CN-121986231-A - Coupling device

Abstract

A pipe coupling has two segments with lugs adapted to receive adjustable fasteners to draw the segments together to join pipe elements. Each lug has an inner surface and a stop surface in spaced relation. When the adjustable fastener is tightened, the stop surfaces on the corresponding lugs contact each other.

Inventors

• M.A. Baumann
• C.A. Richard

Assignees

• 唯特利公司

Dates

Publication Date

20260505

Application Date

20240917

Priority Date

20231010

Claims (20)

1. 1. A coupling for joining pipe elements in end-to-end relationship, the coupling comprising: A first segment and a second segment attached end-to-end to each other so as to enclose a central space for receiving the pipe element, each of the segments comprising a first lug extending from a first end of the segment and a second lug extending from a second end of the segment; A first adjustable fastener extending between the first lugs along a first longitudinal axis and a second adjustable fastener extending between the second lugs along a second longitudinal axis, wherein Each of the segments further comprises: A first inner surface positioned between the central space and the first lug, the first inner surface comprising a first tooth and a first recess; a first stop surface positioned on the first ledge, the first adjustable fastener positioned between the first inner surface and the first stop surface; A second inner surface positioned between the central space and the second lug, the second inner surface including a second tooth and a second recess, and A second stop surface positioned on the second ledge, the second adjustable fastener positioned between the second inner surface and the second stop surface, wherein The first segment and the second segment are movable toward each other to a tightened state; The first and second adjustable fasteners are configured to draw the first and second segments toward each other to the tightened state, and wherein In the tightened state: The first stop surface at the first end of the segment being engaged and the second stop surface at the second end of the segment being engaged, and The first tooth of the first segment is at least partially received within the first recess of the second segment, and the first tooth of the second segment is at least partially received within the first recess of the first segment.
2. 2. The coupling of claim 1, wherein in the tightened state, the second tooth of the first segment mates with the second recess of the second segment and the second recess of the first segment mates with the second tooth of the second segment.
3. 3. The coupling of claim 1, wherein in the tightened state, there is a first gap between the first stop surfaces.
4. 4. A coupling according to claim 3, wherein in the tightened state there is a second gap between the second inner surfaces.
5. 5. The coupler of claim 1, wherein the first lug defines a first opening that surrounds a first axis oriented perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis of the first adjustable fastener and is positioned between the first inner surface and the first stop surface.
6. 6. The coupler of claim 5, wherein the first opening extends through the first lug.
7. 7. The coupler of claim 5, wherein the second lug defines a second opening that surrounds a second axis oriented perpendicular to the second longitudinal axis of the second adjustable fastener and is positioned between the second inner surface and the second stop surface.
8. 8. The coupler of claim 7, wherein the second opening extends through the second lug.
9. 9. The coupler according to claim 1, wherein: The first tooth of the first segment being aligned with the first recess of the second segment, and The first recess of the first segment is aligned with the first tooth of the second segment.
10. 10. The coupling of claim 1, wherein the first tooth surface is oriented at a first angle relative to a first plane including a transverse axis and the first and second axes, the transverse axis oriented perpendicular to the first and second longitudinal axes and the first and second axes, and wherein the first recess surface is oriented at a second angle relative to the first plane.
11. 11. The coupling of claim 10, wherein the second angle has an opposite slope than the first angle.
12. 12. The coupling of claim 11, wherein the magnitude of the second angle is substantially the same as the magnitude of the first angle.
13. 13. The coupling of claim 11, wherein the slope of the first angle is in a range from 10 ° to 70 ° and the slope of the second angle is in a range from 10 ° to 70 °.
14. 14. The coupler according to claim 1, wherein: The second tooth of the first segment being aligned with the second recess of the second segment, and The second recess of the first segment is aligned with the second tooth of the second segment.
15. 15. The coupling of claim 1, wherein the second tooth surface is oriented at a third angle relative to the first plane and the second recess surface is oriented at a fourth angle relative to the first plane.
16. 16. The coupling of claim 15, wherein the third angle has an equal and opposite slope to the first angle and the fourth angle has an equal and opposite slope to the second angle.
17. 17. The coupler according to claim 13, further comprising: A first pair of shoulders positioned adjacent to the first tooth and the first recess, each shoulder of the first pair of shoulders having a first shoulder surface, and A second pair of shoulders positioned adjacent the second tooth and the second recess, each shoulder of the second pair of shoulders having a second shoulder surface.
18. 18. The coupling of claim 17, wherein the first shoulder surface is oriented substantially parallel to the first plane and the second shoulder surface is oriented substantially parallel to the first plane.
19. 19. The coupling of claim 1, wherein the first stop surface comprises a first portion oriented at a fifth angle relative to a second plane containing the first and second longitudinal axes and the transverse axis, wherein the second stop surface comprises a first portion oriented at a sixth angle relative to the second plane.
20. 20. The coupling of claim 19, wherein the sixth angle has an equal and opposite slope than the fifth angle.

Description

Coupling device Cross Reference to Related Applications The present application is based on and claims priority from U.S. provisional application No. 63/589060 filed on 10 months of 2023, incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field The present invention relates to mechanical couplings for joining pipe elements. Background Advantageously, a coupling is installed having segments that can be connected to each other at one end and then at the other end. Segments designed to be fully fastened to each other at one end and then at the other end may take less time to install than segments installed by progressively tightening the fasteners. The segments having bolt inserts with outer portions that contact each other upon pull-up reduce the likelihood of over-pull-up and provide a visual indication of complete and proper assembly. The tolerance ranges of the pipe elements and the tolerance ranges on the mating surfaces of the couplings may cause gaps between the segments. These gaps may expose and/or allow the gasket to bulge. Further, the exposed gasket may falsely indicate to the installer that the coupler is not fully or properly installed. There is clearly an opportunity to improve segmented mechanical couplings, make them easier to assemble, provide a consistent and clear visual indication of proper installation, and protect and properly compress the gasket. Disclosure of Invention An example coupling for joining pipe elements in end-to-end relationship according to the present invention includes a first segment and a second segment end-to-end attached to one another so as to enclose a central space for receiving a pipe element. Each segment includes a first lug extending from a first end thereof and a second lug extending from a second end thereof. The first adjustable fastener extends between the first lugs along the first longitudinal axis and the second adjustable fastener extends between the second lugs along the second longitudinal axis. Each segment further includes a first inner surface positioned between the central space and the first lug. The first inner surface includes a first tooth and a first recess. Each segment further includes a first stop surface positioned on the first lug. The first adjustable fastener is positioned between the first inner surface and the first stop surface. Each segment further includes a second inner surface positioned between the central space and the second lug. The second inner surface includes second teeth and a second recess. Each segment further includes a second stop surface positioned on the second lug. The second adjustable fastener is positioned between the second inner surface and the second stop surface. The first segment and the second segment are movable toward each other to a tightened state. The first and second adjustable fasteners are configured to draw the first and second segments toward one another to a tightened state. In the tightened state, a first stop surface at a first end of the segment engages and a second stop surface at a second end of the segment engages. The first tooth of the first segment is at least partially received within the first recess of the second segment, and the first tooth of the second segment is at least partially received within the first recess of the first segment. In an example embodiment, in the tightened state, the second tooth of the first segment is coupled with the second recess of the second segment and the second recess of the first segment is coupled with the second tooth of the second segment. In an example embodiment, in the tightened state, there is a first gap between the first stop surfaces. In a further example embodiment, in the tightened state, there is a second gap between the second inner surfaces. In an example embodiment, the first lug defines a first opening surrounding a first axis oriented perpendicular to a first longitudinal axis of the first adjustable fastener and positioned between the first inner surface and the first stop surface. In further example embodiments, the first opening extends through the first ledge. In an example embodiment, the second lug defines a second opening that surrounds a second axis oriented perpendicular to the second longitudinal axis of the second adjustable fastener and is positioned between the second inner surface and the second stop surface. In further example embodiments, the second opening extends through the second ledge. In an example embodiment, the first tooth of the first segment is aligned with the first recess of the second segment and the first recess of the first segment is aligned with the first tooth of the second segment. In further example embodiments, the first tooth surface is oriented at a first angle relative to a first plane, the first plane including a transverse axis and first and second axes, the transverse axis oriented perpendicular to the first and second longitudinal axes and the first and second axes, and wherein the first rece