Installation-ready pipe coupling method of manufacture
AssigneeVictaulic Company
InventorsJohn Gibb, Douglas R. Dole
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of manufacturing an installation-ready pipe coupling is disclosed. The method includes providing pipe coupling segments each having an initial radius of curvature and an initial subtended angle. The segments are each deformed so as to take a permanent set and have a final radius of curvature greater than the initial radius of curvature and a final subtended angle smaller than the initial subtended angle. The deformed segments are assembled in end-to-end relation using adjustably tightenable fasteners to form a coupling. The deformed segments are maintained in spaced relation so that pipe elements can be inserted between them without disassembly of the coupling.
Claims14
A method of manufacturing an installation ready pipe coupling for joining pipe elements in end-to-end relation, said method comprising:
- providing a plurality of segments, each of said segments having a pair of contact surfaces adapted to interface with the outer surfaces of said pipe elements, said contact surfaces being in spaced apart side by side relation, said segments subtending an initial angle;
- and
- deforming each of said segments into a deformed shape subtending a final angle, wherein said final angle is less than said initial angle, said segments maintaining said deformed shape.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.