Patent ID: 9482374
Filing Date: 2016-11-01
CPC Classification: F16L

Claim Text:
1. A coupling for joining pipe elements in end to end relation, said coupling comprising: a plurality of segments attached to one another in end to end relation surrounding a central space, each of said segments having a back wall and a pair of side walls attached thereto in spaced relation defining a channel, each of said back walls having a back wall surface facing said central space and extending lengthwise along each of said segments, each of said segments having a pair of arcuate keys positioned in spaced relation on opposite sides of said channel, each of said keys extending lengthwise along said segments and projecting inwardly toward said central space; a seal positioned within said central space and received within said channels, said seal comprising a ring formed of flexible, resilient material, said ring having an outwardly facing circumferential surface; at least one projection attached to said outwardly facing circumferential surface and projecting outwardly therefrom, said at least one projection comprising a tube having a sidewall surrounding a bore, said tube having a longitudinal axis oriented transversely to a plane containing said ring; said at least one projection engaging said back wall surface on one of said segments and supporting said segments in spaced apart relation to one another sufficient to insert said pipe elements into said central space.