Pipe element having shoulder, groove and bead

The pipe element having an outer diameter and first and second ends, said pipe element comprising:

• first and second shoulders positioned respectively at said first and second ends, each of said first and second shoulders extending circumferentially around said pipe element and having an outwardly facing surface, each of said outwardly facing surfaces having an outer diameter greater than said outer diameter of said pipe element excluding said first and second shoulders;
• first and second grooves positioned adjacent, respectively, to said first and second shoulders, each of said first and second grooves extending circumferentially around said pipe element, each of said first and second grooves being defined, respectively, by a first side surface positioned contiguous with one of said first and second shoulders, a second side surface positioned in spaced apart relation to said first side surface, and a floor surface extending between said first and second side surfaces, said floor surface of each of said first and second grooves having a respective outer diameter less than said outer diameter of said pipe element excluding said grooves and said shoulders, said first side surface of each of said first and second grooves being oriented substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of said pipe element;
• and
• first and second beads positioned contiguous, respectively, with said first and second grooves, each of said first and second beads extending circumferentially around and projecting radially outwardly from said pipe element, each of said first and second beads having a respective apex with an outer diameter greater than said outer diameter of said pipe element excluding said first and second beads.

In combination, a coupling and at least one pipe element, said pipe element having an outer diameter and at least one end, wherein:

• said coupling comprises:
• at least one segment surrounding a central space for receiving said end of said pipe element, said at least one segment having an arcuate surface for engaging said pipe element received within said central space;
• and
• said pipe element comprises:
• a shoulder positioned at said end, said shoulder extending circumferentially around said pipe element and having an outwardly facing surface, said outwardly facing surface having an outer diameter greater than said outer diameter of said pipe element excluding said shoulder;
• a groove positioned adjacent to said shoulder, said groove extending circumferentially around said pipe element, said groove being defined by a first side surface positioned contiguous with said shoulder, a second side surface positioned in spaced apart relation to said first side surface, and a floor surface extending between said first and second side surfaces, said floor surface having an outer diameter less than said outer diameter of said pipe element excluding said groove and said shoulder, said arcuate surfaces of said segments being received within said groove;
• said first side surface being oriented substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of said pipe element;
• and
• said pipe element further comprises a bead positioned contiguous with said groove, said bead extending circumferentially around and projecting radially outwardly from said pipe element and having an apex with an outer diameter greater than said outer diameter of said pipe element excluding said bead.