Plastic pipe coupler with internal sealer

A coupling for securing the end portions each of first and second plastic pipes comprising:

• a first and second coupler shell each having a cylindrical passageway therethrough dimensioned to receive an end portion of a plastic pipe;
• a coupler body having cylindrical recesses in the opposed ends thereof, each recess being in axial alignment with said coupler shell passageway, the coupler body recesses being slightly greater in internal diameter than the external diameter of said plastic pipe end portions;
• first and second rigid stiffener tubes, each having first and second end portions, said first stiffener tube being received within said first coupler shell and said first end portion thereof within one of said coupler body recesses and said second stiffener tube being received within said second coupler shell and said first end portion thereof within the other said coupler body recess, said stiffener tubes each having external circumferential grooves thereon adjacent each of said first and second end portions;
• an elastomeric seal received within each of said grooves on each of said first and second stiffener tubes for engagement with said coupler body recesses and with the internal surface of the end portions of first and second plastic pipe positioned within said first and second coupler shells respectively;
• and
• means within said first and second coupler shells to retain said end portions of the first and second plastic pipes from extraction after the end portions of the first and second plastic pipes are inserted within said coupler shells.

A coupler for securing a plastic pipe, said pipe having internal and external surfaces of substantially uniform internal and external diameters, said coupler comprising:

• a first hollow rigid coupling shell having opposed first and second ends and a passageway extending therethrough, the passageway being defined by a larger internal diameter portion adjacent said first end and a smaller internal diameter portion adjacent said second end and an internal frusto-conical surface tapering inwardly toward said second end;
• a rigid stiffener tube positioned within said shell, said stiffener having an outer end adjacent said shell second end, said stiffener tube having an external diameter slightly less than the internal diameter of said pipe and having a first external circumferential groove therein spaced from said outer end, said stiffener tube including an integral, radially extending hub portion to support said stiffener tube within said shell;
• a rigid, hollow gripper positioned entirely within said shell having an internal circumferential surface to grippingly engage said pipe;
• and
• a first torodial elastomeric seal received in said stiffener tube circumferential groove to engage the internal surface of the said pipe.