Pipe coupling having movable gripping bodies

Abstract

A coupling for securing pipe elements together in end-to-end relation has segments joined end-to-end by adjustable connection members. The segments surround a central space which receives the pipe elements. One or more gripping bodies are captured between the segments. The gripping bodies are arranged opposite to each other. The segments have angularly oriented reaction surfaces on the connection members. The gripping bodies have angularly oriented contact surfaces which interface with the reaction surfaces. When the segments are drawn toward each other by the connection members, interaction between the reaction surfaces and the contact surfaces forces the gripping bodies radially inwardly. Inwardly facing arcuate surfaces on the segments and the gripping bodies engage and retain the pipe elements.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A pipe coupling for securing end portions of a pair of pipe elements together end-to-end, said coupling comprising:
 a plurality of segments connectable end-to-end surrounding a central space having a center for receiving said pipe elements, each said segment having a pair of arcuate surfaces positioned in spaced relation, said arcuate surfaces facing said central space and being engagable with said pipe elements;   connection members positioned at opposite ends of each of said segments for adjustably connecting said segments to one another, said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said segments toward one another and into engagement with said pipe elements;   respective reaction surfaces positioned on at least two of said connection members facing one another, said reaction surfaces facing said central space;   a gripping body positioned between at least two of said segments, said gripping body having a pair of gripping surfaces positioned in spaced apart relation and facing said center of said central space;   a first pair of contact surfaces positioned on said gripping body in facing relation with said reaction surfaces, and   wherein adjustable tightening of said connection members draws said coupling segments together, said contact surfaces interacting with said reaction surfaces to move said gripping body into said central space for engagement of said gripping surfaces with said pipe elements.   
     
     
       2. A pipe coupling according to  claim 1 , wherein said connection members comprise a pair of projections extending outwardly from the ends of said segments, said projections being adapted to receive fasteners for adjustably connecting said segments to one another, said fasteners being adjustably tightenable for drawing said arcuate surfaces of said segments into engagement with said pipe elements. 
     
     
       3. A pipe coupling according to  claim 2 , wherein said reaction surfaces are angularly oriented with respect to said projections. 
     
     
       4. A pipe coupling according to  claim 3 , wherein said reaction surfaces are oriented at an angle from about 30° to about 60°. 
     
     
       5. A pipe coupling according to  claim 3 , wherein said reaction surfaces are oriented at an angle of about 45°. 
     
     
       6. A pipe coupling according to  claim 3 , wherein said contact surfaces are angularly oriented with respect to said projections. 
     
     
       7. A pipe coupling according to  claim 6 , wherein said contact surfaces are oriented at an angle from about 30° to about 60°. 
     
     
       8. A pipe coupling according to  claim 6 , wherein said contact surfaces are oriented at an angle of about 45°. 
     
     
       9. A pipe coupling according to  claim 1 , wherein said contact surfaces project radially outwardly away from said central space. 
     
     
       10. A pipe coupling according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second pair of contact surfaces, said first and second pairs of contact surfaces being positioned on opposite sides of said gripping body. 
     
     
       11. A pipe coupling according to  claim 1 , further comprising a sealing member captured between said segments and positioned between said arcuate surfaces, said sealing member having inwardly facing sealing surfaces engagable with said pipe elements for forming a fluid-tight joint between said pipe elements. 
     
     
       12. A pipe coupling for securing end portions of a pair of pipe elements together end-to-end, said coupling comprising:
 a pair of segments connectable end-to-end surrounding a central space having a center for receiving said pipe elements, each said segment having a pair of arcuate surfaces positioned in spaced relation, said arcuate surfaces facing said central space and being engagable with said pipe elements;   a connection member positioned at each end of each of said segments for adjustably connecting said segments to one another, said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said segments toward one another and into engagement with said pipe elements;   a respective reaction surface positioned on each of said connection members, said reaction surfaces facing said central space;   a pair of gripping bodies positioned between said segments opposite to one another, said gripping bodies each having a pair of gripping surfaces positioned in spaced apart relation and facing said center of said central space;   a first pair of contact surfaces positioned on each of said gripping bodies in facing relation with said reaction surfaces, and   wherein adjustable tightening of said connection members draws said coupling segments together, said contact surfaces interacting with said reaction surfaces to move said gripping bodies into said central space for engagement of said gripping surfaces with said pipe elements.   
     
     
       13. A pipe coupling according to  claim 12 , wherein said connection members comprise a pair of projections extending outwardly from the ends of said segments, said projections being adapted to receive fasteners for adjustably connecting said segments to one another, said fasteners being adjustably tightenable for drawing said arcuate surfaces of said segments into engagement with said pipe elements. 
     
     
       14. A pipe coupling according to  claim 13 , wherein said reaction surfaces are angularly oriented with respect to said projections. 
     
     
       15. A pipe coupling according to  claim 14 , wherein said reaction surfaces are oriented at an angle from about 30° to about 60°. 
     
     
       16. A pipe coupling according to  claim 14 , wherein said reaction surfaces are oriented at an angle of about 45°. 
     
     
       17. A pipe coupling according to  claim 14 , wherein said contact surfaces are angularly oriented with respect to said projections, 
     
     
       18. A pipe coupling according to  claim 17 , wherein said contact surfaces are oriented at an angle from about 30° to about 60°. 
     
     
       19. A pipe coupling according to  claim 17 , wherein said contact surfaces are oriented at an angle of about 45°. 
     
     
       20. A pipe coupling according to  claim 12 , wherein said contact surfaces project radially outwardly away from said central space. 
     
     
       21. A pipe coupling according to  claim 12 , further comprising a second pair of contact surfaces on each of said gripping bodies, said first and second pairs of contact surfaces being positioned on opposite sides of said gripping bodies. 
     
     
       22. A pipe coupling according to  claim 12 , further comprising a sealing member captured between said segments and positioned between said arcuate surfaces, said sealing member having inwardly facing sealing surfaces engagable with said pipe elements for forming a fluid-tight joint between said pipe elements. 
     
     
       23. In combination, a pair of pipe elements and a pipe coupling for securing said pair of pipe elements together end-to-end, each of said pipe elements having a circumferential groove positioned proximate to at least one end thereof for engagement with said coupling, said coupling comprising:
 a plurality of segments connectable end-to-end surrounding a central space having a center for receiving said pipe elements, each said segment having a pair of arcuate surfaces positioned in spaced relation, each of said arcuate surfaces facing said central space and being engaged with a respective one of said grooves within each of said pipe elements;   connection members positioned at opposite ends of each of said segments for adjustably connecting said segments to one another, said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said segments toward one another and bringing said arcuate surfaces into engagement with said grooves in each of said pipe elements;   respective reaction surfaces positioned on at least two of said connection members facing one another, said reaction surfaces facing said central space;   a gripping body positioned between at least two of said segments, said gripping body having a pair of gripping surfaces positioned in spaced apart relation and facing said center of said central space, each of said gripping surfaces being engaged with a respective one of said grooves within each of said pipe elements;   a first pair of contact surfaces positioned on said gripping body in facing relation with said reaction surfaces, and wherein adjustable tightening of said connection members draws said coupling segments together, said contact surfaces interacting with said reaction surfaces to move said gripping body into said central space for engagement of said gripping surfaces with said grooves of each of said pipe elements.   
     
     
       24. The combination according to claim 23, wherein each of said segments further comprises a channel positioned between said arcuate surfaces and facing said central space. 
     
     
       25. The combination according to claim 24, wherein said gripping body further comprises a channel positioned between said gripping surfaces and facing said central space. 
     
     
       26. The combination according to claim 25, further comprising a seal positioned within said channels of said coupling segments and said gripping body. 
     
     
       27. In combination, a pair of pipe elements and a pipe coupling for securing said pair of pipe elements together end-to-end, each of said pipe elements having a circumferential groove positioned proximate to at least one end thereof for engagement with said coupling, said coupling comprising:
 a pair of segments connectable end-to-end surrounding a central space having a center for receiving said pipe elements, each said segment having a pair of arcuate surfaces positioned in spaced relation, said arcuate surfaces facing said central space and being engaged with a respective one of said grooves within each of said pipe elements;   a connection member positioned at each end of each of said segments for adjustably connecting said segments to one another, said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said segments toward one another and bringing said arcuate surfaces into engagement with said grooves in each of said pipe elements;   a respective reaction surface positioned on each of said connection members, said reaction surfaces facing said central space;   a pair of gripping bodies positioned between said segments opposite to one another, said gripping bodies each having a pair of gripping surfaces positioned in spaced apart relation and facing said center of said central space, each of said gripping surfaces being engaged with a respective one of said grooves within each of said pipe elements;   a first pair of contact surfaces positioned on each of said gripping bodies in facing relation with said reaction surfaces, and wherein adjustable tightening of said connection members draws said coupling segments together, said contact surfaces interacting with said reaction surfaces to move said gripping bodies into said central space for engagement of said gripping surfaces with said grooves of each of said pipe elements.   
     
     
       28. The combination according to claim 27, wherein each of said segments further comprises a channel positioned between said arcuate surfaces and facing said central space. 
     
     
       29. The combination according to claim 28, wherein each of said gripping bodies further comprises a channel positioned between said gripping surfaces and facing said central space. 
     
     
       30. The combination according to claim 29, further comprising a seal positioned within said channels of said coupling segments and said gripping bodies. 
     
     
       31. In combination, a pair of pipe elements and a pipe coupling for securing end portions of said pair of pipe elements together end-to-end, each of said pipe elements having a circumferential groove positioned proximate to at least one end thereof for engagement with said coupling, said coupling comprising:
 a plurality of segments connectable end-to-end surrounding a central space for receiving said pipe elements, said central space having a center, each said segment having a pair of arcuate surfaces positioned in spaced relation, said arcuate surfaces facing said central space and being engaged with a respective one of said grooves within each of said pipe elements;   connection members respectively positioned at opposite ends on each one of said segments for adjustably connecting said segments to one another, said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said segments toward one another and bringing said arcuate surfaces into engagement with said pipe elements;   at least one reaction surface positioned on at least one of said segments;   a gripping body positioned between at least two of said segments, said gripping body having a pair of gripping surfaces positioned in spaced apart relation and facing said center of said central space;   a first pair of contact surfaces positioned on said gripping body, at least one of said contact surfaces being in facing relation with said at least one reaction surface, and wherein adjustable tightening of said connection members draws said coupling segments together, said at least one contact surface interacting with said at least one reaction surface to move said gripping body toward said central space and bringing said gripping surfaces into engagement with said pipe elements.   
     
     
       32. The combination according to claim 31, wherein said at least one reaction surface is positioned on one of said connection members. 
     
     
       33. In combination, a pair of pipe elements and a pipe coupling for securing end portions of said pair of pipe elements together end-to-end, each of said pipe elements having a circumferential groove positioned proximate to at least one end thereof for engagement with said coupling, said coupling comprising:
 a pair of segments connectable end-to-end surrounding a central space for receiving said pipe elements, said central space having a center, each said segment having a pair of arcuate surfaces positioned in spaced relation, said arcuate surfaces facing said central space and being engaged with a respective one of said grooves within each of said pipe elements;   connection members respectively positioned at opposite ends on each one of said segments for adjustably connecting said segments to one another, said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said segments toward one another and bringing said arcuate surfaces into engagement with said pipe elements;   at least one reaction surface positioned on at least one of said segments;   a gripping body positioned between said segments, said gripping body having a pair of gripping surfaces positioned in spaced apart relation and facing said center of said central space;   a first pair of contact surfaces positioned on said gripping body, at least one of said contact surfaces being in facing relation with said at least one reaction surface, and wherein adjustable tightening of said connection members draws said coupling segments together, said at least one contact surface interacting with said at least one reaction surface to move said gripping body toward said central space for engagement of said gripping surfaces with said pipe elements.   
     
     
       34. The combination according to claim 33, wherein said at least one reaction surface is positioned on one of said connection members.