# US 2014/0197632 A1 · Pipe coupling > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0197632 A1 - Document ID: US20140197632A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/212,847 - Filed: 2014-03-14 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2009-02-03 - Assignees: Bilfinger Water Technologies, Inc. - Applicants: Bilfinger Water Technologies, Inc. - Inventors: Thomas L. Hennemann; Thomas James Berger - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140197632A1 ## CPC - F16L 37/091: by means of a ring provided with teeth or fingers - F16L 25/009: {Combination of a quick-acting type coupling and a conventional one} - F16L 37/088: by means of a split elastic ring - F16L 2201/10: Indicators for correct coupling - F16L 2201/60: Identification or marking - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL ## Abstract A pipe coupling for connecting adjacent pipes. The pipe coupling has a connection type at each end that may be male or female. A female end may have an interior surface defining a receiving chamber. An interior circumferential groove is formed in the interior surface in which a band is seated. A plurality of rigid fingers is extends from the band into the receiving chamber. The receiving chamber receives a male end of an adjacent pipe, the male end having an exterior surface. An exterior circumferential groove is defined on the exterior surface to receive the plurality of rigid fingers. A variety of connection types and combinations are disclosed. The female end may define a sight window to permit viewing of the position of a male end of an adjacent pipe. The receiving chamber may have a reduced diameter proximate to the middle of the coupling to improve sealing. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A pipe coupling for connecting adjacent pipes, comprising: a first end of a body of the pipe coupling comprising a first connection type; a second end of a body of the pipe coupling opposite from, integral with, and seamless with the first end and comprising a second connection type, wherein the second connection type comprises: a female end with an interior surface, a thickness, and a female leading edge terminating the female end of the coupling, the interior surface of the female end defining a receiving chamber; at least one interior circumferential first groove formed in the interior surface of the female end; a band seated within the at least one circumferential first groove; and a plurality of rigid fingers formed continuously with and extending from the band into the receiving chamber at an acute angle directed away from the female leading edge, the plurality of rigid fingers being displaceable. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The pipe coupling of claim 1, wherein the receiving chamber is configured to receive a male end of an adjacent pipe, the male end having with a male leading edge and an exterior surface, the exterior surface having a circumference smaller in diameter than an inside diameter of the receiving chamber of the female end, wherein at least one exterior circumferential groove is defined on the exterior surface of the male end being sized and positioned to receive therein the plurality of rigid fingers extending from a corresponding at least one interior first circumferential groove in the female end. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The pipe coupling of claim 2, wherein the female end defines a sight window comprising an opening extending through the thickness of the female end and configured to permit viewing of the position of the male end of the adjacent pipe within the receiving chamber. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The pipe coupling of claim 3, wherein the pipe coupling has a longitudinal axis, and the sight window is elongated in a direction perpendicular to the pipe coupling longitudinal axis and is proximate to the female leading edge. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The pipe coupling of claim 1, wherein the first connection type is the same as the second connection type. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The pipe coupling of claim 1, wherein the first connection type is a female threaded end, configured to at least partially receive a threaded male end of an adjacent pipe, or a threaded male end configured to be at least partially received by a threaded female end of an adjacent pipe. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The coupling of claim 1, wherein the first connection type is a smooth female end configured to at least partially receive a smooth male end of an adjacent pipe, or a smooth male end configured to be at least partially received by a smooth female end of an adjacent pipe. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The pipe coupling of claim 1, wherein the first connection type is a male end having a male leading edge and an exterior surface, the exterior surface having a circumference smaller in diameter than an inside diameter of the receiving chamber of the female end, wherein at least one exterior circumferential groove is defined on the exterior surface of the male end being sized and positioned to receive therein the plurality of rigid fingers extending from a corresponding at least one interior first circumferential groove in a female end of an adjacent pipe configured as the second connection type. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The pipe coupling of claim 8, wherein the female end defines a sight window comprising an opening extending through the thickness of the female end and configured to permit viewing of the position of a male end of an adjacent pipe within the receiving chamber, and wherein the exterior surface of the male end includes an indication that when viewed through the sight window indicates that the male end has been fully inserted into the female end. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The pipe coupling of claim 9, wherein the indication on the exterior surface of the male end comprises a coating differing in appearance from the exterior surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The pipe coupling of claim 9, wherein the indication on the exterior surface of the male end comprises a groove defined in the exterior surface. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The pipe coupling of claim 1, wherein the receiving chamber has a first diameter in a first portion of the receiving chamber proximate to the female leading edge, and a lesser, second diameter in a second portion of the receiving chamber adjacent to the first portion. ### Claim 13 (depends on 6) The pipe coupling of claim 6, wherein the second joint type further comprises at least one interior circumferential second groove formed in the interior surface of the female end within the second portion, and a sealing ring disposed in the second groove. ### Claim 14 A pipe coupling for connecting adjacent pipes, comprising: a first end of a body comprising a first connection type; a second end of a body opposite from, integral with, and seamless with the first end and comprising a second connection type, wherein the second connection type comprises: a male end having a male leading edge and an exterior surface, the exterior surface having a circumference, wherein at least one exterior circumferential groove is defined on the exterior surface of the male end being sized and positioned to receive therein a plurality of rigid fingers, wherein the male end is configured to be received by a third connection type on an adjacent pipe, the third connection type comprising: a female end with an interior surface, a thickness, and a female leading edge terminating the female end of the coupling, the interior surface of the female end defining a receiving chamber with an interior diameter larger than the diameter of the exterior of the male end; at least one interior circumferential groove formed in the interior surface of the female end; a band seated within the at least one circumferential groove; and a plurality of rigid fingers formed continuously with and extending from the band into the receiving chamber at an acute angle directed away from the female leading edge, the plurality of rigid fingers being displaceable to be received in a corresponding exterior circumferential groove of the male end. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The pipe coupling of claim 14, wherein the first connection type is the same as the second connection type. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The pipe coupling of claim 14, wherein the first connection type is a female threaded end, configured to at least partially receive a threaded male end of an adjacent pipe, or a threaded male end configured to be at least partially received by a threaded female end of an adjacent pipe. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The pipe coupling of claim 14, wherein the first connection type is a smooth female end configured to at least partially receive a smooth male end of an adjacent pipe, or a smooth male end configured to be at least partially received by a smooth female end of an adjacent pipe. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The pipe coupling of claim 14, wherein the exterior surface of the male end includes an indication configured to indicate that the male end has been fully inserted into the female end when viewed through a sight window defined in the female end, the sight window comprising an opening extending through the thickness of the female end to permit viewing of the position of a male end of an adjacent pipe within the receiving chamber. ### Claim 19 (depends on 9) The pipe coupling of claim 9, wherein the indication on the exterior surface of the male end comprises a coating differing in appearance from the exterior surface. ### Claim 20 (depends on 9) The pipe coupling of claim 9, wherein the indication on the exterior surface of the male end comprises a groove defined in the exterior surface. ### Claim 21 A method of coupling adjacent pipes, comprising: providing a first connection type on one end of a pipe or a pipe coupling, comprising: a female end with an interior surface, a thickness, and a female leading edge terminating the female end of the coupling, the interior surface of the female end defining a receiving chamber; wherein the female end defines a sight window comprising an opening extending through the thickness of the female end and configured to permit viewing of the position of a male end of an adjacent pipe within the receiving chamber; providing a second connection type on one end that is the other of a pipe or a pipe coupling, comprising a male end having a male leading edge and an exterior surface, the exterior surface having a circumference smaller in diameter than an inside diameter of the receiving chamber of the female end, wherein at least one exterior circumferential groove is defined on the exterior surface of the male end being sized and positioned to receive therein the plurality of rigid fingers extending from a corresponding at least one interior first circumferential groove in a female end of an adjacent pipe configured as the second joint type, wherein the male end exterior surface includes an indication that when viewed through the sight window indicates that the male end has been fully inserted into the female end, the method comprising: inserting the male end into the female end; and continuing such insertion until the indication on the exterior surface of the male pipe can be viewed through the sight window.