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 retaining teeth extend inwardly from one edge and engage a pipe inserted into the coupling. Axial support members, arranged in spaced angular intervals circumferentially around the band, extend from the same edge and project toward the opposite edge. The support members are substantially parallel to the band and have ends that engage the washer and exert an axial force to prevent it from telescoping into the band when the seal is under pressure and tries to expand and displace the washer.

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 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.