US 2006/0220381 A1 · Interchangeable pipe coupling

Abstract

A coupling to connect pipe, including lengths of pipe, valves, hoses, and pipe and hose fittings, includes a body to closely receive the end portion of the pipe to be coupled and jaw members to secure the pipe to be coupled in the coupling. The coupling includes an internal groove extending at least partially around the pipe end portion when received in the coupling. The jaw members are mounted to the coupling body to establish a fulcrum for rotation of each lever jaw member about the fulcrum between an engaged position and a disengaged position with respect to the pipe end portion when received in the coupling body. At least a portion of the jaw members are positioned in the coupling internal groove. Additionally or alternately, jaw members may be provided adapted to slide along the inner groove in the coupling body to move between a position spaced radially from the received pipe to allow the pipe to move into or out of the coupling body and a position securing the pipe in the coupling body. An insert may be provided to lock the jaw members in position. The ends of the pipes to be joined can be configured for use with the coupling by the attachment of special rings to the end portions of the pipes.

Claims25

Dependent claims

A coupling for attachment to the end portion of a pipe, comprising:

a coupling body to closely axially receive the end portion of the pipe to be coupled therewith, said coupling body having an end with only a single pipe receiving opening therein for receiving a single pipe end portion, and into which the end portion of the pipe to be coupled is inserted;
at least one axle with one end thereof supported in an end of the coupling body and extending from the coupling body with no further support from the coupling body;
and
at least one lever jaw member mounted on the at least one axle, said at least one axle forming a fulcrum for rotation of the at least one lever jaw member about the fulcrum where rotation of the at least one lever jaw member about the fulcrum moves the at least one lever jaw member between an engaged position with respect to the end portion of the pipe when the pipe is received in the coupling body to hold the pipe in the coupling body and a disengaged position with respect to the end portion of the pipe when the pipe is received in the coupling body allowing the end portion of the pipe to be removed from the coupling body or inserted into the coupling body.

1 more element

A coupling for attachment to the end portion of a pipe, comprising:

a coupling body to closely receive the end portion of the pipe to be coupled therewith, said coupling body having an end with an end face with only a single pipe receiving opening therein into which the end portion of the pipe to be coupled is inserted and having a grooved end portion extending partially around the receiving opening with an internal groove therein and a recessed end portion extending partially around the opening and interrupting the internal groove, the end face of the coupling body being stepped and defined by both the grooved end portion and the recessed end portion;
and
at least one jaw member configured for movement in the internal groove in the grooved end portion to a position engaging the end portion of the pipe when the pipe is received in the coupling body to secure the end portion of the pipe in the coupling body.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Interchangeable pipe coupling

Life of this patent

Interchangeable pipe coupling

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25