Pipe coupling

A pipe coupling that clamps onto an area adjacent the ends of abutting pipes. The pipe coupling includes first and second clamp members, and a fastener. The first clamp member is hinged to the second clamp member. Both the first and second clamp members are configured to pivotally wrap around a pipe. Each of the first and second clamp members also includes an arched hub portion configured such that when each of the clamp members engages each other the arched hub portions form an arcuate hub. The fastener is configured to couple the arched hub portions together thereby preventing the clamp members from opening.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to pipe couplings. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a modularly-formed coupling configured to clamp onto a rubber gasket that fits around a fluid pipe.

Conventional no-hub pipe clamps include a shield and rubber gasket that fit over either a damaged portion of pipe or two ends of a pipe for holding them together. A conventional no-hub coupling also includes hose clamps that wrap around the shield and gasket tightening and holding them onto the pipe. These conventional couplings, however, may have disadvantages in certain applications. For example, vacuum sewerage systems may be subject to water hammer effects. This is a sudden change in fluid momentum which results in a pressure surge. It has the practical effect of creating significant stress on pipes and, in the particular case of adjoining pipes, may produce enough pressure to separate them. The no-hub couplings may not be strong enough to keep the pipes together under this type of load.

In addition, while working in such sewer environments, installer's safety is always of concern. These shields are typically made from a thin band of stainless steel and have sharp edges. There is a risk the installer may be cut by one of these shields. Even if the injury itself is not significant, an open wound in a sewage environment is obviously problematic. The thin shield may also become damaged from installation and difficult to reuse.

To address these issues either collectively, alternatively or to address other issues, the present disclosure provides an alternative pipe coupling. One embodiment of the pipe coupling includes a first clamping member hinged to a second clamping member, both of which pivotally wrap around a gasket that fits over the two ends of adjoining pipes. With the two halves of the coupling joined, a curved hub is formed secured and together by a hose clamp, strap or other fastening device.

In an illustrative embodiment, the first and second clamp members can be made of a flexible plastic, reinforced resin, metal or other like functional material. Illustratively each clamp member may be identical to simplify manufacture and assembly. In an illustrative embodiment, each clamp member includes ribs that assist in applying a concentrated force against the gasket. In another illustrative embodiment, these ribs may be formed in pairs and those pairs may run divergently and transversely to the longitudinal extent of the adjoining pipes. The ribs may overlap to assist preventing the gasket from bunching.

Each clamp half may also include a hinge portion engageable with the hinge portion of the other half so when the two clamp halves are connected they are hingedly pivotable with respect to each other to make wrapping around the gasket a relatively easy task. In addition, an illustrative embodiment of the hinge includes a hook and pin design to make assembly easy and also to provide sufficient strength under high load conditions such as a water hammer. In another illustrative embodiment, opposite the hinge is an arched hub portion, teeth extend from each arched hub portion so when the clamp halves are engaged so too are the arched hub portions. The arched hub portions assist in preventing the gasket from bunching and also assist in properly aligning the clamp halves when they are joined together.

Another illustrative embodiment provides a pipe coupling that clamps onto an area adjacent the ends of abutting pipes. The pipe coupling includes first and second clamp members, and a fastener. The first clamp member is hinged to the second clamp member. Both the first and second clamp members are configured to pivotally wrap around a pipe. Each of the first and second clamp members also includes an arched hub portion configured such that when each of the clamp members engages each other the arched hub portions form an arcuate hub. The fastener is configured to couple the arched hub portions together thereby preventing the clamp members from opening.

In the above and other illustrative embodiments, the pipe coupling may further comprise: a gasket configured to fit adjacent the abutting ends of the pipes; the fastener being a hose clamp; the first and second clamp members being made of a material selected from a group consisting of flexible plastic, reinforced resin, and metal; the first and second clamp members being identical to each other; each of the first and second clamp members including at least one rib extending from an interior surface of each of the first and second clamp members; the rib being configured to apply a force against the gasket; each of the first and second clamp members including a plurality of ribs extending from an interior surface of each of the first and second clamp members; each of the plurality of ribs on the first clamp member being non-parallel with each other; each of the plurality of ribs on the second clamp member being non-parallel with each other; each of the first and second clamp members includes first and second hinge portions configured such that the first hinge portion of the first clamp member being engageable with the second hinge portion of the second clamp member, and wherein the second hinge portion of the first clamp member being engageable with the first hinge portion of the second clamp member; the first hinge portion includes a hook and the second hinge member includes a pin wherein the hook is configured to receive the pin such that engagement of the hook and pin from the first and second clamp members allow the first and second clamp members to pivot with respect to each other; wherein the first and second hinge members on the first clamp member is located opposite the first arched hub portion, and wherein the first and second hinge members on the second clamp member is located opposite the second arched hub portion; each of the first and second arched hub portions includes at least one tooth extending therefrom; ribs on the first and second clamp members are configured to engage the area adjacent ends of first and second abutting pipes; the first and second clamp members are configured to face each other such that hinge portions on each of the first and second clamp members engage each other to form a hinge and wherein first and second alignment teeth on each of the first and second clamp members, respectively, are configured to engage each other so the first and second arched hub portions form the arched hub; each of the first and second clamp members are curved and configured to collectively to fit around a pipe, and wherein each of the first and second clamp members include the hinge portion being located opposite its arched hub portion; each hinge portion includes a plurality of hinge fingers; each of the plurality of hinge fingers includes a pin and hook, wherein the pin extends from a first side of the hinge finger and the hook is located on a second side of the hinge finger opposite the first side; the pin being configured to be received by the hook; each of the first and second arched hub portions further comprises an alignment tooth, wherein the alignment tooth of the first arched hub portion is configured to engage the alignment tooth of the second arched hub portion when opposing the first arched hub portion; the plurality of ribs extend from the arched hub portion to the hinge portion; the first clamp member includes first and second hinge fingers, wherein each of the first and second hinge fingers includes a pin and hook, wherein the pin extends from a first side of the first hinge finger and the hook is located on a second side of the hinge finger opposite the first side; the pin being configured to be received by the hook; each of the first and second clamp members includes a plurality of ribs extending from an interior surface of each of the first and second clamp members, respectively, wherein a portion of the plurality of ribs of the first clamp member overlap a portion of the plurality of ribs of the second clamp member; and the first clamp member includes a plurality of radii wherein each radius is different; the pipe clamp does not employ a hinge pin that extends through each of the plurality of hinge fingers; each of the plurality of fingers on the first clamp member includes a hook, and wherein each of the plurality of fingers on the second clamp member includes a pin the hook and pin are configured to engage each other and movably couple to each other; the second clamp member includes a plurality of radii wherein each radius is different; each of the plurality of fingers including a wall having first and second surfaces wherein a hook is attached to the first surface of each wall; and each of the plurality of fingers includes a pin extending from the second surface of each wall.

Another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides a pipe clamp. This pipe coupling clamps onto an area adjacent ends of first and second abutting pipes. The pipe coupling comprises a first clamp member hinged to a second clamp member. Both first and second clamp members are configured to pivotally wrap around a pipe. Each of the first and second clamp members includes a plurality of ribs extending from an interior surface of each of the first and second clamp members, respectively. A portion of the plurality of ribs of the first clamp member overlaps a portion of the plurality of ribs of the second clamp member. And at least one of the pluralities of ribs extends nonparallel to a second of the plurality of ribs.

Another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides a pipe coupling that includes a first clamp member hinged to a second clamp member. Both the first and second clamp members are configured to pivotally wrap around a pipe and are hinged together by a plurality of fingers. Each of the plurality of fingers includes a wall having first and second opposed surfaces. A hook is attached to the first surface of each wall. Each of the plurality of fingers also includes a pin extending from the second surface of each wall. The fingers are configured so each pin pivotally engages each hook.

Additional features and advantages of the pipe coupling will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed descriptions exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the pipe coupling as presently perceived.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates embodiments of the pipe coupling, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the pipe coupling in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A perspective view of pipe coupling2joining pipe ends4and6together is shown inFIG. 1. Pipe coupling2includes first clamp half or member8and second clamp half or member10that wrap around a gasket12. A curved hub14is formed from arched hub portion16and18clamp halves8and10, respectively. It is appreciated that arcuate hub14may be circular, oval, or otherwise curved. An illustrative hose clamp20secures around hub14as shown tightening at fastener22to insure hub portions16and18secure together.

An exploded view of coupling2, pipe ends4and6, gasket12and hose clamp20is shown inFIG. 2. This view shows hinge24formed from hinge portions26and28of clamp halves8and10, respectively. It is appreciated that hinge24allows clamp halves8and10to be pivotable in directions30and32to open and close coupling2around gasket12. This view further shows alignment teeth34,36,38,40,42, and44that extend from hub portions16and18of clamp halves8and10, respectively. On inner surfaces46and48are rib sets50,52,54and56, respectively. Each of the rib sets are protrusions from the inner surfaces of the clamp halves. These raised ribs are configured to engage and apply a force against gasket12to concentrate the compression force around pipe ends4and6. Illustratively, it is contemplated that the actual ends of pipes4and6are positionable between ribs50/52and54/56so each rib set grips one pipe or the other. In the illustrative embodiment, opening58and59add flexibility of the clamp halves, reduces material and lessens contact at the seam between the two pipe ends. Lessening contact with the pipes' seam allows the clamping force to focus on the pipe walls.

In an illustrative embodiment, it is contemplated that clamp halves8and10may be identical structures. They are configured in such a way that when each clamp half8and10face each other, hinge portions26and28engage to form hinge24and alignment teeth34-44engage so hub portions16and18form hub14.

A perspective view of clamp half8is shown inFIG. 3. It is appreciated that clamp half8may be identical to clamp half10. Accordingly, for purposes of the description of this individual clamp half8, it is intended that the description applies to clamp half10unless indicated otherwise. This view shows the curve of clamp half8so it fits around a pipe with hinge portion26and hub portion16located at opposed ends. This view also shows hinge fingers60,62,64and66. Several of these fingers include a pin68and hook70. As discussed further herein, hinge finger60and62include a pin68that extends from a first side and a hook70on each opposite side. Conversely, fingers64and66include a hook70on the same side as pins68of finger60and62. A pin68extends from finger64in an opposite direction from pins68of fingers60and62. (See alsoFIGS. 4bandc). Alignment teeth34,36, and38sit adjacent slots72,74,76and are configured to receive corresponding alignment teeth from the opposed clamp half. Rib sets50and52each comprise ribs78,80,82and84extending from surface46. It is appreciated from this view, albeit a perspective view, that the ribs from rib sets50and52diverge in different directions. For example, ribs78and80diverge from alignment tooth38as it extends along the surface46. Conversely, ribs82and84from teeth36and34, respectively, converge as they extend along surface46to finger60. The ribs diverge and converge so they can overlap at both the hub and hinge ends. Overlapping means the rib sets extend around each clamp half more than 180 degrees so each rib extends adjacent a corresponding rib on the other clamp half. By overlapping the ribs the gasket does not bunch up at the hub and hinge ends.

Various views of hinge24of pipe coupling2are shown inFIGS. 4a-c. The side view of coupling2shown inFIG. 4ademonstrates how first and second clamp halves8and10pivot about hinge24employing the pin68and hook70arrangement. Due to this, each clamp half8and10is pivotable in directions32and30to fit around a pipe. A detailed cross-sectional view of hinge24taken along lines A-A ofFIG. 4ais shown inFIG. 4b. This view shows each hinge portion26and28of halves8and10, respectively. Fingers60,62,64, and66extend from hinge portion26(see alsoFIG. 3). Conversely, fingers90,92,94and96extend from hinge portion28. Pins68from fingers60,62, and64engage hooks70from fingers90,92and96. Pins68from fingers92,94, and96engage hooks70from fingers60,64and66. This is because, as previously discussed, both clamp halves8and10in this illustrative embodiment are identical. Nonetheless, each clamp half having three pins engaging three hooks provide a substantial pivotable connection for the coupling. As shown in the detailed view ofFIG. 4c, pins68of fingers92and62engage hooks of fingers60and92, respectively. It is appreciated from this view how opposed forces act on coupling2to create a balance of forces in the hinge. The pins are supportable in opposite directions to withstand these forces, not in just one direction. This insures a strong connection to withstand water hammers if they occur inside the pipes.

Several views of coupling2are shown inFIGS. 5a-c. A side view of coupling2in the clamped position is shown inFIG. 5a. This view demonstrates how when clamp halves8and10are closed, the clamp encircles gasket12and provides an opening102configured to receive pipes such as pipe ends4and6, as previously discussed. A cross-sectional, detailed view of hub14taken along lines B-B ofFIG. 5ais shown inFIG. 5b. This view shows how the rib sets50and54overlap on hub14side. Similarly, rib sets52and56overlap as shown. This helps with alignment between the clamp halves making installation easier. A view of clamp halves8and10taken along lines C-C ofFIG. 5aat the hinge24side is shown inFIG. 5c. This view shows rib sets50and52engaging rib sets54and56, respectively, to help prevent the gasket from bunching at this portion of coupling2. It is appreciated from these and other views that strength of the hub is influenced by its arcuate shape. This shape distributes the force around a curve so there is no single stress point to cause a fracture.

FIGS. 6a-eshow various views of clamp half8. It is notable from these views, particularlyFIGS. 6dande, how the same clamp half may simply be rotated to form the second clamp half. This results in more efficient manufacturing and ease of assembly.

Several views of coupling2are shown inFIGS. 7a-d. The perspective views of coupling2fromFIGS. 7aandbshow again how the rib sets overlap. InFIG. 7a, rib set56overlaps with set52at hub14. It is appreciated that such overlap occurs at hinge24end as well.FIG. 7blikewise shows rib set50overlapping set54. The inside views of coupling2inFIGS. 7canddalso show how the rib sets overlap at hub14end (FIG. 7c) and the hinge end (FIG. 7d). Again, it is appreciated this overlapping helps prevent the gasket from bunching.

FIG. 8shows an illustrative embodiment of coupling2wherein the radius of each clamp half changes as shown by radius124and radius126. It is appreciated that radius126is greater than radius124. This radius change has been found to allow the coupling to better wrap around the pipe.

FIGS. 9a-dshow several views of clamp halves130and132, respectively with optional additional teeth,134and136, respectively. Teeth134and136are configured to engage each other to assists in aligning hub portions138and140together.

Perspective and perspective detail views of hinge portions26including fingers60,62,64, and66are shown inFIGS. 10 and 11a-b. The view inFIG. 10in particularly, shows how each hook70is formed against a wall150that makes up each of the fingers60through66. It is appreciated that wall150may or may not have the pin68extending opposite hook70. It is further appreciated that wall150increases the strength of the fingers. Attaching hook70to wall150and splitting pin68allows the pin-hook configuration to be closer to equal strength to thereby increase the hinge's overall hinge strength.

The view inFIG. 11ashows how hinge24is formed via hinge portions26of clamp members8and10. With each pin68fitting into a corresponding hook70and having wall150positioned therebetween, a stronger hinge is believed to be formed. The detail view of finger66shown inFIG. 11bdemonstrates how hook70is substantially reinforced when formed with wall150. With this particular finger66, there is no pin68extending from the other side of wall150, but it is appreciated that for the other fingers60through64such pin68may extend therefrom.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, from the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of the present disclosure and various changes and modifications may be made to adapt the various uses and characteristics without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims.