Patent ID: 8177263

Claim:
A pipe coupling for securing end portions of a pair of pipe elements together end-to-end, said coupling comprising: a plurality of segments connectable end-to-end surrounding a central space for receiving said pipe elements, each said segment having a pair of arcuate surfaces in spaced relation, said arcuate surfaces facing said central space and being engagable with said pipe elements; connection members positioned at opposite ends of each of said segments for adjustably connecting said segments to one another, said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said coupling segments toward one another and into engagement with said pipe elements; first and second reaction surfaces positioned at opposite ends of each said coupling segment in spaced relation, said reaction surfaces facing said central space; first and second gripping bodies being positioned between said segments at opposite ends thereof, each of said gripping bodies having a pair of gripping surfaces positioned in spaced relation facing said central space, said gripping surfaces being engagable with said pipe elements, each of said gripping bodies having a plurality of contact surfaces positioned in spaced relation, each of said contact surfaces being engaged with one of said reaction surfaces of said segments, each of said gripping bodies having end faces positioned opposite to one another, said segments having inwardly projecting shoulders positioned adjacent to said reaction surfaces, said shoulders being engagable with said end faces, at least one of said end faces or said shoulders being angularly oriented so as to cause rotation of said gripping bodies about an axis substantially perpendicular to said pipe elements when said coupling segments are drawn together; and wherein adjustable tightening of said connection members draws said coupling segments together, said contact surfaces interacting with said reaction surfaces to move said gripping bodies radially inwardly for engagement of said gripping surfaces with said pipe elements.