Split coupler for pipes
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.
1. A split coupler, comprising:
a first semi-cylindrical member comprising a first semi-cylindrical member inner surface extending between opposing first semi-cylindrical member first and second terminal edges;
a second semi-cylindrical member comprising a second semi-cylindrical member inner surface extending between opposing second semi-cylindrical member first and second terminal edges;
said first semi-cylindrical member first terminal edge matably engageable with said second semi-cylindrical member first terminal edge, and said first semi-cylindrical member second terminal edge matably engageable with said second semi-cylindrical member second terminal edge; and
an interlocking assembly configured to interlock said first and second semi-cylindrical members to form a substantially cylindrical coupler having a coupler inner surface which defines a throughbore;
said interlocking assembly proximate said first and second terminal edges of said first and second semi-cylindrical members;
said interlocking assembly comprising a pair of protrusions and a pair of corresponding recesses;
said protrusion comprising a key outwardly extending therefrom, and said recess comprising a corresponding keyway outwardly extending therefrom.
2. The split coupler of claim 1 , said first semi-cylindrical member further comprising a first semi-cylindrical member outer surface extending between said first semi-cylindrical member first and second terminal edges, and said second semi-cylindrical member further comprising a second semi-cylindrical member outer surface extending between said second semi-cylindrical member first and second terminal edges.
3. The split coupler of claim 2 , wherein each of said first semi-cylindrical member first and second terminal edges radially outwardly extend from said first semi-cylindrical member outer surface, and said second semi-cylindrical member first and second terminal edges radially outwardly extend from said second semi-cylindrical member outer surface.
4. The split coupler of claim 1 , said interlocking assembly coupled to said first and second terminal edges of said first and second semi-cylindrical members.
5. The split coupler of claim 1 , one said protrusion outwardly extending from each of said first semi-cylindrical member first and second terminal edges, and one said recess inwardly extending into each of said second semi-cylindrical member first and second terminal edges.
6. The split coupler of claim 5 , said protrusion outwardly extending from said first semi-cylindrical member first terminal edge matably engageable with said recess inwardly extending into said second semi-cylindrical member first terminal edge, and said protrusion outwardly extending from said first semi-cylindrical member second terminal edge matably engageable with said recess inwardly extending into said second semi-cylindrical member second terminal edge to interlock said first and second semi-cylindrical members.
7. The split coupler of claim 6 , wherein said interlocking assembly interlocks as a result of axial movement of said first and second semi-cylindrical members relative to one another to slidably dispose said protrusions within said recesses.
8. The split coupler of claim 5 , the height of said protrusion comprising a dovetail configuration, and the depth of said recess comprising a corresponding dovetail configuration.
9. The split coupler of claim 5 , said protrusion extending along the length of said first semi-cylindrical member first or second terminal edge, and said recess extending along the length of said second semi-cylindrical member first or second terminal edge.
10. The split coupler of claim 9 , wherein one end of the length of said recess is an open end and the opposing end of the length of said recess is a closed end.
11. The split coupler of claim 5 , the length of said protrusion comprising a dovetail configuration, and the length of said recess comprising a corresponding dovetail configuration.
12. The split coupler of claim 1 , further comprising spiral threads coupled to said coupler inner surface.
13. The split coupler of claim 12 , said first semi-cylindrical member comprising first threads coupled to a first semi-cylindrical member inner surface and extending between first semi-cylindrical member first and second terminal edges, and said second semi-cylindrical member comprising second threads coupled to a second semi-cylindrical member inner surface and extending between second semi-cylindrical member first and second terminal edges.
14. The split coupler of claim 1 , further comprising an annular flange radially inwardly extending from said coupler inner surface.
15. The split coupler of claim 14 , said first semi-cylindrical member comprising a first flange radially inwardly extending from a first semi-cylindrical member inner surface between first semi-cylindrical member first and second terminal edges, and said second semi-cylindrical member comprising a second flange radially inwardly extending from a second semi-cylindrical member inner surface between second semi-cylindrical member first and second terminal edges.