Abstract: A sealing member is disclosed having an outer surface that supports segments of a pipe coupling for joining pipe elements in end to end relation. The segments are supported in spaced relation to permit the pipe elements to be inserted into the coupling without disassembly. The sealing member is a flexible ring that has conical lips around its inner circumference to engage and guide the pipe elements into the coupling. A tongue extends radially inwardly between the lips, the tongue having conical shoulders which engage and guide the pipe ends. The tongue locates the coupling segments relatively to the pipe elements.

Abstract: A sprinkler for fire suppression systems that produces an orthogonal spray pattern is disclosed. The sprinkler has an exit orifice with a non-round perimeter and a deflector plate having a non-round perimeter. The shape of the deflector plate perimeter may be matched to that of the exit orifice perimeter. Orifice perimeters may be square, rectangular, formed of lobes or interconnected curves, and there may be multiple orifices in the sprinkler.

Abstract: A stop assembly for limiting motion of a shank of a fastener through an opening in a body is disclosed. The stop assembly has a retention element that is positionable on the shank. The retention element has a first surface that engages the shank for holding it at a predetermined position on the shank. A second surface on the retention element engages the body, and limits the motion of the shank relative to the body. Application of sufficient force to the body or removal of the retention element from the shank will allow the body and the fastener to move relatively to one another.

Abstract: A valve for fire suppression sprinkler systems is disclosed. The valve has a chamber with an inlet and an outlet. A closure member, positioned within the chamber, is movable to close and open the inlet. A latch engages the closure member to hold it in the closed position. The latch also engages a deformable diaphragm. The diaphragm deforms in response to pressure applied to it and allows the latch to move between a latched position engaged with the closure member and an unlatched position away from the closure member. When the diaphragm is depressurized it allows the latch to move and disengage from the closure member, which opens under fluid pressure from the inlet and allows fluid to flow through the valve.

Abstract: A tool and a method for installing a sprinkler head in a threaded fitting of a fire suppression system is disclosed. The sprinkler head is protected by a cover. The tool is formed from an elongated body having a cavity that is sized to receive the cover. One end of the body interfaces with a wrench, the other end has one or more axially extending slots sized to receive the fingers of a torque plate affixed to the sprinkler head. The sprinkler head has a threaded nipple that engages the threaded fitting. The nipple is engaged with the fitting and torque is applied to it by engaging the slots of the tool with the fingers and turning the tool with the wrench. The tool has an external index allowing the sprinkler head to be angularly oriented to direct its discharge stream.

Abstract: A guide and a guide follower for cutting pipes are disclosed. The guide has a chain with ends attached to movable jaws. The jaws are mounted on a pair of locking pliers. The chain is positionable circumferentially around the pipe. A plurality of disks are mounted lengthwise along the chain in spaced relation to one another. The disks have surfaces that engage the pipe and edges that face away from the pipe and engage the guide follower mounted on a saw. The guide follower is a channel with flanges spaced apart so as to receive the disk edges and allow the channel to pass along the disks but not deviate from the intended line of cut. A plurality of support disks are positioned on an opposite side of the chain. The support disks engage the pipe and stabilize the guide when it is placed under tension by the pliers.

Abstract: A retainer for use in a mechanical pipe coupling is disclosed. The retainer fits within an expanded region of the coupling adjacent to a washer which is adjacent to an incompressible seal. The retainer has a band with opposite edges. Angularly oriented teeth extend inwardly from one edge and engage a pipe inserted into the coupling. Projections located around the opposite edge project inwardly and prevent the washer from telescoping into the band when the seal is under pressure and tries to expand and displace the washer. The projections may be made by forming indentations in the surface of the band.

Abstract: A pipe preparation device is disclosed for chamfering pipe ends and placing witness marks thereon to provide a visible indication that the pipes are properly engaged with a coupling. The device includes a body having co-axially aligned receptacles at opposite ends, the receptacles being sized to receive pipes having different diameters from one another. Cutting blades are mounted on the body and project into each receptacle. The blades have cutting edges that engage the end of a pipe inserted into a receptacle and cut a chamfer when the body is rotated relatively to the pipe. Two scoring tools project into each receptacle. The tools have contact surfaces that engage a pipe inserted into the receptacle. The tools in each receptacle are offset from one another and form two circumferential grooves around the pipe when the body and pipe are rotated relatively to each other. The grooves act as witness marks.

Abstract: A coupling for joining pipe elements in end to end relationship is disclosed. The coupling includes a sealing member having an inner diameter and an outer surface. A plurality of segments are supported on the sealing member's outer surface. Each segment has a pair of arcuate surfaces positioned in space relation on either side of the sealing member. A compression band surrounds the outer perimeter of the segments, the segments being captured between the band and the sealing member. The pipe elements are inserted into the inner diameter between the segments. A tensioning member is mounted on the band. Tightening of the tensioning member causes the compression band to force the segments radially inwardly into engagement with outer surfaces of the pipe elements.

Abstract: A deformable mechanical pipe coupling is disclosed. The coupling is formed from an arcuate band that surrounds and defines a central space. The band has first and second ends in facing relation. arcuate surfaces that engage outer surfaces of the pipe elements extend lengthwise along the band. The arcuate surfaces have radii of curvature greater than the radii of curvature of the pipe element outer surfaces, allowing pipe elements to be inserted within the central space. The band has adjustably tightenable connection members mounted at each end. When the connection members are tightened, the ends are drawn toward one another, and the arcuate surfaces on the band deform and conform to the radius of curvature of the outer surfaces of the pipe elements.

Abstract: A deformable mechanical pipe coupling is disclosed. The coupling has a plurality of interconnectable segments that straddle the ends of pipe elements to be joined. The segments have arcuate surfaces that engage outer surfaces of the pipe elements. The outer surfaces subtend an angle of less than 180° and have radii of curvature greater than the radii of curvature of the pipe element outer surfaces. The segments have adjustably tightenable connection members for connecting the segments to one another. When the connection members are tightened, the arcuate surfaces deform and conform to the radius of curvature of the outer surface of the pipe elements.

Abstract: A preassembled mechanical pipe coupling having spacers is disclosed. The coupling has a plurality of interconnectable segments that straddle the ends of pipe elements to be joined. The segments have arcuate surfaces that engage outer surfaces of the pipe elements. Spacers, positioned between the segments, maintain them in spaced apart relation sufficient to allow the pipe elements to be inserted between the segments. The segments have adjustably tightenable connection members for connecting the segments and drawing them to one another. When the connection members are tightened and the effect of the spacers is overcome, the arcuate surfaces are brought into engagement with the outer surfaces of the pipe elements.

Abstract: A preassembled mechanical pipe coupling for joining pipe elements in end-to-end relationship is disclosed. The coupling is formed from a plurality of interconnectable segments that are initially maintained in spaced apart relation. The segments have arcuate surfaces that project inwardly. Connection members in the form of lugs and fasteners are mounted on the segments. The connection members are adjustably tightenable for drawing the coupling segments together and forcing the arcuate surfaces into engagement with the outer surfaces of the pipe elements. Notches are formed at ends of the arcuate surfaces to provide clearance allowing the pipe elements to be inserted between the segments when they are in the pre-assembled, spaced apart configuration.

Abstract: A sealing member is disclosed having an outer surface that supports segments of a pipe coupling for joining pipe elements in end to end relation. The segments are supported in spaced relation to permit the pipe elements to be inserted into the coupling without disassembly. The sealing member is a flexible ring that has conical lips around its inner circumference to engage and guide the pipe elements into the coupling. A tongue extends radially inwardly between the lips, the tongue having conical shoulders which engage and guide the pipe ends. The tongue locates the coupling segments relatively to the pipe elements.

Abstract: A coupling for connecting two pipes together end to end is disclosed. The coupling includes a plurality of segments positionable circumferentially around the pipes. Each of the segments is attachable to one another end to end. Each of the segments has a pair of keys projecting radially inwardly toward the pipes. Each key is engageable with a circumferential groove on one of the pipes. Camming surfaces are positioned on the keys adjacent to the ends of the segments. Each camming surface preferably has an angularly oriented face that forms a wedge to provide a mechanical advantage when the camming surface engages the groove.

Abstract: A handle assembly mountable on a valve is disclosed. The assembly includes a head having a receptacle engageable with a rotatable shaft on the valve and a grip projecting outwardly from the head to facilitate turning of the head for actuating the valve. An arcuate slot is positioned in the head, the slot having a curvature matched to the arcuate motion of the handle when used to turn the valve shaft. A limit post is attached to the valve and projects through the slot. A jam nut is mounted on the post adjacent to the head. When tightened against the head the jam nut fixes the position of the head relatively to the valve. A bolt is positioned within the slot and retained by a nut. The bolt is movable along the slot to a predetermined position where it can be temporarily fixed by tightening the nut. The bolt acts as a memory stop when it engages the limit post as the head is turned.

Abstract: A seal for use with a knife gate valve is disclosed, the seal having a loop to which is attached an axially facing sealing lobe. A sealing surface is positioned on the sealing lobe, the sealing surface having an axially projecting leading edge and flanking annular sealing surfaces oriented angularly. Axial and inner channels extend around the loop and provide space for the loop to deform when the sealing lobe is compressed. A reinforcing band is encapsulated within the loop to stiffen it against buckling when compressed by forces acting across the leading edge. The seal is used in facing pairs with the sealing lobes being compressed against one another to form a radial seal when the valve is open. The seal is made from a flexible, resilient elastomeric compound; the band is metal.

Abstract: A roller tool for forming circumferential grooves around a pipe is disclosed. The tool is rotatable about an axis of rotation and has a circumferential surface engageable with a pipe. The tool surface includes first and second surface portions positioned in spaced relation and oriented perpendicularly to the axis of rotation. A radial surface portion extends between the first and second a surface portions and is oriented substantially parallel to the axis of rotation. An angled surface portion is positioned adjacent to the second surface portion. The angled surface portion is oriented at an angle up to about 70° and slopes away from the second surface portion.

Abstract: A coupling and pipes joined by the coupling are disclosed. The pipes have circumferential grooves adjacent their ends which are engaged by keys that project inwardly from the couplings. The keys are wedge shaped and substantially fill the grooves to provide a rigid joint. The grooves may have a shape that is complementary to the grooves. The keys may have convex or concave cross sectional shapes. The couplings have segments attached by fasters engaging lugs at either end of the coupling. The lugs are attached pad to pad or in spaced relationship. Gaps may be maintained between various surfaces on the keys and on the grooves through tolerances on the couplings.

Abstract: Pipes and fittings having circumferential grooves proximate to their ends are disclosed. The grooves are formed of first and second side surfaces positioned in spaced apart relation to one another. A floor surface extends between the first and second side surfaces. The first side surface is positioned proximate to the end of the pipe and is oriented perpendicularly to the floor surface. The second side surface is formed of first and second surface portions. The second surface portion is positioned adjacent to the floor surface, and is oriented perpendicularly to it. The first surface portion is oriented at an angle to the floor surface. The second side surface may also have either a convex or a concave shape. Wedging action between the groove and a coupling is facilitated by having the width of each groove being greater at the surface of the pipe than it is at the floor surface.