Patent ID: 6758500
Filing Date: 2004-07-06
Classification: F16L

Abstract:
A coupling arrangement for permitting fluid-tight, pressurized fluid flow therethrough comprising:a pair of conduit members located in end-to-end alignment, each of the conduit members having a flared end; an encircling coupling unit surrounding the ends of the conduit members and having structure to tighten the coupling unit around the flared ends of the conduit members, the coupling unit, having inner lateral surfaces partially defining a coupling cavity; an encircling, deformable gasket disposed in the cavity of the coupling unit, the gasket having exterior lateral surfaces spaced from the inner lateral surfaces of the coupling unit, and interior surfaces defining an annular recess therein; and a rigid ring liner retained within the annular recess of the deformable gasket to reinforce the gasket, wherein the flared ends of the conduit members are engaged in wedging and sealing relationship between the inner lateral surfaces of the coupling unit and the exterior lateral surfaces of the deformable gasket, wherein the coupling unit is formed by a pair of coupling sections pivotally connected together, and wherein each coupling section includes a set of axially extending outer faces connected to a set of radially extending stepped portions, in turn, connected to a set of axially extending stepped portions.