Abstract: An emergency release coupler for releasably coupling together two pipes comprises first and second valves each adapted to be connected to a respective pipe and a band coupler for coupling together said valves. Each valve comprises a casing housing a valve member movable between closed and open positions. The band coupler comprises segments which are pivotally interconnected and on which are mounted clamping members adapted to be held together by a clamping device. The segments and clamping members serve to clamp the valve casings together. Gear quadrants, mounted on the valve casings, are arranged to be driven via a linkage by the piston rod of a hydraulic ram which, when driven in one direction, is effective to cause the gear quadrants to move the associated valve members to the open position and, when moved in the opposite direction, is effective to cause the gear quadrants to move the associated valve members to the closed position.

Abstract: A coupler for coupling together two pipes comprises a substantially cylindrical body on which a plurality of hook arms carrying latches are pivotally mounted. An actuator ring is rotatably mounted on the coupler body and has a cam surface which is arranged to cause the hook arms to pivot to move the latches into and out of a position in which they serve to lock a flange at the end of a pipe to a front flange of the cylindrical body. The pipe flange can be guided onto the coupling by guides and the guides are also effective to hold adaptor plates on the flange so that the coupler can be used to couple pipes of different diameters. No axial movement of any of the components of the coupler takes place during coupling, movement of the actuator ring being purely rotational and movement of the hook arms and latches being purely pivotal.

Abstract: A pipe coupling comprises a tubular member to be coupled to a flange, and a ring slidable on the tubular member carrying pivotable hooks which co-operate with cams on the tubular member to engage behind the flange as the ring is moved along the tubular member. A second ring is provided for locking the first ring in position after coupling of the pipes has taken place.