Method and apparatus for coupling engagement of misalignable flanges

Apparatus for coupling engagement of misalignable flanges disposed around the exterior of first and second tubular ends, the first tubular end being initially pivotally disposable within the second tubular end, each of said flanges having at least one passage therethrough and a taper defining said passage for locating plug means on said taper and for preventing complete passage of said plug means through said passage, said apparatus comprising:

• plug means for companion receipt within each of said tapers, the relative configuration between each of the said tapers and each of the said plug means preventing said plug means from freely passing through the said respective passage, said plug means having a bore disposed therethrough, the center line of said bore being eccentrically defined away from the planar axis of said plug means;
• means companionly and selectively receivable through the bore of said means for securement with said plug means and for engaging said flanges and said first and second tubular ends, whereby thereafter the first tubular end is prevented from pivoting within the said second tubular end;
• and elastomeric seal means for preventing fluid communication across and between the flanges of said tubular ends, said seal means being housed within one of said flanges and having an encircling band member for prevention of extrusion of said ring within said housing.

Apparatus for coupling engagement of misalignable flanges disposed around the exterior of tubular ends, each of said flanges having a plurality of passages therethrough and a taper defining said passage for locating plug means on said taper and for preventing complete passage of said plug means through said passage, said apparatus comprising:

• plug means for companion receipt within each of said tapers, the relative configuration between each of the said tapers and each of the said plug means preventing said plug means from freely passing through the said respective passage, said plug means having a bore therethrough, the center line of said bore being eccentrically defined away from the planar axis of said plug means;
• means companionly and selectively receivable through the bore of said plug means for securement with said plug means and for engaging said flanges;
• and elastomeric seal means for preventing fluid communication across and between the flanges of said tubular ends, said seal means being housed within one of said flanges and having an encircling band member for prevention of extrusion of said ring within said housing.

Apparatus for coupling engagement of first and second tubular ends, each of said tubular ends having a plurality of passages therethrough and a taper defining said passage for locating plug means on said taper and for preventing complete passage of said plug means through said passage, said apparatus comprising:

• plug means for companion receipt within each of said tapers, the relative configuration between each of the said tapers and each of the said plug means preventing said plug means from freely passing through the said respective passage, said plug means having a bore therethrough, the center line of said bore being eccentrically defined away from the planar axis of said plug means;
• means companionly and selectively receivable through the bore of said plug means for securement with said plug means and for engaging said tubular ends;
• and elastomeric seal means for preventing fluid communication across and between said tubular ends, said seal means being housed within one of said tubular ends and having an encircling band member for prevention of extrusion of said ring within said housing.