Pipe coupling with built-in grip
The invention provides an improved coupling having an innovative pipe grip preventing inadvertent separation of the two items being coupled. The improved releasable band-clamp coupling comprises a central housing of cross-section resembling a wide, low-wall channel, the housing being curved to be larger than the outer diameter of a pipe, two curved outer clamp members each configured to contact a wall of the housing and to support a ring seal member and to support a sloped mechanical grip ring, there being further provided proximate to the ends of the curved outer clamp members a pair of substantially parallel pair of clamping extensions, and a sloped internally-toothed grip ring comprising a plurality of spaced-apart wedge-shaped gripper units, each unit being connected to both adjacent gripper units by a flexible element to complete said grip ring; and screw clamping elements in contact with said clamping extensions to reduce the distance between said substantially parallel clamping extensions.
1. An improved releasable band-clamp coupling for mechanical and hydraulic interconnection of the end of at least one first cylinder and a second cylinder or connecting means, said coupling comprising:
a) a central housing of cross-section resembling a wide, low-wall channel, the walls thereof facing away from the center of said cylinders and the housing being curved to be larger than the said cylinder outer diameter;
b) at least one curved outer clamp member configured to contact a wall of said central housing and to support a ring seal member and to support a sloped mechanical grip ring, said central housing wall inner face fitting into said outer clamp member to prevent separation therebetween, there being further provided proximate to the end of said curved outer clamp member at least one clamping extension;
c) a sloped internally-toothed grip ring comprising a plurality of spaced-apart wedge-shaped gripper units, substantially each unit being connected to both adjacent gripper units by a flexible element to complete said grip ring;
d) at least one circumferential elastomeric seal member; and
e) screw clamping element in contact with said clamping extension to reduce the distance between said extension, forcing both said sloped internally-toothed grip ring and said elastomeric seal members into circumferential contact with at least one cylinder.
2. The band-clamp coupling as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said wedge-shaped gripper units have a face to contact the cylinder being gripped, a multitude of elements being supported by said face and projecting therefrom in a manner that in operation said elements are forced into contact with the cylinders being coupled.
3. The band-clamp coupling as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said wedge-shaped gripper units comprise two separate parts, an inner face arranged to contact said cylinder surface, and an outer wedge-like portion configured to support and retain said inner face.
4. The band-clamp coupling as claimed in claim 3 , wherein an extremity of two said grip ring flexible elements are retained, one on each side of said gripper units, between said two separate parts.
5. The band-clamp coupling as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said wedge-shaped sloped internally-toothed grip ring is open and comprises a plurality of spaced-apart wedge-shaped gripper units is in the form of a strip which can be cut on site to any required length.
6. The band-clamp coupling as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said spaced-apart wedge-shaped gripper units are connected to both adjacent gripper units by said flexible element to complete said grip ring.
7. The band-clamp coupling as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said cylinders are pipes.