Combination Sealing Member and Pipe Couplings

Abstract

First and second pipe elements are joined end to end by a coupling. The first and second pipe elements have a circumferential groove at an end, and each of the grooves has a floor. A plurality of segments, each having oppositely disposed ends, and a respective connection member positioned at each end, form the coupling. A first end of each segment is connected to a second end of another of the segments such that said segments surround a central space for receiving the second pipe element.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . In combination, first and second pipe elements and a coupling for joining said pipe elements end to end, said first and second pipe elements each having a circumferential groove at an end of the pipe element, each of said grooves having a floor, said coupling comprising:
 a plurality of segments, each having oppositely disposed ends, and a respective connection member positioned at each said end, a first end of each said segment being connected to a second end of another of said segments such that said segments surround a central space for receiving said second pipe element;   a pair of arcuate projections positioned on opposite sides of and extending along each of said segments;   an arcuate surface positioned on each of said projections, each said arcuate surface being engageable with said floor of said groove in one of said pipe elements;   a channel positioned between said projections on each of said segments; and   a seal received within said channel and having an outer surface sized to support said segments in spaced apart relation to provide clearance about a circumference of said second pipe element, including where measured adjacent to said connection members, said clearance being sufficient to permit insertion of said second pipe element into said central space, said seal having an inner surface sized to receive said second pipe element;   wherein at least one of said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing each said arcuate surface into engagement with one of said floors upon tightening of said at least one connection member.   
     
     
         2 . The combination according to  claim 1 , wherein each said projection extends between said oppositely disposed ends of said segments. 
     
     
         3 . The combination according to  claim 2 , further comprising a cut-out located at each end of each said arcuate surface. 
     
     
         4 . The combination according to  claim 1 , wherein each said projection subtends an angle less than 180°. 
     
     
         5 . The combination according to  claim 1 , wherein each one of said segments is deformable so as to substantially conform a curvature of each one of said arcuate surfaces to a curvature of one of said floors upon tightening of said at least one connection member. 
     
     
         6 . The combination according to  claim 1 , wherein two of said connection members are adjustably tightenable. 
     
     
         7 . The combination according to  claim 1 , wherein said coupling comprises at most two of said segments. 
     
     
         8 . The combination according to  claim 1 , wherein said coupling comprises three of said segments. 
     
     
         9 . The combination according to  claim 1 , wherein said seal has sufficient stiffness to maintain said segments in said preassembled state during shipping and through handling of said coupling during insertion of said second pipe element into said central space. 
     
     
         10 . The combination according to  claim 1 , wherein the end of the first pipe element is disposed in the central space. 
     
     
         11 . The combination according to  claim 1 , wherein said segments surround the central space for receiving said first pipe element. 
     
     
         12 . The combination according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of the seal is sized to support said segments in spaced apart relation to provide clearance about a circumference of said first pipe element, including where measured adjacent to said connection members, said clearance being sufficient to permit insertion of said first pipe element into said central space, said seal having an inner surface sized to receive said first pipe element. 
     
     
         13 . In combination, first and second pipe elements and a coupling for joining said pipe elements end to end, said first and second pipe elements each having a circumferential groove at an end thereof, each of said grooves having a floor, said coupling comprising:
 a plurality of segments, each having oppositely disposed ends, and a respective connection member positioned at each said end, a first end of each said segment being connected to a second end of another of said segments such that said segments surround a central space for receiving said second pipe element;   a pair of arcuate projections positioned on opposite sides of and extending between said oppositely disposed ends of each of said segments;   an arcuate surface positioned on each of said projections, each said arcuate surface being engageable with said floor of said groove in one of said pipe elements, a cut-out being located at each end of each said arcuate surface;   a channel positioned between said projections on each of said segments;   a seal received within said channel and having an outer surface sized to support said segments in spaced apart relation to provide clearance about a circumference of said second pipe element including where measured adjacent to said connection members, said clearance being sufficient to permit insertion of said second pipe element into said central space, said seal having an inner surface sized to receive said second pipe element;   wherein at least one of said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing each said arcuate surface into engagement with one of said floors.   
     
     
         14 . The combination according to  claim 13 , wherein each said projection subtends an angle less than 180°. 
     
     
         15 . The combination according to  claim 13 , wherein each one of said segments is deformable so as to substantially conform a curvature of each one of said arcuate surfaces to a curvature of one of said floors upon tightening of said at least one connection member. 
     
     
         16 . The combination according to  claim 13 , wherein two of said connection members are adjustably tightenable. 
     
     
         17 . The combination according to  claim 13 , wherein said coupling comprises at most two of said segments. 
     
     
         18 . The combination according to  claim 13 , wherein said coupling comprises three of said segments. 
     
     
         19 . The combination according to  claim 13 , wherein said seal has sufficient stiffness to maintain said segments in said preassembled state during shipping and through handling of said coupling during insertion of said second pipe element into said central space.