Mechanical pipe coupling having pipe clearance notches

• US 20050253382A1
• Filed: 05/10/2005
• Published: 11/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Victaulic Company
• Original Assignee: Victaulic Company of America
• Inventors: Dole, Douglas R., Gibb, John, Pigott, Michael S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,591,055 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 285/111
• 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. Interconnectable pipe coupling segments, each positionable straddling facing end portions of a pair of pipe elements for securing said pipe elements together in end-to-end relationship, wherein said end portions of said pipe elements have an outer surface of substantially cylindrical profile and wherein each said segment comprises:

a pair of arcuate surfaces adapted to interface with the outer surfaces of said pipe elements, said arcuate surfaces being in spaced apart relation to one another and projecting inwardly toward said pipe elements, one of said arcuate surfaces having first and second notches positioned at opposite ends thereof, said notches providing clearance for inserting said pipe elements between said segments when said segments are interconnected with one another; and

at least one connection member for adjustably connecting one coupling segment to another, said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said arcuate surfaces into engagement with said outer surfaces of said pipe elements.

2. Interconnectable pipe coupling segments according to claim 1, wherein said notches are positioned adjacent to said connection members.

3. Interconnectable pipe coupling segments according to claim 1, wherein both of said arcuate surfaces have first and second notches positioned at opposite ends thereof, said notches providing clearance for inserting said pipe elements between said segments when said segments are interconnected with one another.

4. Interconnectable pipe coupling segments according to claim 1, wherein each of said first and second notches has a length that is between about 5% and about 30% of the total length of said one arcuate surface.

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

6. Interconnectable pipe coupling segments according to claim 1, wherein said connection members comprise a pair of projections extending outwardly from the ends of each of said segments, said projections being adapted to receive fasteners for adjustably connecting said segments to one another, said fasteners being adjustably tightenable for drawing said arcuate surfaces into engagement with said outer surfaces of said pipe elements.

7. Interconnectable pipe coupling segments according to claim 6, wherein at least one of said projections comprises a lug having an aperture therethrough adapted to receive said fastener.

8. Interconnectable pipe coupling segments according to claim 1, wherein each of said segments further comprises a pair of angularly oriented surfaces positioned adjacent to each of said connection members, said angularly oriented surfaces on each of said segments having opposite slopes, said angularly oriented surfaces on one said segment being in facing relation with said angularly oriented surfaces on another said segment, said angularly oriented segments engaging one another when said segments are drawn together and causing said segments to twist relatively to one another about an axis substantially perpendicular to said pipe elements.

9. Interconnectable pipe coupling segments, each positionable straddling facing end portions of a pair of pipe elements for securing said pipe elements together in end-to-end relationship, wherein said end portions of said pipe elements have an outer surface of substantially cylindrical profile and wherein each said segment comprises:

a pair of arcuate surfaces adapted to interface with the outer surfaces of said pipe elements, said arcuate surfaces being in spaced apart relation to one another and projecting inwardly toward said pipe elements, at least one of said arcuate surfaces subtending an angle of less than 180°

, a first one of said arcuate surfaces having a first notch positioned at one end thereof, said notch providing clearance for inserting said pipe elements between said segments when said segments are interconnected with one another; and

connection members for adjustably connecting one coupling segment to another, said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said arcuate surfaces into engagement with said outer surfaces of said pipe elements.

10. Interconnectable pipe coupling segments according to claim 9, wherein a second one of said arcuate surfaces has a second notch positioned at an end thereof, said first and second notches being positioned substantially adjacent to one another on said segment.

11. Interconnectable pipe coupling segments according to claim 9, wherein said first notch has a length that is between about 5% and about 30% of the total length of said one arcuate surface.

12. Interconnectable pipe coupling segments according to claim 9, wherein said connection members comprise a pair of projections extending outwardly from the ends of each of said segments, said projections being adapted to receive fasteners for adjustably connecting said segments to one another, said fasteners being adjustably tightenable for drawing said arcuate surfaces into engagement with said outer surfaces of said pipe elements.

13. Interconnectable pipe coupling segments according to claim 12, wherein at least one of said projections comprises a lug having an aperture therethrough adapted to receive said fastener.

14. A pipe coupling positionable straddling facing end portions of a pair of pipe elements for securing said pipe elements together in end-to-end relationship, wherein said end portions of said pipe elements have an outer surface of substantially cylindrical profile and wherein said pipe coupling comprises:

first and second coupling segments interconnected with one another in spaced apart relationship, each coupling segment having a pair of arcuate surfaces adapted to interface with the outer surfaces of said pipe elements, said arcuate surfaces being in spaced apart relation to one another and projecting inwardly toward said pipe elements, said arcuate surfaces having first and second notches positioned at opposite ends thereof, said notches providing clearance for inserting said pipe elements between said segments; and

each said coupling segment having connection members for adjustably connecting one coupling segment to another, said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said arcuate surfaces into engagement with said outer surfaces of said pipe elements.

15. A pipe coupling according to claim 14, wherein each of said segments comprises first and second sidewalls positioned in spaced relation to one another and extending radially inwardly, said arcuate surfaces being positioned on said sidewalls, said sidewalls defining a channel positioned between said first and second arcuate surfaces.

16. A pipe coupling according to claim 15, wherein each of said segments includes a concavity positioned between said sidewalls.

17. A pipe coupling according to claim 15, further comprising a flexible, resilient seal, said seal being a substantially circular ring having an inner diameter sized to receive said pipe elements, said seal being positioned within said channels of said first and second coupling segments, said seal having an outer diameter sized to position said first and second coupling segments in said spaced apart relation from one another thereby allowing said pipe elements to be inserted between said first and second coupling segments into said end-to-end relationship, said seal being deformable when said connection members are adjustably tightened to draw said arcuate surfaces into engagement with the outer surfaces of said pipe elements.

18. A pipe coupling according to claim 14, wherein one of said arcuate surfaces on each of said first and second segments has a smaller radius of curvature than the other of said arcuate surfaces on said first and second segments.

19. A pipe coupling according to claim 14, wherein said connection members comprise a pair of projections extending outwardly from the ends of each of said segments, said projections being adapted to receive fasteners for adjustably connecting said segments to one another, said fasteners being adjustably tightenable for drawing said arcuate surfaces of said segments together into engagement with said outer surfaces of said pipe elements.

20. A pipe coupling according to claim 19, wherein said fasteners comprise nuts threaded onto bolts, said bolts having threads that are deformed so as to temporarily hold said nuts in a predetermined position compatible with the spaced apart relationship of said first and second coupling segments, said nuts being adjustably tightenable from said predetermined position for drawing said arcuate segments into engagement with said outer surfaces of said pipe elements.

21. A pipe coupling according to claim 20 wherein said threads are deformed by staking said threads.

22. A pipe coupling according to claim 14, wherein each of said first and second segments further comprises a pair of angularly oriented surfaces positioned adjacent to each of said connection members, said angularly oriented surfaces on one said segment being in facing relation with said angularly oriented surfaces on another said segment, said angularly oriented surfaces engaging one another when said segments are drawn together and causing said segments to move relatively to one another and engage said arcuate surfaces with said other surfaces of said pipe elements.

23. A pipe coupling according to claim 22, wherein said angularly oriented surfaces on each of said segments have opposite slopes, said angularly oriented surfaces engaging one another when said segments are drawn together and causing said segments to rotate relatively to one another about an axis substantially perpendicular to said pipe elements.

24. A pipe coupling positionable straddling facing end portions of a pair of pipe elements for securing said pipe elements together in end-to-end relationship, wherein said end portions of said pipe elements have an outer surface of substantially cylindrical profile and wherein said pipe coupling comprises:

first and second coupling segments interconnected with one another in spaced apart relationship, one of said coupling segments having a pair of arcuate surfaces adapted to interface with the outer surfaces of said pipe elements, said arcuate surfaces being in spaced apart relation to one another and projecting inwardly toward said pipe elements, said arcuate surfaces having first and second notches positioned at opposite ends thereof, said notches providing clearance for inserting said pipe elements between said segments; and

each said coupling segment having connection members for adjustably connecting one coupling segment to another, said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said arcuate surfaces into engagement with said outer surfaces of said pipe elements.

25. A pipe coupling according to claim 24, wherein each of said segments comprises first and second sidewalls positioned in spaced relation to one another and extending radially inwardly, said arcuate surfaces being positioned on said sidewalls, said sidewalls defining a channel positioned between said first and second arcuate surfaces.

26. A pipe coupling according to claim 25, wherein each of said segments includes a concavity positioned between said sidewalls.

27. A pipe coupling according to claim 25, further comprising a flexible, resilient seal, said seal being a substantially circular ring having an inner diameter sized to receive said pipe elements, said seal being positioned within said channels of said first and second coupling segments, said seal having an outer diameter sized to position said first and second coupling segments in said spaced apart relation from one another thereby allowing said pipe elements to be inserted between said first and second coupling segments into said end-to-end relationship, said seal being deformable when said connection members are adjustably tightened to draw said arcuate surfaces into engagement with the outer surfaces of said pipe elements.

28. A pipe coupling positionable straddling facing end portions of a pair of pipe elements for securing said pipe elements to one another in end-to-end relation, wherein said end portions of said pipe elements have an outer surface of substantially cylindrical profile, said coupling comprising:

a plurality of coupling segments, each coupling segment subtending an angle less than 180°

, each coupling segment having a pair of arcuate surfaces adapted to interface with the outer surfaces of said pipe elements, said arcuate surfaces projecting inwardly and being in spaced apart relation to one another, said coupling segments each having notches positioned at opposite ends of their respective arcuate surfaces, said notches providing clearance for inserting said pipe elements between said segments forming said coupling; and

each said coupling segment having connection members for adjustably connecting one coupling segment to another, said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said arcuate surfaces of said segments into engagement with the outer surfaces of said pipe elements.

29. A pipe coupling according to claim 28, comprising four of said coupling segments.

30. A pipe coupling according to claim 28, further comprising a flexible, resilient seal, said seal being a substantially circular ring having an inner diameter sized to receive said pipe elements, said seal being positioned between said arcuate surfaces of said segments, said seal having an outer diameter sized to position said coupling segments in spaced apart relation from one another thereby allowing said pipes to be inserted between said coupling segment into said end-to-end relationship, said seal being deformable when said connection members are adjustably tightened to draw said arcuate surfaces toward one another and conform the curvature of said segments to the outer surfaces of said pipes.

31. A pipe coupling positionable straddling facing end portions of a pair of pipe elements for securing said pipe elements to one another in end-to-end relation, wherein said end portion of one of said pipe elements has an outer surface of substantially cylindrical profile, said coupling comprising:

first and second coupling segments, each coupling segment having a arcuate surface adapted to interface with the outer surface of said one pipe element, said arcuate surfaces projecting inwardly and having first and second notches positioned at opposite ends thereof, said notches providing clearance for inserting said one pipe element between said segments; and

each said coupling segment having connection members for adjustably connecting one coupling segment to another, said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said arcuate surfaces of said segments into engagement with the outer surfaces of said pipe elements.

32. A pipe coupling according to claim 31, further comprising first and second flanges mounted on said first and second coupling segments respectively in spaced apart relation to said arcuate surfaces, said flange extending radially outwardly and being engageable with a mating flange for connecting said coupling to a flanged pipe element.

33. Interconnectable pipe coupling segments, each positionable straddling facing end portions of a pair of pipe elements for securing said pipe elements together in end-to-end relationship, wherein said end portions of said pipe elements have an outer surface of substantially cylindrical profile and wherein each said segment comprises:

a pair of arcuate surfaces adapted to interface with the outer surfaces of said pipe elements, said arcuate surfaces being in spaced apart relation to one another and projecting inwardly toward said pipe elements, said arcuate surfaces each having a notch positioned at one end thereof, said notches on each said segment being positioned adjacent to one another, said segments being arranged with said notches substantially diametrically opposite to one another, said notches providing clearance for inserting said pipe elements between said segments when said segments are interconnected with one another; and

connection members for adjustably connecting one coupling segment to another, said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said arcuate surfaces into engagement with said outer surfaces of said pipe elements.

34. 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, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a pipe coupling having a plurality of coupling segments attached to one another end-to-end in spaced apart relation surrounding a central space, said coupling segments having arcuate surfaces adapted to interface with the outer surfaces of said pipes, said arcuate surfaces having notches therein positioned at opposite ends of said arcuate surface;

inserting said end portions of said pipe elements into said central space; and

drawing said coupling segments toward each other so as to engage said arcuate surfaces of said coupling segments with said outer surfaces of said pipe elements.