阅读说明：本技术 带有可手动操纵段的预装配式管联接器 (Preassembled pipe coupling with manually manipulable sections ) 是由 S·M·利普卡 于 2018-05-29 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种预装配式管联接器(11)包括垫圈(200)、围绕所述垫圈的壳体(12)、以及紧固件(20)。所述壳体具有三个段,所述段按顺序彼此联接以限定插入边界。第一段(12c)包括：第一安装件(18),所述第一安装件沿第一方向从所述壁侧向地延伸并且具有限定第一孔隙(22)的多个第一外侧壁；以及第二安装件(18),所述第二安装件沿第二方向从所述壁侧向地延伸,所述第二安装件具有限定第二孔隙(22)的多个第二外侧壁。第二段(12a)包括设置在所述第一孔隙中的第一挂钩(14)以及限定第一紧固件孔隙的第一凸片(16)。第三段(12b)包括设置在所述第二孔隙中的第二挂钩(14)以及限定第二紧固件孔隙的第二凸片(16)。所述紧固件被设置成穿过所述第一紧固件孔隙和所述第二紧固件孔隙。(A preassembled pipe coupling (11) includes a washer (200), a housing (12) surrounding the washer, and a fastener (20). The housing has three segments that are sequentially coupled to one another to define an insertion boundary. The first segment (12c) comprises: a first mount (18) extending laterally from the wall in a first direction and having a first plurality of outer side walls defining a first aperture (22); and a second mount (18) extending laterally from the wall in a second direction, the second mount having a plurality of second outer sidewalls defining a second aperture (22). The second segment (12a) includes a first hook (14) disposed in the first aperture and a first tab (16) defining a first fastener aperture. The third segment (12b) includes a second hook (14) disposed in the second aperture and a second tab (16) defining a second fastener aperture. The fastener is disposed through the first fastener aperture and the second fastener aperture.)

1. A preassembled pipe coupling for insertion into a pipe end comprising:

a gasket for forming a seal around a pipe joint, the gasket comprising: an annular base disposed about a washer axis; a central flange extending from the annular base toward the gasket axis, the flange disposed about a central plane perpendicular to the gasket axis; a first side flange spaced apart from the central flange and extending from the annular base toward the gasket axis, the first side flange having a first sealing lip; a second side flange spaced apart from the central flange, opposite the first side flange, and extending from the annular base toward the gasket axis, the second side flange having a second sealing lip; and

a housing surrounding the washer, the housing having three segments coupled to one another in sequence to define an insertion boundary, each segment having a wall with an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface being symmetrically disposed about a mid-plane, the wall having a middle portion, a first outer portion connected to the middle portion, and a second outer portion connected to the middle portion, the second outer portion being spaced apart from the first outer portion along the coupler axis such that the inner surface defines a cavity, the first and second outer portions having a tube engaging member;

a first segment of the three segments comprises: a first mount extending laterally from the wall in a first direction, the first mount having a plurality of first exterior sidewalls defining a first perimeter of a first aperture; and a second mount extending laterally from the wall in a second direction, the second mount having a plurality of second exterior sidewalls defining a second perimeter of a second aperture;

a second of the three segments includes a first hook disposed in the first aperture and a first tab defining a first fastener aperture;

a third of the three segments includes a second hook disposed in the second aperture and a second tab defining a second fastener aperture;

a fastener disposed through the first fastener aperture and the second fastener aperture.

2. The pre-assembled pipe coupling of claim 1 comprising:

the first section is a bridge section;

the second section is a first clamping section;

the third section is a second clamping section; and

the fastener includes a first securing portion spaced apart from a second securing portion, the first tab of the first clamping segment being manually manipulated to contact the first securing portion, the second tab of the second clamping segment being manually manipulated to contact the second securing portion, the cavity of the bridge segment being spaced apart from the annular surface of the gasket, at least one of the cavity of the first clamping segment and the cavity of the second clamping segment receiving the annular surface of the gasket so as to position the first sealing lip and the second sealing lip within the insertion boundary.

3. The pre-assembled pipe coupling of claim 1 comprising:

a layer surrounding the first perimeter of the first aperture, a first guide disposed on the layer, and a second guide disposed on the layer.

4. The pre-assembled pipe coupling of claim 1 comprising:

the first hanger includes a base having an inner surface and an outer surface extending between the wall and the catch, and the catch has a first side and a spaced apart second side.

5. The pre-assembled pipe coupling of claim 1 comprising:

the first segment includes a cavity spanning about 90 degrees; and

the second and third segments include a cavity spanning about 135 degrees.

6. The pre-assembled pipe coupling of claim 1 comprising:

the fastener is a unitary fastener and connects the fastener tab of the second section and the fastener tab of the third section.

7. The pre-assembled pipe coupling of claim 1 comprising:

a first inner surface of the gasket defining a first inflection point between the first sealing lip and the central flange and a first positively sloped transition portion;

a second inner surface of the gasket defining a second inflection point between the second sealing lip and the central flange and a second positively sloped transition portion;

a first abutment projecting from said first side flange along said gasket axis toward said first outer portion of said housing wall; and

a second buttress extends from the second side flange toward the second exterior portion of the housing wall along the gasket axis.

8. The pre-assembled pipe coupling of claim 1 comprising:

at least one segment is suspended around the gasket such that a compression chamber is defined between an exterior of the annular base of the gasket and an interior surface of the at least one segment.

9. The pre-assembled pipe coupling of claim 1 comprising:

the annular base of the gasket expands within the cavity of each segment as a pipe end is inserted into the insertion boundary.

10. The pre-assembled pipe coupling of claim 1 comprising:

the first and second sealing lips are located within the insertion boundary to clamp respective ends of each of a pair of tubes prior to tightening of the fastener.

11. The pre-assembled pipe coupling of claim 1 comprising:

the first sealing lip retains the pre-assembled coupling on the pipe end as the pipe end is inserted into the insertion boundary.

12. A preassembled pipe coupling for insertion into a pipe end comprising:

a gasket for forming a seal around a pipe joint, the gasket comprising: an annular base disposed about a washer axis; a central flange extending from the annular base toward the gasket axis, the flange disposed about a central plane perpendicular to the gasket axis; a first side flange spaced apart from the central flange and extending from the annular base toward the gasket axis, the first side flange having a first sealing lip; a second side flange spaced apart from the central flange, opposite the first side flange, and extending from the annular base toward the gasket axis, the second side flange having a second sealing lip; and

a housing surrounding the washer, the housing having a plurality of segments attached to one another in sequence and manually manipulated to define an insertion boundary, each segment having a wall having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface being symmetrically disposed about a mid-plane, the wall having a middle portion, a first outer portion connected to the middle portion, and a second outer portion connected to the middle portion, the second outer portion being spaced from the first outer portion along the coupler axis such that the inner surface defines a cavity, the first and second outer portions having a tube engaging member;

at least one segment includes a first mount extending laterally from the wall in a first direction, the first mount having a plurality of first exterior sidewalls defining a first perimeter of a first aperture,

the second mount extends laterally from the wall in a second direction, the second mount having a plurality of second exterior walls defining a second perimeter of a second aperture, the second perimeter and the first perimeter lying on a common plane.

13. The preassembled pipe coupling of claim 12 comprising:

at least one of the segments comprises a hook having a base with an inner surface and an outer surface, and a catch, the outer surface extending between the wall and the catch;

at least one segment includes a first mount extending laterally from the wall in a first direction, the first mount having a plurality of first exterior side walls defining a first perimeter of a first aperture, one of the exterior side walls having a first angled surface and a second angled surface, an edge at an intersection of the first angled surface and the second angled surface.

14. The preassembled pipe coupling of claim 12 comprising:

the plurality of segments includes a bridge segment, a first clamping segment, and a second clamping segment; and

the fastener includes a first securing portion spaced apart from a second securing portion, the first tab of the first clamping segment being manually manipulated to contact the first securing portion, the second tab of the second clamping segment being manually manipulated to contact the second securing portion, the cavity of the bridge segment being spaced apart from the annular surface of the gasket, at least one of the cavity of the first clamping segment and the cavity of the second clamping segment receiving the annular surface of the gasket so as to position the first sealing lip and the second sealing lip within the insertion boundary.

15. The preassembled pipe coupling of claim 12 comprising:

a first segment of the plurality of segments comprises a cavity spanning about 90 degrees; and

at least one second segment of the plurality of segments includes a cavity spanning about 135 degrees.

16. The preassembled pipe coupling of claim 12 comprising:

a first inner surface of the gasket defining a first inflection point between the first sealing lip and the central flange and a first positively sloped transition portion;

a second inner surface of the gasket defining a second inflection point between the second sealing lip and the central flange and a second positively sloped transition portion;

a first abutment projecting from said first side flange along said gasket axis toward said first outer portion of said housing wall; and

a second buttress extends from the second side flange toward the second exterior portion of the housing wall along the gasket axis.

17. The preassembled pipe coupling of claim 12 comprising:

at least one segment is suspended around the gasket such that a compression chamber is defined between an exterior of the annular base of the gasket and an interior surface of the at least one segment.

18. The preassembled pipe coupling of claim 12 comprising:

the annular base of the gasket expands within the cavity of each segment as a pipe end is inserted into the insertion boundary.

19. A method of joining a pair of axially disposed pipe ends with a preassembled coupling having a housing surrounding a coupling axis, and an annular gasket having a gasket axis received within the housing such that the gasket axis is aligned parallel with the coupling axis, the gasket having an annular base with a central flange extending from the annular base toward the gasket axis, with a pair of side flanges oppositely spaced about the central flange, each side flange having a sealing lip for receiving one of the pipe ends, the housing having a plurality of segments and a plurality of attachment mechanisms, each segment having a first end and a second end in an interconnected relationship, wherein the end of one segment is attached to the end of the other segment by one of the plurality of attachment mechanisms, each segment having a pair of axially spaced apart outer portions, wherein each outer portion has a tube engaging member, the method comprising:

manually manipulating the plurality of interconnected segments to define an insertion boundary on each side of the housing about the coupler axis;

inserting one of the tube ends axially through the insertion boundaries on each side of the housing;

gripping the tube end with the sealing lip; and

adjusting one of the attachment mechanisms such that the tube engaging member engages the tube end and the sealing lip forms a fluid tight seal around the tube end.

20. The method of claim 19, comprising:

expanding the annular base of the gasket within the cavity of each segment as a pipe end is inserted into the insertion boundary.

Background

Pipe couplings may be used to secure pipe ends to one another. The pipe coupling may include a seal, such as a gasket, to prevent fluid from leaking out of the pipe at the pipe coupling.

Disclosure of Invention

One embodiment of the present disclosure is a preassembled pipe coupling for inserting a pipe end. The pre-assembled pipe coupling includes a gasket for forming a seal around a pipe joint, a housing surrounding the gasket, and a fastener. The gasket includes: an annular base disposed about a washer axis; a central flange extending from the annular base toward the gasket axis, the flange disposed about a central plane perpendicular to the gasket axis; a first side flange spaced apart from the central flange and extending from the annular base toward the gasket axis, the first side flange having a first sealing lip; a second side flange spaced apart from the central flange, opposite the first side flange, and extending from the annular base toward the gasket axis, the second side flange having a second sealing lip. The housing has three segments coupled to one another in sequence to define an insertion boundary, each segment having a wall with an outer surface and an inner surface disposed symmetrically about a mid-plane, the wall having a middle portion, a first outer portion connected to the middle portion, and a second outer portion connected to the middle portion, the second outer portion being spaced apart from the first outer portion along a coupler axis such that the inner surface defines a cavity, the first and second outer portions having a tube engaging member. The first of the three segments comprises: a first mount extending laterally from the wall in a first direction, the first mount having a plurality of first exterior sidewalls defining a first perimeter of a first aperture; and a second mount extending laterally from the wall in a second direction, the second mount having a plurality of second exterior sidewalls defining a second perimeter of a second aperture. A second of the three segments includes a first hook disposed in the first aperture and a first tab defining a first fastener aperture. A third of the three segments includes a second hook disposed in the second aperture and a second tab defining a second fastener aperture. The fastener is disposed through the first fastener aperture and the second fastener aperture.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure is a preassembled pipe coupling for inserting a pipe end. The pre-assembled pipe coupling includes a gasket for forming a seal around a pipe joint and a housing surrounding the gasket. The gasket includes: an annular base disposed about a washer axis; a central flange extending from the annular base toward the gasket axis, the flange disposed about a central plane perpendicular to the gasket axis; a first side flange spaced apart from the central flange and extending from the annular base toward the gasket axis, the first side flange having a first sealing lip; a second side flange spaced apart from the central flange, opposite the first side flange, and extending from the annular base toward the gasket axis, the second side flange having a second sealing lip. The housing includes a plurality of segments attached to one another in sequence and manually manipulated to define an insertion boundary, each segment having a wall with an outer surface and an inner surface symmetrically disposed about a mid-plane, the wall having a middle portion, a first outer side portion connected to the middle portion, and a second outer side portion connected to the middle portion, the second outer side portion being spaced apart from the first outer side portion along the coupler axis such that the inner surface defines a cavity, the first and second outer side portions having a tube engaging member. At least one segment includes a first mount extending laterally from the wall in a first direction and a second mount having a plurality of first exterior sidewalls defining a first perimeter of a first aperture. The second mount extends laterally from the wall in a second direction, the second mount having a plurality of second exterior walls defining a second perimeter of a second aperture, the second perimeter and the first perimeter lying on a common plane.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure is a method of joining a pair of axially disposed pipe ends with a pre-assembled coupling. The pre-assembled pipe coupling includes a housing surrounding a coupling axis and an annular gasket having a gasket axis received within the housing, such that the washer axis is aligned parallel to the coupler axis, the washer having an annular base, wherein a central flange extends from the annular base toward the gasket axis, wherein a pair of side flanges are oppositely spaced about the central flange, each side flange having a sealing lip for receiving one of the pipe ends, the housing having a plurality of segments, each segment having a first end and a second end in an interconnected relationship, wherein the end of one segment is attached to the end of another segment by one of the plurality of attachment mechanisms, each segment having a pair of axially spaced apart outboard portions, wherein each outboard portion has a tube engaging member. The method comprises the following steps: manually manipulating the plurality of interconnected segments to define an insertion boundary on each side of the housing about the coupler axis; inserting one of the tube ends axially through the insertion boundaries on each side of the housing; gripping the tube end with the sealing lip; and adjusting one of the attachment structures such that the tube engaging member engages the tube end and the sealing lip forms a fluid tight seal around the tube end.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the features of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a pre-assembled pipe coupling.

Fig. 2 is a front view of the pre-assembled pipe coupling of fig. 1.

FIG. 2A is a detailed view of the distal end of a housing section used in the pre-assembled pipe coupling of FIG. 1.

Figure 3 depicts a configuration of a pre-assembled pipe coupling for receiving a pipe end (an open configuration achieved by manual manipulation of the housing sections).

Figure 4 depicts a configuration of a preassembled pipe coupling for forming a fluid tight seal around a pair of pipe ends (closed configuration).

FIG. 5 is a detailed partial cross-sectional perspective view of an interlock device used in the pre-assembled pipe coupling of FIG. 1.

Fig. 6 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the interlock device of fig. 5 in an open configuration.

Fig. 7 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the interlock device of fig. 5 in a closed configuration.

Fig. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of a segment for use in the pre-assembled coupling of fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of a washer used in the pre-assembled coupling of fig. 1.

Fig. 10-15 are partial cross-sectional views of forming a pipe joint using the pre-assembled coupling of fig. 1.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure relates generally to pipe couplings, and in particular to a pipe coupling having an outer housing and an inner gasket that is pre-assembled prior to axially receiving two pipe ends to be joined in axial alignment.

A pipe coupling 10 (e.g., a pre-assembled pipe coupling) that can connect two pipe ends in axial alignment is shown in fig. 1. As will be appreciated, the pipe end may have any fluid carrying structure, such as an end of a pipe, a pipe fitting, a valve, or a fire sprinkler. The preassembled coupling includes a housing 12 and a washer 200 disposed within the housing such that the housing and washer surround a coupling axis a-a. The housing 12 has a plurality of coupling segments 12a, 12b, 12 c. Each segment has two ends, and in a pre-assembled coupling, each of these ends is attached to the other end of the other segment via an attachment mechanism. The multiple segments are attached or connected together in a sequential arrangement around the gasket 200. The sequential arrangement is manually manipulated to define an insertion boundary 11 on each side of the housing which surrounds the coupler axis a-a and through which the pipe end can be axially inserted. The insertion boundary 11 defines an area bounded by sequentially connected segments. The insertion boundary 11 is defined by the portion of each segment surrounding the central location within the region. The distance between the central position of said area and each portion of the respective segment is at least half the outer diameter of the pipe end to be inserted into the insertion border 11 and a maximum value is sufficient to accommodate the gasket 200 within the housing 12. Due to the manually manipulated distance relationship between each segment and the central location of the region, the insertion boundary has a minimum span that is greater than the diameter of the pipe to be inserted into the pre-assembled coupling and a maximum span that is less than the outer diameter of the washer 200. Insertion boundary 11 may have various configurations due to the orientation of the segments and attachment mechanisms with respect to each other. Regardless of the selected orientation of the pipe segments and attachment mechanisms, and/or the number of segments and attachment mechanisms, the span of the insertion boundary may be of sufficient size to allow the preassembled coupling 10 to axially receive the pipe end. The plurality of coupling segments 12a, 12b, 12c may be made of a more rigid material than prior systems because there is no need for the coupling segments 12a, 12b, 12c to be deformable to allow for efficient installation of the pipe coupling 10.

The sequential arrangement of the segments of the plurality of segments provides for a preassembled coupling 10. The pre-assembled coupling may be such that: all coupling segments are attached together in the manner described herein for manual manipulation into a spaced apart arrangement to surround and position the gasket of the coupling 10 for axial insertion of the pipe end through the insertion boundary 11 into the housing 12 and into the gasket 200. The housing 12 may include three sections. Any number of segments may be used with suitable attachment mechanisms, so long as the segments are attached together in an interconnected arrangement around the gasket, which may be manually manipulated to provide a preassembled coupling arrangement.

The preassembled coupling 10 attaches multiple segments together using at least two attachment mechanisms. As depicted in fig. 1, one of the attachment mechanisms is a variable tightening fastener, such as a threaded bolt and nut; any suitable variable-tightening fastener may be used, such as a toggle, and the other of the attachment mechanisms is an interlock. The three segments may be attached together using two interlocks and a single variable tightening fixture. The interlock and variable-tightening fasteners may allow the segments of the housing to be held together in an interconnected relationship, the segments being manually manipulated and spaced apart to receive the pipe ends and thereafter tightened around the pipe ends with a single variable-tightening fastener to form a fluid-tight relationship. The gasket 200 described herein further facilitates forming a pipe joint via the pre-assembled coupling 10, the gasket being retained and contained within the pre-assembled coupling 10. The gasket 200 may be an annular member having internal and external geometries that facilitate receipt, insertion, gripping, and fluid-tight sealing of a tube end. The internal geometry of the gasket 200 engages the outer surface of the tube end, allowing the tube to be inserted and subsequently form a fluid tight seal. The outer geometry of the gasket 200 engages the inner surface of the housing 12 to center the gasket within the housing 12 and properly position the gasket 200 around the interface between the pipe ends to form an effective fluid tight seal. The washer 200 may allow the pipe ends 5a, 5b to be inserted into the pre-assembled coupling 10 without the washer 200 falling out of the pre-assembled coupling 10, such as due to the geometry of the washer 200 allowing the gap 22 shown in fig. 3.

Fig. 2-4 depict plan views of the coupling 10 with the housing 12 surrounding the washer 200, with the washer 200 depicted as annular, with each of the housing 12 and the washer 200 surrounding the coupling axis a-a. The housing 12 includes three sections 12a, 12b, 12c attached to one another in sequence, which may be manually spaced apart (e.g., using manually manipulatable section 25) to define the insertion boundary 11 about the coupler axis a-a. With the insertion boundary 11 defined by manually manipulating sections of the housing, the gasket 200 may be housed within the housing 12 in a manner that allows the gasket to move within the housing 12. Each segment 12a, 12b, 12c is a generally arcuate member having a wall 13 with an outer surface 13a and an inner surface 13 b. As depicted in fig. 2-4, the three segments may include two identical clamp segments 12a, 12b and a bridge segment 12c extending between the two identical clamp segments 12a, 12 b.

As seen in the cross-sectional view of the bridge section 12c shown in fig. 8, the inner surface 13b may be symmetrical about a mid-plane MP that is disposed perpendicular to the washer axis a-a. The wall 13 has a middle portion 15a, a first outer portion 15b and a second outer portion 15c, wherein the middle portion 15a extends between the first outer portion 15b and the second outer portion 15 c. Thus, the second outer section 15c is spaced from the first outer section 15b along the coupler axis A-A such that the inner surface 13b defines a cavity 19 for receiving the washer 200. Each of the first and second outer portions 15b, 15c may extend between the ends of the segments and may include a pipe engagement member 17 for engaging the outer surface of the pipe end to engage the groove formed at the pipe end 5a, 5 b. The tube engaging member 17 prevents or limits axial movement of the tube by engaging with the grooves of the tube ends 5a, 5 b. The tube engaging member 17 may be used with other tube configurations, such as a shouldered tube. The tube engaging member 17 may be configured to bite into a plain end tube. The tube engaging member 17 may be curved (e.g., as seen in fig. 2) so as to engage the tube outer surface. The tube engaging member 17 may comprise one or more protrusions extending in an axial direction to grip a surface, thereby forming a tube groove.

Referring to fig. 3, a hanger 14 is depicted that may be integrally formed with each of the pair of clamping segments 12a, 12 b. A hook 14 is formed at one end of the clamping segment and a fastener tab 16 is formed at the opposite end of the segment. The cavity 19a may span an arc of about 135 deg. about a central axis of curvature of the clamping section extending parallel to the coupler axis a-a. The bridge segment 12c may be symmetrical about the bisecting plane BP with pairs of mounts 18 identically formed at opposite ends of the segment symmetrically disposed about the bisecting plane BP and outboard of the wall 13 of the bridge segment 12 c. Each of the mounting members 18 may define an opening or aperture 22 through which the hooks 14 of the clamping sections 12a, 12b extend. The bridge section 12c may be formed such that the cavity 19c spans an arc of about 90 ° about a central axis of curvature of the bridge section extending parallel to the coupler axis a-a. Although the segments are depicted using cavities that span arcs of about 135 ° and about 90 °, respectively, about the center of curvature, any combination of suitable constant arcs may be used, so long as the coupling segments can be attached with suitable attachment mechanisms to allow manual manipulation of the coupling segments and provide a preassembled coupling.

The fastener 20 may engage the clamping segments 12a, 12b with one another. The fastener 20 may be tightenable. The fasteners 20 may be disposed in through-holes or apertures formed in the respective fastener tabs 16 of the pair of clamping sections 12a, 12b in diametrically opposed relation to the bridge section 12 c. As a result of manual manipulation of the pair of clamping segments in opposite directions, the head of the bolt presents a first fixed portion 20a in contact with one fastener tab 16 and the nut presents a second fixed portion 20b of the fastener 20 in contact with the other fastener tab 16 to define the required spacing between the two clamping segments 12a, 12b to form the insertion boundary 11. In fig. 3, the nut 20b is shown at a threaded position on the fastener 20 proximate the tip or nose of the fastener, which defines the desired manual manipulation position of the pair of clamping segments 12a, 12 b. The nut may maintain position on the threaded fastener. A sealant or adhesive material may be applied to the nut 20b to secure the nut 20b to the fastener 20 and prevent accidental loosening between the threaded components due to impact or vibration. A mechanical fastener, such as a retaining pin or washer (not shown), may be positioned at the forward end of the fastener 20 to secure the nut 20b in place to define a desired manual manipulation position of the pair of clamping segments 12a, 12b and prevent accidental separation of the nut 20b from the fastener 20 b. The through-hole of the fastener tab 16 may be unthreaded and non-circular, but may be oval in shape. To prevent the bolt from freely rotating within the through bore, the bolt may include a complementary oval shank portion to seat within the through bore of the fastener tab 16. With the bolt prevented from rotating freely within the through bore, the fastener 20, and more particularly, the nut 20b, can be tightened about the bolt to bring the fastener tabs 16 into facing relation, thereby sufficiently sealing the washer 200 about the pipe end.

Fig. 4 depicts the fastener 20 with the nut 20b adjusted to be fully threaded onto the bolt such that the nut 20b and head 20a tightly hold the fastener tabs 16 of the clamping segments 12a, 12b in facing relationship. The fastener tabs 16 include complementary tongues 16a and notches 16b that engage one another to facilitate alignment between the fastener tabs 16. On each fastener tab 16, the tongue 16a and notch 16b may be positioned side-by-side, with the tongue 16a generally located on the opposite side of a medial plane bisecting the fastener tab 16 from the notch 16 b. The tongue 16a is received in the notch 16b when the fastener tabs 16 are opposed to each other with the fastener 20 fully tightened. Each notch 16b may be slightly larger than the tongue 16a to receive the tongue 16a of the opposing clamp segment and form a tongue and notch interfit when the fastening tabs are brought together with the fastener tabs 16 in full facing relationship. It should be understood that the shape of the tongue 16a and the shape of the recess 16b may be any shape that allows the tongue 16a to fit within the recess 22. The tongue 16a may include exterior surfaces that mate with or face the interior recess 16b, where these surfaces are angled or inclined relative to an axis disposed perpendicular to the mating surface of the fastener tab 16, as depicted in fig. 2A, for example. The complementary angled surfaces facilitate the corresponding engagement and disengagement of the fastener tabs as the fastener 20 is tightened and loosened. The angled surfaces may facilitate interaction between the paired clamping segments 12a, 12b without interference when used with a single variable clamp fastener 20.

In the assembly 10, one hook 14 is mounted in each of two apertures 22 or mounting holes, preferably identically formed at opposite ends of the bridge section 12 c. Detailed views are shown in fig. 5 to 7, illustrating the attachment mechanism of the interlock 25 formed by the interaction between the mounting 18 of the bridge segment and the hook 14 of the clamp segment. The interlock 25 facilitates manual manipulation of the pair of clamping segments 12a, 12 b. The interlock 25 may avoid the need for one or more additional fasteners (in addition to the fastener 20), thereby reducing the complexity of installation while maintaining or improving the safety provided by the coupling 10. The hook 14 of each gripping section 12a, 12b may include a base 30 and a catch 32, wherein the base 30 preferably tapers in a direction toward the catch 32. With respect to the internal curvature of the hook 14, the base 30 may have an inner surface 30a and an outer surface 30b that converge toward each other and connect with the catches 32 in a direction toward the catches. The outer surface 30b of the base 30 may have a curved portion or profile that is connected to the catch 32 to facilitate insertion of the hook 14 through the aperture 22 to form the interlock 25. In the interaction between the hook 14 and the mounting member 18, each of the inner surface 30a and the outer surface 30b may extend between the wall 13 of the bridge 12c and the mounting member 18. In the bridge section 12c, each mount 18 may be disposed outside of the wall 13 with a pair of laterally extending spaced apart side walls 34 formed between the mounts 18 and the wall 13 to define the aperture 22. Thus, each of the wall 13, the mount 18, and the side wall 34 may provide an inner surface and an outer surface relative to the aperture 22. For example, the outboard disposed mount 18 has an inner wall 36 and an outer wall 38, with an upper surface 40a and a lower surface 40b extending between the inner wall 36 and the outer wall 38. For the mounting members 18, which may be identical, the respective upper surfaces 40a and thus the boundaries of each aperture 22 may be substantially coplanar with one another in a plane P disposed perpendicular to the bisecting plane and parallel to the coupler axis a-a. Although the boundaries of the aperture 22 are depicted as being coplanar in the plane P, each aperture boundary may be disposed in separate parallel and offset planes, each perpendicular to the bisecting plane and parallel to the coupler axis A- -A. The corresponding apertures 22 and their perimeters may be coplanar in the same plane P. The catch 32 may be wedge-shaped and may taper in a direction away from the base 30. The catch 32 may have a planar upper surface 32a and a planar lower retaining surface 32b to face the upper tier 40a of the mount 18 in the various interlock arrangements as described herein. The hook 14 may be formed with a radius portion or transition between the inner surface 30a of the base 30 and the retaining surface 32b of the catch 30.

The inner wall 36 of the mounting member 18 of the bridge section 12c, along with the surface of the side wall 34 and the end of the wall 13, may define the overall geometry of the aperture 22 and the interaction between the hook 14 and the mounting member 18. As depicted in fig. 6, the aperture 22 may have a depth defined by the axial spacing between the upper and lower layers 40a, 40B along the central axis B-B of the aperture 22. Further, the aperture 22 may define a variable length about the axis B-B defined by the lateral spacing between the inner end face of the wall 13 and the inner wall 36 of the mount 18. Each of the end face of the wall 13 and the inner wall 36 defines a varying profile with respect to the axis B-B. For example, the inner wall 36 has a first surface 36a angled relative to the axis B- -B and a second surface 36B angled relative to the first surface 36a to define an edge 36c at the intersection of the first and second surfaces 36a, 36B. The first and second surfaces 36a, 36b may be angled such that the upper layer 40a has a longer length in the lateral direction than the lower layer 40 b. The upper layer 40a and its spacing from the end face of the wall 13 surrounds the aperture 22. Thus, the aperture 22 may include an overall tapered opening facing the hook 14 when inserted in an axial direction from the lower surface 40b to the upper surface 40 a.

The attachment mechanism and relative spacing between the segments may allow manual manipulation of the segments to define various states of the coupling assembly 10, and: (i) establishing an insertion boundary 11 for axial tube insertion, and (ii) engaging the tube outer surface and compressing the gasket 200 around the inserted tube to form a fluid-tight seal around the tube end. To attach the clamp sections 12a, 12b to the bridge section 12c, the hook 14 may be inserted into the aperture 22 near the lower layer 40b of the mounting member 18. The curved outer surface 30b of the base 30 can facilitate insertion of the hook 14 through the aperture 22 to form the interlock 25. The catch 14 may pass through the aperture 22 near the upper layer 40a of the mounting 40 such that the retaining surface 32b faces the upper layer 40a with a gap therebetween. In a first open configuration of the interlock 25, in which the clamping segments 12a, 12b have been manually manipulated to the position required for them to define the insertion boundary 11, the retention surface 32b forms a line contact with the inner edge of the upper layer 40a, as depicted for example in fig. 6. Also, the inner surface 30a of the base 30 makes line contact with the intersection 36c of the surfaces 36a, 36b on the inner wall 36 of the mounting member 18. In a closed configuration of interlock 25, such as depicted in fig. 7, hook 14 may pivot about intersection point 36c to increase the confronting portion between retaining surface 32b and upper layer 40a such that the gap between retaining surface 32b and upper layer 40a is reduced, and in some cases may include surface contact between retaining surface 32b and layer 40 a. In the closed configuration, the inner surface 30a of the base 30 is in surface contact with the first surface 36a of the inner wall 36 of the mounting member 18. Thus, the intersection point 36c may form a fulcrum on which the hook 14 pivots. The surfaces of the hook 14 and the mounting member 18 may be reversed or have a combination of surfaces such that the inner surface 30a of the hook base 30 defines a fulcrum at which the mounting member inner wall 36 pivots to form the closed configuration of the interlock device 25. The preassembled coupling 10 may be provided with an interlock arrangement 25 having an internal pivot.

Referring to the perspective view of interlock 25 shown in FIG. 5, hook 14 and mount 18 each define a width in the direction of coupler axis A- -A. To further facilitate the formation of the interlock and the confronting between the catch 32 and the upper tier 40a, the tier 40a includes a pair of guides 42a, 42b disposed on the tier 40a with respect to the width of the mount 18 (in the greatest lateral extent of the tier 40 a). Each of the guides 42a, 42b may extend from the upper layer 40a to the top surface or upper surface of the sidewall 34 or anywhere therebetween. In the closed configuration of the interlock 25, the guides 42a, 42b face the sides of the catch 32 to limit lateral movement between the hook 14 and the mounting 18 and/or to center the catch 32 on the layer 40 a. Thus, the spaced guides 42a, 42b, in combination with the layer 40a, can define a recess for receiving the hook 14 and catch 32.

Referring to the cross-sectional view of the washer 200 depicted in FIG. 9, the washer 200 includes an annular base 202 disposed about a washer axis C- -C that extends parallel to the coupler axis A- -A in the assembly 10. The central flange 204 may be an elongated member extending from the annular base toward the gasket axis C-C and disposed generally in or about a central plane perpendicular to the gasket axis and parallel to the mid-plane MP. A pair of side flanges 206a, 206b are formed symmetrically about the central flange 204 and are oppositely spaced apart. Each side flange 206a, 206b includes a sealing lip 208a, 208b for gripping and/or forming a fluid tight seal with the outer surface of an inserted pipe end. As described in more detail below, as the tube end is axially inserted into the gasket 200, the tube end contacts the side flange 206a, causing the side flange to fold or collapse with the sealing lip 208, forming a fluid-tight seal around the tube surface. The inner surface of the gasket 200 may include inflection points 210a, 210b formed between the central flange 204 and the side flanges 206a, 206b to help collapse the flanges as the pipe is inserted. More specifically, each of the first and second side flanges 206a, 206b may have an inner surface 212a, 212b connected to the central flange 204 that defines an inflection point 210a, 210 b. The inner surfaces 212a, 212b between the inflection point and the central flange 204 may define a positively sloped transition between the sealing lips 208a, 208b and the central flange 204 that allows the side flanges 206a, 206b to fold in a desired manner.

Gasket 200 also includes structure to facilitate its contact with the inner surface of housing 12. Each of the side flanges 206a, 206b may include a buttress 214a, 214b extending axially in the direction of the gasket axis C-C toward the housing inner wall or surface 13 b. Each buttress 214a, 214b extends axially from a side flange 206a, 206b and has a configuration that tapers towards a preferably radiused end. The abutments 214a, 214b bear against the inner surface 13b of the casing section 12 to resist axial displacement of the gasket and to assist in expansion of the gasket within the casing 12 after pipe end insertion. Each of the first and second side flanges 206a, 206b may have an outer surface 212c, 212d that may include a heel 213a, 213b that assists in guiding axial insertion of the tube end, maintains contact between the tube end and the sealing lips 208a, 208b, and also bears against the inner surface 13b of the shell 12 to center the gasket 200 within the shell 12. The heel 213a, 213b is the outermost edge of the sealing lip 208a, 208b axially spaced from the central flange 204 to define an inlet perimeter through which a tube end is inserted into the gasket 200. Each of the heels 213a, 213b has a contour defined by a portion of the outer surface 212c, 212d that is disposed at a right angle; however, acute angles may be utilized. In the liquid-tight, sealed configuration of the coupling 10 described herein, the heels 213a, 213b rest on the tube end outer surfaces and may abut the housing inner surface 13b to maintain the gasket 200 centered within the housing 12.

Referring again to fig. 3 and 6, the fastener 20 is shown with the nut 20b threaded onto the forward end of the bolt so that the clamping segments 12a, 12b are attached and manually spaced apart or maximally opened. Even with the segments at their maximum spacing, the gasket 200 remains contained within the cavity or cavities 19 of the housing 12, thereby preventing the gasket 200 from being inadvertently separated from the housing 12 prior to tube end insertion. Moreover, in the fully open configuration of the housing 12, the gasket 200 is free to move within the containment volume of the housing 12. Thus, for example, as shown in fig. 3, under the force of gravity, the washer 200 may contact the interior of the housing 12 near the fastener tabs 16a, 16b of the two clamping sections 12a, 12b of the housing. Depending on the orientation of the housing 12, the gasket 200 may reside anywhere within any one or more of the cavities 19a and 19b of the clamping segments. Regardless of the orientation of the housing 12, the cavity 19c and the gasket 200 may define a chamber 216. Thus, in the open configuration of the coupling 10, in which the pair of clamping segments 12a, 12b are manually manipulated to their maximum spaced apart orientation with respect to the fastener and the exterior of the washer is in partial contact with the interior of the housing, the remainder of the annular outer surface of the washer 200 is radially spaced from the inner surface 13b of the housing 12 to define a chamber therebetween. With the sealing gasket 200 accommodated in the housing 12, the sealing lips 208a, 208b, in particular their heels 213a, 213b, can be located within the insertion boundary 11 for receiving the tube ends.

The gasket 200 may be located and contained within a housing with at least one coupling segment suspended around the gasket 200. In the open configuration, in which the clamping segments 12a, 12b position and accommodate the washer member within the insertion boundary 11, the bridge segment 12c may be suspended around the washer 200 with its inner surface 13 spaced from the annular outer surface of the washer 200 and the cavity 19 therebetween unfilled. Fig. 10-15 illustrate the assembly of a pipe joint using the preassembled coupling assembly 10. FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional detail view of the coupling 10 taken at a bisecting plane through the bridge section 12c and manually manipulated clamping sections 12a, 12b (not shown) suspended above the washer 200; the two tube ends 5a, 5b are positioned for axial insertion into the insertion border 11. The gasket 200 is supported on at least one of the two clamping segments 12a, 12b (not shown) in the previously described manner, with the sealing lips 208a, 208b positioned within the insertion boundary 11 for receiving the tube ends 5a, 5 b. Figure 11 shows the first pipe end 5b inserted into the coupling 10. The tube end 5b strikes the side flange 206b causing it to deflect inwardly toward the central flange 204. Pipe insertion causes gasket 200 to shift sideways so that abutment 214a, opposite deflected side flange 206b, strikes inner surface 13b of outer portion 15b of section 12 c. The interaction between abutment 214a and inner surface 13b ensures that gasket 200 is retained within housing 12 and helps to center the gasket within housing 12. Also, the tube insertion causes the gasket 200 to expand, causing the peripheral surface of the gasket to expand, causing the gasket to move closer to the inner surface 13b of the intermediate portion, thereby reducing the size of the chamber 216. The gripping portion of the sealing lip 208b grips the pipe 5b due to the interaction of the sealing lip 208b gripping the outer surface of the pipe and the relative size of the outer diameter of the pipe 5b and the sealing lip 208 b. The grip of the sealing lip 208b may be sufficient to hold the pre-assembled coupling in place on the pipe 5b when the pipe 5b is disposed at different angular orientations relative to the horizontal plane and the pipe axis. Thus, the sealing lips 208a, 208b may have an interference fit with the tube 5 a. In FIG. 12, the second tube end 5a has been inserted, the gasket 200 is re-centered and expanded further within the chamber 216 and the opposing abutment 214b is brought into contact with the inner surface 13b of the adjacent outer section 15 c. With the tube ends 5a, 5b fully inserted, the central flange 204 extends between the tube ends 5a, 5b and the sealing lips 208a, 208b grip the outer surfaces of the tube ends 5a, 5b, as seen in figure 13. Figure 14 shows the coupling 10 tightened around the pipe end with the pipe engaging member 17 engaged with the pipe groove. Gasket 200 is further compressed within chamber 216 such that heels 213a, 213b engage the tube exterior surface and abutments 214a, 214b deflect towards the tube. In fig. 15, the fastener 20 is fully tightened to bring the fastener tabs 16 of the clamping segments 12a, 12b together and close the gasket 200 around the tube ends 5a, 5b such that the sealing lips 208a, 208b are fully folded to form a fluid tight seal around the tube ends 5a, 5 b. The tube engaging member 17 engages within the tube exterior groove such as full contact between the base of the groove and the engaging member 17 to form a rigid tube joint. In addition, the preassembled coupling 10 provides a method for forming a rigid pipe joint in which the gasket is properly positioned and contained within the coupling housing by manually manipulating the gripping sections of the housing prior to insertion of the pipe ends to be joined. The pre-assembled coupling may provide: the pipe ends are gripped and held by the washers after insertion prior to tightening the individual variable fasteners. Moreover, the pre-assembled coupling may allow the gasket to expand after insertion of the tube and may utilize a single variable-tightness fastener to form a fluid-tight seal between the gasket and the inserted tube end.

References to "or" may be construed as inclusive such that any item described using "or" may indicate a single item, more than one item, and any of all items described. A reference to at least one of a sequential list of items may be interpreted as an inclusive or to indicate a single item, more than one item, and any of all the items. For example, a reference to "at least one of a 'and' B" may include only 'a', only 'B', and both 'a' and 'B'. Such references used in connection with "including" or other open-ended terms may include additional items.

Although the present disclosure has been disclosed with reference to certain embodiments, numerous modifications, alterations, and changes to the described embodiments are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure, as defined in the appended claims. Accordingly, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the described embodiments, but that it have the full scope defined by the language of the following claims, and equivalents thereof.