Means for coupling conduit

Abstract

Coupling devices for coupling conduit in end-to-end flow communication relationship are disclosed. A complete coupling device has at least two coupling members each having one end attachable to one end of another coupling member. Each coupling member has one end configured with a first cooperating attaching component. The other coupling member or the other end of a single coupling member has one end configured with a second cooperating attaching component. There may also be a pressure producing element which increases coupling forces when the first and second cooperating attaching components are attached together. There can be corrugations in the walls of one or all of the coupling members that fit within corrugations of corrugated conduit, for coupling corrugated conduit. In addition, a plurality of coupling devices and/or coupling members can be used together to couple conduit of various sizes. The larger the diameter of the conduit, the more coupling devices and/or coupling members are needed.

1 . A coupler for coupling smooth-walled or corrugated conduit in end to end flow communication comprising: 
 a coupling member having a length, a width, and an inner surface defined by an arc of a variable but predetermined number of degrees, which number of degrees is determinable as a function of the diameter of conduit to be coupled;    a first cooperating attaching component at a first end of said coupling member;    a second cooperating attaching component at a second end of said coupling member, wherein said first and said second cooperating attaching components of different said coupling members are attachable each to the other such that any required number of said coupling members are attachable together end to end to form said coupler around a given diameter conduit.    
   
   
       2 . The coupler of  claim 1  wherein said arcuate coupling member further comprises: 
 a plurality of corrugations in the walls of said arcuate coupling member, said corrugations located and spaced to fit within and mate or interfit with at least one corrugation of corrugated conduit if corrugated conduit is being coupled.    
   
   
       3 . The coupler of  claim 1  wherein said first cooperating attaching component comprises: 
 a plurality of dents, detents, scorings, or ridges located thereon.    
   
   
       4 . The coupler of  claim 3  wherein said second cooperating attaching component comprises: 
 a plurality of dents, detents, scorings, or ridges located thereon which cooperate with said dents, detents, scorings or ridges of said first cooperating attaching component to securely attach a said coupling member to another said coupling member, and to securely close said coupler formed from multiple said coupling members in a closed position around conduit coupled by said coupler.    
   
   
       5 . The coupler of  claim 4  wherein the geometry of said pluralities of dents, detents, scorings, or ridges of each of said first and said second cooperating attaching components is such that said first and said second cooperating attaching components are irreversibly attachable once attached each to the other.  
   
   
       6 . The coupler of  claim 4  wherein the geometry of said pluralities of dents, detents, scorings, or ridges of each of said first and said second cooperating attaching components is such that said first and said second cooperating attaching components are detachable each from the other such that each said coupling member and said coupler formed therefrom is removable and reusable.  
   
   
       7 . The coupler of  claim 1  wherein the inside diameter of said coupler, once formed, is about equal to or slightly greater than the outside diameter of conduit being coupled by said coupler.  
   
   
       8 . The coupler of  claim 1  comprising an elastic material disposed on the interior surface of each said coupling member of said coupler which said elastic material is compressable against the outer surface of the conduits being coupled, to enhance the seal made by said coupler.  
   
   
       9 . The coupler of  claim 1  comprising: 
 a means for regulating the amount of flex permitted of said first cooperating attaching component comprising:    a bump or ridge which contacts a stopping surface if said first cooperating attaching component is bent past alignment with a tangent to said first end of said arcuate coupling member.    
   
   
       10 . The coupler of  claim 1  comprising: 
 a plurality of perforations in the wall of each said arcuate coupling member wherein said plurality of perforations is located and spaced to mate or interfit with perforations of perforated conduit if perforated conduit is being connected.    
   
   
       11 . The coupler of  claim 2  comprising: 
 a plurality of perforations in said plurality of corrugations of each said arcuate coupling member wherein said plurality of perforations is located and spaced to mate or interfit with perforations of perforated conduit if perforated conduit is being connected.    
   
   
       12 . A coupler for coupling smooth-walled conduit comprising: 
 a first arcuate coupling member and a second arcuate coupling member hingingly attachable each to one end of the other at a hinge region;    a first cooperating attaching component attached to an outer end of said first arcuate coupling member opposite said hinge region; and    a second cooperating attaching component attached to an outer end of said second arcuate coupling member opposite said hinge region; and    wherein said coupler is wrappable around adjacent ends of aligned conduit such that said first and said second cooperating attaching components attach each to the other and thereby close said coupler and secure the adjacent ends of aligned conduit together in fluid flow communication.    
   
   
       13 . The coupler of  claim 12  comprising: 
 at least one engaging element protruding inwardly from the inner surface of each of said first and said second arcuate coupling members wherein said at least one engaging element engages with at least one cooperating engaging channel formed on the outer surface of said smooth-walled conduit, each said at least one cooperating engaging channel appropriately positioned from each end of said smooth-walled conduits being joined, for engaging with said at least one engaging element on said first and said second arcuate coupling members.    
   
   
       14 . The coupler of  claim 13  wherein said engaging element comprises: a ridge.  
   
   
       15 . The coupler of  claim 12  wherein said first cooperating attaching component comprises: 
 a plurality of dents, detents, scorings, or ridges located thereon.    
   
   
       16 . The coupler of  claim 15  wherein said second cooperating attaching component comprises: 
 a plurality of dents, detents, scorings, or ridges located thereon which cooperate with said dents, detents, scorings or ridges of said first cooperating attaching component to close and secure said coupler in a closed position.    
   
   
       17 . The coupler of  claim 16  wherein the geometry of said pluralities of dents, detents, scorings, or ridges of each of said first and said second cooperating attaching components is such that said first and said second cooperating attaching components are irreversibly attachable once attached each to the other.  
   
   
       18 . The coupler of  claim 16  wherein the geometry of said pluralities of dents, detents, scorings, or ridges of each of said first and said second cooperating attaching components is such that said first and said second cooperating attaching components are detachable each from the other such that said coupler is removable and reusable.  
   
   
       19 . The coupler of  claim 12  wherein the inside diameter of said coupler is about equal to or slightly greater than the outside diameter of conduit being coupled by said coupler.  
   
   
       20 . The coupler of  claim 12  comprising an elastic material disposed on the interior surface of each of said first and said second arcuate coupling member of said coupler which said elastic material is compressable against the outer surface of said smooth-walled conduits being coupled, to enhance the seal made by said coupler.  
   
   
       21 . The coupler of  claim 12  comprising: 
 a means for regulating the amount of flex permitted of said first cooperating attaching component comprising:    a bump or ridge which contacts a stopping surface if said first cooperating attaching component is bent past alignment with a tangent to said outer end of said first arcuate coupling member.    
   
   
       22 . The coupler of  claim 12  comprising: 
 a means for regulating the amount of flex permitted at said hinge region comprising:    a bump or ridge which contacts a stopping surface to prevent excessive flexing of said hinge region.    
   
   
       23 . The coupler of  claim 12  comprising: 
 a plurality of perforations in the wall of said first arcuate coupling member, wherein said plurality of perforations is located and spaced to mate or interfit with perforations of perforated conduit if perforated conduit is being connected.    
   
   
       24 . The coupler of  claim 12  comprising: 
 a plurality of perforations in the wall of said second arcuate coupling member, wherein said plurality of perforations is located and spaced to mate or interfit with perforations of perforated conduit if perforated conduit is being connected.    
   
   
       25 . A coupler for coupling smooth-walled conduit comprising: 
 a coupling member having a length, a width, and an inner surface defined by an arc of a variable but predetermined number of degrees, which number of degrees is determinable as a function of the diameter of conduit to be coupled;    a first cooperating attaching component at a first end of said coupling member;    a second cooperating attaching component at a second end of said coupling member, wherein said first and said second cooperating attaching components of different said coupling members are attachable each to the other such that any required number of said coupling members are attachable together end to end to form said coupler around a given diameter conduit.    
   
   
       26 . The coupler of  claim 25  comprising: 
 at least one engaging element protruding inwardly from the inner surface of said coupling member wherein said at least one engaging element engages with at least one cooperating engaging channel formed on the outer surface of said smooth-walled conduit, each said at least one cooperating engaging channel appropriately positioned from each end of said smooth-walled conduits being joined, for engaging with said at least one engaging element on said coupling member.    
   
   
       27 . The coupler of  claim 26  wherein said engaging element comprises: a ridge.  
   
   
       28 . The coupler of  claim 25  wherein said first cooperating attaching component comprises: 
 a plurality of dents, detents, scorings, or ridges located thereon.    
   
   
       29 . The coupler of  claim 28  wherein said second cooperating attaching component comprises: 
 a plurality of dents, detents, scorings, or ridges located thereon which cooperate with said dents, detents, scorings or ridges of said first cooperating attaching component to close and secure said coupler in a closed position.    
   
   
       30 . The coupler of  claim 29  wherein the geometry of said pluralities of dents, detents, scorings, or ridges of each of said first and said second cooperating attaching components is such that said first and said second cooperating attaching components are irreversibly attachable once attached each to the other.  
   
   
       31 . The coupler of  claim 29  wherein the geometry of said pluralities of dents, detents, scorings, or ridges of each of said first and said second cooperating attaching components is such that said first and said second cooperating attaching components are detachable each from the other such that said coupler is removable and reusable.  
   
   
       32 . The coupler of  claim 25  wherein the inside diameter of said coupler is about equal to or slightly greater than the outside diameter of conduit being coupled by said coupler.  
   
   
       33 . The coupler of  claim 25  comprising an elastic material disposed on the interior surface of each said coupling member of said coupler which said elastic material is compressable against the outer surface of said smooth-walled conduits being coupled, to enhance the seal made by said coupler.  
   
   
       34 . The coupler of  claim 25  comprising: 
 a means for regulating the amount of flex permitted of said first cooperating attaching component comprising:    a bump or ridge which contacts a stopping surface if said first cooperating attaching component is bent past alignment with a tangent to said outer end of said coupling member.    
   
   
       35 . The coupler of  claim 25  comprising: 
 a plurality of perforations in the wall of each said coupling member, wherein said plurality of perforations is located and spaced to mate or interfit with perforations of perforated conduit if perforated conduit is being connected.