Sealing member for use with pipe couplings

Abstract

A sealing member is disclosed having an outer surface that supports segments of a pipe coupling for joining pipe elements in end to end relation. The segments are supported in spaced relation to permit the pipe elements to be inserted into the coupling without disassembly. The sealing member is a flexible ring that has conical lips around its inner circumference to engage and guide the pipe elements into the coupling. A tongue extends radially inwardly between the lips, the tongue having conical shoulders which engage and guide the pipe ends. The tongue locates the coupling segments relatively to the pipe elements.

1 . A sealing member positionable between segments of a coupling having a plurality of said segments, said coupling for securing pipe elements together in end to end relationship, said pipe elements having an outer surface of substantially cylindrical profile, said segments having arcuate surfaces facing inwardly and engageable with said pipe element outer surfaces, said segments having adjustably tightenable connection members for drawing said segments together, said sealing member comprising: 
 a flexible, resilient ring having a ring inner surface adapted to engage said outer surfaces of said pipe elements, said ring inner surface having a diameter sized to receive said pipe elements upon insertion of said pipe elements between said segments, said ring having a ring outer surface having a diameter sized to support said segments in spaced apart relation sufficient to allow said pipe elements to be inserted therebetween; and wherein    upon tightening of said connection members said segments being movable toward one another compressing said ring, said ring being deformable upon motion of said segments to permit engagement of said arcuate surfaces with said pipe elements.    
   
   
       2 . A sealing member according to  claim 1 , wherein said ring inner surface comprises first and second lips extending circumferentially around said ring, said lips being positioned on opposite sides of said ring in spaced apart relation and projecting substantially inwardly toward one another, said lips being adapted to engage said outer surfaces of said pipe elements and form a fluid tight seal when said ring is compressed by said segments.  
   
   
       3 . A sealing member according to  claim 2 , wherein said first and second lips each have a conical surface facing outwardly from said ring, said conical surfaces having a width sized to engage and guide said pipe elements between said segments when said pipe elements are inserted therebetween.  
   
   
       4 . A sealing member according to  claim 2 , wherein said sealing member comprises a backwall and first and second sidewalls positioned in spaced apart relation on opposite sides of said ring, said sidewalls extending substantially radially inwardly from said backwall, said first lip being attached to said first sidewall, said second lip being attached to said second sidewall, said first sidewall being wider than said second sidewall, resulting in said first lip having a smaller diameter than said second lip permitting said ring to seal pipes having different diameters in end to end relationship.  
   
   
       5 . A sealing member according to  claim 2 , wherein said sealing member comprises: 
 a backwall forming said ring outer surface;    first and second sidewalls positioned in spaced apart relation on opposite sides of said ring, said sidewalls extending substantially radially inwardly from said backwall, said first lip being attached to said first sidewall, said second lip being attached to said second sidewall; and    a tongue attached to said backwall and extending circumferentially around said ring, said tongue being positioned between said first and said second lips and projecting substantially radially inwardly, said tongue engaging ends of said pipe elements upon insertion thereof between said segments, said tongue positioning said segments relatively to said pipe elements.    
   
   
       6 . A sealing member according to  claim 5 , wherein said tongue comprises a root portion attached to said backwall and a tip portion extending from said root portion, said tip portion having a smaller thickness than said root portion, a shoulder being formed between said root portion and said tip portion.  
   
   
       7 . A sealing member according to  claim 6 , wherein said shoulder has a conical profile shape for receiving and guiding said pipe elements upon insertion thereof between said segments.  
   
   
       8 . A sealing member according to  claim 5 , wherein said tongue comprises a root portion attached to said backwall and a tip portion extending from said root portion, said tip portion having a smaller thickness than said root portion, a pair of shoulders being formed on opposite sides of said tongue between said root portion and said tip portion.  
   
   
       9 . A sealing member according to  claim 8 , wherein each of said shoulders has a conical profile shape for engaging and guiding said pipe elements upon insertion thereof between said segments.  
   
   
       10 . A sealing member according to  claim 9 , wherein said conical profile of said shoulders has a cone angle up to about 30°.  
   
   
       11 . A sealing member according to  claim 2 , wherein said sealing member comprises: 
 a backwall forming said ring outer surface;    first and second sidewalls positioned in spaced apart relation on opposite sides of said ring, said sidewalls extending substantially radially inwardly from said backwall, said first lip being attached to said first sidewall, said second lip being attached to said second sidewall; and    a tongue attached to a base and extending circumferentially around said ring, said base being engaged with said backwall and said sidewalls for positioning said tongue between said first and said second lips, said tongue projecting substantially radially inwardly, said tongue engaging ends of said pipe elements upon insertion thereof between said segments, said tongue positioning said segments relatively to said pipe elements.    
   
   
       12 . A sealing member according to  claim 3 , wherein said sealing member comprises: 
 a backwall forming said ring outer surface;    first and second sidewalls positioned in spaced apart relation on opposite sides of said ring, said sidewalls extending substantially radially inwardly from said backwall, said first lip being attached to said first sidewall, said second lip being attached to said second sidewall; and    a tongue attached to said backwall and extending circumferentially around said ring, said tongue being positioned between said first and said second lips and projecting substantially radially inwardly, said tongue engaging ends of said pipe elements upon insertion thereof between said segments, said tongue positioning said segments relatively to said pipe elements.    
   
   
       13 . A sealing member according to  claim 12 , wherein said tongue comprises a root portion attached to said backwall and a tip portion extending from said root portion, said tip portion having a smaller thickness than said root portion, a pair of shoulders being formed on opposite sides of said tongue between said root portion and said tip portion.  
   
   
       14 . A sealing member according to  claim 13 , wherein said shoulders have a conical profile shape for engaging and guiding said pipe elements upon insertion thereof between said segments.  
   
   
       15 . A sealing member according to  claim 14 , wherein said conical profile of said shoulders has a cone angle up to about 30°.  
   
   
       16 . A sealing member according to  claim 5 , wherein said tongue extends substantially continuously around said ring.  
   
   
       17 . A sealing member according to  claim 5 , wherein said tongue comprises a plurality of sections positioned in spaced apart relation around said ring.  
   
   
       18 . A sealing ring positionable between segments of a coupling having a plurality of said segments, said coupling for securing pipe elements together in end to end relationship, said pipe elements having an outer surface of substantially cylindrical profile, said segments having arcuate surfaces facing inwardly and engageable with said pipe element outer surfaces, said segments having adjustably tightentable connection members for drawing said segments together, said sealing ring comprising: 
 a radially facing backwall having a ring outer surface having a diameter sized to support said segments in spaced apart relation sufficient to allow said pipe elements to be inserted therebetween;    first and second sidewalls extending substantially radially inwardly from said backwall, said sidewalls being in spaced apart relation on opposite sides of said ring;    first and second lips attached respectively to said first and second sidewalls, said lips projecting inwardly toward one another, and each having a conical surface facing outwardly and adapted to engage and guide said pipe elements inserted between said segments;    a tongue attached to said backwall and extending circumferentially around said ring, said tongue being positioned between said first and said second lips and projecting substantially radially inwardly, said tongue being engageable with said pipe elements upon insertion thereof for positioning said segments relatively to said pipe elements; and wherein    upon tightening of said connection members said segments being movable toward one another compressing said ring, said ring being deformable upon motion of said segments to permit engagement of said arcuate surfaces with said pipe elements.    
   
   
       19 . A sealing member according to  claim 18 , wherein said tongue comprises a root portion attached to said backwall and a tip portion extending from said root portion, said tip portion having a smaller thickness than said root portion, a pair of shoulders being formed on opposite sides of said tongue between said root portion and said tip portion.  
   
   
       20 . A sealing member according to  claim 19 , wherein said shoulders have a conical profile shape for engaging and guiding said pipe elements upon insertion thereof between said segments.  
   
   
       21 . A sealing member according to  claim 20 , wherein said conical profile of said shoulders has a cone angle up to about 30°.