Victaulic Company

Ahmad Sith

Scott D Madara

Matthew A Bowman

Douglas R Dole

John W Pierce

Alan M Yesavage

Vance W Henry

Philip Wayne Bancroft

Kathryn E Yovanovich

Charles E Wilk, Jr

Scott T Stewart

Wayne M Biery

Jeffrey Lance Sterner

A pipe coupling for plain end pipe is formed of segments joined end to end surrounding a central space. The segments are connected end to end by lugs on each segment with fasteners extending between them. Each segment has channels on opposite sides that face the central space with floors at different radii. Retainers are received within the channels. The retainers have teeth and one or more offset tabs that cooperate with the channels to prevent improper assembly. A ring seal is received within a channel positioned in each segment between the retainer channels.

Coupling having tabbed retainer

A pipe fitting for plain end pipe is formed of housing portions defining receptacles for receiving pipe elements. The receptacles are coaxial with respective axes oriented angularly with respect to each other. Each receptacle has a channel that faces a respective axis with floors at different radii of curvature. Retainers are received within the channels. The retainers have teeth and one or more offset tabs that cooperate with the channels to prevent improper assembly of the fitting. Ring seals are received within channels positioned adjacent to the receptacles. The ring seals cooperate with the retainers to hold the segments in spaced relation sufficient to insert pipe elements into the receptacles when the fitting is pre-assembled. Apertures are provided in the receptacles to permit visual determination of the presence of the retainers post assembly.

Fitting having tabbed retainer and observation apertures

Hinged coupling

Elbow fitting

A tamper resistant pipe coupling is formed of segments connected end to end using fasteners. The segments have bearing pads at each end, each bearing pad surrounded by a shield wall. The shield walls and the bearing pads form a well that receives the fasteners and provides defense against tampering. The well is filled with a potting material, such as refractory cement, to cover the fasteners and provide additional protection. Formations are provided on the bearing pad and shield wall to ensure positive mechanical engagement between the coupling and the potting layer. The shield wall and bearing pad may be integrally formed with the coupling segments or a separate component.

Method of making a tamper resistant coupling

Rigid pipe coupling

Rigid pipe coupling segment

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Bethlehem, PA, United States of America

Ahmad Sith