Pipe coupling

Abstract

A pipe coupling device comprising a body ( 3 ) adapted for insertion into a pipe ( 2 ), the body ( 3 ) having a through passage, and on its outer surface a groove ( 14 ) for receiving a sealing means ( 30, 40, 50, 60, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130 ) for forming a fluid-tight seal between the pipe ( 2 ) and the body ( 3 ), the sealing means having a retaining portion ( 38 ) and a sealing portion ( 32 ), wherein either the groove ( 14 ), the sealing means or both are constructed and arranged such that the retaining portion ( 38 ) holds the sealing means within the groove ( 14 ) when the sealing portion ( 32 ) is subjected to the insertion force experienced when the pipe coupling device ( 1 ) is inserted into a pipe ( 2 ). Further, the base portion ( 31 ) may be axially wider than the sealing portion ( 32 ). Further, the sealing means may include reinforcing means ( 111 ) adapted to prevent the sealing means leaving the groove ( 14 ).

1 . A pipe coupling device comprising a body adapted for insertion into a pipe to be coupled to the device, the body having a through passage, and on its outer surface a groove for receiving a sealing means for forming a fluid-tight seal between an internal surface of the pipe and the body, the sealing means having a retaining portion and a sealing portion, wherein either the groove, the sealing means or both are constructed and arranged such that the retaining portion holds the sealing means within the groove when the sealing portion is subjected to the insertion force experienced when the pipe coupling device is inserted into a pipe. 
   
   
       2 . A pipe coupling device according to  claim 1 , in which the sealing means has an asymmetric cross-section. 
   
   
       3 . A pipe coupling device according to  claim 1 , in which the retaining portion comprises a part of the sealing means that, in use, lies wholly within the groove. 
   
   
       4 . A pipe coupling device according to  claim 1 , in which the retaining portion comprises at least 25% of the axial width of the sealing means. 
   
   
       5 . A pipe coupling device according to  claim 1 , in which the retaining portion comprises between 25% and 75% of the axial width of the sealing means. 
   
   
       6 . A pipe coupling device according to  claim 1 , in which the pipe coupling device includes a reinforcing ring that is mounted in the groove radially outwardly of the retaining portion to assist in retaining the sealing means in the groove. 
   
   
       7 . A pipe coupling device according to  claim 1 , in which the groove includes a ledge portion that engages with the retaining portion to assist in retaining the sealing means in the groove. 
   
   
       8 . A pipe coupling device according to  claim 1 , in which the sealing means comprises a base portion, which abuts the groove, that is wider than the sealing portion. 
   
   
       9 . A pipe coupling device according to  claim 1 , in which the sealing means is annular. 
   
   
       10 . A pipe coupling device according to  claim 1 , in which the sealing means is of plastics material. 
   
   
       11 . A pipe coupling device according to  claim 1 , in which the sealing means is of rubber material. 
   
   
       12 . A pipe coupling device according to  claim 1 , in which the sealing means has a V-shaped cross-section. 
   
   
       13 . A pipe coupling device according to  claim 1 , in which the sealing means has a right-angled triangular cross-section. 
   
   
       14 . A pipe coupling device according to  claim 1 , in which the sealing means has a T-shaped cross-section. 
   
   
       15 . A pipe coupling device according to  claim 1 , in which the sealing means has a rectangular cross-section having a semicircular outwardly facing side. 
   
   
       16 . A pipe coupling device according to  claim 1 , in which the sealing means has a ridged outwardly facing surface. 
   
   
       17 . A pipe coupling device comprising a body adapted for insertion into a pipe to be coupled to the device, the body having a through passage, and on its outer surface a groove for receiving a sealing means for forming a fluid-tight seal between an internal surface of the pipe and the body, the sealing means comprising a base portion that abuts the body and a sealing portion that is adapted to abut the pipe, wherein the base portion is axially wider than the sealing portion. 
   
   
       18 . A pipe coupling device according to  claim 17 , in which the base portion comprises two annular, axially spaced ridges. 
   
   
       19 . A pipe coupling device according to  claim 17 , in which the base portion has a substantially rectangular cross-section. 
   
   
       20 . A pipe coupling device according to  claim 17 , in which the base portion is secured to the groove by an adhesive layer. 
   
   
       21 . A pipe coupling device according to  claim 20 , in which the adhesive layer ( 70 ) secures the sealing means to a structure selected from a base of the groove or, a side wall of the groove, or both the base of the groove and a sidewall of the groove. 
   
   
       22 . A pipe coupling device comprising a body adapted for insertion into a pipe to be coupled to the device, the body having a through passage, and on its outer surface a groove for receiving a sealing means for forming a fluid-tight seal between an internal surface of the pipe and the body, wherein the sealing means includes reinforcing means adapted to prevent the sealing means leaving the groove when the sealing means is subjected to the insertion force experienced when the pipe coupling device is inserted into a pipe. 
   
   
       23 . A pipe coupling device according to  claim 22 , in which the reinforcing means comprises a split ring embedded in the sealing means. 
   
   
       24 . A pipe coupling device according to  claim 22 , in which the sealing means is formed by moulding it around reinforcing means. 
   
   
       25 . A pipe coupling device according to  claim 22 , in which the reinforcing ring is of plastics. 
   
   
       26 . A pipe coupling device according to  claim 22 , in which the reinforcing ring is of metal.