Patent ID: 7614661
Filing Date: 2009-11-10
Classification: B29C,F16L,H01R

Abstract:
1. An electrofusion coupling for joining together at least two sections of pipe, said coupling comprising: (i) a substantially cylindrical coupling body having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface being sized and shaped to form a clearance fit with the outer surface of the pipe sections to be joined; (ii) at least one electrical heating element disposed adjacent to the inner surface of the coupling body; and (iii) terminal means adapted to connect the electrical heating element to an electrical supply; wherein the terminal means comprises at least one electrical contact point disposed adjacent to the outer cylindrical surface of the coupling body, and at least one temporary terminal, wherein the temporary terminal is bonded to the coupling body over said electrical point in a temporary fashion, such that, at the end of the welding operation, the temporary terminal may be separated from the coupling body to result in a finished coupling with no significant protrusions extending substantially beyond the outer cylindrical surface of the coupling, so as to permit the coupling to form a clearance fit within a secondary coupling.