Gasket bridge assembly

{
  "publication_number": "US12152708B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Gasket bridge assembly",
  "abstract": "A gasket bridge assembly includes a gasket bridge defining a first circumferential bridge end, a second circumferential bridge end opposite the first circumferential bridge end, and an arcuate body arcing between the first and second circumferential bridge ends, wherein the gasket bridge comprises: a first anti-slip feature at the first circumferential bridge end; a second anti-slip feature at the second circumferential bridge end; and a third anti-slip feature disposed between the first and second circumferential bridge ends; and a gasket assembly disposed radially inward of the gasket bridge, wherein each of the first, second, and third anti-slip features extend radially inward and dig into an outer sealing surface of the gasket assembly to prevent movement of the gasket assembly relative to the gasket bridge.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A gasket bridge assembly comprising: a gasket bridge defining a first circumferential bridge end, a second circumferential bridge end opposite the first circumferential bridge end, and an arcuate body arcing between the first and second circumferential bridge ends, wherein the gasket bridge comprises: a first anti-slip feature at the first circumferential bridge end; a second anti-slip feature at the second circumferential bridge end; and a third anti-slip feature disposed between the first and second circumferential bridge ends; and a gasket assembly disposed radially inward of the gasket bridge, wherein each of the first, second, and third anti-slip features extend radially inward and dig into an outer sealing surface of the gasket assembly to prevent movement of the gasket assembly relative to the gasket bridge; wherein: the first anti-slip feature is a first ramp extending from the first circumferential bridge end and the second anti-slip feature is a second ramp extending from the second circumferential bridge end; the gasket bridge defines a bridge curvature from the first circumferential bridge end to the second circumferential bridge end; and each of first ramp and the second ramp define a ramp curvature that is smaller than the bridge curvature.",
    "2. The gasket bridge assembly of claim 1, wherein a distal ramp end of the first ramp distal to the first circumferential bridge end digs into the outer sealing surface and a distal ramp end of the second ramp distal to the second circumferential bridge end digs into the outer sealing surface.",
    "3. The gasket bridge assembly of claim 2, wherein a thickness of the first ramp tapers away from the first circumferential bridge end and a thickness of the second ramp tapers away from the second circumferential bridge end.",
    "4. The gasket bridge assembly of claim 2, wherein the each of the first ramp and the second ramp define an outer ramp surface, an inner ramp surface, and a substantially planar end wall extending between the outer ramp surface and the inner ramp surface at the distal ramp end.",
    "5. The gasket bridge assembly of claim 1, wherein the third anti-slip feature is a projection extending radially inward from an inner bridge surface of the arcuate body, and wherein a distal projection end of the projection distal to the inner bridge surface digs into the outer sealing surface.",
    "6. The gasket bridge assembly of claim 5, wherein the projection is disposed centrally between the first circumferential bridge end and the second circumferential bridge end.",
    "7. The gasket bridge assembly of claim 5, wherein the arcuate body of the gasket bridge defines a hole and a slug, and wherein the slug is bent radially inward relative to the hole to define the projection.",
    "8. The gasket bridge assembly of claim 7, wherein the slug defines a pair of prongs at the distal projection end and a substantially V-shaped gap formed between the pair of prongs, the pair of prongs digging into the outer sealing surface."
  ],
  "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": "2023-06-16",
  "publication_date": "2024-11-26",
  "grant_date": "2024-11-26",
  "priority_date": "2018-11-06",
  "application_number": "US-202318211051-A",
  "family_id": "70458017",
  "citations": [
    "US11255473B2",
    "US11719366B2",
    "US11719367B2",
    "US2012205909A1",
    "US2020141523A1",
    "US2022136630A1",
    "US2022136631A1",
    "US3700008A",
    "US4664428A",
    "US5076618A",
    "US5431458A",
    "US5765876A",
    "US5769467A",
    "US6131956A",
    "US8020898B2",
    "US8528945B2",
    "US8864181B2",
    "US8960729B2",
    "US9103476B2",
    "US9909697B2",
    "USRE33639E"
  ]
}