Deformable mechanical pipe coupling

In combination, a pair of pipe elements and a pipe coupling, said pipe coupling being positionable straddling facing end portions of said pair of pipe elements for securing said pipe elements together in end-to-end relationship, wherein said end portions of said pipe elements have an outer surface of substantially cylindrical profile, said pipe elements each having a circumferential groove in said outer surfaces of said end portions, and wherein said pipe coupling comprises:

• first and second coupling segments, each said coupling segment having first and second arcuate surfaces adapted to contact the outer surfaces of said pipe elements within said circumferential grooves, said arcuate surfaces being in spaced apart relation to one another on opposite sides of said segment, each of said arcuate surfaces subtending an angle of less than 180° and having a radius of curvature greater than the radius of curvature of said outer surfaces of said pipe elements exclusive of said circumferential grooves;
• and
• said first and second coupling segments being connected to one another end to end surrounding a central space, each said coupling segment having connection members adjustably connecting one said coupling segment to another, said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said arcuate surfaces of said segments into contact with said outer surfaces of said pipe elements within said circumferential grooves when said pipe elements are inserted into said central space, said segments being deformable upon adjustable tightening of said connection members so as to substantially conform the curvature of said arcuate surfaces to the outer surfaces of said pipe elements within said circumferential grooves.

In combination, a pair of pipe elements and a pipe coupling, said pipe coupling being positionable straddling facing end portions of said pair of pipe elements for securing said pipe elements to one another in end-to-end relation, wherein said end portions of said pipe elements have an outer surface of substantially cylindrical profile, said pipe elements each having a circumferential groove in said outer surfaces of said end portions, said coupling comprising:

• a plurality of coupling segments, each said coupling segment having first and second arcuate surfaces adapted to contact the outer surfaces of said pipe elements within said circumferential grooves, said arcuate surfaces being in spaced apart relation to one another on opposite sides of each said segment, each of said arcuate surfaces subtending an angle of less than 180° and having a radius of curvature greater than the radius of curvature of said outer surfaces of said pipe elements exclusive of said circumferential grooves;
• and
• said coupling segments being connected to one another end to end surrounding a central space, each said coupling segment having connection members adjustably connecting one coupling segment to another, said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said arcuate surfaces of said segments into contact with said outer surfaces of said pipe elements within said circumferential grooves when said pipe elements are inserted into said central space, said segments being deformable upon adjustable tightening of said connection members so as to substantially conform the curvature of said arcuate surfaces to the outer surfaces of said pipe elements within said circumferential grooves.

In combination, a pipe coupling and a pair of pipe elements, said pipe coupling being positioned straddling facing end portions of said pipe elements for securing said pipe elements to one another in end-to-end relationship, wherein end portions of said pipe elements have an outer surface of substantially cylindrical profile, said pipe elements each having a circumferential groove in said outer surfaces of said end portions, said coupling comprising:

• first and second coupling segments, each said coupling segment having first and second arcuate surfaces adapted to contact the outer surfaces of said pipe elements within said circumferential grooves, said arcuate surfaces being in spaced apart relation to one another on opposite sides of said segment, each of said arcuate surfaces subtending an angle of less than 180° and having a radius of curvature greater than the radius of curvature of said outer surfaces of said pipe elements exclusive of said circumferential grooves;
• and
• said first and second coupling segments being connected to one another end to end surrounding said facing end portions of said pipe elements, each said coupling segment having connection members adjustably connecting one said coupling segment to another, said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said arcuate surfaces of said segments into contact with said outer surfaces of said pipe elements within said circumferential grooves, said segments being deformable upon adjustable tightening of said connection members so as to substantially conform the curvature of said arcuate surfaces to the outer surfaces of said pipe elements within said circumferential grooves.