Joint restraint device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11199280-B2
Application number	US-201815966796-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 30, 2018
Priority date	Apr 19, 2017
Publication date	Dec 14, 2021
Grant date	Dec 14, 2021

Abstract

A gland includes an annular ring, the annular ring defining a gland bore, the gland bore defining a gland axis extending through the annular ring; and a joint restraint assembly, the joint restraint assembly including a restraint base, the restraint base attached to the annular ring, the restraint base defining a restraint pocket, the restraint base including a structural rail; a gripper, the gripper disposed within the restraint pocket and configured to move in the restraint pocket; a spring biasing the gripper to move inwards towards the gland axis; and a cover contacting at least a portion of the restraint base.

First claim

That which is claimed is:

1. A gland comprising:
an annular ring, the annular ring defining a gland bore, the gland bore defining a gland axis extending through the annular ring; and
a joint restraint assembly, the joint restraint assembly comprising:
a restraint base, the restraint base attached to the annular ring, the restraint base defining a restraint pocket, the restraint base comprising a structural rail;
a gripper, the gripper disposed within the restraint pocket and configured to move in the restraint pocket;
a spring biasing the gripper to move inwards towards the gland axis; and
a cover contacting at least a portion of the restraint base,
wherein the gland is arrangeable in a position, the position being one of
a prepared position, wherein the gripper is mechanically restricted from motion, and
an activated position, wherein the gripper is unrestricted from motion; and

wherein:
the cover comprises a cover engagement wall;
the cover engagement wall comprises a tab stop;
the restraint base defines at least one tab stop locator, and
the activated position comprises the tab stop located within one tab stop locator.

2. The gland of claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises a stop leg configurable to contact the gripper and to prevent motion of the gripper in the prepared position.

3. The gland of claim 1 , wherein the gripper comprises two gripper arms.

4. The gland of claim 3 , wherein the two gripper arms define a rail space, wherein the structural rail is arranged within the rail space.

5. The gland of claim 4 , wherein the structural rail defines a spring pocket, wherein the spring is arranged within the spring pocket.

6. The gland of claim 1 , wherein:
the joint restraint assembly is a first joint restraint assembly;
the gland further comprises a second joint restraint assembly disposed on the annular ring; and
the first joint restraint assembly is disposed on the annular ring opposite from the second joint restraint assembly.

Assignees

• Mueller Int Llc
• Mueller Intemational Llc

Inventors

• Furcoiu Aurelian Ioan

Classifications

• F16L21/08 Primary

  with additional locking means (F16L21/06 takes precedence; couplings of the quick-acting type F16L37/00) · CPC title

• F16L19/0218

  comprising only sealing rings · CPC title

• F16L19/0206

  the collar not being integral with the pipe · CPC title

• F16L19/12 Primary

  with additional sealing means · CPC title