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US 10,557,578 B2Granted
Pipe connector systems, devices and methods
AssigneeQuickHub, LLC
InventorDonald Gene Huber
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems, devices and methods for pipe connectors and associated components are disclosed. Features for no hub clamps, for locking mechanisms on no hub clamps, for tools for no hub clamps, and for gaskets are described. The gaskets may be hourglass-shaped or otherwise taper outward near the ends to facilitate assembly onto pipe ends and that compress inward when a clamp is secured over the gasket. The gaskets may reduce in circumference at the gasket ends upon contraction of the gasket by a clamp onto two pipe ends. The gaskets may include collapsible sections that collapse upon contraction of the gasket by a clamp onto two pipe ends.
Claims19
A gasket for connecting two pipe ends, the gasket comprising:
- a rounded sidewall defining a channel therethrough in a first direction, the sidewall comprising a top end, a middle portion, and a bottom end opposite the top end;
- a ridge extending along an inner surface of the sidewall near the middle portion and protruding radially inwardly therefrom;
- the top end defining a first inner width;
- the bottom end defining a second inner width;
- and
- the middle portion defining a third inner width,
- wherein the third inner width is less than each of the first and second inner widths;
- and
- the top and bottom ends each comprising a first sidewall portion connected to a second sidewall portion by a membrane section located circumferentially therebetween, wherein the membrane section is thinner than each of the first and second sidewall portions.
6 more elements
A gasket for connecting two pipe ends, the gasket comprising:
- a rounded sidewall defining a channel therethrough in a first direction, the sidewall comprising a top end, a middle portion, and a bottom end opposite the top end;
- a ridge extending along an inner surface of the sidewall near the middle portion and protruding radially inwardly therefrom;
- the top end defining a first inner width;
- the bottom end defining a second inner width;
- the middle portion defining a third inner width,
- wherein the third inner width is less than each of the first and second inner widths;
- and
- the top and bottom ends each comprising a first sidewall portion at least partially separated from a second sidewall portion by a gap formed circumferentially therebetween, wherein the sidewall at the gap is thinner than each of the first and second sidewall portions.
5 more elements
A gasket for connecting two pipe ends, the gasket comprising:
- a rounded sidewall defining a channel therethrough in a first direction, the sidewall comprising a top end, a middle portion, and a bottom end opposite the top end;
- and
- the top and bottom ends each configured to receive a respective pipe end therein and reduce in circumference upon contraction due to clamping of the gasket about the two pipe ends;
- the top and bottom ends each comprising a first sidewall portion connected to a second sidewall portion by a membrane section located circumferentially between the first and second sidewall portions, wherein the membrane section is thinner than each of the first and second sidewall portions, the membrane sections each configured to collapse upon contraction of the respective top and bottom ends.
1 more element
A gasket for connecting two pipe ends, the gasket comprising:
- a rounded sidewall defining a channel therethrough in a first direction, the sidewall comprising a top end, a middle portion, and a bottom end opposite the top end,
- wherein the top and bottom ends each have a smaller width and circumference in a contracted configuration compared to an expanded configuration, due to clamping of the gasket about the two pipe ends to force the gasket from the expanded configuration into the contracted configuration, and
- wherein in the expanded configuration the top and bottom ends each have a larger width than the middle portion, and
- the top and bottom ends each comprising a first sidewall portion connected to a second sidewall portion by a membrane section located circumferentially therebetween, wherein the membrane section is thinner than each of the first and second sidewall portions, the membrane sections each configured to collapse to form the contracted configuration.
1 more element
A gasket for connecting two pipe ends, the gasket comprising:
- a rounded sidewall defining a channel therethrough in a first direction, the sidewall comprising a top end, a middle portion, and a bottom end opposite the top end,
- wherein the top and bottom ends each have a smaller width and circumference in a contracted configuration compared to an expanded configuration, due to clamping of the gasket about the two pipe ends to force the gasket from the expanded configuration into the contracted configuration, and
- wherein in the expanded configuration the top and bottom ends each have a larger width than the middle portion;
- the top and bottom ends each comprising a first sidewall portion at least partially separated from a second sidewall portion by a gap formed circumferentially therebetween, wherein the sidewall at the gap is thinner than each of the first and second sidewall portions, the gaps configured to collapse upon contraction of the respective top and bottom ends to bring the first and second sidewall portions closer together to form the contracted configuration.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.