Pipe joint

A mechanical pipe joint comprising, in combination:

• a. a length of metal pipe having an annular external groove in said pipe axially spaced from one end thereof
• b. a compression ring disposed in said annular groove,
• c. a cylindrical compressible packing ring surrounding the end portion of the pipe between the substantially radial end surface of the pipe and said compression ring, adapted for engagement by the latter,
• d. a companion pipe fitting part having a bore in which the pipe end, the compressible packing ring and the compression ring are received, said bore having a first substantially radial shoulder for engagement with the substantially radial end surface of the pipe, said bore having a second substantially radial shoulder and a cylindrical portion adjacent said second shoulder, said packing ring having a substantially radial end surface in abutment with said second shoulder and an external cylindrical surface engaging said cylindrical portion,
• e. said bore of the companion fitting part having internal screw threads, and
• f. a compression nut comprising a sleeve having external screw threads engaged with the internal threads of the companion pipe fitting part and having means engageable by a wrench for applying a turning movement to it, thereby to screw the sleeve into the campanion pipe fitting part, said sleeve having an inner substantially radial end surface engageable with the compression ring whereby the pipe end can be brought up snug against its cooperable first shoulder in the fitting part through the intermediary of the compression ring, said ring simultaneously exerting a compression force on the packing ring tending to bulge the latter and effect a tight seal between the companion pipe fitting part and the pipe end portion,
• g. said compression ring being split, forming two end portions juxtaposed to one another, thereby enabling the ring to be spread an extent during its installation in the annular groove,
• h. said groove having a width measured axially of the pipe, which is substantially greater than the thickness of said compression ring and on the order of roughly twice said thickness whereby the ring can shift axially on the pipe within limits determined by the engagement of the opposite sides of said ring with the opposite walls respectively of said groove so as to facilitate starting of the nut in the bore of the companion pipe fitting part.