US 11,859,737 B2
Captured element coupling
Matthew A. Bowman, Palmer, PA (US); Philip Wayne Bancroft, Belvidere, NJ (US); Scott D. Madara, Nazareth, PA (US); Kathryn E. Yovanovich, Easton, PA (US); and Thomas C. Savage, Doylestown, PA (US)
Assigned to Victaulic Company, Easton, PA (US)
Filed by Victaulic Company, Easton, PA (US)
Filed on Nov. 17, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/989,248.
Application 17/090,994 is a division of application No. 15/593,662, filed on May 12, 2017, granted, now 10,859,190, issued on Dec. 8, 2020.
Application 17/989,248 is a continuation of application No. 17/090,994, filed on Nov. 6, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/336,885, filed on May 16, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/336,879, filed on May 16, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2023/0115967 A1, Apr. 13, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F16L 17/04 (2006.01); F16L 21/08 (2006.01); F16L 37/091 (2006.01); F16L 21/06 (2006.01)
CPC F16L 17/04 (2013.01) [F16L 21/06 (2013.01); F16L 21/08 (2013.01); F16L 37/091 (2013.01); F16L 2201/10 (2013.01)] 29 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A preassembled combination for connecting a captured pipe element to a second pipe element, said combination comprising:
a coupling assembly comprising a plurality of segments attached to one another end to end to form a loop around a central space, a first attachment member positioned at a first end of said coupling assembly, a second attachment member positioned at a second end of said coupling assembly, wherein each of said segments comprises:
a first shoulder, a second shoulder, and a channel disposed between said first and second shoulders and facing said central space, wherein said first and second shoulders project radially-inwardly toward said central space; and
said preassembled combination further comprising a flexible, resilient ring seal positioned in said channels, said ring seal comprising first and second lobes that each extend radially inwardly to define first and second ring inner seal surfaces, respectively; and
said captured pipe element, wherein said captured pipe element comprises:
a first end disposed within said central space;
a circumferentially extending sealing surface that is aligned with said first ring inner seal surface;
an annular groove;
a pipe shoulder extending radially-outwardly; and
a bead extending radially-outwardly and disposed within said central space; wherein
said annular groove, sealing surface, and bead are all axially disposed between said first end and said pipe shoulder; wherein
said bead and sealing surface are both axially disposed between said annular groove and said first end; wherein
said bead extends radially outwardly farther than an inner radial extent of said first lobe; wherein
said coupling assembly and bead are shaped and positioned such that said first end and bead are captured within said central space; wherein
said second shoulders of said plurality of segments are axially disposed between said bead and pipe shoulder and are axially aligned with said annular groove of said captured pipe element; wherein
said coupling assembly is shaped and configured to permit an end of said second pipe element to be axially inserted into said central space; and wherein
said coupling assembly is shaped and configured such that once said end of said second pipe element is properly inserted into said central space, said plurality of segments can be drawn toward one another and said central space and thereby cause: (1) said first ring inner seal surface to sealingly engage said sealing surface of said captured pipe element; (2) said second ring inner seal surface to sealingly engage a sealing surface of said second pipe element; (3) said second shoulders to engage said groove of said captured pipe element; and (4) said first shoulders to engage an annular groove of said second pipe element, thereby joining said second pipe element with said captured pipe element.