Patent ID: 7654587

Claim:
A pipe coupling positionable straddling facing end portions of a pair of pipe elements for securing said pipe elements together in end-to-end relationship, wherein said end portions of said pipe elements have an outer surface of substantially cylindrical profile and wherein said pipe coupling comprises: a plurality of coupling segments, each said coupling segment having a pair of arcuate surfaces adapted to interface with the cylindrically profiled outer surfaces of said pipe elements, said arcuate surfaces being in spaced apart relation lengthwise of one another; each said coupling segment having connection members for adjustably connecting one coupling segment to another; a spacer positioned between said coupling segments, said spacer being held between said segments solely by friction between said spacer and said segments, said spacer for maintaining said coupling segments in spaced apart relation at a distance forming an opening at ends of said segments greater than an outer diameter of said pipe elements, said end portions of said pipe elements being insertable between said coupling segments in said end-to-end relationship; and said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said segments together, said spacer being removable from between said segments, removal of said spacer allowing for tightening of said connection members permitting said arcuate surfaces to engage said outer surfaces of said pipe elements when said portions of said pipe elements are inserted between said coupling segments in said end-to-end relationship; a seal for sealing the facing end portions together.