Split Ring Coupling and Fitting

Abstract

A pipe fitting has housing portions attached in spaced relation to define non-coaxial receptacles that receive pipe elements. The housing portions are supported on split rings received within grooves in each housing portion. The housing portions are supported in spaced relation in a preassembled state to permit insertion of pipe elements into the receptacles without disassembly of the fitting. The grooves in the housing portions have a floor surface with three surface portions. Two of the surface portions on each groove of each housing portion engage the split rings when the housing portions are supported in spaced relation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fitting for connecting at least two pipe elements together, said fitting comprising:
 first and second housing portions attached to one another in spaced apart relation and defining at least first and second receptacles for receiving said pipe elements, said first and second receptacles respectively surrounding first and second axes, said first axis oriented coaxially with said first receptacle, said second axis oriented coaxially with said second receptacle, said first axis being angularly oriented with respect to said second axis, said housing portions further defining a fluid path extending between said first and second receptacles, each of said housing portions comprising:   a first groove extending circumferentially about said first receptacle and a second groove extending circumferentially about said second receptacle, each of said grooves defined by two side surfaces arranged in spaced relation and a floor surface extending therebetween, each said floor surface comprising first and second surface portions arranged respectively at opposite ends of each said groove, and a third surface portion positioned therebetween, said first and second surface portions each having a greater radius of curvature than said third surface portion;   a first split ring positioned within said first groove and a second split ring positioned within said second groove, said first and second split rings engaging said first and second surface portions of said floors in said first and second grooves.   
     
     
         2 . A fitting for connecting at least two pipe elements together, said fitting comprising:
 first and second housing portions attached to one another in spaced apart relation and defining at least first and second receptacles for receiving said pipe elements, said first and second receptacles respectively surrounding first and second axes, said first axis oriented coaxially with said first receptacle, said second axis oriented coaxially with said second receptacle, said first axis being angularly oriented with respect to said second axis, said housing portions further defining a fluid path extending between said first and second receptacles, each of said housing portions comprising:
 a groove extending circumferentially about said first receptacle, said groove defined by two side surfaces arranged in spaced relation and a floor surface extending therebetween, said floor surface comprising first and second surface portions arranged respectively at opposite ends of said groove and a third surface portion positioned therebetween, said first and second surface portions each having a greater radius of curvature than said third surface portion; 
 a split ring positioned within said groove, said split ring engaging said first and second surface portions of said floor surface. 
   
     
     
         3 . A fitting for connecting at least two pipe elements together, said fitting comprising:
 first and second housing portions attached to one another in spaced apart relation and defining at least first and second receptacles for receiving said pipe elements, said first and second receptacles having respective first and second back walls respectively surrounding first and second axes, said first axis oriented coaxially with said first receptacle, said second axis oriented coaxially with said second receptacle, said first axis being angularly oriented with respect to said second axis, said housing portions further defining a fluid path extending between said first and second receptacles, each of said housing portions comprising:   a first groove extending circumferentially about said first receptacle and a second groove extending circumferentially about said second receptacle, each of said grooves defined by two side surfaces arranged in spaced relation and a floor surface extending therebetween, said floor surface of said first groove facing said first axis, said floor surface of said second groove facing said second axis;   a first split ring positioned within said first groove and a second split ring positioned within said second groove, at least one of said first and second split rings engaging at least one of said floor surfaces in one of said first and second grooves and thereby supporting said housing portions in said spaced apart relation; wherein, for at least one of said housing portions:   a distance between said first back wall and said floor surface of said first groove, as measured along a radially projecting line extending from said first axis, is a first value at a first point midway between opposite ends of said first groove, and a second value at a second point proximate to one of said ends of said first groove, said first value being greater than said second value.