MARK J SEWELL
Engineers in Bethlehem, PA

6179347, Jan 30, 2001

Jan 20, 1998

9/009528

Douglas R. Dole - Whitehouse Station NJ
Mark J. Sewell - Bethlehem PA

Victaulic Company of America - Easton PA

F16L 3714

285321

A pipe coupling includes tubular body and a retainer having a continuous strap-like base band and a plurality of spring fingers that extend inwardly therefrom into the inner periphery of the body, and which are cammed outwardly by a pipe when inserted into the coupling, the spring fingers then returning to their original position under the stored spring force for them to snap into a groove in the pipe exterior, and thus provide a positive stop preventing withdrawal of the pipe axially of the coupling. The spring fingers have a generally frusto-conical configuration. In an improved embodiment, the retainer is configured as a single continuous strap-like member having a generally rhomboidal cross-sectional configuration at substantially all cross-sections therearound, and is devoid of the spring fingers and base retainer portion disclosed in the previous embodiments.

2002013, Sep 19, 2002

Mar 16, 2001

09/810372

Mark Sewell - Bethlehem PA, US

F16L035/00

285/330000

An anti-rotational pipe coupling system is disclosed having pipe segments with end surfaces in which receptacles are arranged at spaced intervals circumferentially around each pipe. Interference bodies in the form of elongated pins are received within the receptacles of one pipe segment and extend outwardly from the end surface to engage complementary receptacles in another pipe segment arranged in facing engagement. The pins bear against the pipe segment sidewalls within the receptacles to prevent relative rotation of the pipe segments about a longitudinal axis coaxial with them. The pipe segments are received within a tube which uses flexible splines engaging concentrically aligned grooves in the tube and the pipe segments to prevent relative axial movement between the segments.