two arcuate segments to be assembled in arcuate end-to-end relationship for encircling the juxtaposed ends of the pipes to be coupled;

    each of said coupling segments including;

    radially inwardly extending and axially spaced first and second keys, said first keys of the juxtaposed coupling segments being in circumferential alignment, and said second keys of the juxtaposed coupling segments being in circumferential alignment, each of said first and second keys being adapted to cooperatively engage a peripheral groove about the outer circumstances of one of the juxtaposed pipe ends, andbolt receiving pads at the ends of each of said coupling segments for receiving bolts to securably maintain the individual coupling segments of each series about the juxtaposed pipe ends, with the tightening of said bolts bringing the bolt pads together to urge the individual coupling segments radially inward to produce a reduction in the internal circumference of the coupling and cause clamping engagement with the pipe exterior, with said keys being tightly retaining within their respective pipe recesses when said bolts are in their fully tightened condition;

    each one of said series having a different diameter and intended to couple together two pipes having the same pipe diameter;

    each first segmented pipe coupling in a first one of said series having a first diameter and each second segmented pipe coupling in a second one of said series having a second diameter, said second segmented pipe couplings being the next successively sized couplings within said series after said first segmented pipe couplings, with said second diameter being greater than said first diameter,said first segmented pipe couplings being intended to couple together pipes having respective pipe diameters that are different from the respective pipe diameters of pipes that said second segmented pipe couplings are intended to couple together,wherein said coupling segments m any one of said series are identical to each other and symmetric such that each bolt pad on any coupling segment in any one of said series is alignable into a fully bolt tightened connection with any bolt pad of any other coupling segment in that one of said series,the improvement comprising;

    anti-mismatch means provided on the individual ones of said coupling segments for preventing the fully bolt tightened connection of a coupling segment of said first one of said series to a coupling segment of said second one of said series, said second diameter being only slightly greater than said first diameter,wherein each anti-mismatch means provided on the coupling segments of said first one of said series has a first structural symmetry and each anti-mismatch means provided on the coupling segments of said second one of said series has a second structural symmetry different from said first structural symmetry, such that any two of the coupling segments of said first one of said series will nest together with matching symmetries, any two of the coupling segments of said second one of said series will nest together with matching symmetries, but any coupling segment of said first one of said series is prevented from nesting with any coupling segment of said second one of said series by their different symmetries,wherein said anti-mismatch means includes a first member on a first of said coupling segments in each of said series, and a second member on a second of said coupling segments of each of said series,the first and second members of said first one of said series of segmented pipe couplings configured and located to nest as their coupling segments are bolt tightened, such that the ends of said coupling segments are brought together in close proximity to encircle a pipe of a diameter corresponding to said first diameter,the first and second members of said second ones of said series of pipe couplings configured and located to nest as their coupling segments are bolt tightened, such that the ends of said coupling segments are brought together in close proximity to encircle a pipe of a diameter corresponding to said second diameter,the orientation of said first and second members of said first one of said series of segmented pipe couplings differing from the orientation of said first and second members of said second one of said series such that said first and second members of their respective segmented pipe couplings provide an interference relationship opposing the bolted connection of an arcuate coupling segment of said first one of said series to an arcuate coupling segment of said second one of said series, andwherein said first member being a projection and said second member being a recess configured to receive said projection, the location of said projection and recess in said second one of said series being the reverse of said first one of said series, such that if two coupling segments of the same one of said first or second series are in juxtaposition a projection of each coupling segment will enter a recess of the other coupling segment to permit close engagement therebetween, and if a coupling segment of said first series is in juxtaposition to a coupling segment of said second series their projections will abut to prevent close engagement therebetween.

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