Abstract: A pipe coupling for sealing a leak location in a pipe or pipeline by compressing annular gasket members against the pipe or pipeline around the leak location comprises a tubular middle ring, a pair of annular followers, and a pair of annular elastomeric gasket positioners bonded to and protruding from respective followers and positioned so that when the coupling is placed in sealing position, the gasket positioners engage the annular gasket members and force the gasket members into sealing position between the tubular middle ring and the pipe or pipeline. Suitable annular gasket members include rubber O-rings. The gasket positioners may include a retaining ring to prevent outward extrusion of the gasket positioner from between the coupling and the pipe or pipeline.

Abstract: A pipe coupling for sealing a joint between pipes in a pipeline by compressing annular gasket members against the pipes around the joint, the pipe coupling comprising an annular coupling member having end members and spaced annular protrusions forming gasket channels between the annular protrusions and respective end members for receiving the annular gasket members and a central channel between the gasket channels for accommodating some offset, deflection, or out-of-roundness in the pipes. In one embodiment, the coupling further comprises an outer set of annular protrusions for forming expansion channels outside of the gasket channels. The expansion channels allow retaining rings fixed to the pipe ends to reciprocate within the expansion channels during expansion or contraction of the pipe ends. The protrusions also restrain the degree of expansion or contraction of the pipes and protect the gasket. In another embodiment, an interior pipe coupling with a spreader bolt assembly is provided.

Abstract: A coupling for sealing a leak location in a pipe or pipeline by compressing against the pipe or pipeline a pair of annular gasket members fitted about the pipe or pipeline on opposite sides of the leak location comprising a first axial sealing pad disposed in a recess in an annular coupling member and a second axial sealing pad attached to a sealing plate which extends across an axial split in the coupling. The first and second axial sealing pads form an axial seal when the coupling is closed about a pipe or pipeline for preventing passage of fluid from between the annular gasket members to the outer surface of the coupling member through the axial split. The annular coupling member of the coupling has an axial split defined by first and second axial edges and comprises a first portion extending from the first axial edge to an axial shoulder which extends outwardly to a second portion.

Abstract: A thin pamphlet or book cover, with a flat spine portion in a `T` configuration that is made from a single sheet of material folded four times.

Abstract: A pipe coupling wherein the axial split is offset from the location wherein the coupling is closed. The offset increases the resistance of the pipe coupling to lifting forces exerted by pressurized fluid in pipes or pipelines. In addition, an extension member and a reinforcing member on the opposite sides of the closure device increase the section modulus of the pipe coupling and further increase the resistance of the pipe coupling to lifting forces.

Abstract: A one-piece pipe coupling includes a cylinder with an axial joint and a sealing plate attached in spaced apart relation to the inner surface of the cylinder with a portion of the sealing plate extending beyond the axial joint for sealing the fluid pathways between a leak location and the outer surface of the coupling. A pair of arcuate gaskets extend around and are attached to the inner surface of the cylinder. The sealing plate carries a first sealing pad on the extending portion of its outer surface, which sealing pad includes circumferential guide channels for engaging the arcuate gaskets of the cylinder. The sealing plate also carries a second sealing pad on the other end of its outer surface, which sealing pad attaches the sealing plate in spaced apart relation to the inner surface of the cylinder.

Abstract: A one-piece pipe coupling includes a cylinder with an axial joint and a sealing plate attached in spaced apart relation to the inner surface of the cylinder with a portion of the sealing plate extending beyond the axial joint for sealing the fluid pathways between a leak location and the outer surface of the coupling. A pair of arcuate gaskets extend around and are attached to the inner surface of the cylinder. The sealing plate carries a first sealing pad on the extending portion of its outer surface, which sealing pad includes circumferential guide channels for engaging the arcuate gaskets of the cylinder. The sealing plate also carries a second sealing pad on the other end of its outer surface, which sealing pad attaches the sealing plate in spaced apart relation to the inner surface of the cylinder.

Abstract: A sealing plate which is positioned under annular O-rings or built-in coupling gaskets. The sealing plate carries gasket material on its inner surface to complete an annular seal around the pipeline on either side of a leak location, and on its outer surface to prevent fluid from reaching the axial joint of the coupling between the annular seal. Once one positions the sealing plate properly, the annular gasket material does not become misaligned. Furthermore, the sealing plate can be used interchangeably with discrete O-rings and a coupling, or with a coupling having built-in arcuate gasket sections.

Abstract: A pipe coupling includes a cylinder with an axial joint and a sealing device for sealing the fluid pathways between a leak location and the outer surface of the coupling. The sealing device includes arcuate gaskets extending along the inner surface of the cylinder and between axial gaskets which may be adhered to either side of the cylinder's axial joint. A clamping assembly closes the coupling so that an area of overlap is formed between the axial gaskets, thereby sealing the axial joint. The area of overlap is approximately equal to the thickness of the arcuate gaskets so that the sealing device exerts a uniform circumferential pressure upon the pipe without buckling or deforming the seal. The sealing gasket having arcuate gaskets extending between the axial gaskets may be provided separately. The first axial gasket may then be positoned so as to overlap the outer surface of the other axial gasket, and a coupling may be fitted over the gasket apparatus without deforming the seal provided thereby.

Abstract: A pipe coupling and method for sealing pipe joints or leaks from the interior of the pipe line are disclosed. A continuous gasket member is positioned against the inside surface of the pipe line on each side of the leak location, a coupling member including at least one axial joint within the line is positioned to span the continuous gasket members, an axial gasket is positioned at the axial joint, and the coupling member is expanded to compress the continuous gasket members and the axial gasket member to prevent leakage of fluid from within the pipe line. The invention provides a convenient apparatus and method for repairing leaks in pipe lines when the exterior of the pipes cannot be conveniently exposed and the interior of the pipe line is accessible.

Abstract: A pipe joint includes a novel sealing plate for sealing the axial joint or joints of a cylindrical coupling. The sealing plate carries on its upper surface a pair of axial gaskets which seal against the coupling above the sealing plate and against O-rings on the pipe sections below the sealing plate. In an alternate embodiment, the axial gaskets can be adhered to the inner surface of the coupling so as to engage the edges of the sealing plate. In another embodiment, in lieu of a separate sealing plate, one end of the coupling can carry a single axial gasket and be lapped under the other end of the coupling to form the axial seal. The sealing assemblies of the invention ar particularly useful in situations in which the pipe ends are subject to movement.

Abstract: A pipe joint for joining a pair of adjacent pipe ends includes an improved gasket contruction. An annular radially outwardly extending flange is provided on the periphery of each pipe adjacent and spaced from the pipe end, a cylindrical coupling member is provided including at least one axial slit in the cylindrical wall thereof and a pair of annular arcuate grooves extending outwardly from the interior of the coupling member, the grooves being shaped so as to form an enclosed annular space between each flange and each arcuate groove, and a gasket for sealing the pipe joint having a pair of spaced apart O-rings shaped to be fitted over the pipe ends and compressed within the annular spaces, a connecting web extending between and joining the O-rings along only a portion of their circumferences, and a shield attached to the inner surface of the connecting web for protecting the web from the pipe ends. The connecting web is positioned under the axial slit in the coupling member.