Systems and Methods for Hinge Couplings

Abstract

A coupling for coupling pipe segments. The coupling includes a first housing component, a second housing component, and a fastener coupling the first and second components together. The fastener has an aligned configuration defining an axis of alignment such that first and second housing components are in a closed configuration to define a central axis of the coupling. The fastener has a skewed configuration to define a pivot axis of the fastener such that the first and second housing components are in an open configuration. The pivot axis is substantially parallel to the central axis and substantially perpendicular to the axis of alignment.

1 . A coupling for coupling two pipe segments together, the coupling comprising:
 a first housing component having a first end, a second end, and an arcuate surface extending between the first and second ends of the first component;   a second housing component having a first end, a second end, and an arcuate surface extending between the first and second ends of the first component, each of the first ends of the first and second housing components having a through hole;   a fastener disposed within the through holes of the first ends of the first and second housing components so as to couple the first and second components, the fastener having a first element and a second element to define a first configuration and a second configuration of the fastener, the first configuration of the fastener includes the first and second elements of the fastener being substantially aligned such that the through holes of the first ends of the first and second components are substantially aligned so as to define an axis of alignment extending through the through holes, the second configuration of the fastener comprises the first and second elements being skewed with respect to one another about a pivot axis that extends substantially perpendicularly to the axis of alignment.   
     
     
         2 - 33 . (canceled)