Pipe coupling having compression band

• US 8,500,174 B2
• Filed: 05/12/2005
• Issued: 08/06/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Victaulic Company
• Original Assignee: Victaulic Company
• Inventors: Gibb, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Hewitt, James
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ripley, Jay R
• Application Number:
  US11/127,858
• Publication Number:
  US 20050258641A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,008 Days
• Field of Search: 285/122, 285/95, 285/367, 285/410, 285/364, 285/365, 285/366, 285/407, 285/411, 285/420, 285/112
• 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 coupling for joining pipe elements in end to end relationship is disclosed. The coupling includes a sealing member having an inner diameter and an outer surface. A plurality of segments are supported on the sealing member'"'"'s outer surface. Each segment has a pair of arcuate surfaces positioned in space relation on either side of the sealing member. A compression band surrounds the outer perimeter of the segments, the segments being captured between the band and the sealing member. The pipe elements are inserted into the inner diameter between the segments. A tensioning member is mounted on the band. Tightening of the tensioning member causes the compression band to force the segments radially inwardly into engagement with outer surfaces of the pipe elements.

Claims

1. A pipe coupling in combination with a pair of pipe elements, said pipe coupling for securing said pipe elements together in end to end relationship, said pipe elements having circumferential grooves positioned proximate to opposite ends thereof, said pipe coupling comprising:

a deformable sealing member having an inner diameter sized to receive said pipe elements without deforming upon insertion of said pipe elements within said inner diameter, said sealing member having an outer surface;

more than two segments supported on said outer surface of said sealing member, said segments being positioned circumferentially around said sealing member spaced apart from one another at a distance sufficient to permit said pipe elements to be inserted within said inner diameter of said sealing member, each said segment having a pair of arcuate surfaces positioned on opposite sides of said sealing member, said arcuate surfaces being engageable within said circumferential grooves of said pipe elements to retain them in said end to end relationship when said pipe elements are inserted within said inner diameter of said sealing member and said segments are moved radially inwardly against said sealing member;

a compression band extending around an outer perimeter of said segments, said compression band having opposite ends in facing relation, said segments being captured between said compression band and said sealing member; and

a tensioning member mounted on said compression band between said opposite ends, said tensioning member being adjustably tightenable for applying tension to said compression band for moving said segments substantially radially inwardly against said sealing member, tightening of said tensioning member moving said arcuate surfaces into engagement within said circumferential grooves of pipe elements.

2. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said segments are spaced apart from one another at substantially equal intervals.

3. The combination according to claim 1, further comprising a projection extending between said compression band and one of said segments, engagement of said projection with said compression band and said one segment limiting relative motion between said band and said one segment and holding said segment substantially at a position relatively to said compression band.

4. The combination according to claim 3, wherein said projection is attached to said one segment and extends substantially radially outwardly therefrom, said compression band having an aperture therethrough for receiving said projection.

5. The combination according to claim 4, wherein said aperture comprises a slot.

6. The combination according to claim 3, wherein said projection is attached to said one segment and extends substantially radially outwardly therefrom, said compression band having an indentation therein for receiving said projection.

7. The combination according to claim 6, wherein said indentation is elongated and extends lengthwise along said compression band.

8. The combination according to claim 3, wherein said projection is attached to said band and extends substantially radially inwardly therefrom, said one segment having an indentation therein for receiving said projection.

9. The combination according to claim 3, wherein said projection is flexible.

10. The combination according to claim 3, wherein said projection is elastically deformable.

11. The combination according to claim 3, wherein said projection is plastically deformable.

12. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said arcuate surfaces project substantially radially inwardly from said segments.

13. The combination according to claim 1, wherein one of said arcuate surfaces on one of said segments comprises at least one tooth that projects substantially radially inwardly from said one segment.

14. The combination according to claim 13, wherein said tooth extends substantially continuously lengthwise along said segment.

15. The combination according to claim 1, wherein one of said arcuate surfaces on one of said segments comprises a plurality of teeth positioned in spaced relation lengthwise along said one segment.

16. The combination according to claim 1, wherein one of said segments comprises first and second sidewalls extending outwardly from said outer perimeter, said sidewalls being in spaced apart relation and defining a trough, said trough being sized to receive said compression band.

17. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said segments have oppositely disposed end faces that are oriented substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said pipe elements, said end faces being drawn toward one another upon tightening of said tensioning member.

18. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said segments have oppositely disposed end faces oriented angularly relatively to a longitudinal axis of said pipe elements, for each said segment, said end face at one end thereof having an opposite slope to said end face at an opposite end thereof, each said end face on each said segment being substantially parallel to an adjacent end face on an adjacent one of said segments, said end faces being brought into engagement with one another upon tightening of said tensioning member, said angular orientation of said end faces causing said segments positioned adjacent to one another to move in opposite directions lengthwise along said pipe elements.

19. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said segments have oppositely disposed end faces oriented angularly relatively to a longitudinal axis of said pipe elements, for each said segment, said end face at one end thereof having substantially the same slope as said end face at an opposite end thereof, each said end face on each said segment being substantially parallel to an adjacent end face on an adjacent one of said segments, said end faces being brought into engagement with one another upon tightening of said tensioning member, said angular orientation of said end faces causing said segments positioned adjacent to one another to rotate in opposite directions about respective axes extending substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said pipe elements.

20. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said tensioning member comprises a threaded bolt rotatably mounted on a first end of said compression band and a threaded body mounted on a second end of said compression band, said first and second ends being in facing relationship, said bolt engaging said threaded body, tightening of said bolt drawing said first and second ends of said compression band toward each other and moving said segments substantially radially inwardly to engage said arcuate surfaces with said pipe elements.

21. A pipe coupling in combination with a pair of pipe elements, said pipe coupling for securing pipe elements together in end to end relationship, said pipe elements having circumferential grooves positioned proximate to opposite ends thereof, said pipe coupling comprising:

a deformable sealing member having an inner diameter sized to receive said pipe elements without deforming upon insertion of said pipe elements within said inner diameter, said sealing member having an outer surface;

more than two segments supported on said outer surface of said sealing member, said segments being positioned circumferentially around said sealing member spaced apart from one another at a distance sufficient to permit said pipe elements to be inserted within said inner diameter of said sealing member, each said segment having a pair of arcuate surfaces positioned on opposite sides of said sealing member, said arcuate surfaces being engageable within said circumferential grooves of said pipe elements to retain them in said end to end relationship when said pipe elements are inserted within said inner diameter of said sealing member and said segments are moved radially inwardly against said sealing member;

a compression band extending around an outer perimeter of said segments, said segments being captured between said compression band and said sealing member;

a projection mounted on each of said segments and extending outwardly therefrom, said compression band having a plurality of apertures therein for receiving said projections, engagement of said projections with said apertures limiting relative motion between said segments and said compression band and maintaining said segments substantially in spaced apart relationship; and

a tensioning member mounted on said compression band, said tensioning member being adjustably tightenable for moving said segments substantially radially inwardly against said sealing member, tightening of said tensioning member moving said arcuate surfaces into engagement within said circumferential grooves of said pipe elements.

22. The combination according to claim 21, comprising four of said segments.

23. The combination according to claim 21, wherein said segments are spaced apart from one another at substantially equal intervals.

24. The combination according to claim 21, wherein said apertures comprise slots that extend lengthwise along said band.

25. The combination according to claim 21, wherein said projections are flexible.

26. The combination according to claim 21, wherein said projections are elastically deformable.

27. The combination according to claim 21, wherein said projections are plastically deformable.

28. The combination according to claim 21, wherein said arcuate surfaces project substantially radially inwardly from said segments.

29. The combination according to claim 21, wherein one of said arcuate surfaces on one of said segments comprises at least one tooth that projects substantially radially inwardly from said one segment.

30. The combination according to claim 29, wherein said tooth extends substantially continuously lengthwise along said segment.

31. The combination according to claim 21, wherein one of said arcuate surfaces on one of said segments comprises a plurality of teeth positioned in spaced relation lengthwise along said one segment.

32. The combination according to claim 21, wherein said segments have oppositely disposed end faces that are oriented substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said pipe elements, said end faces being brought into engagement with one another upon tightening of said tensioning member.

33. The combination according to claim 21, wherein said segments have oppositely disposed end faces oriented angularly relatively to a longitudinal axis of said pipe elements, for each said segment, said end face at one end thereof having an opposite slope to said end face at an opposite end thereof, each said end face on each said segment being substantially parallel to an adjacent end face on an adjacent one of said segments, said end faces being brought into engagement with one another upon tightening of said tensioning member, said angular orientation of said end faces causing said segments positioned adjacent to one another to move in opposite directions lengthwise along said pipe elements.

34. The combination according to claim 21, wherein said segments have oppositely disposed end faces oriented angularly relatively to a longitudinal axis of said pipe elements, for each said segment, said end face at one end thereof having substantially the same slope as said end face at an opposite end thereof, each said end face on each said segment being substantially parallel to an adjacent end face on an adjacent one of said segments, said end faces being brought into engagement with one another upon tightening of said tensioning member, said angular orientation of said end faces causing said segments positioned adjacent to one another to rotate in opposite directions about respective axes extending substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said pipe elements.

35. The combination according to claim 21, wherein said tensioning member comprises a threaded bolt rotatably mounted on a first end of said band and a threaded body mounted on a second end of said band, said first and second ends being in facing relationship, said bolt engaging said threaded body, tightening of said bolt drawing said first and second ends of said band toward each other and moving said segments substantially radially inwardly to engage said arcuate surfaces with said pipe elements.

36. A pipe coupling in combination with a pair of pipe elements, said pipe coupling for securing pipe elements together in end to end relationship, said pipe elements having circumferential grooves positioned proximate to opposite ends thereof, said pipe coupling comprising:

a deformable sealing member having an inner diameter sized to receive said pipe elements without deforming upon insertion of said pipe elements within said inner diameter, said sealing member having an outer surface;

more than two segments supported on said outer surface of said sealing member, said segments being positioned circumferentially around said sealing member spaced apart from one another at a distance sufficient to permit said pipe elements to be inserted within said inner diameter of said sealing member, each said segment having a pair of arcuate surfaces positioned on opposite sides of said sealing member, said arcuate surfaces being engageable within said circumferential grooves of said pipe elements to retain them in said end to end relationship when said segments are moved radially inwardly against said sealing member;

a compression band extending around an outer perimeter of said segments, said compression band comprising a plurality of band portions arranged in end to end relation, each said band portion having opposite ends in facing relation with ends of another of said band portions, said segments being captured between said band portions and said sealing member; and

a plurality of tensioning members, each mounted on said band portions between said ends in facing relation, said tensioning members being adjustably tightenable for applying tension to said band portions and moving said segments substantially radially inwardly against said sealing member, tightening of said tensioning member moving said arcuate surfaces into engagement with said pipe elements.