Patent ID: 6685238
Filing Date: 2004-02-03
Classification: F16L

Abstract:
A coupler for joining two sections of pipe, comprising at least one coupling unit comprising:(a) a body portion having an interior cavity defined by an inner surface of the body portion for receiving an end of a pipe; (b) an annular seal, said annular seal being sized to fit against the inner surface of the body portion, and being disposed in the interior cavity of the body portion; (c) an annular gland ring, said annular gland ring being sized to fit against the inner surface of the body portion, and being disposed in the interior cavity of the body portion adjacent to the annular seal; (d) an annular back-up ring, said annular back-up ring being sized to fit against the inner surface of the body portion, and being disposed in the interior cavity of the body portion adjacent to the annular gland ring on a side opposite the annular seal; (e) a split elastic ring having an annular portion and two end portions, said annular portion being sized to fit against the inner surface of the body portion and being disposed in the interior cavity of the body portion such that closing of the split elastic ring by bringing the end portions together results in compression of the gland ring and the back up ring between the split elastic ring and a pipe disposed within the body portion; and (f) a screw, engaged with the ends of the split elastic ring, said screw being turnable to open or close the distance between the two ends of the split elastic ring and loosen or tighten the annular portion of the split elastic ring.