Victaulic Company

Matthew A Bowman

Scott D Madara

Philip Wayne Bancroft

Kathryn E Yovanovich

Alan M Yesavage

Ahmad Sith

Craig Haney

Thomas C Savage

Ahmed Saleh

Daniel Wake

Michael S Fleck

William Collier

Nicholas Barbour

Anthony J Cuvo

Charles E Wilk, Jr

Thomas M Soloe

Thomas Nunnally

Scott T Stewart

Christopher A Richards

Charles E Wilk

Richard Marakovits

James R Van Wert

James Van Wert

Scott A Madara

Jeffrey Lance Sterner

Charles E Wilke, Jr

Kathryn Yovanovich

Michael Fleck

Jr Charles E Wilk

A coupling for joining a flanged pipe element to a non-flanged pipe element has segments that are connected end to end and surround a central space. Flange portions extend from one side of the segments. Each segment defines two channels, one of which receives a split ring for gripping the non-flanged pipe; the other channel receives a seal. A flanged tube is also positioned between the segments. The flange of the tube is positioned adjacent to the flange portions of the segments. The seal engages the tube and the non-flanged pipe element. The flange portions of the segments are bolted to the flange of the flanged pipe element and the flange of the tube is captured between the flanged portions of the segments and the flange of the flanged pipe element.

Adapter coupling

A coupling for joining pipe elements has cast segments attached end to end surrounding a central space. The segments define a channel that receives a gasket. Side surfaces within the channel have angularly oriented capture surfaces which are engaged by bulbous rims on the gasket which prevent the gasket from being dislodged from the channel when at least one pipe element is inserted into the central space. Side surfaces may also have support surfaces between the capture surfaces. The gasket supports the segments in a preassembled state wherein the segments are in spaced relation sufficient to permit insertion of one or more pipe elements while the segments are attached end to end.

Enhanced stability gasket and coupling

A coupling has first and second segments attached to one another end to end surrounding a central space for receiving pipe elements. A spring assembly attaches the segments at one end and an adjustable attachment assembly attaches the segments at the opposite end. The spring assembly biases the segments away from one another sufficient to permit insertion of the pipe elements into the central space while the segments are attached to one another. The coupling may include a split ring toothed retainer for coupling plain end pipe elements, or it may have arcuate keys which engage grooved or shouldered pipe elements.

Sprung coupling

A method of installing a coupling for joining pipe elements uses a pipe coupling having two segments with action surfaces in facing relationship. Attachment elements on each segment, in the form of lugs, accommodate adjustable fasteners which draw the segments together when tightened. Support surfaces on the lugs engage one another and react the fastener force. Stop surfaces are positioned on the lugs adjacent to the support surfaces. Engagement between the stop surfaces provides a visual indication that the coupling has been properly installed.

Method of installing a pipe coupling

A pipe coupling has two segments with action surfaces in facing relationship. Attachment elements on each segment, in the form of lugs, accommodate adjustable fasteners which draw the segments together when tightened. Support surfaces on the lugs engage one another to visually indicate that a proper installation of the coupling has been achieved.

Coupling having visual installation indicators

A fire suppression sprinkler adapted to receive arcuate surfaces of a grooved coupling is retainable to the coupling in a pre-assembled state. The coupling joins the sprinkler in facing axial end-to-end relation directly to grooved pipe. The sprinkler has a monolithic body which defines a bore having an inlet and an outlet. A groove, positioned between the inlet and the outlet extends around the body. A gap between the inlet and the grooved pipe to ensure the sprinkler and the pipe are joined by the coupling spaced apart in facing end-to-end relationship.

Direct coupling compatible sprinkler

Ring and gusset coupling

Pipe coupling

A coupling for joining pipe elements end to end has a unitary band surrounding a central space for receiving the pipe elements. Ends of the band are in facing relation. Adjustable connection members are positioned at each end of the band for drawing the ends toward each other and deforming the band. Arcuate ribs are positioned lengthwise along opposite sides of the band. The ribs are separated from one another by gaps between the ribs. In their undeformed state, each rib has an arcuate surface with a radius of curvature equal to the radius of curvature of the outer surface of the pipe elements which they engage. When the band is deformed the ribs clamp against the outer surface of the pipe elements to effect the joint.

Coupling having arcuate stiffness ribs

Pipe coupling segment

A preassembled combination connects a captured pipe element to a second pipe element. First and second segments are connected end to end surrounding a central space for axially receiving the second pipe element. The segments are configured to be drawn toward one another and into engagement with the pipe elements. An annular body forms the captured pipe element. An end face of the captured pipe element is retained within the central space by engagement between a bead projecting from a sealing surface of the captured pipe element and the coupling assembly.

Captured element coupling

Couplings for joining pipe elements have segments with attachment members with faces which contact one another when the segments are properly installed on the pipe elements. Each segment has one or more shrouds and recesses positioned along the faces. The shrouds on one segment are received within respective recesses on the other segment. The shrouds block the line of sight toward the central space which the segments surround and which receives the pipe elements. Index markings on the segments show visual inspection points to confirm proper engagement between the segments and the pipe elements.

Shrouded coupling

Growing community of inventors

Palmer, PA, United States of America

Matthew A Bowman