Coupling

Claim 1

A coupling for connecting pipe ends comprising a sleeve member having longitudinal ends and a longitudinal axis, said sleeve member having a plurality of longitudinally extending slits extending from the longitudinal ends of said sleeve member, said sleeve member having a generally longitudinal central section disposed between the longitudinally innermost ends of said slits, said sleeve member being initially formed as an open band having an integrally formed tongue which overlaps along an overlapping section with said central section of the sleeve member when the open band is formed into a generally cylindrical configuration to form said sleeve member, a plurality of spaced ribs formed on said sleeve member, two tightening straps disposed about said sleeve member between said spaced ribs, said overlapping section being longitudinally narrower than the longitudinal distance between said two tightening straps disposed about said sleeve member, radial flanges at the longitudinal ends of said sleeve member, said radial flanges extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said sleeve member, a resilient collar on said sleeve member extending into said sleeve member for receiving the pipe ends, said resilient collar having a first portion extending around the longitudinal ends of said sleeve member and a second portion extending radially outwardly of said radial flange, said resilient collar also having a ring-like section extending on the longitudinally inner sides of said radial flanges, the longitudinal distance between the longitudinal end of said sleeve and the closest of said ribs being at least as large as the axial length of said ring-like section of said collar, said ring-like section being larger than said first portion of said resilient collar, whereby said ring-like section grips onto the longitudinal inner sides of said radial flanges.