US 12,253,195 B2
Coupling having visual installation indicators
Matthew A. Bowman, Palmer, PA (US); Thomas Nunnally, Telford, PA (US); and Michael S Fleck, Easton, PA (US)
Assigned to VICTAULIC COMPANY, Easton, PA (US)
Filed by Victaulic Company, Easton, PA (US)
Filed on May 4, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/736,124.
Application 17/736,124 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/510,865, filed on Oct. 26, 2021, granted, now 11,624,461.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/110,433, filed on Nov. 6, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0260188 A1, Aug. 18, 2022
Int. Cl. F16L 23/08 (2006.01); F16L 17/04 (2006.01); F16L 21/06 (2006.01); F16L 23/04 (2006.01)
CPC F16L 23/08 (2013.01) [F16L 17/04 (2013.01); F16L 21/065 (2013.01); F16L 23/04 (2013.01); F16L 2201/10 (2013.01)] 25 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A coupling for joining pipe elements in end to end relation, said coupling comprising:
first and second segments attached to one another end to end surrounding a central space for receiving said pipe elements, each said segment comprising a first lug extending from a first end thereof and a second lug extending from a second end thereof, said first and second lugs of said first segment aligning respectively with said first and second lugs of said second segment;
a first adjustable fastener extending between said first lugs and a second adjustable fastener extending between said second lugs; wherein
each said segment further comprises:
a first action surface positioned between said central space and said first lug, and a first support surface positioned on said first lug, said first fastener being positioned between said first action surface and said first support surface, said first action surface and said first support surface being oriented transversely to a longitudinal axis of said first fastener;
a second action surface positioned between said central space and said second lug, and a second support surface positioned on said second lug, said second fastener being positioned between said second action surface and said second support surface, said second action surface and said second support surface being oriented transversely to a longitudinal axis of said second fastener; wherein
said first support surface of at least one of said segments is offset from said first action surface of said at least one segment in a direction parallel to said longitudinal axis of said first adjustable fastener, said offset being measured from said first action surface; and
upon adjusting said first and second adjustable fasteners to draw said first and second segments toward one another, said first support surface of said first segment contacts said first support surface of said second segment and said second support surface of said first segment contacts said second support surface of said second segment.