Pipe coupling

Claim 2

A pipe coupling for joining two pipes in transverse relation to one another, comprising a sleeve providing a socket opening through one end of the sleeve for receiving an end of one pipe, a ring positioned within the other end of said sleeve with the plane of the ring parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve and with the outer side of the ring seating against first diametrically opposite portions of said other sleeve end, whereby a minor portion of the ring protrudes into the latter sleeve end, a major portion of the ring projects beyond the latter sleeve end, and the latter sleeve end has second diametrically opposed portions spanning the open sides of said ring between said first diametrically opposed sleeve portions, and said second sleeve portions converging inwardly toward one another into overlapping seating contact with the inner side of said minor ring portion to firmly secure said ring to said sleeve with the ring exposed to receive the other pipe.

Claim 3

A pipe coupling according to claim 1 wherein said ring has an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of said sleeve.

Claim 4

A pipe coupling according to claim 1 wherein: said ring has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of said sleeve.

Claim 5

A pipe coupling according to claim 1 wherein: said ring has an outer diameter equal to the inner diameter of said sleeve.

Claim 6

A pipe coupling according to claim 1 wherein: said second diametrically opposed sleeve portions conform generally to the inner curvature of said ring, whereby said latter sleeve portions have exposed cylindrically concave surfaces substantially coaxial with said ring for seating the pipe received by the ring.

Claim 7

A pipe coupling according to claim 5 wherein: said ring is a solid ring continuous without a break about the full ring circumference.

Claim 8

A pipe coupling according to claim 5 wherein: said ring is resiliently flexible and has a split in said major portion thereof, and means for releasibly clamping said ring about the pipe received by the ring.

Claim 9

A pipe coupling according to claim 5 wherein: said coupling is a rail cap for a chain link fence.

Claim 10

In combination: a first pipe, a second pipe at one end of and transverse to said first pipe, and a pipe coupling joining said pipes comprising a sleeve providing a socket opening through one end of the sleeve and receiving said end of said first pipe, a ring receiving said second pipe and being positioned within the other end of said sleeve with the plane of the ring parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve and with the outer side of the ring seating against first diametrically opposite portions of said other sleeve end, whereby a minor portion of the ring protrudes into the latter sleeve end, a major portion of the ring projects beyond the latter sleeve end, and the latter sleeve end has second diametrically opposed portions spanning the open sides of said ring between said first diametrically opposed sleeve portions, and said second sleeve portions converging inwardly toward one another into overlapping seating contact with the inner side of said minor ring portion to firmly secure said ring to said sleeve with the ring exposed to receive said second pipe.

Claim 11

In combination: a first pipe, a second pipe at one end of and transverse to said first pipe, and a pipe coupling joining said pipes comprising a sleeve providing a socket opening through one end of the sleeve and receiving said end of said first pipe, a ring receiving said second pipe and being positioned within the other end of said sleeve with the plane of the ring parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve and with the outer side of the ring seating against first diametrically opposite portions of said other sleeve end, whereby a minor portion of the ring protrudes into the latter sleeve end, a major portion of the ring projects beyond the latter sleeve end, and the latter sleeve end has second diametrically opposed portions spanning the open sides of said ring between said first diametrically opposed sleeve portions, and said second sleeve portions converging inwardly toward one another into overlapping seating contact with the inner side of said minor ring portion to firmly secure said ring to said sleeve with the ring exposed to receive said second pipe.

Claim 12

The combination according to claim 9 wherein: said ring has an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of said sleeve.

Claim 13

The combination according to claim 9 wherein: said ring has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of said sleeve.

Claim 14

The combination according to claim 9 wherein: said ring has an outer diameter equal to the inner diameter of said sleeve.

Claim 15

The combination according to claim 9 wherein: said second diametrically opposed sleeve portions conform generally to the inner curvature of said ring, whereby said latter sleeve portions have exposed cylindrically concave surfaces substantially coaxially with said ring for seating the pipe received by the ring.

Claim 16

The combination according to claim 13 wherein: said ring is a solid ring continuous without a break about the full ring circumference.

Claim 17

The combination according to claim 13 wherein: said ring is resiliently flexible and has a split in said major portion thereof, and means for releasibly clamping said ring about the pipe received by the ring.

Claim 18

The combination according to claim 13 wherein: said first pipe is a post for a chain link fence, said second pipe is a top rail of the fence, and said pipe coupling is a rail cap of the fence joining said top rail to the upper end of said post.

Claim 19

The combination according to claim 16 including: a support arm rigidly joined at one end to said major ring portion and extending radially out from said ring in the plane of the ring for supporting strands of barb wire.

Claim 20

The combination according to claim 17 wherein: said arm has labrynth cut-outs spaced along the arm for receiving said wire strands.