Clamshell coupling system and method

Abstract

A clamshell coupling for a conduit system is provided. The clamshell coupling may comprise at least one longitudinal housing having first and second ends adapted to receive sections of conduit. A restraint system may be disposed on an interior surface of the longitudinal housing. The restraint system operates to actively engage at least one conduit and resist a longitudinal load between the clamshell coupling and the conduit. A coupling system may be used to secure the longitudinal housings to the tubular members.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A conduit coupling, comprising: 
 a first, semi-tubular housing having a first interior diameter, a first exterior diameter and first and second ends;    the first and second ends adapted to receive at least one section of conduit;    the first housing having at least a first indented region forming a first locking lug upon the first exterior diameter;    a second semi-tubular housing complementary to the first housing, the second housing having a second interior diameter and a second exterior diameter;    the second housing having at least a second indented region forming a second locking lug upon the second exterior diameter; and    a first locking mechanism having first and second protrusions which cooperate with the first and second locking lugs to couple the first and second housings at a first longitudinal joint.    
     
     
         2 . The conduit coupling of  claim 1 , further comprising a hinge operable to couple the first and second housings at a second longitudinal joint.  
     
     
         3 . The conduit coupling of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a third indented region associated with the first housing, forming a third locking lug on the first exterior diameter;    a fourth indented region associated with the second housing, forming a fourth locking lug on the second exterior diameter; and    a second locking mechanism having third and fourth protrusions which cooperate with the third and fourth locking lugs, respectively, to couple the first and second housings at a second longitudinal joint.    
     
     
         4 . The conduit coupling of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one semi-circular rib disposed upon the first interior diameter.  
     
     
         5 . The conduit coupling of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one semi-circular rib further comprises: 
 a front face and a rear face forming a sharp point of a tooth, the tooth extending toward a central portion of the coupling;    the rear face approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal central axis of the coupling; and    the front face oriented at an angle between five and forty-five degrees with respect to the longitudinal central axis.    
     
     
         6 . The conduit coupling of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one semi-circular insert disposed along the first interior diameter, the insert including a plurality of gripping teeth operable to engage the at least one section of conduit, when the conduit coupling is in an assembled position.  
     
     
         7 . The conduit coupling of  claim 6 , wherein the gripping teeth extend toward a central portion of the conduit coupling, and form an angle between five and forty-five degrees with respect to a longitudinal central axis of the conduit coupling.  
     
     
         8 . The conduit coupling of  claim 6 , wherein the gripping teeth each include a respective point which extends perpendicular to an axial central axis of the conduit coupling.  
     
     
         9 . The conduit coupling of  claim 6 , wherein the gripping teeth each include a respective point which extends toward an axial midpoint of the conduit coupling.  
     
     
         10 . The conduit coupling of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of spikes extending from the first interior diameter and operable to engage the at least one conduit when the conduit coupling is in an assembled position.  
     
     
         11 . The conduit coupling of  claim 10 , wherein the spikes extend toward a central portion of the conduit coupling, and form an angle between five and forty-five degrees with respect to a longitudinal cental axis of the conduit coupling.  
     
     
         12 . The clamshell coupling of  claim 10 , wherein the spikes each include a respective point which extends approximately perpendicular to an axial central axis of the conduit coupling.  
     
     
         13 . The conduit coupling of  claim 10 , wherein the spikes each include a respective point which extends toward an axial midpoint of the conduit coupling.  
     
     
         14 . The conduit coupling of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one longitudinal seal disposed along the first longitudinal joint.  
     
     
         15 . A conduit coupling, comprising: 
 a first longitudinal housing having a first interior diameter;    a second longitudinal housing, complementary to the first longitudinal housing and operable to be coupled with the first longitudinal housing for installation upon at least a first conduit; and    the first longitudinal housing including at least one restraint system disposed upon the first interior diameter.    
     
     
         16 . The conduit coupling of  claim 16 , wherein the restraint system includes at least one semi-circular rib, comprising: 
 a front face and a rear face forming a sharp point of a tooth, the tooth extending toward a central portion of the coupling;    the rear face approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal central axis of the coupling; and    the front face oriented at an angle between five and forty-five degrees with respect to the longitudinal central axis.    
     
     
         17 . The conduit coupling of  claim 15 , wherein the restraint system comprises at least one semi-circular insert disposed along the first interior diameter, the insert including a plurality of gripping teeth operable to engage the sections of conduit when the conduit coupling is in an assembled position.  
     
     
         18 . The conduit coupling of  claim 17 , wherein the gripping teeth extend toward a central portion of the conduit coupling, and form an angle between five and forty-five degrees with respect to a longitudinal central axis of the conduit coupling.  
     
     
         19 . The conduit coupling of  claim 17 , wherein the gripping teeth each include a respective point which extends perpendicular to an axial central axis of the conduit coupling.  
     
     
         20 . The conduit coupling of  claim 17 , wherein the gripping teeth each include a respective point which extends toward an axial midpoint of the conduit coupling.  
     
     
         21 . The conduit coupling of  claim 15 , wherein the restraint system further comprises a plurality of spikes extending from the first interior diameter and operable to engage the first conduit when the conduit coupling is in an assembled position.  
     
     
         22 . The conduit coupling of  claim 21 , wherein the spikes extend toward a central portion of the conduit coupling, and form an angle between five and forty-five degrees with respect to a longitudinal cental axis of the conduit coupling.  
     
     
         23 . The clamshell coupling of  claim 21 , wherein the spikes each include a respective point which extends approximately perpendicular to an axial central axis of the conduit coupling.  
     
     
         24 . The conduit coupling of  claim 21 , wherein the spikes each include a respective point which extends toward an axial midpoint of the conduit coupling.  
     
     
         25 . The conduit coupling of  claim 15 , wherein the restraint system comprises at least one semi-circular gasket protruding from a notched opening within the first interior diameter.  
     
     
         26 . A conduit coupling, comprising: 
 a semi-cylindrical, semi-tubular housing having an interior diameter and an exterior diameter, the housing including a longitudinal gap disposed between adjacent first and second longitudinal surfaces of the housing;    at least one tension strap disposed around the exterior diameter of the conduit coupling, and operable to couple the conduit coupling with at least a first section of conduit whereby tightening the strap reduces the size of the longitudinal gap.    
     
     
         27 . The conduit coupling of  claim 26 , further comprising at least one restraint system disposed upon the interior diameter of the conduit coupling.