Patent ID: 7722087

Claim:
Interconnectable pipe coupling segments, each positionable straddling a sealing member and end portions of a pair of pipe elements engaged with said sealing member for securing said pipe elements together in end-to-end relationship, wherein each said segment comprises: a unitary body comprising a pair of arcuate surfaces adapted to interface with the outer surfaces of said pipe elements; first and second essentially planar faces oriented parallel to one another and positioned in spaced relation to each other on opposite sides of said unitary body, each of said essentially planar faces being positioned adjacent to one of said arcuate surfaces; first and second connection members positioned at opposite ends of said arcuate surfaces for adjustably connecting one coupling segment to another, said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said segments together; and a concavity extending entirely between end faces of said segment and positioned between said arcuate surfaces and extending along an inner circumference of said segment, said concavity being oriented angularly with respect to said arcuate surfaces about a first axis oriented substantially perpendicular to a second axis that extends between said first and second connection members of one of said segments, said angular orientation of said concavity being measured with respect to a datum line positioned between and oriented substantially parallel to said first and second essentially planar faces.