Coupling permitting longitudinal axis rotation of pipe elements

A coupling permitting rotation of pipe elements about their longitudinal axes, said coupling comprising:

• a first ring attachable to a first of said pipe elements, said first ring comprising a first collar extending circumferentially around said first ring and projecting outwardly therefrom, said first collar defining a bearing surface and a retaining surface oppositely disposed from one another, said surfaces being oriented transversely to a first ring axis arranged coaxially with said first ring;
• a housing defining a bore therethrough surrounding a longitudinal axis arranged coaxially with said bore, said housing having a first end and a second end oppositely disposed from one another, said first end adapted to receive said first ring coaxially within said bore, said housing comprising:
• a first shoulder positioned distal to said first end thereof, said first shoulder projecting toward said longitudinal axis and oriented transversely thereto;
• a first channel extending circumferentially around said housing and facing said longitudinal axis, said first channel positioned in spaced apart relation to said first shoulder and proximate to said first end of said housing;
• a first retaining ring positionable within said first channel, said first retaining ring projecting into said bore toward said longitudinal axis, wherein when said first ring is received within said bore at said first end, said first collar is positionable between said first shoulder and said first channel, said first retaining ring is thereafter positionable within said first channel, said bearing surface is engageable with said first shoulder, and said retaining surface being engageable with said first retaining ring, thereby retaining said first ring within said housing;
• a second ring attachable to a second of said pipe elements, said second ring comprising a second collar extending circumferentially around said second ring and projecting outwardly therefrom, said second collar defining a bearing surface and a retaining surface oppositely disposed from one another, said surfaces of said second ring being oriented transversely to a second ring axis arranged coaxially with said second ring;
• wherein said second end of said housing is adapted to receive said second ring coaxially within said bore, said housing further comprising:
• at least one bearing positioned between said housing and said second ring;
• a second shoulder positioned distal to said second end thereof, said second shoulder projecting toward said longitudinal axis and oriented transversely thereto;
• a second channel extending circumferentially around said housing and facing said longitudinal axis, said second channel positioned in spaced apart relation to said second shoulder and proximate to said second end of said housing;
• a second retaining ring positionable within said second channel, said second retaining ring projecting into said bore toward said longitudinal axis;
• wherein
• when said second ring is received within said bore at said second end of said housing, said second collar is positionable between said second shoulder and said second channel, said second retaining ring is thereafter positionable within said second channel, said bearing surface of said second collar is engageable with said second shoulder, and said retaining surface of said second collar is engageable with said second retaining ring, thereby retaining said second ring within said housing.

In combination, a coupling permitting rotation of pipe elements about their longitudinal axes and a lock body, said coupling comprising:

• a first ring attachable to a first of said pipe elements, said first ring comprising a first collar extending circumferentially around said first ring and projecting outwardly therefrom, said first collar defining a bearing surface and a retaining surface oppositely disposed from one another, said surfaces being oriented transversely to a first ring axis arranged coaxially with said first ring;
• a housing defining a bore therethrough surrounding a longitudinal axis arranged coaxially with said bore, said housing having a first end and a second end oppositely disposed from one another, said first end adapted to receive said first ring coaxially within said bore, said housing comprising:
• a first shoulder positioned distal to said first end thereof, said first shoulder projecting toward said longitudinal axis and oriented transversely thereto;
• a first channel extending circumferentially around said housing and facing said longitudinal axis, said first channel positioned in spaced apart relation to said first shoulder and proximate to said first end of said housing;
• a first retaining ring positionable within said first channel, said first retaining ring projecting into said bore toward said longitudinal axis;
• wherein
• when said first ring is received within said bore at said first end, said first collar is positionable between said first shoulder and said first channel, said first retaining ring is thereafter positionable within said first channel, said bearing surface is engageable with said first shoulder, and said retaining surface being engageable with said first retaining ring, thereby retaining said first ring within said housing;
• a locking surface positioned in spaced relation to said retaining surface and outside of said bore, said locking surface facing away from said longitudinal axis;
• and wherein
• said housing comprises a locking tab projecting from said first end thereof, said locking tab defining a jamming surface in spaced relation to and facing said locking surface;
• wherein
• said lock body is insertable between said locking surface and said jamming surface;
• wherein
• said lock body is engageable with said locking surface and said jamming surface when said lock body is positioned therebetween so as to prevent relative rotation between said first ring and said housing.

In combination, a coupling permitting rotation of pipe elements about their longitudinal axes and a lock body, said coupling comprising:

• a first ring attachable to a first of said pipe elements, said first ring comprising a first collar extending circumferentially around said first ring and projecting outwardly therefrom, said first collar defining a bearing surface and a retaining surface oppositely disposed from one another, said surfaces being oriented transversely to a first ring axis arranged coaxially with said first ring;
• a housing defining a bore therethrough surrounding a longitudinal axis arranged coaxially with said bore, said housing having a first end and a second end oppositely disposed from one another, said first end adapted to receive said first ring coaxially within said bore, said housing comprising:
• a first shoulder positioned distal to said first end thereof, said first shoulder projecting toward said longitudinal axis and oriented transversely thereto;
• a first channel extending circumferentially around said housing and facing said longitudinal axis, said first channel positioned in spaced apart relation to said first shoulder and proximate to said first end of said housing;
• a first retaining ring positionable within said first channel, said first retaining ring projecting into said bore toward said longitudinal axis;
• wherein
• when said first ring is received within said bore at said first end, said first collar is positionable between said first shoulder and said first channel, said first retaining ring is thereafter positionable within said first channel, said bearing surface is engageable with said first shoulder, and said retaining surface being engageable with said first retaining ring, thereby retaining said first ring within said housing;
• wherein
• said first ring further comprises a notch positioned in spaced relation to said retaining surface and outside of said bore, said notch facing away from said longitudinal axis;
• and wherein
• said housing comprises a slot extending into said housing from said first end thereof;
• wherein
• said lock body is insertable into said notch of said first ring and said slot of said housing;
• wherein
• said lock body is engageable with said notch and said slot so as to prevent relative rotation between said first ring and said housing.