Granted Patent B1

US 6,877,777 · App. 10/404,833 · Granted Apr 12, 2005

Abstract

Claims (10)

1. An insertion sleeve in combination with a pipe coupling, said coupling having a rigid stiffener tube in a fixed position within a shell, said stiffener tube having an external diameter less than the internal diameter of a pipe to be secured by said coupling, wherein said insertion sleeve comprises:

a cylindrical portion having an external cylindrical surface with a diameter less than the internal diameter of said pipe;

a first end of said sleeve which may be axially inserted over said stiffener tube; and

a second end of said sleeve having a shoulder to abut said pipe after axial insertion of said pipe over said first end and said cylindrical portion and having a tapered internal opening in angular relation to an axis of said cylindrical portion;

wherein said coupling includes at least one flexible seal positioned within said shell having an internal circumferential surface configured to sealingly engage an outside surface of said pipe.

2. An insertion sleeve as set forth in claim 1 wherein said stiffener tube has an external circumferential groove and a torodial elastomeric seal received in said groove and wherein said tapered opening has a portion which has a greater diameter than an outside diameter of said elastomeric seal.

3. An insertion sleeve as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first end is flexible and resilient and has an internal diameter equal to or slightly less than said external diameter of said stiffener tube.

4. An insertion sleeve as set forth in claim 1 wherein said shoulder is chamfered.

5. An insertion sleeve as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sleeve is plastic.

6. An insertion sleeve as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sleeve is metal.

Assignments (7)