End ring assembly

{
  "publication_number": "US11719367B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "End ring assembly",
  "abstract": "An end ring assembly includes a split ring defining an outer ring surface, an inner ring surface, a first ring end and a second ring end, the first ring end and second ring end defining a gap therebetween; a gasket bridge defining an outer bridge surface, an inner bridge surface, the gasket bridge further defining a first bridge end, a second bridge end, and a middle portion therebetween, the middle portion of the gasket bridge extending between the first ring end and the second ring end, the first bridge end and second bridge end engaging the inner ring surface, a first ramp extending from the first bridge end; and a primary gasket defining a primary outer sealing surface and a primary inner sealing surface, the primary outer sealing surface engaging the inner ring surface and the inner bridge surface.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An end ring assembly for a pipe coupling comprising: a split ring defining an outer ring surface, an inner ring surface, a first ring end and a second ring end, the first ring end and second ring end defining a gap therebetween, the split ring partially encircling an interior void for receiving a piping component; a gasket bridge defining an outer bridge surface, an inner bridge surface, the gasket bridge further defining a first circumferential bridge end, a second circumferential bridge end, and a middle portion therebetween, the middle portion of the gasket bridge extending between the first ring end and the second ring end to encircle the interior void, the first circumferential bridge end and the second circumferential bridge end engaging the inner ring surface, a ramp extending from the first circumferential bridge end, the ramp extending away from the split ring and radially inward into the interior void; and a primary gasket disposed within the interior void and defining a primary outer sealing surface and a primary inner sealing surface, the primary outer sealing surface engaging the inner ring surface and the inner bridge surface, wherein the ramp presses radially inward against the primary outer sealing surface to retain the primary gasket within the interior void wherein: the gasket bridge defines an arcuate body that arcs from the first circumferential bridge end to the second circumferential bridge end; the gasket bridge further defines a first axial side and a second axial side; the arcuate body defines a length from the first circumferential bridge end to the second circumferential bridge end and a width from the first axial side to the second axial side; and the length is greater than the width.",
    "2. The end ring assembly of claim 1, wherein the end ring assembly further comprises a first fastener base extending from the first ring end, a second fastener base extending from the second ring end.",
    "3. The end ring assembly of claim 2, further comprising a fastener received through each of the first fastener base and the second fastener base, wherein the end ring assembly is configurable in a tensioned configuration and a relaxed configuration, the fastener loosened in the relaxed configuration and tightened in the tensioned configuration.",
    "4. The end ring assembly of claim 1, wherein the end ring assembly is configurable in a relaxed configuration, wherein the primary gasket is un-compressed, and a tensioned configuration, wherein the primary gasket is compressed within the interior void by the split ring and the gasket ring.",
    "5. The end ring assembly of claim 1, further comprising a secondary gasket disposed within the interior void, the secondary gasket defining a secondary outer sealing surface and a secondary inner sealing surface, the secondary outer sealing surface configured for engaging the primary inner sealing surface, and the secondary inner sealing surface configured for engaging a piping component.",
    "6. The end ring assembly of claim 5, wherein the secondary gasket is selectively removable from the end ring assembly.",
    "7. The end ring assembly of claim 5, wherein: the primary inner sealing surface defines an annular engagement groove; the secondary outer sealing surface defines an annular engagement flange; and the annular engagement flange engages the annular engagement groove to improve a grip between the primary gasket and the secondary gasket.",
    "8. The end ring assembly of claim 1, wherein the ramp is a first ramp, the gasket bridge further defines a second ramp extending from the second circumferential bridge end, and the second ramp presses radially inward against the primary outer sealing surface of the primary gasket.",
    "9. The end ring assembly of claim 1, wherein the gasket bridge defines a bridge curvature from the first circumferential bridge end to the second circumferential bridge end, and the first ramp defines a first ramp curvature that is smaller than the bridge curvature.",
    "10. The end ring assembly of claim 1, further comprising a projection extending from the inner bridge surface at the middle portion of the gasket bridge, the projection extending into the interior void and pressing inward against the primary outer sealing surface of the primary gasket.",
    "11. The end ring assembly of claim 10, wherein: the middle portion of the gasket bridge defines a hole and a slug; and the slug is bent radially inward relative to the hole to define the projection.",
    "12. The end ring assembly of claim 11, wherein slug defines a pair of prongs and a substantially V-shaped gap formed between the pair of prongs, each of the prongs digging into the outer sealing surface.",
    "13. The end ring assembly of claim 1, wherein the gasket bridge further comprises a bridge shoulder extending radially inward from the first axial side, the split ring defines a ring shoulder extending radially inward from a first axial side of the split ring, and the bridge shoulder abuts an inner surface of the ring shoulder.",
    "14. The end ring assembly of claim 13, wherein the bridge shoulder defining a slot extending radially outward from a radially inward edge of the bridge shoulder, the slot configured to prevent the gasket bridge from buckling.",
    "15. The end ring assembly of claim 13, wherein the primary gasket abuts each of the ring shoulder and the bridge shoulder.",
    "16. The end ring assembly of claim 1, wherein the split ring comprises a ring lip having a substantially U-shaped cross-section and extending circumferentially around the split ring, and wherein the ring lip defining a ring groove.",
    "17. The end ring assembly of claim 16, wherein the gasket bridge comprises a bridge shoulder extending radially outward from a first axial side of the gasket bridge, the bridge shoulder engaging the ring groove.",
    "18. The end ring assembly of claim 10, wherein the projection defines a substantially hemispherical bump.",
    "19. An end ring assembly for a pipe coupling comprising: a split ring defining an outer ring surface, an inner ring surface, a first ring end and a second ring end, the first ring end and second ring end defining a gap therebetween, the split ring partially encircling an interior void for receiving a piping component; a gasket bridge defining an outer bridge surface, an inner bridge surface, the gasket bridge further defining a first circumferential bridge end, a second circumferential bridge end, and a middle portion therebetween, the middle portion of the gasket bridge extending between the first ring end and the second ring end to encircle the interior void, the first circumferential bridge end and the second circumferential bridge end engaging the inner ring surface, a ramp extending from the first circumferential bridge end, the ramp extending away from the split ring and radially inward into the interior void; a primary gasket disposed within the interior void and defining a primary outer sealing surface and a primary inner sealing surface, the primary outer sealing surface engaging the inner ring surface and the inner bridge surface, wherein the ramp presses radially inward against the primary outer sealing surface to retain the primary gasket within the interior void; and a secondary gasket disposed within the interior void, the secondary gasket defining a secondary outer sealing surface and a secondary inner sealing surface, the secondary outer sealing surface configured for engaging the primary inner sealing surface, and the secondary inner sealing surface configured for engaging a piping component.",
    "20. An end ring assembly for a pipe coupling comprising: a split ring defining an outer ring surface, an inner ring surface, a first ring end and a second ring end, the first ring end and second ring end defining a gap therebetween, the split ring partially encircling an interior void for receiving a piping component; a gasket bridge defining an outer bridge surface, an inner bridge surface, the gasket bridge further defining a first circumferential bridge end, a second circumferential bridge end, and a middle portion therebetween, the middle portion of the gasket bridge extending between the first ring end and the second ring end to encircle the interior void, the first circumferential bridge end and the second circumferential bridge end engaging the inner ring surface, a ramp extending from the first circumferential bridge end, the ramp extending away from the split ring and radially inward into the interior void; a primary gasket disposed within the interior void and defining a primary outer sealing surface and a primary inner sealing surface, the primary outer sealing surface engaging the inner ring surface and the inner bridge surface, wherein the ramp presses radially inward against the primary outer sealing surface to retain the primary gasket within the interior void; and a projection extending from the inner bridge surface at the middle portion of the gasket bridge, the projection extending into the interior void and pressing inward against the primary outer sealing surface of the primary gasket, wherein: the middle portion of the gasket bridge defines a hole and a slug; and the slug is bent radially inward relative to the hole to define the projection."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This disclosure relates to the field of pipe couplings. More specifically, this disclosure relates to a gasket bridge comprising an anti-slip feature.\n\nCommon one-bolt pipe couplings can comprise an end ring and a gasket bridge. The pipe couplings can further comprise a gasket. The end ring can define a gap between opposing ends of the end ring, and the gasket bridge can bridge the gap to prevent the gasket from extruding through the gap during installation of the pipe coupling. However, the gasket bridge can shift during installation, resulting in liberation of the gasket and failure to seal the pipe coupling with a pipe component (e.g. a pipe). The shifting can be caused by sharp ends of the gasket bridge engaging the end ring as the pipe coupling is tensioned during installation.\n\nIt is to be understood that this summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure. This summary is exemplary and not restrictive, and it is intended neither to identify key or critical elements of the disclosure nor delineate the scope thereof. The sole purpose of this summary is to explain and exemplify certain concepts off the disclosure as an introduction to the following complete and extensive detailed description. Disclosed is a gasket bridge for an end ring assembly comprising an arcuate body defining an inner surface, an outer surface, a first bridge end, and a second bridge end, the arcuate body defining a bridge radius of curvature; a first ramp extending from the first bridge end; a second ramp extending from the second bridge end; and a projection extending from the inner surface.",
  "cpc": [
    "F16L 21/08",
    "F16B 2/065",
    "F16B 2/08",
    "F16B 7/0426",
    "F16L 17/04",
    "F16L 21/02",
    "F16L 25/12"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "F16L 21/02",
    "F16L 21/08"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "MUELLER INT LLC"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "MITCHELL TIMOTHY J",
    "MCCULLOUGH CURTIS MICHAEL"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2022-01-12",
  "publication_date": "2023-08-08",
  "grant_date": "2023-08-08",
  "priority_date": "2018-11-06",
  "application_number": "US-202217573972-A",
  "family_id": "70458017",
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  ]
}