Pipe coupling with teethed inserts, method of securing teethed inserts, and method of coupling piping

A pipe coupling, comprising:

• a coupling housing body having an inner surface disposed circumferentially about a longitudinal axis, the inner surface defining a pocket opening communicating with a pocket extending into the housing body away from the longitudinal axis;
• an insert disposed in the pocket, the insert having an insert bottom wall abutting a bottom of the pocket, an insert top wall on an opposite side of the insert from the insert bottom wall and insert side walls facing walls of the pocket, the insert including teeth projecting from the insert top wall towards the longitudinal axis, at least two of the insert side walls defining a respective insert cavity, each insert cavity being disposed on the corresponding insert side wall that extends circumferentially about the longitudinal axis and transverse to the inner surface of the coupling housing body;
• and
• opposing projections on the inner surface of the housing body adjacent the pocket opening, each projection having a terminal end extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis from the inner surface into the corresponding insert cavity to obstruct the pocket opening and retain at least a portion of the insert in the pocket.

A method of securing an insert to a coupling housing body, comprising:

• locating the insert within a pocket of the coupling housing body having an inner surface disposed circumferentially about a longitudinal axis, the insert having an insert bottom wall abutting a bottom of the pocket, an insert top wall on an opposite side of the insert from the insert bottom wall, and insert side walls facing walls of the pocket, the insert including teeth projecting from the insert top wall towards the longitudinal axis, at least two of the insert side walls defining a respective insert cavity, each insert cavity being disposed on the corresponding insert side wall that extends circumferentially about the longitudinal axis and transverse to the inner surface of the coupling housing body;
• providing opposing projections on the inner surface of the coupling housing body adjacent the pocket;
• and
• deforming the terminal ends of the opposing projections such that each of the terminal ends extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis from the inner surface into the insert cavity to retain the insert within the pocket.