Top bar coupling

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10844983-B2
Application number	US-201715649015-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 13, 2017
Priority date	Jul 13, 2017
Publication date	Nov 24, 2020
Grant date	Nov 24, 2020

Abstract

A top bar coupling includes a coupling body defining a first body end and a second body end; a first end ring attached to the first body end, the first end ring including a first gasket and a first split ring, the first gasket disposed within the first split ring, the first split ring configured to compress the first gasket radially inward in a tensioned state; a second end ring attached to the second body end, the second end ring including a second gasket and a second split ring, the second gasket disposed within the second split ring, the second split ring configured to compress the second gasket radially inward in a tensioned state; and a bar linkage attached to the first end ring and the second end ring, the bar linkage including a first bar; a second bar; and a attaching the first bar to the second bar.

First claim

That which is claimed is:

1. A top bar coupling comprising:
a coupling body defining a first body end and a second body end, a coupling bore defined extending through the coupling body from the first body end to the second body end;
a first end ring attached to the first body end, the first end ring comprising a first gasket and a first split ring, the first gasket disposed within the first split ring, the first split ring defining a first ring end and a second ring end, the first split ring configured to compress the first gasket radially inward in a tensioned state;
a second end ring attached to the second body end, the second end ring comprising a second gasket and a second split ring, the second gasket disposed within the second split ring, the second split ring defining a first ring end and a second ring end, the second split ring configured to compress the second gasket radially inward in a tensioned state; and
a bar linkage attached to the first end ring and the second end ring, the bar linkage comprising:
a first bar, the first bar extending between the first ring end of the first end ring and the first ring end of the second end ring;
a second bar, the second bar extending between the second ring end of the first end ring and the second ring end of the second end ring; and
a tensioner, the tensioner attaching the first bar to the second bar, the tensioner configured to draw the first bar towards the second bar.

2. The top bar coupling of claim 1 , wherein:
the first end ring further comprises a first joint base extending radially outward from the first ring end; and
the first bar engages the first joint base.

3. The top bar coupling of claim 2 , wherein the first bar and the first joint base of the first end ring define a ball joint, and wherein the first bar is configured to pivot relative to the first joint base.

4. The top bar coupling of claim 1 , wherein the tensioner is a bolt, and wherein the bolt extends from the first bar to the second bar.

5. The top bar coupling of claim 4 , wherein the fastener is configured to pivot relative to at least a one of the first bar and the second bar.

6. The top bar coupling of claim 1 , wherein:
the first bar defines a first bar end engaging the first end ring and a second bar end engaging the second end ring; and
the tensioner attaches to the first bar at a point defined between the first bar end and the second bar end.

7. The top bar coupling of claim 1 , wherein the first bar, the second bar, and the tensioner define an H-shape.

8. A pipe connection assembly comprising:
a first pipe length;
a second pipe length;
a top bar coupling, the top bar coupling comprising
a coupling body defining a first body end and a second body end, a coupling bore defined extending through the coupling body from the first body end to the second body end, the coupling bore receiving the first pipe length through the first body end, the coupling bore receiving the second pipe length through the second body end;
a first end ring attached to the first body end, the first end ring securing the first pipe length to the coupling body, the first end ring comprising a first gasket, the first gasket forming a first seal with the first pipe length;
a second end ring attached to the second body end, the second end ring securing the second pipe length to the coupling body, the second end ring comprising a second gasket, the second gasket forming a second seal with the second pipe length; and
a bar linkage attached to the first end ring and the second end ring, the bar linkage comprising:
a first bar extending from the first end ring to the second end ring;
a second bar extending from the first end ring to the second end ring; and
a tensioner, the tensioner attaching the first bar to the second bar.

9. The pipe connection assembly of claim 8 , wherein:
the first end ring comprises a first split ring;
the first gasket is disposed within the first split ring;
the first gasket forms the first seal with the first pipe length when the first split ring is in a tensioned state;
the second end ring comprises a second split ring;
the second gasket is disposed within the second split ring;
the second gasket forms the second seal with the second pipe length when the second split ring is in a tensioned state; and
the first split ring is in the tensioned state and the second split ring is in the tensioned state when the bar linkage is in an engaged position.

10. The pipe connection assembly of claim 9 , wherein:
the bar linkage is selectively positionable about and between the engaged position and a disengaged position;
a distance is defined between the first bar and the second bar; and
a value of the distance is greater in the disengaged position than a value of the distance in the engaged position.

11. The pipe connection assembly of claim 9 , wherein the first gasket is radially compressed between the first pipe length and the first split ring when the first split ring is in the tensioned state.

12. The pipe connection assembly of claim 9 , wherein:
the coupling body defines a first flange disposed at the first body end;
the first split ring defines a groove extending from a first ring end to a second ring end of the first split ring; and
the groove receives the first flange to attach the first split ring to the coupling body.

13. The pipe connection assembly of claim 8 , wherein the tensioner extends through a bar bore defined by the first bar.

14. The pipe connection assembly of claim 13 , wherein:
the tensioner comprises a washer defining a curved surface;
the first bar defines a curved surface shaped complimentary to the curved surface of the washer;
the curved surface of the washer pivotably engages the curved surface of the first bar; and
the bar bore extends through the curved surface of the first bar.

15. A pipe connection assembly comprising:
a first pipe length;
a second pipe length;
a top bar coupling, the top bar coupling comprising
a coupling body defining a first body end and a second body end, a coupling bore defined extending through the coupling body from the first body end to the second body end, the coupling bore receiving the first pipe length through the first body end, the coupling bore receiving the second pipe length through the second body end;
a first end ring attached to the first body end, the first end ring securing the first pipe length to the coupling body;
a second end ring attached to the second body end, the second end ring securing the second pipe length to the coupling body; and
a bar linkage attached to the first end ring and the second end ring, the bar linkage comprising:
a first bar extending from the first end ring to the second end ring;
a second bar extending from the first end ring to the second end ring; and
a tensioner, the tensioner attaching the first bar to the second bar, the tensioner extending through a bar bore defined by the first bar.

16. The pipe connection assembly of claim 15 , wherein:
the first end ring comprises a first split ring and a first gasket disposed within the first split ring;
the first gasket forms a seal with the first pipe length when the first split ring is in a tensioned state;
the second end ring comprises a second split ring and a second gasket disposed within the second split ring;
the second gasket forms a seal with the second pipe length when the second split ring is in a tensioned state; and
the first split ring is in the tensioned state and the second split ring is in the tensioned state when the bar linkage is in an enga

Assignees

• Mueller Int Llc

Inventors

• Mitchell Timothy J

Classifications

• F16L21/002

  Sleeves or nipples for pipes of the same diameter; Reduction pieces (F16L27/00, F16L37/00 take precedence; with elastic sealing rings F16L21/022) · CPC title

• F16L21/06 Primary

  with a divided sleeve or ring clamping around the pipe ends (flanged joints F16L23/00; couplings of the quick-acting type F16L37/00) · CPC title