Pipe coupling

摘要

This invention comprises a pipe coupling device 2 comprising: an annular sleeve 4 having an end configured to receive therein a plain end of a pipe and being provided with an annular first compression surface 6; an annular compression member 12 having an annular second compression surface 10; an annular gripping means 8; and means for drawing the annular compression member 12 and the annular sleeve 4 axially together so as to compress the gripping means 8 between the first 6 and second 10 compression surfaces so as to deform or move the gripping means 8 radially inwardly and into gripping engagement with the pipe; characterised in that: the annular gripping means 8 comprises a radially outer element 14 and a radially inner element 16 received within an annular recess 18 in the radially outer element 14; the radially inner element 16 and a gripping surface of the radially inner element 16 being arranged for relative axial movement; the radially inner element 16 and radially outer element 14 being configured such that in response to axial outwards movement of the pipe, the gripping surface of the radially inner element 16 is moved radially inwardly and into tighter gripping contact with the pipe.