Deformable pipe coupling having multiple radii of curvature
First Claim
1. A pipe coupling segment, positionable straddling facing ends of a pair of pipe elements for securing said pipe elements together in end-to-end relationship, wherein said ends of said pipe elements have an outer surface of substantially cylindrical profile, said coupling segment comprising:
- a unitary body comprising a plurality of sub-sections positioned end-to-end and defining a circumferential direction, said unitary body further comprising connection members positioned at opposite ends of said unitary body for adjustably connecting said unitary body to a mating unitary body;
each said sub-section having a surface region of a different radius of curvature from an adjacent surface region on an adjacent sub-section, wherein the curvature of said surface regions extends in said circumferential direction; and
at least one of said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said unitary body and said mating unitary body toward one another, said unitary body being deformable upon adjustable tightening of said connection member so as to engage said surface regions with the outer surfaces of said pipe elements at a first contact point located about midway between said opposite ends of said unitary body and at second and third contact points located at said opposite ends of said unitary body.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A pipe coupling for joining pipe elements end-to-end is disclosed. The pipe coupling is formed of segments attached to one another circumferentially straddling the pipe elements. The segments are formed from sub-sections connected to one another end-to-end. Each sub-section has a surface region disposed to engage the outer surfaces of the pipe elements. Each surface region has a different radius of curvature from a surface region on a neighboring sub-section. The radii are selected so that when the coupling segments are deformed around the pipe elements, portions of surface regions of selected sub-sections contact the pipe elements, while portions of surface regions of those sub-sections between the selected portions remain in spaced relation away from the pipe elements. A constant and minimal torque is required to bolt the segments together as a result.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A pipe coupling segment, positionable straddling facing ends of a pair of pipe elements for securing said pipe elements together in end-to-end relationship, wherein said ends of said pipe elements have an outer surface of substantially cylindrical profile, said coupling segment comprising:
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a unitary body comprising a plurality of sub-sections positioned end-to-end and defining a circumferential direction, said unitary body further comprising connection members positioned at opposite ends of said unitary body for adjustably connecting said unitary body to a mating unitary body; each said sub-section having a surface region of a different radius of curvature from an adjacent surface region on an adjacent sub-section, wherein the curvature of said surface regions extends in said circumferential direction; and at least one of said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said unitary body and said mating unitary body toward one another, said unitary body being deformable upon adjustable tightening of said connection member so as to engage said surface regions with the outer surfaces of said pipe elements at a first contact point located about midway between said opposite ends of said unitary body and at second and third contact points located at said opposite ends of said unitary body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A pipe coupling assembly for securing pipe elements together in end-to-end relationship, said ends of said pipe elements having an outer surface of substantially cylindrical profile, said coupling assembly comprising:
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a plurality of coupling segments connected in end-to-end relationship and positionable straddling facing ends of a pair of said pipe elements, each said coupling segment comprising; a unitary body comprising a plurality of sub-sections positioned end-to-end and defining a circumferential direction, said unitary body further comprising connection members positioned at opposite ends of said unitary bodies for adjustably connecting said unitary bodies to one another; each said sub-section having a surface region of a different radius of curvature from said surface region on an adjacent sub-section, wherein the curvature of said surface regions extends in said circumferential direction; and said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said unitary bodies toward one another, said unitary bodies being deformable upon adjustable tightening of at least one of said connection members so as to engage said surface regions with the outer surfaces of said pipe elements at a first contact point located about midway between said opposite ends of said unitary bodies, and at second and third contact points located at said opposite ends of said unitary bodies. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification