Pipe coupler and coupling methods

1. A pipe coupler ( 30 ) being a unitary single-piece plastic molding comprising:

an axis ( 500 );

a full annulus body portion ( 70 ) surrounding the axis;

a circumferentially segmented collar ( 72 ) extending from a first axial end of the body portion and having an inner diameter surface ( 80 ) and an outer diameter surface ( 82 ); and

a plurality of fingers ( 90 ) projecting from a second axial end of the body portion, axially opposite the first end and having inward radial projections ( 96 ).

2. The pipe coupler of claim 1 wherein:

the inner diameter surface has surface enhancements ( 84 , 86 ).

3. The pipe coupler of claim 2 wherein:

the surface enhancements comprise circumferential ridges ( 84 ).

4. The pipe coupler of claim 1 wherein the plastic is glass-filled polyphenylene sulfide.

5. The pipe coupler of claim 1 wherein:

the inward radial projections extend radially inward and axially back toward the body portion.

6. A kit comprising the pipe coupler of claim 1 and further comprising:

a band clamp ( 34 ) dimensioned to encircle and compress the collar; and

an annular gasket ( 32 ).

7. The kit of claim 6 wherein the gasket comprises the unitarily molded combination of:

a sleeve ( 50 ); and

a protuberant ring ( 52 ) at an end of the sleeve.

8. A pipe joint comprising the pipe coupler of claim 1 and further comprising:

a pipe ( 120 );

a clamp ( 34 ) holding the collar portion to the pipe; and

a fitting ( 20 ) having an end portion ( 22 A) receiving an end portion ( 122 A) of the pipe and having a backlocked engagement with the finger projections ( 96 ).

9. The pipe joint of claim 8 further comprising:

a gasket ( 32 ) compressed between the fitting, the pipe coupler, and the pipe.

10. The pipe joint of claim 8 wherein:

the fingers are under axial tension.

11. The pipe joint of claim 8 wherein:

the fitting end portion ( 22 A) is a first end portion and the fitting has a second end portion ( 22 B) identical to the first end portion.

12. The pipe coupler of claim 1 wherein:

the circumferentially segmented collar has:

a plurality of segments ( 74 ) separated by respective gaps ( 76 ); and

an inner diameter surface formed with a series of inward annular projections ( 84 ) and grooves ( 860 ).

13. A method for using the pipe coupler of claim 1 , the method comprising:

installing the pipe coupler to a pipe ( 120 );

tightening a clamp ( 34 ) surrounding the segmented collar to clamp the segmented collar to the pipe; and

installing the pipe coupler and pipe as a unit to a pipe fitting via axial translation:

inserting an end portion of the pipe into an end portion of the pipe fitting; and

the finger projections becoming captured behind an adjacent surface ( 62 ) of an end portion ( 22 A) of the pipe fitting.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

applying a gasket ( 32 ) to the pipe.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein:

the translating compresses a gasket ( 32 ) between a rim ( 24 A) of the fitting end portion and the body portion.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

releasing an external force providing the translating so as to leave: the gasket compressed between the rim of the fitting end portion and the body portion; and the fingers under axial tension.

17. A pipe fitting ( 20 ) comprising:

an end portion ( 22 A; 22 B) having an inner diameter surface, an outer diameter surface and a rim ( 24 A; 24 B);

first means ( 26 ) on the end portion for engaging an electrofusion collar ( 200 ); and

second means ( 100 ) on the end portion for engaging fingers ( 90 ) of a coupler ( 30 ) alternatively to the electrofusion collar.

18. The pipe fitting of claim 17 wherein:

the second means comprises an undercut surface ( 62 ).

19. A method for using a plurality of identical pipe fittings ( 20 ), the pipe fittings comprising:

an end portion ( 22 A; 22 B) having an inner diameter surface, an outer diameter surface and a rim,

the method comprising:

with a first said fitting:

installing a heating element ( 202 ) to the end portion;

inserting a first pipe into the end portion; and

energizing the heating element to fuse the first pipe to the first said fitting; and

with a second said fitting:

installing a pipe coupler ( 30 ) to a second pipe;

installing the pipe coupler and second pipe as a unit to the second pipe fitting via axial translation:

inserting an end portion of the second pipe into the end portion of the second pipe fitting; and

projections ( 96 ) of the pipe coupler becoming captured behind an adjacent surface ( 62 ) of the end portion of the second pipe fitting.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein:

the projections ( 96 ) are inward radial projections of axially-protruding fingers ( 90 ); and

during the translation, the axially-protruding fingers ( 90 ) flex radially outward and then relax radially inward as the projections ( 96 ) of the pipe coupler become captured behind the adjacent surface ( 62 ).

21. A kit comprising:

a pipe coupler comprising:

an axis ( 500 );

a body portion ( 70 ) surrounding the axis;

a circumferentially segmented collar ( 72 ) extending from a first axial end of the body portion and having an inner diameter surface ( 80 ) and an outer diameter surface ( 82 ); and

a plurality of fingers ( 90 ) projecting from a second axial end of the body portion, axially opposite the first end and having inward radial projections ( 96 );

a band clamp ( 34 ) dimensioned to encircle and compress the collar; and

an annular gasket ( 32 ) comprising the unitarily molded combination of:

a sleeve ( 50 ); and

a protuberant ring ( 52 ) at an end of the sleeve.