Composite sleeve for sealing a tubular coupling

Abstract

A composite sleeve seal for sealing a conduit connection including a body portion having collar sections spaced apart from one another to define gaps therebetween, and being interconnected to one another by link segments spanning the gaps. A seal portion interposes the collar sections in the gaps and surrounds the link segments to positively interlock the seal portion with the body portion to form the composite sleeve seal as one integral component.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
   
   
       14 . A method of manufacturing a composite sleeve seal comprising the steps of:
 producing an annular body having a plurality of collar sections co-axially disposed adjacent each other;   securing at least one link segment between adjacent collar sections of said plurality of collar sections, said link segment circumferentially defining an outermost surface smaller in diameter than said outside diameter of said annular body and an innermost surface greater in diameter than said inside diameter of said annular body to define a gap between adjacent collar sections;   placing said annular body in a mold cavity; and   injecting a resilient seal material substance into said mold cavity to fill said gap defined between adjacent collar sections for interlocking said resilient seal and said annular body to integrate said composite sleeve seal as one integral component.   
   
   
       15 . The method of manufacturing a composite sleeve seal as claimed in  claim 14  wherein said step of securing at least one link segment between adjacent collar sections step further comprises:
 securing three link segments between adjacent collar sections, each link segment interconnecting said adjacent collar sections and being spaced circumferentially 120° apart about said inside and outside diameters of said annular body.   
   
   
       16 . The method of manufacturing a composite sleeve seal as claimed in  claim 14  wherein said step of injecting a resilient material substance into said mold cavity further comprises the step of filling said defined gap with said resilient material substance such that said outermost surface of said resilient material substance is greater in diameter than said outside diameter of said annular body and said innermost surface of said resilient material substance is smaller in diameter than said inside diameter of said annular body. 
   
   
       17 . The method of manufacturing a composite sleeve seal as claimed in  claim 14  wherein each of said plurality of collar sections is made from a plastic material and said resilient material substance is an elastomer material.