Pipe coupler

A pipe coupler for interconnecting two pipes each having a joining region and each extending along a pipe axis in a longitudinal direction, said pipe coupler comprising:

• a first jaw unit including
• a first jaw member which extends in a circumferential direction about the pipe axis to terminate at a first hinged end segment and a first locking end segment, and which has a first inner peripheral surface, and
• a first jaw extension which extends from said first locking end segment along the circumferential direction, and which has a plurality of rack teeth displaced from each other in the circumferential direction;
• a second jaw member which extends in the circumferential direction to terminate at a second hinged end segment and a second locking end segment, and which has a second inner peripheral surface, said second locking end segment defining therein an open channel which extends along the circumferential direction, and which has an inner guiding region and an outer mounting region, said second hinged end segment being hinged to said first hinged end segment about a hinge axis parallel to the pipe axis so as to permit said first jaw extension to be movable among an unclamped position, where said first jaw extension is disposed outwardly of said inner guiding region, a partially clamped position, where said first jaw extension is partially extended into said inner guiding region, and a fully clamped position, where said first jaw extension is deeply extended into said inner guiding region such that said first and second inner peripheral surfaces of said first and second jaw members are tightened against the joining regions of the two pipes thereby allowing the two pipes to be brought into fluid-tight engagement with each other;
• a mounting board extending outwardly from said outer mounting region, and having a mounting surface;
• a ratchet mounted rotatably on said mounting surface about a rotation axis parallel to the pipe axis, and having a plurality of ratchet teeth which are angularly displaced from each other about the rotation axis, and which are configured to mesh with said rack teeth at said outer mounting region so as to permit said ratchet to be driven by said rack teeth to rotate about the rotation axis;
• a first biasing member disposed such that said first jaw extension is permitted to drive said ratchet to rotate unidirectionally against a first biasing force of said first biasing member;
• and
• a release member having
• a pivot end segment which is mounted pivotally on said mounting surface about a pivot axis, and which is configured to counteract the first biasing force of said first biasing member such that said pivot end segment is angularly movable between an actuated position, where said pivot end segment is disposed to ensure unidirectional rotation of said ratchet, and a non-actuated position, where said ratchet is relieved of the first biasing force of said first biasing member, and
• a distal end segment which is angularly movable between a retained position, where said pivot end segment is in the actuated position, and an unretained position, wherein said pivot end segment is in the non-actuated position.