Patent ID: 6056330
Filing Date: 2000-05-02
Classification: F16L

Abstract:
A coupling system for connecting a first pipe to a second pipe, comprising:a coupler havinga body having a first face, a second face, and an internal passage having a first opening located at and opening to said first face and a second opening located at and opening to said second face, said internal passage communicating between said first face and said second face, said internal passage having an internal diameter,an internal groove formed entirely within said body, said internal groove opening only to said internal passage of said body,an elastic annular seal disposed coaxially to and within said internal groove,a first clamp comprising a first assembly of threaded fasteners disposed to releasably and adjustable clamp one pipe axially to said body by drawing said pipe into axial engagement with said coupler, comprising a male component and a corresponding female component, one of said male component and said female component being a proximal member disposed proximate said body, and the other one of said male component and said female component being a separable member threadably separable from said proximal fastening member, said first assembly of threaded fasteners being located at said first face of said body, said first assembly of threaded fasteners arranged such that said separable member approaches said body when being threaded onto said fixed member and avoids entering said internal passage, andan opening for receiving a second pipe, wherein said opening communicates with said internal passage of said body; anda pipe having a first end and a ridge formed by displacing constituent metal of the pipe radially outwardly such that where an outward bulge exists in the exterior surface of the pipe, a corresponding concavity is formed in the interior surface of the pipe, wherein said ridge is proximate said first end, and is dimensioned and configured to be received and secured by said clamp of said coupler.