Pre-assembled pipe coupling with an insertion boundary for axial receipt of pipe ends

A pre-assembled pipe coupling for insertion of pipe ends, comprising:

• a gasket for forming a seal about a pipe joint, the gasket including an annular base disposed about a gasket axis, a central flange extending from the annular base toward the gasket axis, the flange being disposed about a central plane perpendicular the gasket axis, a first side flange spaced from the central flange and extending from the annular base toward the gasket axis, the first side flange having a first sealing lip, a second side flange spaced from the central flange opposite the first side flange and extending from the annular base toward the gasket axis, the second side flange having a second sealing lip;
• a housing surrounding the gasket, the housing having a plurality of segments, the plurality of segments being sequentially coupled to each other to define an insertion boundary, each segment having a wall with an exterior surface and interior surface, the interior surface being disposed symmetrically about a medial plane, the wall having a medial portion, a first lateral portion connected to the medial portion, and a second lateral portion connected to the medial portion, the second lateral portion being spaced from the first lateral portion along the coupling axis so that the interior surface defines a cavity, the first and second lateral portions having pipe engagement members;
• at least one first segment includes a first mount and a second mount, the first mount extending laterally in a first direction from the wall, the first mount having a plurality of first lateral walls that define a first perimeter of a first aperture,
• the second mount extending laterally in a second direction from the wall, the second mount having a plurality of second lateral walls that define a second perimeter of a second aperture, the second perimeter and the first perimeter being located on a common plane;
• and
• a fastener that connects a second segment to a third segment.

A method of joining a pair of pipe ends in an axial arrangement with a pre-assembled coupling having a housing surrounding a coupling axis and an annular gasket having a gasket axis contained within the housing such that the gasket axis is aligned parallel with the coupling axis, the gasket having an annular base with a central flange extending from the annular base toward the gasket axis with a pair of side flanges spaced oppositely about the central flange, each side flange having a sealing lip for receiving one of the pipe ends, the housing having a having a plurality of segments and a plurality of attachment mechanisms, each segment having a first terminal end a second terminal end in an interconnected relationship in which the terminal end of one segment is attached to a terminal end of another segment by one of the plurality of attachment mechanisms, each segment having a pair of lateral portions axially spaced apart with each lateral portion having a pipe engagement member, the plurality of segments comprising a bridge segment, a first clamp segment, and second clamp segment, the bridge segment having a first mount extending lateral in a first direction from the wall, the first mount having a plurality of first lateral walls that define a first perimeter of a first aperture, and a second mount extending laterally in a second direction from the wall, the second mount having a plurality of second lateral walls that define a second perimeter of a second aperture, the first clamp segment having a first hook to disposed in the first aperture to form a first attachment mechanism of the plurality of attachment mechanisms and a first tab defining a first fastener aperture, the second clamp segment having a second hook disposed in the second aperture to form a second attachment mechanism of the plurality of attachment mechanisms and a second tab defining a second fastener aperture, the method comprising:

• gripping the gasket with the first and second terminal ends of each of the bridge segment, the first clamp segment, and the second clamp segment to define an insertion boundary on each side of the housing that surrounds the coupling axis;
• axially inserting one of the pipe ends through the insertion boundary on each side of the housing;
• gripping the pipe ends with the sealing lips;
• and
• adjusting one of the attachment mechanisms so that the pipe engagement members engage the pipe ends and the sealing lips form a fluid tight seal about the pipe ends.