Patent ID: 6902205
Filing Date: 2005-06-07
Classification: F16L

Abstract:
1. A pipe coupling, comprising: (a) a hollow cylindrical inner support having a longitudinal axis, comprising: (b) a plurality of slips disposed about said first gripping surface, said plurality of slips forming an outer frustoconical surface and an inner cylindrical surface comprising a second gripping surface; (c) a means for preventing the axial movement of said plurality of slips beyond a selected point; (d) a hollow outer sleeve disposed about said plurality of slips, and comprising an inside surface corresponding to the frustoconical surface of the plurality of slips; (e) a retaining member comprising a means for engaging the outer sleeve to reversibly fix the position of the outer sleeve relative to the plurality of slips; (f) a coupling connector disposed about said means for supporting a coupling connector; and (g) a means for spacing the plurality of slips about the first gripping surface including a plurality of slots in one of the outer sleeve or the plurality of slips and a plurality of corresponding projections positionable in the slots, the plurality of corresponding projections on the other of the outer sleeve or the plurality of slips.