Patent ID: 7490866

Claim:
An anchoring device for use in a pipe coupling, said anchoring device comprising: an annular channel of a generally U-shaped cross-section defined by a web portion and a pair of generally parallel flanges joined to and projecting radially inwardly from respective opposite circumferential edges of said web portion, each said flange having a terminal inner annular edge spaced radially inwardly from said web portion; and a frusto-conical gripping ring disposed in said channel between said flanges, said gripping ring having an outer circumferentially-extending edge supported within said channel at an intersection defined between one of said flanges and said web portion and an inner circumferentially-extending edge disposed in direct supportive engagement with said terminal inner annular edge of the other said flange and projecting radially inwardly beyond said other flange, said gripping ring being disposed in direct contacting engagement with both of said flanges, wherein said anchoring device does not house therein any sealing member for sealing the pipe coupling and said anchoring device is compressible circumferentially such that when said anchoring device is placed around a pipe and is compressed, said anchoring device does not act on any sealing member for sealing the pipe coupling and said inner edge of said gripping ring engages an outer surface of the pipe.