Graduated friction anchor

In a pipe coupling having a free end for releasable connection to another coupling, the combination comprising:

• an elongated flexible pipe core adapted to be positioned within said coupling;
• a layer of aramid fibers exteriorly disposed about and extending along said pipe core;
• an anchor ring surrounding portions of said aramid fibers and the pipe core and having inner and outer surfaces connected by a curved end proximate said free pipe end and a curved end away from said free pipe end, said aramid fibers extending along the inner surface, the curved end proximate said free pipe end and the outer surface, with the unsurrounded portion of said aramid fibers at the curved end of the anchor ring away from said free pipe end not extending substantially radially beyond said inner surface at the curved end of the ring as said unsurrounded fibers extend along said pipe core;
• a wedge ring wedged against an inwardly facing portion of said flexible pipe core, said flexible pipe core expanding radially outwardly against said aramid fibers in response to wedging force from said wedge ring, said wedge ring providing a rigid base for said pipe core against inwardly directed radial force;
• said inner surface of said anchor ring being inclined relative to the outer surface of wedge ring such that the distance between said inner surface and said wedge ring is reduced along said inner surface toward said free end, whereby graduated compression forces generated between said anchor ring and said wedge ring acting through said flexible pipe core are imposed upon said aramid fibers located intermediate said flexible pipe core and said wedge ring.