IP Library Granted Patent US 12,049,915
Granted Patent B2
US 12,049,915 · App. 17/570,961 · Granted Jul 30, 2024

Split coupler for pipes

Inventors: Michael L. Acosta (Gillette, WY); Timothy M. Acosta (Loveland, CO)
Assignee: Mikeysquickcoupler LLC
F16B37/0807F16L19/0231
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,049,915
App. No.
17/570,961
Granted
Jul 30, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A split coupler, and methods of making and using such a split coupler, whereby the split coupler includes a first semi-cylindrical member, a second semi-cylindrical member, and an interlocking assembly configured to interlock the first and second semi-cylindrical members to form a substantially cylindrical coupler having a coupler inner surface which defines a throughbore. Additionally, the split coupler can include spiral threads coupled to the coupler inner surface. Furthermore, the split coupler can include a flange inwardly extending from the coupler inner surface.

Claims (29)

1. A split coupler, comprising:

a first semi-cylindrical member comprising a first semi-cylindrical member inner surface and a first semi-cylindrical member outer surface, each extending between opposing first semi-cylindrical member first and second terminal edges;

said first semi-cylindrical member including a first thread coupled to said first semi-cylindrical member inner surface and extending between said first semi-cylindrical member first and second terminal edges;

a second semi-cylindrical member comprising a second semi-cylindrical member inner surface and a second semi-cylindrical member outer surface, each extending between opposing second semi-cylindrical member first and second terminal edges;

said second semi-cylindrical member including a second thread coupled to said second semi-cylindrical member inner surface and extending between said second semi-cylindrical member first and second terminal edges;

wherein said first semi-cylindrical member first terminal edge engages with said second semi-cylindrical member first terminal edge, and said first semi-cylindrical member second terminal edge engages with said second semi-cylindrical member second terminal edge to form a cylindrical coupler having a coupler inner surface defining a throughbore;

a first interlocking assembly comprising (i) a first latch outwardly extending from said first semi-cylindrical member outer surface proximate said first semi-cylindrical member first terminal edge, and (ii) a first catch outwardly extending from said second semi-cylindrical member outer surface proximate said second semi-cylindrical member first terminal edge;

one or more first latch teeth disposed on a first latch inner face;

one or more first catch teeth disposed on a first catch outer face;

wherein said one or more first latch teeth interlock with said one or more first catch teeth to resist or prevent separation of said first semi-cylindrical member first terminal edge from said second semi-cylindrical member first terminal edge;

a second interlocking assembly comprising (i) a second catch outwardly extending from said first semi-cylindrical member outer surface proximate said first semi-cylindrical member second terminal edge, and (ii) a second latch outwardly extending from said second semi-cylindrical member outer surface proximate said second semi-cylindrical member second terminal edge;

one or more second catch teeth disposed on a second catch outer face; and

one or more second latch teeth disposed on a second latch inner face;

wherein said one or more second catch teeth interlock with said one or more second latch teeth to resist or prevent separation of said first semi-cylindrical member second terminal edge from said second semi-cylindrical member second terminal edge.

2. The split coupler of claim 1 , said first latch having a proximate first latch arm portion radially extending from said first semi-cylindrical member outer surface proximate said first semi-cylindrical member first terminal edge and a distal first latch arm portion orthogonally coupled to said proximate first latch arm portion and extending beyond said first semi-cylindrical member first terminal edge.

3. The split coupler of claim 2 , wherein said first catch radially extends from said second semi-cylindrical member outer surface proximate said second semi-cylindrical member first terminal edge.

4. The split coupler of claim 3 , where said first latch and said first catch slidably interlock to resist or prevent separation of said first semi-cylindrical member first terminal edge from said second semi-cylindrical member first terminal edge.

5. The split coupler of claim 1 , further comprising a first semi-cylindrical member first axial surface opposite a first semi-cylindrical member second axial surface extending between said first semi-cylindrical member outer surface and said first semi-cylindrical member inner surface.

6. The split coupler of claim 5 , further comprising a second semi-cylindrical member first axial surface opposite a second semi-cylindrical member second axial surface extending between said second semi-cylindrical member outer surface and said second semi-cylindrical member inner surface.

7. The split coupler of claim 1 , said first semi-cylindrical member having a substantially uniform thickness between said first semi-cylindrical member outer surface and said first semi-cylindrical member inner surface extending to said first semi-cylindrical member first terminal edge and said first semi-cylindrical member second terminal edge.

8. The split coupler of claim 7 , said second semi-cylindrical member having a substantially uniform thickness between said second semi-cylindrical member outer surface and said second semi-cylindrical member inner surface extending to said second semi-cylindrical member first terminal edge and said second semi-cylindrical member second terminal edge.

9. The split coupler of claim 1 , further comprising an annular flange radially inwardly extending from said coupler inner surface.

10. The split coupler of claim 9 , said first semi-cylindrical member including a first flange radially inwardly extending from said first semi-cylindrical member inner surface between said first semi-cylindrical member first and second terminal edges.

11. The split coupler of claim 10 , said second semi-cylindrical member comprising a second flange radially inwardly extending from said second semi-cylindrical member inner surface between said second semi-cylindrical member first and second terminal edges.

12. The split coupler of claim 11 , wherein upon engagement of said first and second semi-cylindrical members, said first and second flanges axially align to form said annular flange.

13. The split coupler of claim 1 , wherein engagement of said first and second semi-cylindrical members axially aligns said first and second threads to form a spiral thread.

14. The split coupler of claim 1 , said second latch having a proximate second latch arm portion radially extending from said second semi-cylindrical member outer surface proximate said second semi-cylindrical member second terminal edge and a distal second latch arm portion orthogonally coupled to said proximate second latch arm portion and extending beyond said second semi-cylindrical member second terminal edge.

15. The split coupler of claim 14 , wherein said second catch radially extends from said first semi-cylindrical member outer surface proximate said first semi-cylindrical member second terminal edge.

16. The split coupler of claim 15 , where said second latch and said second catch slidably interlock to resist or prevent separation of said first semi-cylindrical member second terminal edge from said second semi-cylindrical member second terminal edge.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 11, 2022
From: ACOSTA, MICHAEL L.; ACOSTA, TIMOTHY M.
To: MIKEYSQUICKCOUPLER LLC
Reel/Frame 058619/0006 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation In Part 16991829 · Aug 12, 2020
Provisional Application 62961375 · Jan 15, 2020
Provisional Application 62885597 · Aug 12, 2019
Related Publication 20220128086A1 · Apr 28, 2022
Cited By (2)
US 12,601,368 US 12,723,685