Deformable mechanical pipe coupling

• US 7,341,287 B2
• Filed: 05/11/2005
• Issued: 03/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Victaulic Company
• Original Assignee: Victaulic Company
• Inventors: Dole, Douglas R., Gibb, John, Pigott, Michael S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bochna; David
• Application Number:
  US11/126,654
• Publication Number:
  US 20050253029A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,035 Days
• Field of Search: 285/367, 285/411, 285/407, 285/408, 285/409, 285/410, 285/365, 285/366
• US Class Current: 285/367
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 17/04 with longitudinally split or divided sleeve
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 21/005 made of elastic material, e.g. partly or completely surrounded by clamping devices comprising packing adapted to sealing by fluid pressure F16L17/04, F16L11/20; hose clips F16L33/02
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 21/02 with elastic sealing rings between pipe and sleeve or between pipe and socket, e.g. with rolling or other prefabricated profiled rings F16L21/06, F16L21/08 take precedence ; sealing ring with radial ribs F16L17/025; sealing ring with axial lips F16L17/03; if adjustability is essential F16L27/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 21/065 tightened by tangentially-arranged threaded pins
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 23/08 connection by tangentially arranged pin and nut
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 23/18 the sealing means being rings
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 25/14 Joints for pipes of different diameters or cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53987 Tube, sleeve or ferrule

Abstract

A deformable mechanical pipe coupling is disclosed. The coupling is formed from an arcuate band that surrounds and defines a central space. The band has first and second ends in facing relation. arcuate surfaces that engage outer surfaces of the pipe elements extend lengthwise along the band. The arcuate surfaces have radii of curvature greater than the radii of curvature of the pipe element outer surfaces, allowing pipe elements to be inserted within the central space. The band has adjustably tightenable connection members mounted at each end. When the connection members are tightened, the ends are drawn toward one another, and the arcuate surfaces on the band deform and conform to the radius of curvature of the outer surfaces of the pipe elements.

Claims

1. A pipe coupling positionable surrounding facing end portions of a pair of pipe elements for securing said pipe elements together in end-to-end relationship, said end portions of said pipe elements having an outer surface of substantially cylindrical profile, said coupling comprising:

a unitary arcuate band formed of a single piece and having first and second ends in substantially facing relation, said ends being spaced apart from one another, said band surrounding a central space;

first and second arcuate surfaces mounted lengthwise along said band on a side thereof, said arcuate surfaces being in spaced relation alongside one another and projecting substantially radially inwardly into said central space, said arcuate surfaces having a radius of curvature greater than the radius of curvature of the outer surfaces of said pipe elements, said end portions of said pipe elements being insertable into said central space;

at least one notch positioned in one of said arcuate surfaces at one of said first and second ends, said notch providing clearance for insertion of one of said pipe elements within said central space;

connection members mounted on said first and second ends, said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said first and second ends toward one another; and

said band being deformable allowing said first and second ends to move toward one another upon adjustable tightening of said connection members, said arcuate surfaces thereby being brought into engagement with said outer surfaces of said pipe elements and conforming the curvature of said arcuate surfaces to the curvature of said outer surfaces of said pipe elements.

2. A pipe coupling according to claim 1, further comprising a seal positioned between said arcuate surfaces, said seal surrounding said central space and being engageable with said band and said pipe elements for sealingly joining said pipe elements end-to-end.

3. A pipe coupling according to claim 1, wherein said connection members comprise a pair of projections, one said projection being mounted on each of said first and second ends of said band, said projections extending outwardly and adapted to receive a fastener, said fastener being adjustably tightenable for drawing said first and second ends toward one another.

4. A pipe coupling according to claim 3, wherein said projections are oriented substantially parallel to one another when said arcuate surfaces are engaged with said outer surfaces of said pipe elements, said projections otherwise being oriented angularly with respect to one another.

5. A pipe coupling according to claim 4, wherein said projections are oriented at an angle up to about 20°

relatively to one another.

6. A pipe coupling according to claim 3, wherein said projections comprise lugs each having an aperture therethrough sized to receive said fastener.

7. A pipe coupling according to claim 1, wherein one of said arcuate surfaces has a smaller radius of curvature than the other of said arcuate surfaces.

8. A pipe coupling according to claim 1, wherein said arcuate surfaces project radially inwardly.

9. A pipe coupling according to claim 1, wherein said arcuate surfaces comprise at least one tooth projecting substantially radially inwardly, said tooth gripping said outer surfaces of said pipe elements and providing mechanical restraint.

10. A pipe coupling according to claim 1, wherein said arcuate surfaces comprise a plurality of teeth projecting substantially radially inwardly, said teeth gripping said outer surfaces of said pipe elements and providing mechanical restraint.

11. A pipe coupling according to claim 10, wherein said teeth extend substantially continuously around said coupling.

12. A pipe coupling positionable surrounding facing end portions of a pair of pipe elements for securing said pipe elements together in end-to-end relationship, said end portions of said pipe elements having an outer surface of substantially cylindrical profile, said coupling comprising:

an arcuate band having first and second ends in substantially facing relation, said ends being spaced apart from one another, said band surrounding a central space;

first and second arcuate surfaces mounted lengthwise along said band on a side thereof, said arcuate surfaces being in spaced relation alongside one another and projecting substantially radially inwardly into said central space, said arcuate surfaces having a radius of curvature greater than the radius of curvature of the outer surfaces of said pipe elements, said end portions of said pipe elements being insertable into said central space;

a notch positioned on each said arcuate surface at the first and second ends of said band, said notches providing clearance for insertion of said pipe ends into said central space;

connection members mounted on said first and second ends, said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said first and second ends toward one another; and

said band being deformable allowing said first and second ends to move toward one another upon adjustable tightening of said connection members, said arcuate surfaces thereby being brought into engagement with said outer surfaces of said pipe elements and conforming the curvature of said arcuate surfaces to the curvature of said outer surfaces of said pipe elements.

13. A pipe coupling according to claim 12, further comprising a hinge positioned between said first and second ends, said hinge allowing a first portion of said band to pivot relatively to a second portion of said band for receiving said pipes within said central space.

14. A pipe coupling according to claim 13, wherein said hinge is positioned substantially equidistant from said first and second ends.

15. A pipe coupling according to claim 12, wherein said arcuate surfaces comprise at least one tooth projecting substantially radially inwardly, said tooth gripping said outer surfaces of said pipe elements and providing mechanical restraint.

16. A pipe coupling according to claim 12, wherein said arcuate surfaces comprise a plurality of teeth projecting substantially radially inwardly, said teeth gripping said outer surfaces of said pipe elements and providing mechanical restraint.

17. A pipe coupling according to claim 16, wherein said teeth extend substantially continuously around said coupling.

18. A pipe coupling positionable surrounding facing end portions of a pair of pipe elements for securing said pipe elements together in end-to-end relationship, said end portions of said pipe elements having an outer surface of substantially cylindrical profile, said coupling comprising:

an arcuate band having first and second ends in substantially facing relation, said band surrounding a central space;

a hinge positioned between said first and second ends, said hinge allowing a first portion of said band to pivot relatively to a second portion of said band for receiving said pipe elements within said central space;

first and second arcuate surfaces mounted lengthwise along said band on a side thereof, said arcuate surfaces being in spaced relation alongside one another and projecting substantially radially inwardly into said central space, said arcuate surfaces having a radius of curvature greater than the radius of curvature of the outer surfaces of said pipe elements, said end portions of said pipe elements;

a seal positioned between said arcuate surfaces, said seal surrounding said central space and being engageable with said band and said pipe elements for sealingly joining said pipe elements end-to-end, said seal having an outer diameter sized so as to maintain said first and second ends in spaced relation sufficient to allow said pipe elements to be inserted into said central space;

connection members mounted on said first and second ends, said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said first and second ends toward one another; and

said band being deformable allowing said first and second ends to move toward one another upon adjustable tightening of said connection members, said arcuate surfaces thereby being brought into engagement with said outer surfaces of said pipe elements and conforming the curvature of said arcuate surfaces to the curvature of said outer surfaces of said pipe elements.

19. A pipe coupling positionable surrounding facing end portions of a pair of pipe elements for securing said pipe elements together in end-to-end relationship, said end portions of said pipe elements having an outer surface of substantially cylindrical profile, said coupling comprising:

a unitary arcuate band formed of a single piece and having first and second ends in substantially facing relation, said ends being spaced apart from one another, said band surrounding a central space;

first and second arcuate surfaces mounted lengthwise along said band on a side thereof, said arcuate surfaces being in spaced relation alongside one another and projecting substantially radially inwardly into said central space, said arcuate surfaces having a radius of curvature greater than the radius of curvature of the outer surfaces of said pipe elements, said end portions of said pipe elements being insertable into said central space;

connection members mounted on said first and second ends, said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said first and second ends toward one another; and

said band being deformable allowing said first and second ends to move toward one another upon adjustable tightening of said connection members, said band having a section of increased bending flexibility positioned between said first and second ends, said section facilitating deformation of said band for engagement of said arcuate surfaces with said outer surfaces of said pipe elements, said arcuate surfaces thereby being brought into engagement with said outer surfaces of said pipe elements and conforming the curvature of said arcuate surfaces to the curvature of said outer surfaces of said pipe elements.

20. A pipe coupling according to claim 19, wherein said increased bending flexibility is achieved by reducing the area moment of inertia of said band between said first and second ends.