Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
247 words
A coupler for sealingly connecting two sections of pipe having a gas disposed therein, said pipe sections having the same outside diameter, said coupler comprising: an annular, elongated coupling member comprising two end sections and an intermediate section therebetween, said end sections having an inside diameter substantially the same as said pipe outside diameter, said intermediate section having an inside diameter greater than said pipe outside diameter, said pipe sections being disposed within said coupling member and forming a joint between said pipe sections, said joint being longitudinally positioned along said coupling member within said intermediate section, said intermediate section and said pipe sections forming an annular space therebetween, said intermediate section having a pair of longitudinally spaced apart openings therein; a pair of filling plugs sealingly disposed within said intermediate section openings and extending inwardly into said annular space; an annular, elongated sealing gasket having an inside diameter substantially the same as said pipe outside diameter disposed within said annular space adjacent said pipe joint, said gasket having a radially outwardly extension positioned intermediate said filling plugs within said annular space, said filling plugs inhibiting longitudinal movement of said gasket through said gasket extension; an adhesive sealant disposed within and substantially filling said annular space between said gasket and said coupling member, said sealant entering said annular space through said filling plugs, said sealant compressing said gasket against said pipe sections; and means for preventing said sealant from leaving said annular space through said filling plugs.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
247 words
A coupler for sealingly connecting two sections of pipe having a gas disposed therein, said pipe sections having the same outside diameter, said coupler comprising: an annular, elongated coupling member comprising two end sections and an intermediate section therebetween, said end sections having an inside diameter substantially the same as said pipe outside diameter, said intermediate section having an inside diameter greater than said pipe outside diameter, said pipe sections being disposed within said coupling member and forming a joint between said pipe sections, said joint being longitudinally positioned along said coupling member within said intermediate section, said intermediate section and said pipe sections forming an annular space therebetween, said intermediate section having a pair of longitudinally spaced apart openings therein; a pair of filling plugs sealingly disposed within said intermediate section openings and extending inwardly into said annular space; an annular, elongated sealing gasket having an inside diameter substantially the same as said pipe outside diameter disposed within said annular space adjacent said pipe joint, said gasket having a radially outwardly extension positioned intermediate said filling plugs within said annular space, said filling plugs inhibiting longitudinal movement of said gasket through said gasket extension; an adhesive sealant disposed within and substantially filling said annular space between said gasket and said coupling member, said sealant entering said annular space through said filling plugs, said sealant compressing said gasket against said pipe sections; and means for preventing said sealant from leaving said annular space through said filling plugs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The coupler according to claim 1 wherein said intermediate section has a plurality of pairs of openings therein radially spaced equidistantly apart; and each of said intermediate section openings has a filling plug sealingly disposed therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The coupler according to claim 1 wherein said coupling member is made of the same material as said pipe sections.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The coupler according to claim 1 wherein each longitudinal end of said gasket is tapered radially outwardly to facilitate insertion of said pipe sections within said gasket.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The coupler according to claim 1 wherein said pipe joint is longitudinally positioned opposite said gasket outward extension.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The coupler according to claim 1 wherein said adhesive sealant comprises a flexible, homogeneous, non-hardening, polymerized, viscous compound.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The coupler according to claim 1 wherein said filling plugs extend radially outwardly beyond said coupling member; and said sealant leaving prevention means comprise a cap sealingly secured to each filling plug.