Importance

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Abstract

Disclosed are arrangements for maintaining an annular sealing gasket in some predetermined position intermediate and substantially coaxial with opposed annular sealing beads extending axially from each of a pair of coupling components. One disclosed arrangement comprises a retainer element having an annular end wall and a cylindrical side wall which define a cavity for closely receiving a flat annular gasket. A plurality of axial retaining legs facilitate retainer mounting to one of the coupling members so that the gasket is captured in the retainer cavity substantially coaxial with the one coupling member and with the associated sealing bead engaging one of the gasket faces. In a second arrangement, a plurality of axial retaining legs are formed integrally with the gasket member. The legs are positioned circumferentially about the gasket for engaging the one coupling component coaxial with the associated sealing bead. In a third arrangement, a separate retaining element is provided to hold the gasket member in coaxial position on the coupling component. The retaining element has an annular endwall and a continuous cylindrical sidewall. A split in the sidewall and the end wall allows the retaining element to flex to grip the coupling component. The arrangements accommodate precise positioning of the gasket relative to the coupling components at initial coupling makeup and do not interfere with the coupling components themselves. The disclosed arrangements also advantageously permit precise repositioning of the gasket relative to the component sealing beads during subsequent disassembly and reassembly of the coupling.

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First Claim