Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
239 words
An insulated coupling joint comprising: a fitting for mechanically connecting at least two pipes wherein said pipes are electrically insulated from one another, said fitting having at least one cylindrical pipe receiving passageway therethrough, an annular groove extending about the internal periphery of a first end thereof, and at least one insert receiving hole proximate said first end of said passageway, said hole extending radially from said passageway to the outside periphery of said fitting, a deformable gasket formed of an electrical insulating material positioned in said annular groove, a lock insert positioned in each of said insert receiving holes, said lock insert being an electrical insulator and having a threaded hole therethrough, means for inhibiting the rotation of said lock insert with respect to said fitting, means for preventing the radial movement of said lock insert with respect to said hole, a set screw threaded through said lock insert, and an insulator sleeve positioned about the portion of a pipe which extends into said first end of said passageway of said fitting, said set screw being threaded until the end thereof cuts through said insulator and into said pipe to a predetermined level, means for deforming said gasket in a radial direction to thereby cause said gasket to grip and retain said pipe, and means for securing the other end of said fitting to a pipe which extends into the passageway at said other end of said fitting.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
239 words
An insulated coupling joint comprising: a fitting for mechanically connecting at least two pipes wherein said pipes are electrically insulated from one another, said fitting having at least one cylindrical pipe receiving passageway therethrough, an annular groove extending about the internal periphery of a first end thereof, and at least one insert receiving hole proximate said first end of said passageway, said hole extending radially from said passageway to the outside periphery of said fitting, a deformable gasket formed of an electrical insulating material positioned in said annular groove, a lock insert positioned in each of said insert receiving holes, said lock insert being an electrical insulator and having a threaded hole therethrough, means for inhibiting the rotation of said lock insert with respect to said fitting, means for preventing the radial movement of said lock insert with respect to said hole, a set screw threaded through said lock insert, and an insulator sleeve positioned about the portion of a pipe which extends into said first end of said passageway of said fitting, said set screw being threaded until the end thereof cuts through said insulator and into said pipe to a predetermined level, means for deforming said gasket in a radial direction to thereby cause said gasket to grip and retain said pipe, and means for securing the other end of said fitting to a pipe which extends into the passageway at said other end of said fitting.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
97 words
The insulated coupling joint of claim 1 wherein said means for preventing the radial movement of said lock insert with respect to said insert receiving hole comprises said insert receiving hole having a larger opening into said cylindrical passageway than the opening to the outside periphery of said fitting, and said lock insert having a relatively large base portion and a relatively small outer end portion wherein said outer end portion communicates with said hole at the external periphery of said fitting and said base portion is positioned in said insert receiving hole proximate said cylindrical passageway.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The insulated coupling joint of claim 2 wherein said lock insert includes a base portIon and a neck portion, said neck portion extending through said insert receiving hole in said fitting to the outside periphery thereof and said base portion being positioned in said insert receiving hole proximate the cylindrical passageway through said fitting.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
The insulated coupling joint of claim 2 wherein said means for inhibiting the rotation of said lock insert with respect to said fitting includes said insert receiving hole through said fitting being non-cylindrical and said lock insert having an external configuration which mates with said insert receiving hole through said fitting.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The insulated coupling joint of claim 1 wherein said set screws have a cup-pointed end.