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US 9,168,585 B2Granted
Coupling with extending parting line
AssigneeMueller International, LLC
InventorsTy Schell, Patrick M. McCrea
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A coupling includes at least one coupling segment, each segment including an outer surface, an inner surface, at least two ends, fastener pads protruding proximate to each end, and a parting line extending around each segment, the parting line forming an axially outermost edge along each axial side of each coupling segment, the parting line offset from a top surface of each fastener pad.
Claims19
A pipe coupling comprising at least one coupling segment, each segment including an outer surface;
- an inner surface, the outer surface and the inner surface both having a substantially curved shape;
- two ends;
- a fastener pad protruding proximate to each end;
- a parting line extending around each segment, the parting line forming an axially outermost edge along each axial side of each coupling segment, the parting line offset from an outermost top surface of each fastener pad towards a bottom surface of each fastener pad;
- a contact surface facing radially inwardly;
- an upper body surface adjacent the parting line sloping inwardly from the parting line towards a vertical axis of the segment;
- and
- a lower body surface adjacent the parting line sloping inwardly from the parting line towards the vertical axis of the segment.
5 more elements
A coupling segment comprising:
- an outer surface;
- an inner surface;
- a first end;
- a second end;
- a first fastener pad protruding proximate to the first end, the first fastener pad including a parting line forming a first axially outermost edge offset from a top surface of the first fastener pad towards a bottom surface of the first fastener pad, the first axially outermost edge defining a first plane;
- a second fastener pad protruding proximate to the second end, the second fastener pad including a parting line forming a second axially outermost edge offset from a top surface of the second fastener pad towards a bottom surface of the second fastener pad, the second axially outermost edge defining a second plane, the second plane of the second fastener pad being coplanar with the first plane of the first fastener pad when the coupling segment is undeformed and the second plane of the second fastener pad being non-coplanar with the first plane of the first fastener pad when the coupling segment is tightened against a pipe;
- a groove defined in the inner surface and extending from the first of the two end;
- and
- a tongue extending from the second end, the tongue symmetrical about a plane oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the coupling segment, the tongue sized to fit within a corresponding groove of a second coupling segment.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.