BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a pipe coupling assembly for addressing issues related to leakage between coupled pipes in a simple, easy to use manner.

Transporting liquid from one location to another through a pipe system typically requires coupling multiple pipes together. Each point of coupling is a potential source of leakage for the liquid being transported through the pipe system. For example, transporting liquid from a residential or commercial sink to a drain typically includes a drain system formed from multiple pipes coupled together. Addressing leaks in the drain system is a common problem encountered in the plumbing field. Consumers will often try to repair leaks on their own without the aid of a professional plumber, however, the results are often not satisfactory and leaks will re-occur. Even professional plumbers can encounter difficulties in addressing some coupling leaks. For example, a drain trap can account for up to 80% of the leaks in an under-sink drain system.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a pipe system for transporting liquid. The pipe system includes a first pipe having a first end portion and a second pipe having a socket formed in a second end portion of the second pipe. The socket is adapted to receive the first end portion of the first pipe therein and the socket includes a rim defining an end opening through which the portion of first end portion of the first pipe is inserted into the socket. The rim includes a rim sealing surface adapted to form a liquid-tight seal around the first end portion. The socket also includes a sleeve portion including an exterior surface and an interior surface defining an interior space for receiving the first end portion. The interior surface includes at least two socket sealing surfaces adapted to form a liquid-tight seal around the first end portion. A locking ring couples the first pipe and the second pipe and includes a first end and a second end connected by a body portion. The first end has a flange defining an opening through which the first end portion of the first pipe is inserted and is adapted to engage the rim sealing surface when the locking ring surrounds the socket. A plurality of projections extends from one of the exterior surface of the sleeve portion or an interior surface of the body portion. The other of the exterior surface of the sleeve portion or the interior surface of the body portion includes a plurality of channels adapted to receive the plurality of projections. Each channel includes a channel inlet connected with a channel end portion by a neck portion, the neck portion extending at an angle relative to the second pipe rim. The locking ring is adapted to move relative to the socket between (a) an unlocked condition in which the locking ring surrounds the socket and each of the channel inlets is aligned with one of the plurality of projections, and (b) a locked condition in which the projection is received within the channel end portion. When the locking ring is placed over the socket in the unlocked condition and the first end portion is inserted into the socket through the locking ring opening, rotation of the locking ring from the unlocked to the locked condition draws the flange toward the rim sealing surface. The flange compresses the rim sealing surface to form the liquid-tight seal around the first end portion. When the locking ring is in the locked condition, the compressed rim sealing surface and the at least two socket sealing surfaces provide at least three liquid-tight seals around the first end portion of the first pipe.

According to another embodiment, a pipe coupling assembly includes a socket including a sleeve portion having an exterior surface and an interior surface defining an interior of the socket. A rim defines an opening into the interior of the socket and a rim sealing surface surrounds the rim and is adapted to form a liquid-tight seal. At least two socket sealing surfaces are disposed in the interior surface of the sleeve portion and adapted to form a liquid-tight seal. A locking ring is adapted to receive the socket and includes a first end and a second end connected by a body portion having an interior surface. The first end has a flange adapted to engage the rim sealing surface when the locking ring surrounds the socket. A plurality of projections extends from one of the exterior surface of the sleeve portion or the interior surface of the body portion. The other of the exterior surface of the sleeve portion or the interior surface of the body portion includes a plurality of channels adapted to receive the plurality of projections. Each channel includes a channel inlet connected with a channel end portion by a neck portion. The neck portion extends at an angle relative to the second pipe rim. The locking ring is adapted to move relative to the socket between (a) an unlocked condition in which the locking ring surrounds the socket and each of the channel inlets is aligned with one of the plurality of projections, and (b) a locked condition in which the projection is received within the channel end portion and the flange compresses the rim sealing surface. The compressed rim sealing surface and the at least two socket sealing surfaces provide at least three liquid-tight seals around an end portion of a pipe inserted into the socket.

According to yet another embodiment, a pipe coupling assembly includes a first pipe having a first end portion including a first rim defining an opening into an interior of the first pipe. A shoulder extends at least partially around a circumference of the first pipe adjacent the first rim. A second pipe includes a socket formed in a second end portion of the second pipe. The socket is adapted to receive at least a portion of the first end portion therein. The socket includes a rim defining an opening through which the first end portion is inserted into the socket. The rim includes a rim sealing surface adapted to form a liquid-tight seal around the first end portion. A sleeve portion has an exterior surface and an interior surface defining an interior space for receiving the first end portion. The interior surface includes at least two socket sealing surfaces adapted to form a liquid-tight seal around the first end portion. A locking ring couples the first pipe and the second pipe. The locking ring includes a first end and a second end connected by a body portion, the first end having a flange defining an opening through which the first end portion of the first pipe is inserted. A first locking element is disposed on an exterior surface of the shoulder or the socket and a second locking element is disposed on an interior surface of the locking ring. The first locking element is adapted to engage the second locking element such that rotation of the locking ring from an unlocked condition to a locked condition draws the shoulder and the socket toward one another. The rim sealing surface is compressed between the flange and the shoulder. When the locking ring is in the locked condition, the compressed rim sealing surface and the at least two socket sealing surfaces provide at least three liquid-tight seals around the first end portion of the first pipe.

Before the various embodiments disclosed herein are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the claims are not to be limited to the details of operation, to the details of construction, or to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The embodiments described herein are capable of being practiced or being carried out in alternative ways not expressly disclosed herein. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. Further, enumeration may be used in the description of various embodiments. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the use of enumeration should not be construed as limiting the claims to any specific order or number of components. Nor should the use of enumeration be construed as excluding from the scope of the claims any additional steps or components that might be combined with or into the enumerated steps or components.

