Pipe coupler assembly

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A preferred form of coupling assembly 10 according to the invention is suitable for securing together the free ends, or connector ends 12, 14 of a pair of pipe sections P, P'.
The pipe sections may be of any suitable material, such as polyvinylchloride, for example.
The coupling assembly 10 includes a fitting 16 which is to be fixedly joined to each pipe end.
Each fitting 16 is preferably formed in one piece of a stiff plastic material, such as polypropylene for example.
The fitting 16 includes an annular locking portion 18, an annular sealing portion 20 and an intermediately disposed, generally cylindrical socket portion 22.
(See FIG.
3).
The socket portion includes inner and outer cylindrical surfaces 24, 26 defining a central longitudinal axis A of the fitting.
The inner surface 24 closely approximates the outer diameter of the associated connector end 12 or 14.
The locking portion 18 of the fitting 16 is of generally frustoconical configuration and comprises a series of circumferentially spaced tabs 28.
Each tab 28 merges with the cylindrical socket portion 22 along a circumferential line 29 and extends rearwardly outwardly therefrom at a slight angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the fitting.
Preferably such angle is between about 5.
degree.
and 15.
degree.
, and more preferably about 7.
degree.
.
The tabs are separated by slots 30 which are undercut into the socket portion 22, as indicated at 32, to facilitate flexure of the tabs about their juncture 29 with the socket portion 22 during coupling of the connector ends, as will be discussed subsequently.
The sealing portion 20 of the fitting 16 extends forwardly from the socket portion 22 and includes a generally cylindrical base 34.
An outer surface 46 of the base is disposed radially inwardly of the inner surface 24 of the socket portion 22 to define a radially outwardly open channel 40.
A rear end of the channel is closed by an annular flange 36.
Preferably another flange 38 is diposed forwardly of the rear flange 36 in axially spaced relation thereto to close the front end of the channel 40