Abstract: Each gripper washer 22 is disposed between a gasket retaining ring 18 and an end connector 14. The gripper washers 22 can be any size and dimension, and made from any material, including but not limited to plastic, polyvinyl chloride, or metal. The gripper washers 22 are a washer-like structure, typically a metallic structure that comprises an interior diameter, a concentric inner periphery and an exterior periphery 24. Each gripper washer 22 is disposed between a gasket retaining ring 18 and an end connector 14, such that the exterior periphery 24 of the gripper washer 22 is in contact with, or in close proximity to, the shoulder 20 of the gasket retaining ring 18.

Abstract: The invention is a pipe coupling comprising: a) a cylindrical body for accepting and retaining ends of a pair of spaced apart pipe sections, the cylindrical body comprising two opposed ends; b) an end connector attached to each opposed end of the cylindrical body; c) a gasket disposed within an indentation defined within the interior surface of each of the opposed ends of the cylindrical body; d) a gasket retaining ring disposed between each end connector and gasket, wherein the gasket retaining ring comprises a shoulder; and e) a gripper washer comprising an exterior periphery, the gripper washer disposed between each gasket retaining ring and end connector; wherein the gasket retaining ring shoulder contacts and retains the exterior periphery of the gripper washer.