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 cutting element and chamfering tool for pipe preparation is disclosed. The cutting element is formed from a ring having a split defining ends of the ring. One of the ends has a cutting edge. The one end is offset from the other to present the cutting edge to the pipe end. The ring has an inwardly facing angularly oriented surface that receives and centers the pipe end. The chamfer is cut when the ring and pipe end are rotated relatively to one another. The tool has a housing that holds the cutting element. The ends of the ring are offset when the ring engages a helical seat within the housing and/or when a radial set screw engaging the one end is tightened.

Abstract: A coupling for joining pipe elements in end to end relation is disclosed. The coupling includes interconnectable coupling segments having connection members at opposite ends. The connection members are tightenable for drawing the segments toward one another and into engagement with the pipe elements. Each segment has a concavity positioned between inwardly projecting arcuate surfaces that engage grooves in the pipe elements. The concavities house a sealing member that extends circumferentially around the pipe elements. Angularly oriented surfaces are positioned adjacent to the connection members. The surfaces on facing segments engage one another and cause the segments to rotate in opposite directions about an axis perpendicular to the pipe elements. The concavities are angularly oriented with respect to the axis so that when the segments rotate, the cavities receive the sealing member without distorting it. A method of joining pipe elements end to end is also disclosed.

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 mechanical pipe coupling permitting relative axial, torsional and angular deflections between pipes joined together by the coupling is disclosed. Rings, each having a greater outer diameter than the pipe, are attached to each end of the pipes to be joined. Each ring has a circumferential groove that receives an O-ring seal. A band is positioned coaxially around the rings. The band has an inwardly facing surface that sealingly engages the O-rings. A housing is clamped around the rings and the band. The housing has first inwardly facing shoulders that engage the rings and limit the axial and angular displacement of the pipes within the housing, and second shoulders that engage end faces of the band.

Abstract: A method of making a coupling for joining pipe segments is disclosed. The method includes providing a fitting with a socket for receiving a pipe end. A first region of the fitting adjacent to the socket is expanded to a larger diameter than the socket. A second region of the fitting adjacent to the first region is expanded to a larger diameter than the first region. A third region of the fitting adjacent to the second region is expanded to a larger diameter than the second region. A sealing member is positioned in the first region, a retainer is positioned in the second region and a support washer is positioned in the third region. A lip is turned inwardly on the third expanded region to capture the components within the coupling.

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.

Abstract: A pipe grooving tool is disclosed having a housing on which a back-up roller and a grooving roller are rotatably mounted. The grooving roller is pivotably movable toward the back-up roller and has a raised tool surface engageable with the outer surface of the pipe. The pipe is positioned with its sidewall between the rollers, and the back-up roller is rotated while the grooving roller is forcibly moved toward the back-up roller. A circumferential groove is formed around the pipe as the rollers traverse its circumference. A power drive shaft connected directly to the back-up roller is provided, the power drive shaft engaging a power drive unit on which the tool is mounted operated under power. A manual drive shaft is connected to the back-up roller through a torque multiplying gear and pinion transmission for manual operation of the tool.

Abstract: A coupling for joining pipe segments together is disclosed. The coupling is derived from a standard fitting and has a housing with a socket and a first expanded region adjacent to the socket and a second expanded region adjacent to the first expanded region. A sealing member is positioned in the first expanded region, a retainer is positioned in the second expanded region and a support washer having transversely oriented radial and coaxial flanges is positioned adjacent to the retainer. A lip turned inwardly on the second expanded region overlaps the radial flange and captures the support washer, retainer and sealing member within the coupling. The retainer has a plurality of radial teeth angularly oriented to engage a pipe and prevent its removal from the coupling.