Leak testing device and coupling therefor

Abstract

A leak testing device includes a generally cylindrical sealing gasket which defines a recess therein. The gasket includes first and second end portions for receiving the respective ends of two adjacent conduits. A shoulder portion extends from the gasket. A diaphragm member is positioned in the gasket. A hole is provided in the diaphragm member which can be selectively opened or closed by a valve operably connected to the diaphragm member to thereby permit or restrict the flow of a fluid between the two conduits. A coupling for clamping the leak testing device about one or two conduits includes a generally cylindrical member having a central axis and including a plurality of sections. The sections are interconnected to one another by at least two hinge members in a manner that two sections have free end points to be releasably fastened together.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A conduit coupling, comprising: 
 a) a generally cylindrical member having a central axis and including a plurality of sections; and    b) said sections being interconnected to one another by at least two hinge members in a manner that two of said sections have free end portions to be releasably fastened together.    
     
     
         2 . The conduit coupling of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 a) said sections are hingedly interconnected in a manner that at least one of the two of said sections can rock away from the other sections.    
     
     
         3 . The conduit coupling of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 a) said cylindrical member includes three sections.    
     
     
         4 . The conduit coupling of  claim 3 , wherein: 
 a) each of said sections is generally curved in configuration; and    b) the free end portions of said two of said sections include clamping tabs extending away from the central axis.    
     
     
         5 . The conduit coupling of  claim 3 , wherein: 
 a) one of said sections is hingedly connected to adjacent sections at both end portions thereof.    
     
     
         6 . The conduit coupling of  claim 5 , wherein: 
 a) said one of said sections is disposed generally opposite to the free end portions of said two of said sections when the free ends are aligned to be fastened together.    
     
     
         7 . A leak testing device to be positioned between two adjacent conduits, comprising: 
 a) a generally cylindrical sealing gasket defining a recess therein;    b) said gasket including first and second end portions for receiving the respective ends of two adjacent conduits;    c) a shoulder portion extending from said gasket;    d) a diaphragm member for positioning within said gasket;    e) said diaphragm member including a hole;    f) a valve operably connected to said diaphragm member for selectively opening or closing the hole to thereby permit or restrict the flow of a fluid between the conduits;    g) a coupling for providing about the perimeter of said gasket to thereby sealingly clamp the device about the ends of the conduits;    h) said coupling including a generally cylindrical member having a central axis and including a plurality of sections; and    i) said sections being interconnected to one another by at least two hinge members in a manner that two of said sections have free end portions to be releasably fastened together.    
     
     
         8 . The leak testing device of  claim 7 , wherein: 
 a) said sections are hingedly interconnected in a manner that at least one of the two of said sections can rock away from the other sections.    
     
     
         9 . The leak testing device of  claim 7 , wherein: 
 a) said cylindrical member includes three sections.    
     
     
         10 . A leak testing device to be positioned between two adjacent conduits, comprising: 
 a) a generally cylindrical sealing gasket defining a recess therein;    b) said gasket including first and second end portions for receiving the respective ends of two adjacent conduits;    c) said gasket including an integral diaphragm member extending into said recess;    d) said diaphragm member substantially closing said recess;    e) said diaphragm member including a hole;    f) a valve operably connected to said diaphragm member for selectively opening or closing the hole to thereby permit or restrict the flow of a fluid between the conduits;    g) a coupling for providing about the perimeter of said gasket to thereby sealingly clamp the device about the ends of the conduits;    h) said coupling including a generally cylindrical member having a central axis and including a plurality of sections; and    i) said sections being interconnected to one another by at least two hinge members in a manner that two of said sections have free end portions to be releasably fastened together.    
     
     
         11 . The leak testing device of  claim 10 , wherein: 
 a) said sections are hingedly interconnected in a manner that at least one of the two of said sections can rock away from the other sections.    
     
     
         12 . The leak testing device of  claim 10 , wherein: 
 a) said cylindrical member includes three sections.    
     
     
         13 . A leak testing device to be positioned between two adjacent conduits, comprising: 
 a) a generally cylindrical gasket defining a recess therein;    b) said gasket including first and second end portions for receiving the respective ends of two adjacent conduits;    c) said gasket including a shoulder portion extending into said recess;    d) a diaphragm member for positioning within said gasket and including a groove for receiving said shoulder portion;    e) said diaphragm member including a hole;    f) a valve operably connected to said diaphragm member for selectively opening or closing the hole to thereby permit or restrict the flow of a fluid between the conduits;    g) a coupling for providing about the perimeter of said gasket to thereby sealingly clamp the device about the ends of the conduits;    h) said coupling including a generally cylindrical member having a central axis and including a plurality of sections; and    i) said sections being interconnected to one another by at least two hinge members in a manner that two of said sections have free end portions to be releasably fastened together.    
     
     
         14 . The leak testing device of  claim 13 , wherein: 
 a) said sections are hingedly interconnected in a manner that at least one of the two of said sections can rock away from the other sections.    
     
     
         15 . The leak testing device of  claim 13 , wherein: 
 a) said cylindrical member includes three sections.    
     
     
         16 . A leak testing device to be positioned adjacent an end of a conduit, comprising: 
 a) a generally cylindrical gasket defining a recess therein;    b) said gasket including an end portion for receiving an end of a conduit;    c) said gasket including a shoulder portion extending into said recess;    d) a diaphragm member for positioning within said gasket and including a groove for receiving said shoulder portion;    e) said diaphragm member including a hole;    f) a valve operably connected to said diaphragm member for selectively opening or closing the hole to thereby permit or restrict the flow of a fluid therethrough;    g) a coupling for providing about the perimeter of said gasket to thereby clamp the device about the end of the conduit;    h) said coupling including a generally cylindrical member having a central axis and including a plurality of sections; and    i) said sections being interconnected to one another by at least two hinge members in a manner that two of said sections have free end portions to be releasably fastened together.    
     
     
         17 . The leak testing device of  claim 16 , wherein: 
 a) said sections are hingedly interconnected in a manner that at least one of the two of said sections can rock away from the other sections.    
     
     
         18 . The leak testing device of  claim 16 , wherein: 
 a) said cylindrical member includes three sections.    
     
     
         19 . A leak testing device to be positioned adjacent an end of a conduit, comprising: 
 a) a generally cylindrical gasket defining a recess therein;    b) said gasket including a first end portion for receiving an end of a conduit;    c) a diaphragm member for positioning within said gasket;    d) said diaphragm member including a hole;    e) a fluid discharge member operably connected to said diaphragm member and in fluid communication with the hole;    f) a valve operably connected to said diaphragm member for selectively opening or closing the hole to thereby permit or restrict the flow of a fluid between the hole and the fluid discharge member;    g) a coupling for providing about the perimeter of said gasket to thereby clamp the device about the end of the conduit;    h) said coupling including a generally cylindrical member having a central axis and including a plurality of sections; and    i) said sections being interconnected to one another by at least two hinge members in a manner that two of said sections have free end portions to be releasably fastened together.    
     
     
         20 . The leak testing device of  claim 19 , wherein: 
 a) said sections are hingedly interconnected in a manner that at least one of the two of said sections can rock away from the other sections.    
     
     
         21 . The leak testing device of  claim 19 , wherein: 
 a) said cylindrical member includes three sections.    
     
     
         22 . A leak testing device to be positioned adjacent an end of a conduit, comprising: 
 a) a generally cylindrical gasket defining a recess therein;    b) said gasket including a first end portion for receiving an end of a conduit;    c) a diaphragm member for positioning within said gasket;    d) said diaphragm member including a hole;    e) first and second connecting members for interconnecting said gasket and said diaphragm member;    f) a valve operably connected to said diaphragm member for selectively opening or closing the hole to thereby permit or restrict the flow of a fluid therethrough;    g) a coupling for providing about the perimeter of said gasket to thereby clamp the device about the end of the conduit;    h) said coupling including a generally cylindrical member having a central axis and including a plurality of sections; and    i) said sections being interconnected to one another by at least two hinge members in a manner that two of said sections have free end portions to be releasably fastened together.    
     
     
         23 . The leak testing device of  claim 22 , wherein: 
 a) said sections are hingedly interconnected in a manner that at least one of the two of said sections can rock away from the other sections.    
     
     
         24 . The leak testing device of  claim 22 , wherein: 
 a) said cylindrical member includes three sections.    
     
     
         25 . A leak testing device to be positioned adjacent an end of a conduit, comprising: 
 a) a generally cylindrical gasket defining a recess therein;    b) said gasket including an end portion for receiving an end of a conduit;    c) a shoulder portion extending from said gasket;    d) a diaphragm member for positioning within said gasket;    e) said diaphragm member including a hole; and    f) a valve operably connected to said diaphragm member for selectively opening or closing the hole to thereby permit or restrict the flow of a fluid therethrough.    
     
     
         26 . The leak testing device of  claim 25 , further comprising: 
 a) a coupling for providing about the perimeter of said gasket to thereby sealingly clamp the device about the end of the conduit;    b) said coupling including a generally cylindrical member having a central axis and including a plurality of sections; and    c) said sections being interconnected to one another by at least two hinge members in a manner that two of said sections have free end portions to be releasably fastened together.    
     
     
         27 . The leak testing device of  claim 26 , wherein: 
 a) said sections are hingedly interconnected in a manner that at least one of the two of said sections can rock away from the other sections.    
     
     
         28 . The leak testing device of  claim 26 , wherein: 
 a) said cylindrical member includes three sections.    
     
     
         29 . A leak testing device to be positioned adjacent an end of a conduit, comprising: 
 a) a generally cylindrical gasket defining a recess therein;    b) said gasket including an end portion for receiving an end of a conduit;    c) said gasket including an integral diaphragm member extending into said recess;    d) said diaphragm member substantially closing said recess;    e) said diaphragm member including a hole; and    f) a valve operably connected to said diaphragm member for selectively opening or closing the hole to thereby permit or restrict the flow of a fluid therethrough.    
     
     
         30 . The leak testing device of  claim 29 , further comprising: 
 a) a coupling for providing about the perimeter of said gasket to thereby sealingly clamp the device about the end of the conduit;    b) said coupling including a generally cylindrical member having a central axis and including a plurality of sections; and    c) said sections being interconnected to one another by at least two hinge members in a manner that two of said sections have free end portions to be releasably fastened together.    
     
     
         31 . The leak testing device of  claim 30 , wherein: 
 a) said sections are hingedly interconnected in a manner that at least one of the two of said sections can rock away from the other sections.    
     
     
         32 . The leak testing device of  claim 30 , wherein: 
 a) said cylindrical member includes three sections.    
     
     
         33 . A conduit coupling, comprising: 
 a) a generally cylindrical member defining a recess and including a plurality of sections;    b) said sections being interconnected to one another by at least two hinge members in a manner that two of said sections have free end portions to be releasably fastened together;    c) said cylindrical member including first and second end portions; and    d) a shoulder portion extending into said recess.    
     
     
         34 . The conduit coupling of  claim 33 , wherein: 
 a) said shoulder portion is disposed adjacent one of said first and second end portions of said cylindrical member.    
     
     
         35 . The conduit coupling of  claim 34 , wherein: 
 a) said one of said first and second end portions includes an opening; and    b) said shoulder portion is generally flush with said opening.    
     
     
         36 . The conduit of  claim 33 , wherein: 
 a) said first and second end portions include first and second openings, respectively; and    b) the diameter of one of said first and second openings is larger than the diameter of the other of said first and second openings.    
     
     
         37 . The conduit of  claim 33 , wherein: 
 a) said cylindrical member includes internal and external surfaces; and    b) said internal surface includes a ridge.    
     
     
         38 . A leak testing device to be positioned adjacent an end of a conduit, comprising: 
 a) a generally cylindrical gasket defining a recess therein;    b) said gasket including an end portion for receiving an end of a conduit;    c) said gasket including a shoulder portion extending into said recess;    d) a diaphragm member for positioning within said gasket and including a groove for receiving said shoulder portion;    e) said diaphragm member including a hole; and    f) a valve operably connected to said diaphragm member for selectively opening or closing the hole to thereby permit or restrict the flow of a fluid therethrough;    g) a coupling for providing about the perimeter of said gasket to thereby clamp the device about the end of the conduit;    h) said coupling including a generally cylindrical member defining a recess and including a plurality of sections;    i) said sections being interconnected to one another by at least two hinge members in a manner that two of said sections have free end portions to be releasably fastened together;    j) said cylindrical member including first and second end portions; and    k) a shoulder portion extending into said recess.    
     
     
         39 . The leak testing device of  claim 38 , wherein: 
 a) said shoulder portion is disposed adjacent one of said first and second end portions of said cylindrical member.    
     
     
         40 . The leak testing device of  claim 39 , wherein: 
 a) said one of said first and second end portions includes an opening; and    b) said shoulder portion is generally flush with said opening.    
     
     
         41 . The leak testing device of  claim 38 , wherein: 
 a) said first and second end portions include first and second openings, respectively; and    b) the diameter of one of said first and second openings is larger than the diameter of the other of said first and second openings.    
     
     
         42 . The leak testing device of  claim 38 , wherein: 
 a) said cylindrical member includes internal and external surfaces; and    b) said internal surface includes a ridge.    
     
     
         43 . A leak testing device to be positioned adjacent an end of a conduit, comprising: 
 a) a generally cylindrical gasket defining a recess therein;    b) said gasket including a first end portion for receiving an end of a conduit;    c) a diaphragm member for positioning within said gasket;    d) said diaphragm member including a hole;    e) a fluid discharge member operably connected to said diaphragm member and in fluid communication with the hole;    f) a valve operably connected to said diaphragm member for selectively opening or closing the hole to thereby permit or restrict the flow of a fluid between the hole and the fluid discharge member;    g) a coupling for providing about the perimeter of said gasket to thereby clamp the device about the end of the conduit;    h) said coupling including a generally cylindrical member defining a recess and including a plurality of sections;    i) said sections being interconnected to one another by at least two hinge members in a manner that two of said sections have free end portions to be releasably fastened together;    j) said cylindrical member including first and second end portions; and    k) a shoulder portion extending into said recess.    
     
     
         44 . The leak testing device of  claim 43 , wherein: 
 a) said shoulder portion is disposed adjacent one of said first and second end portions of said cylindrical member.    
     
     
         45 . The leak testing device of  claim 44 , wherein: 
 a) said one of said first and second end portions includes an opening; and    b) said shoulder portion is generally flush with said opening.    
     
     
         46 . The leak testing device of  claim 43 , wherein: 
 a) said first and second end portions include first and second openings, respectively; and    b) the diameter of one of said first and second openings is larger than the diameter of the other of said first and second openings.    
     
     
         47 . The leak testing device of  claim 43 , wherein: 
 a) said cylindrical member includes internal and external surfaces; and    b) said internal surface includes a ridge.    
     
     
         48 . A leak testing device to be positioned adjacent an end of a conduit, comprising: 
 a) a generally cylindrical gasket defining a recess therein;    b) said gasket including a first end portion for receiving an end of a conduit;    c) a diaphragm member for positioning within said gasket;    d) said diaphragm member including a hole;    e) first and second connecting members for interconnecting said gasket and said diaphragm member;    f) a valve operably connected to said diaphragm member for selectively opening or closing the hole to thereby permit or restrict the flow of a fluid therethrough;    g) a coupling for providing about the perimeter of said gasket to thereby clamp the device about the end of the conduit;    h) said coupling including a generally cylindrical member defining a recess and including a plurality of sections;    i) said sections being interconnected to one another by at least two hinge members in a manner that two of said sections have free end portions to be releasably fastened together;    j) said cylindrical member including first and second end portions; and    k) a shoulder portion extending into said recess.    
     
     
         49 . The leak testing device of  claim 48 , wherein: 
 a) said shoulder portion is disposed adjacent one of said first and second end portions of said cylindrical member.    
     
     
         50 . The leak testing device of  claim 49 , wherein: 
 a) said one of said first and second end portions includes an opening; and    b) said shoulder portion is generally flush with said opening.    
     
     
         51 . The leak testing device of  claim 48 , wherein: 
 a) said first and second end portions include first and second openings, respectively; and    b) the diameter of one of said first and second openings is larger than the diameter of the other of said first and second openings.    
     
     
         52 . The leak testing device of  claim 48 , wherein: 
 a) said cylindrical member includes internal and external surfaces; and    b) said internal surface includes a ridge.    
     
     
         53 . The conduit coupling of  claim 37 , wherein: 
 a) said ridge is generally frustoconical in cross-section.    
     
     
         54 . The conduit coupling of  claim 53 , wherein: 
 a) said ridge is generally circular in configuration.    
     
     
         55 . The conduit coupling of  claim 54 , wherein: 
 a) a plurality of said ridges are arranged in a generally parallel relationship.    
     
     
         56 . The conduit coupling of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 a) said cylindrical member includes internal and external surfaces; and    b) said internal surface includes a ridge.    
     
     
         57 . The conduit coupling of  claim 56 , wherein: 
 a) said ridge is generally frustoconical in cross-section.    
     
     
         58 . The conduit coupling of  claim 57 , wherein: 
 a) said ridge is generally circular in configuration.    
     
     
         59 . The conduit coupling of  claim 58 , wherein: 
 a) a plurality of said ridges are arranged in a generally parallel relationship.