Patent ID: 7004511

Claim:
A pipe coupling device comprising: a sleeve having an end adapted for receiving a pipe, said end of said sleeve having a sealing cavity defined between the outer surface of the pipe and the interior surface of said end; a sealing gasket adapted for arrangement within said sealing cavity of said sleeve for compression into sealing engagement with the pipe; a gripper ring adapted for encircling the pipe, said gripper ring having a radial inner surface having a plurality of gripping members for gripping the pipe upon coaxial compression of said gripper ring; an intermediate ring adapted for encircling the pipe between said sealing gasket and said gripper ring, said intermediate ring having a restraining member adapted for restraining said gripper ring to prevent said gripping members of said gripper ring from gripping the pipe until after said sealing gasket is compressed into sealing engagement with the pipe; a locking ring adapted for communication with said gripper ring; and at least two tightening members adapted for connecting said sleeve and said locking ring to compressibly secure said gripper ring, said intermediate ring, and said sealing gasket to the pipe, such that upon the tightening of said tightening members said sealing gasket is compressed into sealing engagement followed by the gripping of the pipe by said gripper ring; wherein said restraining member comprises at least one break-off member adapted to break off from said intermediate ring after said sealing gasket is compressed into sealing engagement with the pipe.