Pipe coupling with improved gasket

A pipe joint for joining a pair of adjacent pipe ends, comprising:

• an annular radially outwardly extending flange having an arcuate cross-section on the periphery of each pipe adjacent and spaced from each pipe end;
• a cylindrical coupling member including at least one axial slit through the cylindrical wall thereof and a pair of annular arcuate grooves extending outwardly from the interior of said coupling member, each of said grooves being located to matingly receive one of said annular arcuate flanges, one of said flange and said groove being asymmetrical on the side thereof nearest said pipe ends so as to form an annular space between said flange and said groove;
• gasket means for sealing the pipe joint comprising a pair of spaced apart annular members shaped to be fitted over said pipe ends and compressed within said annular spaces, a connecting web extending between and joining said annular members along a portion of their circumferences, said web being positioned under said axial slit of said coupling member between said annular spaces, and comprising a pair of elevated cross ridges extending between said annular members at opposite ends of said web, and a depressed central portion bounded by said annular members and said cross ridges;
• and
• means for drawing said coupling member tightly about said pipe ends.

A connecting web for sealing an axial joint of a pipe coupling, said coupling being formed to receive O-rings surrounding adjacent pipe ends, comprising:

• a depressed central area having a height less than half the diameter of said O-rings;
• a pair of parallel cross ridges extending along opposite ends of said central area, said cross ridges tapering from a maximum height, at the ends of said cross ridges, approximately equal to the diameter of said O-rings, to a minimum height, at the center of each cross ridge, intermediate the height of said central portion and the diameter of said O-rings;
• a pair of parallel side ridges, joining said cross ridges along the sides of said central portion, said side ridges having a height at the center thereof intermediate the height of said central portion and the diameter of said O-rings, and tapering upwardly in height to meet said cross ridges;
• said side ridges and cross ridges defining, along the sides of said connecting member, concave recesses for matingly receiving said O-rings.