Method of securing facing end portions of pipe elements

• US 7,591,055 B2
• Filed: 05/10/2005
• Issued: 09/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Victaulic Company
• Original Assignee: Victaulic Company
• Inventors: Pigott, Michael S., Dole, Douglas R., Gibb, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Hewitt; James M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ripley; Jay R
• Application Number:
  US11/125,739
• Publication Number:
  US 20050253382A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,596 Days
• Field of Search: 285/112, 285/373, 285/419, 285/368, 285/367, 285/328, 285/406, 411/544, 411/546, 411/547, 292/82, 294/51
• US Class Current: 29/282
• 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 preassembled mechanical pipe coupling for joining pipe elements in end-to-end relationship is disclosed. The coupling is formed from a plurality of interconnectable segments that are initially maintained in spaced apart relation. The segments have arcuate surfaces that project inwardly. Connection members in the form of lugs and fasteners are mounted on the segments. The connection members are adjustably tightenable for drawing the coupling segments together and forcing the arcuate surfaces into engagement with the outer surfaces of the pipe elements. Notches are formed at ends of the arcuate surfaces to provide clearance allowing the pipe elements to be inserted between the segments when they are in the pre-assembled, spaced apart configuration.

Claims

1. A method of securing facing end portions of pipe elements together in end-to-end relationship, wherein said end portions of said pipe elements have an outer surface of substantially cylindrical profile, a circumferential groove being positioned in at least one of said end portions of at least one of said pipe elements, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) first, providing a pipe coupling having a plurality of coupling segments, each said segment having a pair of ends oppositely disposed, each said end on each said segment being attached to another of said ends of another of said segments, said segments being attached to one another in spaced apart relation surrounding a central space, said coupling segments having at least one arcuate surfaces adapted to be received within said circumferential groove in said at least one pipe elements, said at least one arcuate surfaces having notches therein positioned at opposite ends of said at least one arcuate surface;

(b) second, supporting said coupling segments in said spaced apart relation on a flexible resilient seal positioned within said central space, said seal having an inner diameter sized to receive said pipe elements and an outer diameter sized to support said coupling segments in said spaced apart relationship sufficient to permit axial insertion of said end portions of said pipe elements into said central space;

(c) third, inserting said end portions of said pipe elements axially into said central space while all of said coupling segments are attached to one another in said spaced apart relationship, said end portions passing through said notches; and

(d) fourth, drawing said coupling segments toward each other so as to engage said at least one arcuate surface of said coupling segments within said one circumferential groove in said at least one end portion of said pipe elements.

2. A method of securing facing end portions of pipe elements together in end-to-end relationship using a pipe coupling having a plurality of coupling segments, each said segment having a pair of ends oppositely disposed, each said end on each said segment being attached to another of said ends of another of said segments, said segments being attached to one another in spaced apart relation surrounding a central space, a flexible resilient seal being positioned within said central space, said coupling segments having arcuate surfaces adapted to be received within circumferential grooves positioned within said end portions of said pipe elements, said arcuate surfaces having notches therein positioned at opposite ends of said arcuate surfaces, said method comprising:

(a) first, supporting said coupling segments in said spaced apart relation on said flexible resilient seal positioned within said central space, said seal having an inner diameter sized to receive said pipe elements and an outer diameter sized to support said coupling segments in said spaced apart relationship sufficient to permit axial insertion of said end portions into said central space;

(b) second, inserting said end portions of said pipe elements axially into said central space while all of said coupling segments are attached to one another in said spaced apart relationship, said end portions passing through said notches; and

(c) third, drawing said coupling segments toward each other so as to engage said arcuate surfaces of said coupling segments within said grooves of said pipe elements.