Fittings Having Arcuate Stiffness Ribs

摘要

Fittings, including elbow fittings and Tee fittings have bodies that surround a central space and define openings to receive pipe elements. Ribs surround the openings, and gaps are positioned between the ribs to permit deformation of the body when ends of the body in facing relation are brought together. The body may be formed of two housings or unitary in construction. The ribs may be grooved to accommodate toothed retainer rings providing mechanical engagement with pipe elements. The ribs have surfaces with radii of curvature that, when the ribs are undeformed, are substantially equal to the radii of curvature of the pipe elements they engage.

主权项

1. A fitting for joining pipe elements together, said fitting comprising:
a body surrounding a central space for receiving said pipe elements, said body defining first and second openings respectively positioned on first and second sides of said body for receiving said pipe elements; said body having a plurality of first arcuate ribs positioned end to end surrounding said first opening, a gap being positioned between adjacent pairs of said first arcuate ribs, each of said first arcuate ribs projecting toward a first axis oriented coaxially with said first opening, each of said first arcuate ribs having a surface facing said first axis, said surfaces on each of said first arcuate ribs having a radius of curvature substantially equal to a radius of curvature of an outer surface of said pipe elements when said first arcuate ribs are in an undeformed state; said body having a plurality of second arcuate ribs positioned end to end surrounding said second opening, a gap being positioned between adjacent pairs of said second arcuate ribs, each of said second arcuate ribs projecting toward a second axis oriented coaxially with said second opening, each of said second arcuate ribs having a surface facing said second axis, said surfaces on each of said second arcuate ribs having a radius of curvature substantially equal to a radius of curvature of an outer surface of said pipe elements when said second arcuate ribs are in an undeformed state; wherein said first axis is angularly oriented with respect to said second axis; said body further having first and second ends positioned in facing relation and connection members positioned on said first and second ends, said connection members being adjustably tightenable for drawing said first and second ends toward one another, said body being deformable in said gaps between each of said first and second arcuate ribs and allowing said first and second ends to move toward one another upon adjustable tightening of said connection members, said surfaces on each of said first and second arcuate ribs thereby being brought into engagement with said outer surfaces of said pipe elements while in said undeformed state.