The invention disclosed here relates to a pipe coupling. The pipe coupling is adapted to join two large pipes together via a barrel sleeve that has clamping rings on each end. The clamping rings have seals adapted to join pipes having the same diameter or different diameters.
There are many different types of pipe couplings and connectors for joining water, sewage, gas, and similar pipes. An example of one such coupling is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,576. The design disclosed here provides an alternative to the '576 design.
The invention disclosed here is an improved pipe coupling. The pipe coupling includes a cylindrical, barrel-shaped sleeve portion that has circumferential flanges at each end. The circumferential flanges face outwardly relative to the sleeve. Connected to each circumferential flange is a clamping ring.
In preferred form, the clamping rings are identical in construction. Each clamping ring carries a nested seal. Each clamping ring may consist of two separate portions, or halves, that are hinged together at the bottom, although variations are possible.
The hinge creates a pivot point so that each half of the clamping ring (or clamping ring portion) is moveable toward and away from the other one. However, the clamping ring portions are structurally configured so that they eventually become iron-bound near the pivot point at a certain rotational point, as the clamping ring portions move toward each other during closing or tightening. The iron-bounding effect causes the clamping ring portions to eventually function as a “unitary” ring instead of two separate freely-moving halves.
As an alternative, it may be possible to use the same concept in a clamping ring having several segments. In this instance, one segment or portion swings relative to another via a pivoting or similar connection. The two portions become iron-bound at a certain inward swing point.
As indicated above, for the two-part arrangement, each half of the clamping ring has an ear adapted to connect to a tightening bolt. The ears of each clamping ring portion are pulled together by the tightening bolt in a conventional manner. However, the ears are integrated with the structure of the clamping ring portions, as opposed to being separately welded or the like.
Each clamping ring carries a nested seal. According to the invention disclosed here, the nested seal includes an inner circumferential seal part that is separately nested within an outer circumferential seal part. The combination of these two seal parts creates an inwardly directed face that presses against an outwardly directed face of the corresponding barrel sleeve's circumferential flange.
The nested seal also has a sloping outer surface received within the clamping ring. The slope on the surface causes the seal to be urged toward the barrel sleeve's circumferential flange as the clamping ring is tightened.
The inner part of the nested seal has a plurality of outer peripheral ridges that mate with a corresponding plurality of inner peripheral grooves on the inside of the outer part of the seal. This permits the inner part to be removed easily from the outer part and allows the clamping rings to be adjusted to pipes of varying diameters.
The outer part of the seal also has an annular groove that faces the barrel sleeve's flange. The diameter of the annular groove is greater than the inner diameter of the barrel sleeve's flange, when in a non-compressed state. However, when the clamping ring is tightened about the circumferential flange on the sleeve, the seal is compressed down such that the annular groove becomes exposed to the interior diameter of the pipe.
Last, the cylindrical, barrel-shaped sleeve portion carries a handle. The sleeve is preferably designed to couple together the ends of two pipes having interior diameters within and including four to twelve inches. The handle allows for the pipe coupling to be physically manipulated (e.g., turned or held in position) much easier when it is used to couple pipes.
The features summarized above, including how they interact with each other, are further described below and in the accompanying drawings.
In the drawings, like reference numerals and letters refer to like parts throughout the various views, unless indicated otherwise, and wherein:
Referring now to the drawings, and first to
Referring briefly to
In preferred form, and referring back to
In the embodiment described here, each clamping ring 26, 28 is identical. It is to be appreciated, however, that variations would involve making one clamping ring larger or smaller relative to the other. It might also be possible to use the clamping ring and seal design disclosed here in other kinds of pipe coupling applications. Nevertheless, because clamping rings 26, 28 are identical in the drawings, only one clamping ring 26 will be described.
The clamping ring 26 is made of two separate portions, or halves 30, 32. These portions are connected together at a pivot point 34 (see, e.g.
The pivotal connection 34 is created by the structure illustrated in
Referring now to
The other end of the bolt structure 36 has a nut 54 threaded onto the shaft 56 of bolt structure 36. The nut 54 similarly rests against a mirror bolt guide 58. Similar to the previous description, bolt guide 58 rests against a curved surface 60 on clamp ear 61.
Referring once again to
The inner seal 66 has a plurality of outer peripheral ridges 68, 70. These ridges mate with or fit within corresponding inner peripheral grooves 72, 74 on an inner surface 76 of the outer seal 64 part (see
The nested combination created by the inner and outer seal parts 66, 64 can be used to define an adjustable seal for capturing the end of pipes having variations in outer diameter. If desired, the inner seal 66 can be easily removed from the outer one 64, in the field, thereby adapting the clamp ring 26 to a larger pipe. The two seals 66, 64 are not joined together via an adhesive or other bonding agent. They exist as separate pieces. It is possible to reinstall the inner circumferential seal part 66, if desired.
Referring now to
Outwardly of space 78 is a unique sloped surface 80 in which the nested seal 62 rests. The slope of surface 80 is convergent outwardly (toward the end of the pipe coupling 10). As the bolt structure 36 is tightened, it pulls clamp ears 52, 61 toward each other, thus compressing the nested seal 62. At the same time, the compression action also urges the sloped surface 80 of the clamping ring against the corresponding surface (also sloped) 82 of the nested seal (see
Referring now to
Next, the outer part 64 of seal 62 has an annular groove 86 that faces the barrel sleeve 12. When the clamping ring 26 is placed on its respective flange, and before tightening of the bolt structure 36, the seal 62 is in a non-compressed state. In this condition, the diameter of the annular groove 86 is preferably greater than the inner diameter of the barrel sleeve 12. When compressed, however, the annular groove 86 becomes likewise compressed so that its diameter becomes exposed to the inside of the barrel sleeve 12. This enables fluid pressure to cause one part of the seal to slide upon itself. It is believed this may improve upon seal efficiency.
Referring to
Directing attention now to the bottom of
As is apparent from the above description, the ears 52, 62 may open relative to each other. When this happens, it creates a space or gap at the location indicated generally by arrow 92 in
Finally, an alternative embodiment of clamping ring 26 is illustrated in
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/893,049, to which this application claims priority, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The foregoing is not intended to limit the scope of patent coverage. The scope of patent coverage is intended to be limited by the patent claims, the interpretation of which is to be made in accordance with the established doctrines of patent claim interpretation.
Number | Date | Country | |
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20200271253 A1 | Aug 2020 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 15059089 | Mar 2016 | US |
Child | 16283502 | US | |
Parent | 13893049 | May 2013 | US |
Child | 15059089 | US | |
Parent | 12456246 | Jun 2009 | US |
Child | 13893049 | US |