초록 ▼

A preassembled mechanical pipe coupling having spacers is disclosed. The coupling has a plurality of interconnectable segments that straddle the ends of pipe elements to be joined. The segments have arcuate surfaces that engage outer surfaces of the pipe elements. Spacers, positioned between the seg

A preassembled mechanical pipe coupling having spacers is disclosed. The coupling has a plurality of interconnectable segments that straddle the ends of pipe elements to be joined. The segments have arcuate surfaces that engage outer surfaces of the pipe elements. Spacers, positioned between the segments, maintain them in spaced apart relation sufficient to allow the pipe elements to be inserted between the segments. The segments have adjustably tightenable connection members for connecting the segments and drawing them to one another. When the connection members are tightened and the effect of the spacers is overcome, the arcuate surfaces are brought into engagement with the outer surfaces of the pipe elements.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A pipe coupling positionable straddling facing end portions of a pair of pipe elements for securing said pipe elements together in end-to-end relationship, wherein said end portions of said pipe elements have an outer surface of substantially cylindrical profile and wherein s

What is claimed is: 1. A pipe coupling positionable straddling facing end portions of a pair of pipe elements for securing said pipe elements together in end-to-end relationship, wherein said end portions of said pipe elements have an outer surface of substantially cylindrical profile and wherein said pipe coupling comprises: a plurality of coupling segments, each coupling segment having a pair of arcuate surfaces adapted to interface with the cylindrically profiled outer surfaces of said pipe elements, said arcuate surfaces being in spaced apart relation lengthwise of one another; each said coupling segment having connection members for adjustably connecting one coupling segment to another; a spacer comprising a tube, said tube being scored to provide a weakened region to facilitate collapse thereof, said spacer positioned between said coupling segments, said spacer for maintaining said coupling segments in spaced apart relation, said end portions of said pipe elements being insertable between said coupling segments in said end-to-end relationship; and said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said segments together, said spacer being collapsible upon the application of a compressive force resulting from tightening of said connection members, collapse of said spacer permitting said arcuate surfaces to engage said outer surfaces of said pipe elements when said portions of said pipe elements are inserted between said coupling segments in said end-to-end relationship. 2. A pipe coupling according to claim 1, wherein said tube has a circular cross section. 3. A pipe coupling according to claim 1, wherein said tube is formed from a polymer material. 4. A pipe coupling according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said arcuate surfaces subtend an angle of less than 180�� and has a radius of curvature greater than the radius of curvature of said outer surfaces of said pipe elements, at least one of said segments being deformable upon adjustable tightening of said connection members so as to conform the curvature of said arcuate surfaces to the outer surfaces of said pipe elements. 5. A pipe coupling according to claim 1, wherein said arcuate surfaces project radially inwardly from said segments, at least one notch being formed in at least one of said arcuate surfaces proximate to one end of said segment, said notch providing clearance for insertion of said end portions of said pipe elements between said segments. 6. A pipe coupling positionable straddling facing end portions of a pair of pipe elements for securing said pipe elements together in end-to-end relationship, wherein said end portions of said pipe elements have an outer surface of substantially cylindrical profile and wherein said pipe coupling comprises: first and second coupling segments, each coupling segment having a pair of arcuate surfaces adapted to interface with the outer surfaces of said pipe elements, said arcuate surfaces being in spaced apart relation lengthwise of one another; each said coupling segment having a pair of lugs projecting outwardly from opposite ends thereof, said lugs on said first segment being in facing relation with said lugs on said second segment; a pair of fasteners extending between each of said lugs in said facing relationship; a pair of spacers, each said spacer comprising a corrugated tube, one said spacer positioned between each of said lugs in said facing relationship, said spacers maintaining said coupling segments in spaced apart relationship, said end portions of said pipe elements being insertable between said coupling segments in said end-to-end relationship; and said fasteners being adjustably tightenable against said lugs for drawing said segments together, said spacers being collapsible in response to tightening of said fasteners to permit said arcuate surfaces to engage said outer surfaces of said pipe elements when said end portions of said pipe elements are inserted between said coupling segments in said end-to-end relationship. 7. A pipe coupling according to claim 6, wherein said tubes are positioned surrounding said fasteners. 8. A pipe coupling according to claim 7, wherein said fasteners are located coaxially within said tubes. 9. A pipe coupling according to claim 6, wherein said tubes have a substantially circular cross section. 10. A pipe coupling according to claim 6, wherein said arcuate surfaces subtend an angle of less than 180�� and have a radius of curvature greater than the radius of curvature of said outer surfaces of said pipe elements, said segments being deformable upon adjustable tightening of said fasteners so as to conform the curvature of said arcuate surfaces to the outer surfaces of said pipe elements upon collapse of said spacers. 11. A pipe coupling according to claim 6, comprising first and second of said coupling segments, said arcuate surfaces projecting radially inwardly from said segments, a pair of notches being formed in each of said arcuate surfaces proximate to each end of said segments, said notches providing clearance for insertion of said end portions of said pipe elements between said segments. 12. A method of securing facing end portions of pipe elements together in end-to-end relationship, wherein said end portions of said pipe elements have an outer surface of substantially cylindrical profile, said method comprising the steps of: providing a pipe coupling having a plurality of coupling segments attached to one another end-to-end surrounding a central space, said coupling segments having arcuate surfaces adapted to interface with the outer surfaces of said pipe elements, said coupling segments being maintained in spaced apart relationship by a spacer positioned between two of said coupling segments, said spacer being configured to allow said segments to be drawn toward one another; wherein said spacer is configured to be collapsible under compressive load to allow said segments to be drawn toward one another; inserting said end portions of said pipe elements into said central space; and drawing said coupling segments toward one another sufficiently to engage said arcuate surfaces of said coupling with said outer surfaces of said pipe elements, including the step of collapsing said spacer.