Coupling for pipes

Claim 1

A pipe joint for connecting pipe ends having large differences in diameters, being used in a plant with limited lateral space, as connected between a large furnace pipe and a substantially smaller pipe, each pipe end having radially extending flange, the two said flanges having opposed mating surfaces which form between them an annular channel; and a sealing ring disposed in said channel, the flanges being clamped together at their periphery exteriorly of the pipes by clamping means connected to one of the flanges by holding means extending substantially radially inwardly towards the axis of the pipe joint, that flange to which is connected the clamping means being a reducing flange which accommodates a smaller pipe than does the opposed flange, said clamping means comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced clamps presenting toward said flanges U-shaped profiles with inclined surfaces and said flanges presenting correspondingly inclined surfaces toward said clamps, said holding means comprising a screw for each clamp which is threaded into said one flange, whereby said holding means exerts a wedging action on said clamps forcing said flanges together.