Patent ID: 8646814

Claim:
A coupling device for joining two pipes positioned end to end in substantial axial alignment and a joint there between comprising: a housing having a plurality of segments, wherein the housing defines an annular groove; a plurality of fasteners connecting the plurality of segments together; and an annular gasket within the housing and having a substantially C-shaped cross-section that defines a housing interface portion and two sealing portions directed inwardly, wherein each of the sealing portions includes a first tapered rib and a second tapered rib, each first tapered rib and each second tapered rib having a vertical surface extending substantially in a radial direction when not engaged and a horizontal surface extending substantially in an axial direction when not engaged, wherein the vertical surface is substantially perpendicular to the horizontal surface, wherein an axial length of the horizontal surface is at least substantially as long as a radial length of the vertical surface, wherein the first tapered rib is axially inwards from the second tapered rib, wherein the horizontal surface of the first tapered rib has a diameter less than the diameter of the second tapered rib, and wherein the vertical surface of the first tapered rib has a first end that terminates at the horizontal surface of the first tapered rib and a second end that terminates at a diameter equal to or less than a diameter of the horizontal surface of the second tapered rib; wherein the vertical surface of the first tapered rib and the vertical surface of the second tapered rib of each of the sealing portions are substantially parallel with a cross-sectional centerline of the seal prior to engagement with the respective outer surfaces of the two pipes; wherein the horizontal surface of the first tapered rib of each of the sealing portions is not coannular with the horizontal surface of the second tapered rib of each of the sealing portions when not engaged; wherein each of the sealing portions includes a horizontal section in addition to the first tapered rib and the second tapered rib; and wherein the horizontal section of each of the sealing portions is radially outward from the horizontal surface of the second tapered rib and adjacent to an axially outer edge of each of the sealing portions.