US3633947A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coupling
Assignee: Corning Glass Works
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Filing: 1970-02-20
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Granted: 1972-01-11
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Expires: 1990-02-20
Abstract
Abstract A coupling for joining two pipe end sections, the coupling having a resilient liner surrounding the pipe ends and a forcedeveloping member enveloping the liner and including a flexible, generally cylindrical, one-piece band having end sections capable of overlapping. These end sections have complementary locking means capable of stepped interlocking engagement over a predetermined distance upon application of an external force. The band also includes bridging means for maintaining an essentially continuous inner surface between the band end sections, and optionally, a barrier means may be interposed between the liner and the pipe ends.
Inventors
- 👤 Carl J Nelson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 08:03
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L47/00; F16L47/06; F16L21/00; F16L21/002; F16L21/005; F16L49/00; F16L49/04; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S285/00; Y10S285/911; Y10S285/921; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/14; Y10T24/1498
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
282 words
A force development member for use as part of an assembly for coupling beaded pipe end sections together, comprising: a. a flexible, generally annular, one-piece band of reinforced thermoplastic material having a generally flat cylindrical outer surface and a contoured inner surface having symmetrical outer rib surfaces tapering smoothly inwardly to blend into a generally flat center recess surface, said band also having cooperatively positioned first and second end section, integral ratchet means formed on said end sections for releasably locking said band in a closed position, aid ratchet means including a plurality of outer stepped teeth on the outer surface of one of said end sections and a plurality of inner stepped teeth on the inner surface of the other of said end sections, said outer and inner stepped teeth being adapted to engageably overlap over a predetermined distance, for at least two each of said outer and inner teeth, to provide a desired locking effect upon the application of an external force, and one of said first and second end sections having spaced outer wall portions to secure the other of said end sections against excessive lateral movement as well as concealing the axial end faces of said engaged teeth; and b. a generally wedge-shaped bridging means of reinforced thermoplastic material, said bridging means having a lower surface that is shaped similar to and blends in with the contoured inner surface of said band thereby maintaining an essentially continuous inner surface between said band end sections over said predetermined distance, with the inner surface of at least one of said first and second end sections being recessed and relieved so as to permit the smooth fitment of said bridging means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
282 words
A force development member for use as part of an assembly for coupling beaded pipe end sections together, comprising: a. a flexible, generally annular, one-piece band of reinforced thermoplastic material having a generally flat cylindrical outer surface and a contoured inner surface having symmetrical outer rib surfaces tapering smoothly inwardly to blend into a generally flat center recess surface, said band also having cooperatively positioned first and second end section, integral ratchet means formed on said end sections for releasably locking said band in a closed position, aid ratchet means including a plurality of outer stepped teeth on the outer surface of one of said end sections and a plurality of inner stepped teeth on the inner surface of the other of said end sections, said outer and inner stepped teeth being adapted to engageably overlap over a predetermined distance, for at least two each of said outer and inner teeth, to provide a desired locking effect upon the application of an external force, and one of said first and second end sections having spaced outer wall portions to secure the other of said end sections against excessive lateral movement as well as concealing the axial end faces of said engaged teeth; and b. a generally wedge-shaped bridging means of reinforced thermoplastic material, said bridging means having a lower surface that is shaped similar to and blends in with the contoured inner surface of said band thereby maintaining an essentially continuous inner surface between said band end sections over said predetermined distance, with the inner surface of at least one of said first and second end sections being recessed and relieved so as to permit the smooth fitment of said bridging means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
A force development member as defined in claim 1 wherein said reinforced thermoplastic material is a nylon-base material reinforced with a predetermined amount of glass fiber, said material being capable of withstanding operating temperatures in excess of 300* F. and capable of resisting attacks of dilute acids, bases and salts.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
105 words
a bridge strip of reinforced thermoplastic material attached to one of said band first and second end sections, said bridge strip having a lower surface that is shaped similar to and blends in with the contoured inner surface of said band thereby maintaining an essentially continuous inner surface between said band end sections during said series of interlocking engagements, whereby upon application of said external force, said force development member urges the profiled outer surface of said liner into assuming the general contour of said band inner surface and said liner inner surface is urged into sealing and coupling relationships with said pipe end sections.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
105 words
a bridge strip of reinforced thermoplastic material attached to one of said band first and second end sections, said bridge strip having a lower surface that is shaped similar to and blends in with the contoured inner surface of said band thereby maintaining an essentially continuous inner surface between said band end sections during said series of interlocking engagements, whereby upon application of said external force, said force development member urges the profiled outer surface of said liner into assuming the general contour of said band inner surface and said liner inner surface is urged into sealing and coupling relationships with said pipe end sections.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A force development member as defined in claim 1 wherein said band incorporates at least one external stiffening rib, in the area of its maximum bending moment, in order to keep said band generally cylindrical upon closure thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
A force development member as defined in claim 1 wherein said band is moisture conditioned by the incorporation therein of a predetermined amount of water so that under most atmospheric conditions it will shrink slightly, thereby providing an increase in the sealing pressure being Exerted against said pipe end sections.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
108 words
A coupling for joining the adjacent ends of two generally cylindrical sections of pipe having beaded end portions disposed in axially aligned, noncontacting relation, aid coupling comprising: a. an annular resilient liner, composed of an elastomeric material, surrounding said adjacent pipe ends, said liner having a profiled outer surface and an inner surface, said inner surface including an inwardly projecting center rib portion extending between said adjacent pipe ends two recessed portions substantially surrounding said beaded pipe end portions and two outwardly tapered wing portions surrounding the cylindrical portions of said pipe ends; and b. a force development member surrounding the outer surface of said liner and including:
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
108 words
A coupling for joining the adjacent ends of two generally cylindrical sections of pipe having beaded end portions disposed in axially aligned, noncontacting relation, aid coupling comprising: a. an annular resilient liner, composed of an elastomeric material, surrounding said adjacent pipe ends, said liner having a profiled outer surface and an inner surface, said inner surface including an inwardly projecting center rib portion extending between said adjacent pipe ends two recessed portions substantially surrounding said beaded pipe end portions and two outwardly tapered wing portions surrounding the cylindrical portions of said pipe ends; and b. a force development member surrounding the outer surface of said liner and including:
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
The coupling of claim 5 wherein said resilient liner has a first raised annular pressure-intensifying ridge on each side surface of said inwardly projecting center rib portion, said first ridges enabling sealing relationships to be made at the liner-center-rib to pipe-end interface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
The coupling of claim 6 wherein said resilient liner has a second raised annular pressure-intensifying ridge in the area of each of said liner-recessed portions, with each of said second ridges enabling a sealing relationship to be made at the liner-recessed portion to pipe-beaded-end-portion interface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
68 words
The coupling of claim 7 including a generally annular barrier means interposed between said liner inner surface and said pipe ends, said barrier means comprising a thin-film gasket of fluorofilm material which is integral with said liner inner surface and is of predetermined thickness so that it reacts and yields from low stress to conform to the pipe surfaces, without buckling, in the same manner as said liner.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The coupling of claim 5 wherein the external surface of said band includes at least one arcuate stiffening rib in the area of its maximum bending moment, in order to keep said band generally cylindrical upon closure thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
The coupling of claim 5 wherein said band is moisture conditioned by the incorporation therein of a predetermined amount of water so that under most atmospheric conditions it will shrink slightly, thereby providing an increase in the sealing pressure being exerted against said pipe ends.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-10 | 1975-07-12 | 1976-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-10 | 1979-07-12 | 1980-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-10 | 1983-07-12 | 1984-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |