Installation-ready pipe coupling method of manufacture
First Claim
1. A method of manufacturing an installation ready pipe coupling for joining pipe elements in end-to-end relation, said method comprising:
- providing a plurality of segments, each of said segments having a pair of arcuate contact surfaces adapted to interface with the outer surfaces of said pipe elements, said arcuate contact surfaces being in spaced apart side by side relation, said arcuate contact surfaces having an initial radius of curvature; and
deforming each of said segments into a deformed shape wherein said arcuate contact surfaces have a final radius of curvature, said final radius of curvature being greater than said initial radius of curvature, said segments maintaining said deformed shape.
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Abstract
A method of manufacturing an installation-ready pipe coupling is disclosed. The method includes providing pipe coupling segments each having an initial radius of curvature and an initial subtended angle. The segments are each deformed so as to take a permanent set and have a final radius of curvature greater than the initial radius of curvature and a final subtended angle smaller than the initial subtended angle. The deformed segments are assembled in end-to-end relation using adjustably tightenable fasteners to form a coupling. The deformed segments are maintained in spaced relation so that pipe elements can be inserted between them without disassembly of the coupling.
36 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of manufacturing an installation ready pipe coupling for joining pipe elements in end-to-end relation, said method comprising:
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providing a plurality of segments, each of said segments having a pair of arcuate contact surfaces adapted to interface with the outer surfaces of said pipe elements, said arcuate contact surfaces being in spaced apart side by side relation, said arcuate contact surfaces having an initial radius of curvature; and deforming each of said segments into a deformed shape wherein said arcuate contact surfaces have a final radius of curvature, said final radius of curvature being greater than said initial radius of curvature, said segments maintaining said deformed shape. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A method of manufacturing an installation ready pipe coupling for joining pipe elements in end-to-end relation, said method comprising:
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providing a plurality of segments, each of said segments having a pair of contact surfaces adapted to interface with the outer surfaces of said pipe elements, said contact surfaces being in spaced apart side by side relation, said contact surfaces having first and second ends oppositely disposed and positioned at an initial distance apart from one another; and deforming each of said segments into a deformed shape wherein said first and second ends of said contact surfaces are positioned at a final distance apart from one another, said final distance being greater than said initial distance, said segments maintaining said deformed shape. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification