Split clamp for joining pipe ends
A split pipe coupler having a pair of coupling bands with arcuate outer portions and semicircular inner portions that have dependent sides that define an interior channel and chamfered ends. A gasket has an interior diameter dimensioned to overlap the connected pipe ends. The fastening nuts and bolts draw the pair of coupling bands together and intermesh the chamfered ends of the semicircular inner portions.
1. A coupler for connecting pipe ends, the coupler comprising:
a pair of coupling bands, each coupling band has an concave outer portion that terminates in convex end portions having bolt holes on a common centerline through the apex of the convex end portions and a semicircular inner portion with dependent sides that are positioned beneath the concave outer portion define an interior channel;
a gasket having an interior diameter dimensioned to overlap connecting pipe ends and a width that fits within the interior channel of the semicircular inner portion; and,
a pair of threaded bolts that pass through the bolt holes in the convex end portions and a pair of nuts that are configured to engage with the pair of bolts and draw the convex end portions of the pair of coupling band together around connecting pipe ends;
whereby the coupling bands are draw together by the bolts and nuts and the semicircular inner portion are free of contact with the threaded bolts.
2. The coupler of claim 1 , wherein the semicircular inner portion of each coupling band has free ends that are chamfered so that the opposing free ends are nested when the coupling bands are drawn together.
3. The coupler of claim 2 , wherein the free ends of the semicircular inner portions are offset with respect to each other and a line between the free ends forms an acute angle with a center line through the coupler.
4. The coupler of claim 2 , further comprising a pair of spacers that surround the threaded bolts and have a length that limits tightening of the coupling bands.
5. The coupler of claim 1 , wherein the dependent sides of the semicircular inner portions are spaced apart and configured to overlie circumferential collars on connected pipe ends.
6. A coupler for connecting pipe ends, the coupler comprising:
a pair of coupling bands, each coupling band has an outer portion that terminates in convex end portions having bolt holes, configured to be aligned on a common centerline through the apex of the convex end portions, and a semicircular inner portion that has dependent sides that define an interior channel and chamfered ends;
a gasket having an interior diameter dimensioned to overlap connecting pipe ends;
and,
threaded bolts that pass through the bolt holes on the common centerline and nuts that are configured to engage with the bolts and draw the pair of coupling band together and intermesh the chamfered ends, which remain free of contact with the threaded bolts.
7. A pipe coupler for coupling a pair of pipes that are configured for coupling together and have circumferential collars that are spaced by a predetermined distance when coupled together, the pipe coupler comprising:
a pair of coupling bands, each coupling band has an arcuate outer portion that terminates in convex end portions having bolt holes on a common centerline through the apex of the convex end portions and a semicircular inner portion that has dependent sides that define an interior channel between the dependent sides that is at least equal to a predetermined distance between circumferential collars of the pair of pipes, the dependent sides terminating in feet with upturned edges; and,
a pair of threaded bolts that pass through the bolt holes and a pair of nuts that are configured to engage with the pair of bolts and draw the pair of coupling band together around circumferential collars associated with the pair of pipes.
8. A coupler kit for coupling a pair of pipes that are configured for coupling together and have circumferential collars that are spaced by a predetermined distance when coupled together, the pipe coupler kit comprising:
a pair of coupling bands, each coupling band has an arcuate outer portion that terminates in convex end portions having bolt holes on a common centerline through the apex of the convex end portions and a semicircular inner portion that has dependent sides that define an interior channel between the dependent sides that is at least equal to a predetermined distance between circumferential collars of the pair of pipes to be coupled, the dependent sides terminating in feet with upturned edges;
a gasket that fits within the interior channel between the dependent sides and as a predetermined width to overlie the predetermined distance between circumferential collars of the pair of pipes to be coupled; and,
a pair of threaded bolts that pass through the bolt holes and a pair of nuts that are configured to engage with the pair of bolts and draw the pair of coupling band together around circumferential collars associated with the pair of pipes to be coupled.
9. The kit of claim 8 , further comprising a first pair of spacers that surround the pair of threaded bolts and are configured to be positioned between the pair of coupling bands.
10. The kit of claim 9 , wherein the first pair of spacers have a length that is selected to establish a predetermined space between the pair of coupling bands.
11. The kit of claim 9 , further comprising a second pair of spacers that surround the pair of threaded bolts and are configured to fit between the pair of nuts and one of the coupling bands.
12. The kit of claim 11 , wherein the first pair of spacers have a length that is selected to preserve a predetermined space between the pair of coupling bands.
13. A closure for connecting ends of two pipes and sealing a pipe joint, the closure comprising:
a pair of clamping members, each clamping member having:
an upper portion that has a length greater than an outer diameter of two pipe ends to be joined and opposite ends, that have bolt holes on a common centerline through an apex in convex portions of the opposite end, are configured to receive a fastener with a head having a convex inner portion and a flat outer portion;
a lower portion that depends from the upper portion and is configured as a semi-circle with outer flanges that define an interior diameter that complements the outer diameter of two pipe ends to be joined; and,
a seal that is dimensioned to fit within the lower portions of the two clamping members and overlay the pipe joint;
whereby the two clamping members are positioned opposite to each other around the two pipe ends to be joined and are drawn together to bring the outer flanges of the lower portions into contact with the outer diameter of the two connecting pipe ends.
14. The closure of claim 13 , wherein an inner portion of each coupling band has free ends that are chamfered so that the free ends nest when the coupling bands are drawn together.
15. The closure of claim 13 , wherein the free ends are offset with respect to each other and a line between the free ends forms an acute angle with a center line through the coupler.
16. The closure of claim 13 , further comprising a pair of spacers that surround the threaded bolts and have a length that limits tightening of the coupling bands.
17. The closure of claim 13 , wherein the semi-circle with outer flanges of the lower portion are spaced apart and configured to overlie circumferential collars on the two connecting pipe ends.