Victaulic Company

Victaulic Company of America

Philip Wayne Bancroft

Matthew A Bowman

Kathryn E Yovanovich

Scott D Madara

Alan M Yesavage

Craig Haney

Thomas C Savage

Matthew K Huettemann

Daniel Wake

Ahmed Saleh

Joseph C Ramirez

Steven A Wortmann

Ahmad Sith

Richard R Weston

Douglas R Dole

Frank J Cygler

Anthony J Cuvo

Michael S Fleck

Justin P Brandt

Richard Marakovits

Kathryn Yovanovich

Frank J Iii Cygler

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 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

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

A preassembled coupling for joining pipe elements has segments surrounding a central space with cusps which engage lobes of a seal to maintain the segments in spaced apart relation in a preassembled state. While the coupling is in the preassembled state the pipe elements may be inserted into the central space without disassembling the coupling, and portions of the seal adjacent to attachment members on the segments seat within a channel defined by the segments between the cusps, while portions of the seal between the attachment members are further from a back surface of the channel.

Preassembled coupling having a seal

A coupling for joining pipe elements has segments surrounding a central space with cusps which engage lobes of a seal to maintain the segments in spaced apart relation in a preassembled state. While the coupling is in the preassembled state the pipe elements may be inserted into the central space without disassembling the coupling, and portions of the seal adjacent to attachment members on the segments seat within a channel defined by the segments between the cusps. The lobes of the seal contact a second surface of the shoulders of the segments adjacent to the attachment members when the segments are in spaced relation.

Coupling having seal

A pipe coupling has first and second segments attached end to end surrounding a central space. The segments define first and second receptacles which receive pipe elements. A port is positioned in one of the segments. The port provides access to the central space. A nipple on the segment extends from the central space and defines a bore aligned with the port. A collar on the segment extends toward the central space. The collar has an outer surface which forms a recess with an inner surface of the segment. A seal is positioned within a channel defined by arcuate keys which surround the receptacles. The seal has a body which defines a first aperture aligned with the receptacles and a second aperture aligned with the bore of the nipple.

Outlet coupling

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 projection, positioned between the groove and the outlet also extends around the body.

Pipe elements have circumferential grooves. The grooves have a first side surface contiguous with a first floor surface. The first side surface and the first floor surface together subtend a first 90&#xb0; circular arc when viewed in cross section. The grooves also have a second side surface contiguous with a second floor surface. The second side surface is in spaced relation to and in facing relation with the first side surface. The second side surface and the second floor surface together subtend a second 90&#xb0; circular arc when viewed in cross section. A third floor surface is contiguous with both the first and second floor surfaces and is a flat surface. A coupling used to connect the pipe elements has arcuate projections which engage the grooves of the pipe elements. The arcuate projections have a semi-circular cross section. Relief grooves are positioned adjacent to each arcuate projection.

Coupling and circumferential groove shape

A coupling for joining pipe elements has segments surrounding a central space with cusps which engage lobes of a seal to maintain the segments in spaced apart relation in a preassembled state. While the coupling is in the preassembled state the pipe elements may be inserted into the central space without disassembling the coupling, and portions of the seal adjacent to attachment members on the segments seat within a channel defined by the segments between the cusps. When the seal is compressed between the segments and the pipe elements to form a joint the seal deforms so as to withdraw a center leg of the seal from the flow path defined within the pipe elements.

Coupling having seal with retracting center leg

Pipe 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 to one another at a first end and an adjustable attachment assembly attaches the segments to one another at a second end opposite to the first end. The spring assembly cooperates with the attachment assembly to bias the second ends of 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.

Growing community of inventors

Auburn Hills, MI, United States of America

Philip Wayne Bancroft