Patent ID: 8312616

Claim:
A method of joining pipe elements in end to end relation, said method comprising: using a coupling comprising a plurality of segments connected to one another end to end surrounding a central space, and at least one gripping body positioned between two of said segments, each of said segments having a shoulder positioned in facing relation with a respective end face of said at least one gripping body, each of said segments having projections which extend outwardly from opposite ends thereof; inserting each of said pipe elements into said central space; moving said segments toward said central space, said segments each having a plurality of arcuate surfaces engageable with said pipe elements, said arcuate surfaces facing said central space; engaging each one of said arcuate surfaces with an outer surface of one of said pipe elements; moving said at least one gripping body toward said central space, said at least one gripping body having a plurality of gripping surfaces facing said central space; engaging each one of said gripping surfaces with an outer surface of one of said pipe elements; and contacting said shoulders of said segments with said respective end faces of said at least one gripping body.