# US 11,994,242 B2 · Coupling seal for pipe liners

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- Number: US 11,994,242 B2
- Document ID: US11994242B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/961,651
- Filed: 2022-10-07
- Published: 2023-04-13
- Granted: 2024-05-28
- Earliest claimed: 2021-10-08
- Assignees: Little Chief Industries, Inc.
- Applicants: Little Chief Industries, Inc.
- Inventors: Robert Werner; Steve Werner
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11994242B2

## CPC

- F16L 15/04: with additional sealings
- F16L 15/006: {with straight threads}
- F16L 58/1009: {the coating being placed inside the pipe}
- F16L 2201/20: Safety or protective couplings
- F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL

## Abstract

A coupler for lined pipe joints in a lined pipe system. The coupler for a lined pipe system, having lined pipe section ends with an inner diameter. A substantially cylindrical hollow body includes an outer surface, an inner surface, two opposing open ends, and a longitudinal center between the two opposing open ends. A ridge extends radially outwardly from the outer surface at the longitudinal center. A hollow radial barb, with a point having a maximum diameter and a hollow section, is symmetrically disposed on the outer surface between each opposing open end and the ridge wherein the radial barbs extend outwardly from the outer surface and away from the ridge.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A coupler for a lined pipe system having lined pipe section ends with an inner diameter, said coupler comprising:
a substantially cylindrical hollow body with an outer surface, an inner surface, two opposing open ends, and a longitudinal center between the two opposing open ends;
a ridge that extends radially outwardly from the outer surface at the longitudinal center; and
at least one radial barb with a point having a maximum diameter, the at least one radial barb_disposed on the outer surface between each opposing open end and the ridge wherein the at least one radial barb extends outwardly from the outer surface and away from the ridge such that there is a space between the outer surface and at least a portion of the radial barb;
where the outer surface comprises a conical section having a wide end and a narrow end between the two opposing open ends and the radial barb whereby the wide end is disposed about the two opposing open ends and the narrow end terminates inside the hollow section of the space between the radial barb and the outer surface.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The coupler for a lined pipe system of claim 1 wherein the maximum diameter of the radial barb is greater than the inner diameter of the lined pipe section ends.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The coupler for a lined pipe system of claim 1 wherein the outer surface of the hollow body is cylindrical between the radial barb and the ridge.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The coupler for a lined pipe system of claim 1 wherein the two opposing open ends are smaller than and fit concentrically within the inner diameter of the lined pipe section ends.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The coupler for a lined pipe system of claim 1 wherein the ridge is larger than the inner diameter of the lined pipe section ends.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The coupler for a lined pipe system of claim 1 wherein the inner surface of the hollow body is substantially cylindrical throughout.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The coupler for a lined pipe system of claim 6 wherein the inner surface of the hollow body is chamfered at each end.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The coupler for a lined pipe system of claim 1 wherein a portion of the radial barb is beveled.

### Claim 9

A lined pipe system which comprises:
a plurality of pipe sections wherein adjacent pipe sections are joined together by a threaded collar;
a pipe liner section within each of said plurality of pipe sections;
a pair of pipe liner ends within each of said plurality of pipe sections, wherein each said pipe liner ends includes a splayed section extending radially outward and abutting an end of each pipe section;
a coupler having a substantially hollow body with an outer surface, a ridge that extends radially outwardly from the outer surface between opposing ends of the coupler; and
at least one radial barb with a point having a maximum diameter, the at least one radial barb disposed on the outer surface between each opposing open end and the ridge wherein the radial barb extends outwardly from the outer surface and away from the ridge such that there is a space between the outer surface and at least a portion of the radial barb;
where the outer surface comprises a conical section having a wide end and a narrow end between the two opposing open ends and the radial barb whereby the wide end is disposed about the two opposing open ends and the narrow end terminates inside the hollow section of the space between the radial barb and the outer surface.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The lined pipe system as set forth in claim 9 wherein the cylindrical hollow body has an inner surface, two opposing open ends, and a longitudinal center between the two opposing open ends and wherein the maximum diameter of said each radial barb is greater than the inner diameter of the lined pipe section ends.