Pipe connector

Claim 1

A releasable expansion pipe connection for coupling and aligning two pipes comprising, a first and second pipe, a male pipe member connected to said first pipe, a mating female pipe member connected to said second pipe, said male member includes a male body portion and a pair of flange portions projecting radially outwardly from opposite sides of said male body portion, said flange portions extend circumferentially less then one-quarter of the length of the circumference about said male body portion, said flange portions includes an inner generally V-shaped aligning face, said female member includes a female body portion and a pair of abutting portions projecting radially inwardly from opposite sides of said female body portion for engagement with said flange portions, said abutting portions extend circumferentially less than one-quarter of the length of the circumference about the inside of said female body portion, said abutting portions includes an inner generally V-shaped aligning face that contacts face to face with said flange aligning face, said V-shaped aligning face on said female member diverging in a direction toward said second pipe, a stop member connected to one said abutting portion adjacent one side of said abutting portion aligning face, said male member movable into the female member and into locked position in the female member by rotating one member relative to the other member until said one of said flange portions abuts said stop member and upon relative movement of said male and female member said V-shaped aligning faces will be in mating contact, said flange portions, and abutting portions sized to allow longitudinal movement of the pipes due to expansion, and a sealing cavity between the mating members to provide a seal means that moves back and forth with the expanding pipes.