Method of preparing a pre-assembled pipe coupling

1. A method of preparing a factory assembled coupling for receiving pipe elements to be joined end to end, said coupling comprising first and second segments, each having first and second ends oppositely disposed and a respective connection member positioned at each said end, said method comprising:

positioning a flexible, resilient ring within a first channel in said first segment, said ring having a ring outer surface engaging said first segment;

engaging a second channel in said second segment with said ring outer surface so as to align each said connection member on said first segment with a respective one of said connection members on said second segment;

attaching said first end of said first segment to said first end of said second segment, and attaching said second end of said first segment to said second end of said second segment such that said segments surround said ring and define a central space for receiving said pipe elements;

adjustably tightening said connection members and thereby drawing each said segment into engagement with said outer surface of said ring and thereby supporting said first and second segments in spaced apart relation from one another on said ring at a distance at least sufficient to permit insertion of said pipe elements into said central space without disassembling said segments from one another.

2. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising positioning said ring between a first pair of arcuate projections positioned on opposite sides of said first segment.

3. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising engaging said second segment with said ring between a second pair of arcuate projections on opposite sides of said second segment.

4. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising measuring said distance at said ends of said segments.

5. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising adjustably tightening said connection members so as to deform said ring.

6. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising maintaining said segments in said spaced apart relation during shipping and through handling of said coupling during insertion of said pipe elements into said central space.

7. A method of preparing a factory assembled coupling for receiving pipe elements to be joined end to end, said coupling comprising a plurality of segments, each said segment having first and second ends oppositely disposed and a respective connection member positioned at each said end, said method comprising:

attaching said plurality of segments to one another end to end such that said segments surround and define a central space for receiving said pipe elements, a respective channel being positioned within each said segment, said channels facing said central space;

positioning a flexible, resilient ring within said channel in each said segment, said ring having a ring outer surface engaging said plurality of segments;

adjustably tightening said connection members and thereby drawing each said segment into engagement with said outer surface of said ring and thereby supporting said segments in spaced apart relation from one another on said ring at a distance at least sufficient to permit insertion of said pipe elements into said central space without disassembling said segments from one another.

8. The method according to claim 7 , further comprising positioning said ring between pairs of arcuate projections respectively positioned on opposite sides of each said segment.

9. The method according to claim 7 , further comprising measuring said distance at said ends of said segments.

10. The method according to claim 7 , further comprising adjustably tightening said connection members so as to deform said ring.

11. The method according to claim 7 , further comprising maintaining said segments in said spaced apart relation during shipping and through handling of said coupling during insertion of said pipe elements into said central space.

12. A method of preparing a factory assembled coupling for receiving at least one pipe element, said coupling comprising first and second segments, each having first and second ends oppositely disposed and a respective connection member positioned at each said end, said method comprising:

positioning a flexible, resilient ring within a first channel in said first segment, said ring having a ring outer surface engaging said first segment;

engaging a second channel in said second segment with said ring outer surface so as to align each said connection member on said first segment with a respective one of said connection members on said second segment;

attaching said first end of said first segment to said first end of said second segment, and attaching said second end of said first segment to said second end of said second segment such that said segments surround said ring and define a central space for receiving said at least one pipe element;

adjustably tightening said connection members and thereby drawing each said segment into engagement with said outer surface of said ring and thereby supporting said first and second segments in spaced apart relation from one another on said ring at a distance at least sufficient to permit insertion of said at least one pipe element into said central space without disassembling said segments from one another.

13. The method according to claim 12 , further comprising adjustably tightening said connection members so as to deform said ring.

14. The method according to claim 12 , further comprising maintaining said segments in said spaced apart relation during shipping and through handling of said coupling during insertion of said at least one pipe element into said central space.