Patent ID: 6168210
Filing Date: 2001-01-02
Classification: F16L,Y10S

Abstract:
A pipe coupling for coupling adjacent ends of a pair of pipe sections, comprising: a sleeve having a generally cylindrical body portion adapted in use to receive and overlie the adjacent ends of said pipe sections; a pair of annular gaskets adapted in use to be positioned about the adjacent ends of said pipe sections, the annular gaskets each including a bottom wall adapted to be disposed about an outer wall of a respective said pipe section, a front wall adapted to engage and at least partially underlie the sleeve, and a back wall extending radially outwardly from the bottom wall; a pair of follower flanges adapted in use to be positioned about the adjacent ends of said pipe sections at opposite ends of the sleeve, each of the follower flanges including a skirt having a bottom wall adapted to be disposed about the outer wall of a respective said pipe section and a generally flat, inclined skirt wall in axial cross-section extending axially and radially outwardly from the skirt bottom wall in a direction away from the sleeve and adapted to confront the back wall of a respective one of the gaskets, the inclined skirt wall being disposed at an angle of at least 2 1/2.degree. relative to a line perpendicular to an axis of the follower flange; and a plurality of compression members operatively connecting the pair of follower flanges for urging the follower flanges together whereby to compress the gaskets into sealing engagement between the sleeve, the follower flanges and the outer walls of said pipe sections to provide a fluid tight seal therebetween.