Patent ID: 8500174

Claim:
A pipe coupling in combination with a pair of pipe elements, said pipe coupling for securing said pipe elements together in end to end relationship, said pipe elements having circumferential grooves positioned proximate to opposite ends thereof, said pipe coupling comprising: a deformable sealing member having an inner diameter sized to receive said pipe elements without deforming upon insertion of said pipe elements within said inner diameter, said sealing member having an outer surface; more than two segments supported on said outer surface of said sealing member, said segments being positioned circumferentially around said sealing member spaced apart from one another at a distance sufficient to permit said pipe elements to be inserted within said inner diameter of said sealing member, each said segment having a pair of arcuate surfaces positioned on opposite sides of said sealing member, said arcuate surfaces being engageable within said circumferential grooves of said pipe elements to retain them in said end to end relationship when said pipe elements are inserted within said inner diameter of said sealing member and said segments are moved radially inwardly against said sealing member; a compression band extending around an outer perimeter of said segments, said compression band having opposite ends in facing relation, said segments being captured between said compression band and said sealing member; and a tensioning member mounted on said compression band between said opposite ends, said tensioning member being adjustably tightenable for applying tension to said compression band for moving said segments substantially radially inwardly against said sealing member, tightening of said tensioning member moving said arcuate surfaces into engagement within said circumferential grooves of pipe elements.