Deformable mechanical pipe coupling

A pipe coupling positionable surrounding facing end portions of a pair of pipe elements for securing said pipe elements together in end-to-end relationship, said end portions of said pipe elements having an outer surface of substantially cylindrical profile, said coupling comprising:

• an arcuate band having first and second ends in substantially facing relation, said ends being spaced apart from one another, said band surrounding a central space;
• first and second arcuate surfaces mounted lengthwise along said band on a side thereof, said arcuate surfaces being in spaced relation alongside one another and projecting substantially radially inwardly into said central space, said arcuate surfaces having a radius of curvature greater than the radius of curvature of the outer surfaces of said pipe elements, said end portions of said pipe elements being insertable into said central space;
• a notch positioned on each said arcuate surface at the first and second ends of said band, said notches providing clearance for insertion of said pipe ends into said central space;
• connection members mounted on said first and second ends, said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said first and second ends toward one another;
• and
• said band being deformable allowing said first and second ends to move toward one another upon adjustable tightening of said connection members, said arcuate surfaces thereby being brought into engagement with said outer surfaces of said pipe elements and conforming the curvature of said arcuate surfaces to the curvature of said outer surfaces of said pipe elements.

A pipe coupling positionable surrounding facing end portions of a pair of pipe elements for securing said pipe elements together in end-to-end relationship, said end portions of said pipe elements having an outer surface of substantially cylindrical profile, said coupling comprising:

• an arcuate band having first and second ends in substantially facing relation, said band surrounding a central space;
• a hinge positioned between said first and second ends, said hinge allowing a first portion of said band to pivot relatively to a second portion of said band for receiving said pipe elements within said central space;
• first and second arcuate surfaces mounted lengthwise along said band on a side thereof, said arcuate surfaces being in spaced relation alongside one another and projecting substantially radially inwardly into said central space, said arcuate surfaces having a radius of curvature greater than the radius of curvature of the outer surfaces of said pipe elements, said end portions of said pipe elements;
• a seal positioned between said arcuate surfaces, said seal surrounding said central space and being engageable with said band and said pipe elements for sealingly joining said pipe elements end-to-end, said seal having an outer diameter sized so as to maintain said first and second ends in spaced relation sufficient to allow said pipe elements to be inserted into said central space;
• connection members mounted on said first and second ends, said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said first and second ends toward one another;
• and
• said band being deformable allowing said first and second ends to move toward one another upon adjustable tightening of said connection members, said arcuate surfaces thereby being brought into engagement with said outer surfaces of said pipe elements and conforming the curvature of said arcuate surfaces to the curvature of said outer surfaces of said pipe elements.

A pipe coupling positionable surrounding facing end portions of a pair of pipe elements for securing said pipe elements together in end-to-end relationship, said end portions of said pipe elements having an outer surface of substantially cylindrical profile, said coupling comprising:

• a unitary arcuate band formed of a single piece and having first and second ends in substantially facing relation, said ends being spaced apart from one another, said band surrounding a central space;
• first and second arcuate surfaces mounted lengthwise along said band on a side thereof, said arcuate surfaces being in spaced relation alongside one another and projecting substantially radially inwardly into said central space, said arcuate surfaces having a radius of curvature greater than the radius of curvature of the outer surfaces of said pipe elements, said end portions of said pipe elements being insertable into said central space;
• connection members mounted on said first and second ends, said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said first and second ends toward one another;
• and
• said band being deformable allowing said first and second ends to move toward one another upon adjustable tightening of said connection members, said band having a section of increased bending flexibility positioned between said first and second ends, said section facilitating deformation of said band for engagement of said arcuate surfaces with said outer surfaces of said pipe elements, said arcuate surfaces thereby being brought into engagement with said outer surfaces of said pipe elements and conforming the curvature of said arcuate surfaces to the curvature of said outer surfaces of said pipe elements.