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Title:
CORRUGATED PIPE WITH ADAPTABLE COUPLING
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2016/108052
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
Adaptable coupling for corrugated pipes that comprises a corrugate pipe (1) and an integrated coupling body (2) having a cylindrical inner surface. The coupling body (2) comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced wing-springs (3), the wing-springs being arranged in a single row around the coupling body and being provided with blocking means (5) for preventing the wing-springs (3) from springing inwardly toward the radial centre of the coupling body (2) before the deactivation of the blocking means (5). The wing- springs (3) have a curved shape, the part of the wing-spring (3) not- connected to the coupling body (2) being directed toward a radial centre of the coupling body (2) in order to prevent releasing of a receiving pipe from the coupling body (2) upon the deactivation of the blocking means (5).

Inventors:
BEKAVAC ANTE (HR)
Application Number:
PCT/HR2014/000046
Publication Date:
July 07, 2016
Filing Date:
December 29, 2014
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
MOTIO D O O (HR)
International Classes:
F16L25/00
Foreign References:
EP0414500A11991-02-27
EP1333215A12003-08-06
DE19615442A11997-10-23
US20050134041A12005-06-23
EP0381979A21990-08-16
EP1719942A22006-11-08
US3899198A1975-08-12
CA964310A1975-03-11
US4969670A1990-11-13
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
BEKAVAC, Ante (Licka 4, Split, HR)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

1. A corrugated pipe with an adaptable coupling comprising: a corrugated pipe (1) having on the outside a plurality of corrugations defining alternating crests and valleys;

a coupling body (2) having a cylindrical and smooth inner surface, where said coupling body (2) having an inner diameter exceeding the outer diameter of said corrugated pipe (1) , where a side of a coupling body (2) that is opposite to a coupling entrance (4) being integrated with said corrugated pipe (1) ; a plurality of circumferentially spaced wing-springs (3) arranged at said coupling body (2) at a side facing toward the coupling entrance (4) of said coupling body (2) , where each of said wing- springs (3) being formed from said coupling body (2) so that a side of each of said wing-springs (3) facing said coupling entrance (4) being an integral part of said coupling body (2) where other side of each of said wing- springs (3) being not- connected to said coupling body (2) thus forming a void between said wing-springs (3) and said coupling body (2) , where said wing-springs (3) being arranged in a single row around said coupling body (2) at a location above a valley of a receiving corrugated pipe; characterised by that, each of said wing-springs (3) being provided with a blocking means (5) for preventing the wing- springs (3) from springing inwardly toward the radial centre of said coupling body (2) before the deactivation of said blocking means (5), where said wing- springs (3) having a curved shape and where a part of the not-connected wing-springs part opposite to coupling entrance (4) being directed toward the radial centre of said coupling body (2) in order to prevent the releasing of the receiving pipe from said coupling body (2) upon the deactivation of said blocking means (5) .

2. A corrugated pipe with an adaptable coupling comprising: a corrugated pipe (1) having from outside a plurality of corrugations defining alternating crests and valleys;

a coupling body (2) having a cylindrical and smooth inner surface where said coupling body (2) having an inner diameter exceeding the outer diameter of said corrugated pipe (1) , where a side of a coupling body opposite to a coupling entrance (4) being integrated with said corrugated pipe (1) ; a plurality of circumferentially spaced wing-springs (3) arranged at said coupling body (2) at the side facing toward the coupling entrance (4) of said coupling body (2) , where each of said wing- springs (3) being formed from said coupling body (2) so that one side of each of said wing-springs (3) being transversal to said coupling entrance (4) being an integral part of said coupling body (2) and the other side of each of said wing- springs (3) being not-connected to said coupling body (2) thus forming a void between said wing-springs (3) and said coupling body (2) , where said wing- springs (3) being arranged in a single row around said coupling body (2) at a location above a valley of a receiving corrugated pipe; characterised by that, each of said wing- springs (3) being provided with a blocking means (5) for preventing the wing- springs (3) from springing inwardly toward the radial centre of said coupling body (2) before the deactivation of said blocking .means (5) , where said wing- springs (3) having a curved shape and where a part of the not-connected wing-springspart opposite to coupling entrance (4) being directed toward the radial centre of said coupling body (2) in order to prevent the releasing of the receiving pipe from said coupling body (2) upon the deactivation of said blocking means (5) . A corrugated pipe with an adaptable coupling as claimed in claim 1 and claim 2, characterised by that, said blocking means (5), being made from said wind-springs (3) or additional material so that one or more portions of said wing-springs (3) having an enlargement for creating an overlap between said wing-springs (3) and said coupling body (2), where the bottom part of the enlargement being located on the outer surface of the coupling body (2) .

A corrugated pipe with an adaptable coupling as claimed in claim 1, characterised by that, said blocking means (5) , being a ring strip (5.1) located below each of the wing-springs (3) and so tightened that the bottom part of said wing-springs (3) being positioned substantially above the inner surface of said coupling body (2) , where said ring strip (5.1) being optionally fixed on one or more locations on said coupling body (2) .

A corrugated pipe with an adaptable coupling as claimed in claim 1 and claim 2, characterised by that, said blocking means (5), being so devised that said wing- springs (3) being welded or mechanically fixed on one or more locations to said coupling body (2) and where the bottom part of said wing- springs (3) being positioned substantially coplanar with or above the inner surface of said coupling body (2) .

A corrugated pipe with an adaptable coupling as claimed in claim 1 and claim 2, characterised by that, said blocking means (5), being a strip (5.3) located below each of the wing-springs (3) and so tightened that a bottom part of said wing- springs (3) being positioned substantially above the inner surface of said coupling body (2), where said strip (5.3) being optionally fixed on both sides of said wing-springs (3) on one or more locations on said coupling body (2) .

7. A corrugated pipe with an adaptable coupling as claimed in any of the previous claims, characterised by that, said wing- springs (3) being provided with one or more said spring- tongues (3.2) having a curved shape converging inwardly in respect to the radial centre of said coupling body (2) , where a side of said spring- tongues (3.2) facing the integrated part of said wing- springs (3) being connected to an outside surface of said coupling body (2) , where the rest of said spring- tongues (3.2) being optionally fixed to said wing-springs (3) on one or more locations.

8ยท A corrugated pipe with an adaptable coupling comprising: a corrugated pipe (1) having from outside a plurality of corrugations defining alternating crests and valleys;

a coupling body (2) having a cylindrical and smooth inner surface where said coupling body (2) having an inner diameter exceeding the outer diameter of said corrugated pipe (1) , where a side of a coupling body opposite to a coupling entrance (4) being integrated with said corrugated pipe (1) ; characterised by that, said coupling body having one circular recess or plurality of recesses (6) being arranged in a single row around said coupling body (2) , where said recess (6) being formed at a location above a valley of a receiving corrugated pipe at the side facing toward the coupling entrance (4) of said coupling body (2), where a plurality of said wing-springs (3) being placed within the recesses (6) and where the part of each of said wing- springs (3) being oriented toward the coupling entrance (4) and being fixed to said coupling body (2), where said wing- springs (3) being provided with a blocking means (5) for preventing the wing-springs (3) from springing inwardly toward the radial centre of said coupling body (2) before the deactivation of said blocking means (5) , where each of said wing- springs (3) having a curved shape and where a part of wing- springs not-connected to said coupling body (2) and opposite to coupling entrance (4) being directed toward the radial centre of said coupling body (2), in order to prevent the releasing of the receiving pipe from said coupling body (2) upon the deactivation of said blocking means (5) .

9. A corrugated pipe with an adaptable coupling comprising: a corrugated pipe (1) having from outside a plurality of corrugations defining alternating crests and valleys;

a coupling body (2) having a cylindrical and smooth inner surface where said coupling body (2) having an inner diameter exceeding the outer diameter of said corrugated pipe (1) , where a side of a coupling body that is opposite to a coupling entrance (4) being integrated with said corrugated pipe (1) ; characterised by that, said coupling body (2) having one circular recess or plurality of recesses (6) being arranged in a single row around said coupling body (2) , where said recess (6) being formed at a location above a valley of a receiving corrugated pipe at the side facing toward the coupling entrance (4) of said coupling body (2) , where a plurality of wing-springs (3) being placed within the recesses (6) , where one part of each of said wing springs (3) being oriented transversally to coupling entrance (4) and being fixed to said coupling body (2) , where said wing- springs (3) being provided with a blocking means (5) for preventing the wing- springs (3) from springing inwardly toward the radial centre of said coupling body (2) before the deactivation of said blocking means (5) , where each of said wing- springs (3) having a curved shape and where a part of wing- springs not-connected to said coupling body (2) and opposite to coupling entrance (4) being directed toward the radial centre of said coupling body (2) , in order to prevent the releasing of the receiving pipe from said coupling body (2) upon the deactivation of said blocking means (5) . -2Q-

A corrugated pipe with an adaptable coupling comprising: a corrugated pipe (1) having from outside a plurality of corrugations defining alternating crests and valleys;

a coupling body (2) having a cylindrical and smooth inner surface where said coupling body (2) having an inner diameter exceeding the outer diameter of said corrugated pipe (1) , where a side of a coupling body opposite to a coupling entrance (4) being integrated with said corrugated pipe (1) ; characterised by that , said coupling body (2) having one circular recess or plurality of recesses (6) , being arranged in a single row around said coupling body (2) , where said recess (6) being formed at a location above a valley of a receiving corrugated pipe at the side facing toward the coupling entrance (4) of said coupling body (2), where a plurality of wings (3.1) being placed within the recesses (6), where an edge of each of said wings (3.1) oriented toward the coupling entrance (4) being fixed to said coupling body (2) at two points so that the rotation in direction toward the radial centre of said coupling body (2) being made possible, where each of said wings (3.1) being provided with one or more spring- tongues (3.2) being made out from said wing (3.1) so that a side of each of said spring-tongues (3.2) facing said corrugated pipe (1) being integrated with said wing (3.1), where other sides of said spring-tongues (3.2) being not -connected thus forming a void between said wings (3.1) and said spring-tongues (3.2), where said spring-tongues (3.2) having a curved shape with a tip of tongue (3.3) being oriented outwardly from the radial centre of said coupling body (2) , where said coupling body (2) having a tongue hole (13) being located in a position above said tip of tongue (3.3), where each of said wings (3.1) being provided with a blocking means (5) for preventing the spring tongues (3.2) in enabling said wings (3.1) to rotate inwardly toward the radial centre of said coupling body (2) before deactivation of said blocking means (5), where edge of the wing (3.1) opposite to the edge being fixed to said coupling body (2) being directed toward a radial centre of said coupling body (2) in order to prevent the release of the receiving pipe from said coupling body (2) upon the deactivation of said blocking means (5) .

11. A corrugated pipe with an adaptable coupling as claimed in claim 8, claim 9, and claim 10 characterised by that, said blocking means (5), being so devised that said wings (3.1) having a rod (5.4) extending outwardly, in respect to the radial centre of said coupling body (2), through a corresponding hole (2.1) on said coupling body (2) where a rod ending (5.5), being above surrounding external surface of said coupling body (2) where said rod ending (5.5) being welded or mechanically secured or shape secured to said external surface of said coupling body (2) .

Description:
CORRUGATED PIPE WITH ADAPTABLE COUPLING

DESCRIPTION

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a thermoplastic pipes with integrated coupling, and more particularly to a corrugated thermoplastic pipes with integrated couplings.

Background

The following is a tabulation of some prior art that presently appears relevant:

1) US 3,899,198 (ERNEST J. AROSCHAK)

2) CA 964,310 (JOHN D. SCH UNK)

3) US 4, 969, 670 (ELDON G. BONNEMA & JAMES L. FOUSS)

The initial scope of application of the corrugated pipes on the drainage pipelines, where watertightness of the pipeline is not required was also extended to the watertight pipelines. In such pipelines corrugated pipe in addition to the external corrugated surface has a smooth inner profile. In most cases one end of the corrugated pipe is equipped with a coupling through which a connection of corrugated pipes is achieved. Watertightness of connections of . corrugated pipes is ensured mainly with the assistance of a gasket , which is located in the valley of the corrugation at the . end of the pipe which is to be connected. Gasket with its shape and appropriate dimensions ensures watertightness of the compound of two corrugated pipes .

In the watertight sewage systems used for drainage of rainwater and sewage water, pipes with large internal profiles of 200mm up to 1200mm and more are used. External force of the assembly needed for connecting the two corrugated pipes with the assistance of the coupling and the gasket is not meagre. In order to reduce this force, before connecting the coupling and the gasket are lubricated with a lubricant. During the assembly it is important to properly align the pipe which is being connected to the coupling so that the coupling and the pipe are as much as it is possible concentric to prevent the possible rotation or popping out of the gasket from its normal position at the end of the corrugated pipe.

Corrugated pipes in the most cases with the exception of bridges and outfalls, are assembled into the specially-excavated earthen trenches. The pipe is lowered into the trench and set in its final position and is then connected with a previously lowered pipe. Some systems of thermoplastic pipes such as smooth PEHD pipes, in which the mutual connection of two pipes is achieved by welding, point out the benefits which stem from such permanent joining. In these systems it is possible to connect a section of pipeline outside the trench and then lower it down in one piece into the trench at its final location. This advantage is most evident when it is needed to connect the pipes in a very narrow and inaccessible area or under the sea. " But the inseparability of the connection is not what we always need because there are cases where we want the connection to remain temporarily or permanently separable due to subsequent interventions, because of the requirements of the project, or because of the need for greater dilation or specifics of assembly conditions. In these cases, a connection that is purely inseparable like a weld does not provide the necessary adaptability to various conditions that can be imposed by the project or by the assembly itself .

When the abovementioned issues are taken into account there is a need for an inseparable connection of corrugated pipes which would allow for the corrugated pipes to be connected on the outside zone in which they are being assembled and to enable the sectional assembly of pipes either on land or at sea. Furthermore, there is a need for the inseparable connection which will not increase the assembly forces and which will ensure the stability of the gasket during the process of connecting. In addition there is a need for a connection that would be adaptable to ensure that the person who is carrying out the assembly opts for, according to a particular situation, a connection which will become separable or a connection which will remain inseparable.

In the prior art there is no solution which resolves aforesaid needs integrally. For example US 3,899,198 and CA 964.310 are solutions that can basically provide the inseparability of connection of two corrugated pipes but only with small profiles and with very flexible couplings. With pipes of larger profile and connections with a gasket the abovementioned solutions are inappropriate. The forces of assembly, if such performance of a coupling is suitable for large profiles, would be much higher than the usual force of assembly that occurs during the connection of standard corrugated pipes (those are pipes with separable connections) . The forementioned high forces of assembly can damage the coupling or gasket and cause the gasket to fall out of its chamber which results in an unacceptable connection.

The solution which is exposed in US 4,969,670 speaks of locking elements which are suitable for inseparable connection of large profile corrugated pipes. The abovementioned solution solves the problem of high forces of assembly because the locking elements are free to rotate outward and thus free up space inside pipe coupling for the passage of pipe and gasket, which is located at the part of the pipe that goes into the coupling. However, as the space around the pipe coupling is not free in all assembly conditions (e.g. the pipe assembly in a very narrow area, or when we have a locking element which is located in an area where the pipe is facing down against the surface) the need for rotation of the locking element toward the outside can be a limiting element especially when mounting large and heavy pipes. Lack of free rotation of locking element results in a significant increase in force of the assembly and can cause rotation or popping out of the gasket from its chamber. Moreover, as the upper surface of the locking elements is also part of the external shell of the coupling, rotation of locking elements toward the outside opens the coupling and allows the breach of the surrounding material or unclean water in the area where the gasket makes a watertight connection. This forementioned situation in the difficult conditions of assembly, which are conventional for assembly in soil trenches, is undesirable and can lead to the penetration of particles through the opening of the closure element and thus completely impair the watertightness of the connection. Entering of the pipe in the coupling is never perfectly concentric, which means that the locking elements will not lift evenly outwards. The forementioned situation could lead to a concentration of force on a single gasket zone and can in such manner result in its rotation or popping out from its chamber. In addition, this solution does not provide the connection with the ability to be adaptable, i.e. to enable the person who is carrying out the assembly to choose with regards to a particular situation between a separable or an inseparable connection.

Summary of Invention

The present invention meets the aforementioned needs by providing a corrugated pipe with an adaptable coupling .

In general, a corrugated pipe with an adaptable coupling according to the first embodiment comprises of a corrugated pipe which has on the outside a plurality of corrugations which define alternating crests and valleys and a coupling body which has a cylindrical and smooth inner surface, where the forementioned coupling body has an inner diameter which exceeds the outer diameter of the forementioned corrugated pipe, where a side of a coupling body that is opposite to a coupling entrance is integrated with that corrugated pipe. Including also a plurality of circumferentially spaced wing-springs arranged at that coupling body at a side facing toward the coupling entrance of that coupling body, where each of forementioned wing- springs is formed from that coupling body so that a side of each of those wing-springs which faces the forementioned coupling entrance is an integral part of that coupling body where other side of each of forementioned wing-springs is not-connected to that coupling body and in such a manner forms a void between the forementioned wing- springs and that coupling body, where the forementioned wing-springs are arranged in a single row around that coupling body at a location above a valley of the receiving corrugated pipe. Where each of the foremantioned wing- springs is provided with a blocking means which prevents the wing- springs from springing inwardly toward the centre of the coupling body before the blocking means is deactivated, where those wing- springs which have a curved shape and where a part of the non-connected part of the wing-springs that is opposite to coupling entrance is being directed toward the radial centre of the coupling body in order to prevent the releasing of the receiving pipe from that coupling body upon the deactivation of that blocking means.

In the another embodiment the abovementioned wing- springs are formed from the abovementioned coupling body so that one side of each of the wing- springs that is transversal to the coupling entrance is an integral part of that coupling body and other side of each of those wing-springs is not-connected to that coupling body and in such a manner forms a void between those wing-springs and the coupling body, where those wing-springs are arranged in a single row around that coupling body at a location above a valley of a receiving corrugated pipe.

In another embodiment, the abovementioned blocking means, are made from the abovementioned wind- springs or additional material so that one or more portions of those wing-springs has an enlargement which is used for creating an overlap between those wing- springs and that coupling body, where the bottom part of that enlargement is located on the outer surface of the coupling body.

In still another embodiment, the abovementioned blocking means are a ring strip which is located below each of those wing- springs and so tightened that the bottom part of those wing-springs is positioned substantially above the inner surface of the coupling body, where that ring strip is optionally fixed on one or more locations onto the forementioned coupling body.

In a further embodiment, the abovementioned blocking means are so devised that the abovementioned wing-springs are welded or mechanically fixed on one or more locations to the abovementioned coupling body where the bottom part of those wing-springs is positioned substantially coplanar with or above the inner surface of that coupling body.

In the other embodiment, the abovementioned blocking means are a strip which is located below each of the wing-springs and so tightened that a bottom part of those wing-springs is positioned substantially above the inner surface of the forementioned coupling body, where that strip can be optionally fixed on both sides of those wing springs on one or more locations on that coupling body.

In a separate embodiment, the abovementioned wing-springs are provided with one or more spring- tongues which have a curved shape which converges inwardly in respect to the radial centre of the abovementioned coupling body, where a side of those spring- tongues that is facing an integrated part of those wing- springs is connected to an outside surface of that coupling body, where the rest of those spring-tongues are optionally fixed to those wing-springs on one or more locations.

In an supplementary embodiment, the abovementioned coupling body has one circular recess or plurality of recesses which are arranged in a single row around that coupling body, where the recess are formed at a location above a valley of a receiving corrugated pipe at the side facing toward the coupling entrance of that coupling body, where a plurality of those wing-springs are placed within the recesses and where the part of each of those wing springs that is oriented toward the coupling entrance is fixed to that coupling body, where those wing-springs are provided with a blocking means for preventing those wing- springs from springing inwardly toward the centre of that coupling body before the deactivation of those blocking means, where each of those wing- springs has a curved shape and where a part of wing-springs that is not-connected to that coupling body and that is opposite to coupling entrance is being directed toward the radial centre of that coupling body, in order to prevent the releasing of the receiving pipe from that coupling body upon the deactivation of that blocking means . In the other embodiment the abovementioned coupling body has one circular recess or plurality of recesses which are arranged in a single row around that coupling body, where the recess are formed at a location above a valley of a receiving corrugated pipe at the side facing toward the coupling entrance of that coupling body, where a plurality of those wings are placed within the recesses and where an edge of each of the forementioned wings that is oriented toward the coupling entrance is fixed to that coupling body at two points so that the rotation in direction toward radial centre of the coupling body is made possible, where each of the forementioned wings are provided with one or more spring-tongues that are made out of the wing so that a side of each of the spring-tongues that is facing the corrugated pipe is integrated with the wing, where other sides of the spring-tongues are not -connected thus forms a void between the wings and the spring-tongues , where the spring-tongues have a curved shape with a tip of tongue that is oriented outwardly from the radial centre of the coupling body, where the coupling body have a tongue holes that are located in a position above the tip of tongues, where those wings are provided with a blocking means for preventing the spring-tongues in enabling the wings to rotate inwardly toward the centre of coupling body before deactivation of the blocking means, where an edge of the wing that is opposite to the edge that is fixed to the coupling body is directed toward a radial centre of the coupling body in order to prevent the releasing of the receiving pipe from that coupling body upon the deactivation of that blocking means .

In still another embodiment) the forementioned blocking means are so devised that the abovementioned wings have a rod which extends outwardly, in respect to the radial centre of the forementioned coupling body, through a corresponding hole on that coupling body where that rod ending is above the surrounding external surface of that coupling body where that rod ending is welded or mechanically secured or shape secured to the external surface of that coupling body. Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment with wings- springs in an unblocked position while Figure 2 represents a variant with wing-springs in a blocked position with overlap.

Figure 3 and 4 represent respectively a variant of the first embodiment where wing-springs are in a blocked position by spot welding and ring string.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of one variation of the second embodiment and Figure 6 is a perspective view of third embodiment.

Figure 7 show a perspective view of longitudinal cross section of a preferred embodiment from Fig.l accompanied with a longitudinal cross section of receiving pipe.

Figure 8 represents a longitudinal cross section 1-1 from Figure 6 and Figure 9 is a variety of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the forth embodiment while Figure 11 is a perspective view of a wing with a spring-tongue from Figure 10.

Figure 12 and Figure 13 represent respectively a longitudinal cross section 2-2 from Figure 10 with a wing with a spring-tongue in blocked position and with a wing with a spring-tongue in unblocked position .

Definitions

The term "receiving corrugated pipe" as used herein refers to a corrugated pipe being inserted into a coupling of other pipe so that all available internal space of the coupling being occupied by part of the pipe being inserted in coupling. Detailed Description

In the following detailed description, reference is made to accompanying drawings referring to specific embodiments in which the inventions may be practiced. Elements of embodiments that characterise present invention are described in sufficient detail to enable person skilled in the art to practice the invention without assumptions beyond the standard engineering practice. The elements of invention, already known in the art, and their way of construction, are defined with details required to clearly comprehend the scope of this invention. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilised and that mechanical, procedural, and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of present invention is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

The first embodiment of corrugated pipe with adaptable coupling is illustrated in Figure 1. If wing-springs (3) are disregarded from the Figure 1, the Figure 1 shows an arrangement of corrugated pipe with coupling that is well known in the art. The arrangement has a corrugated pipe, with outside surface that has a plurality of corrugations defining alternating crest and valleys, and a coupling body (2) . The side of coupling body (2) that is opposite to a coupling entrance (4) is integrated with the corrugated pipe (1) . The coupling body has a cylindrical and smooth inner surface. The inner diameter of the coupling body (2) exceeds the outer diameter of the corrugated pipe. The inner diameter of coupling entrance (4) is slightly bigger than in the rest of the coupling body. As shown on Figure 1, the coupling body (2) has four circumferentially spaced wing-springs (3) . The coupling body (2) is so cut to form a C-form of the wing-springs (3) . As result, a side of the wing- springs facing the coupling entrance (4) remains integral part of the coupling body (2) . The other side of each of the wing-springs (3) is not-connected to the_coupling body,. As illustrated in the Figure 1 there is a void between the wing-springs (3) and the coupling body

(2) . While in this embodiment the wing springs have a C-form it is understood that wing spring (3) in this and other embodiments can be in other shapes such as U-form, V-form, semi-circle form, squared form, trapezoidal form etc. The wing spring (3) are arranged in a single row around the coupling body (2) . As can be seen on Figure 7 the wing-springs (3) are located at the side of the coupling body that is closer to the coupling entrance (4) at a location above a valley (8) of a receiving corrugated pipe (10) .

To form curved form of wing spring (3) that ensures the spring effect of the wing spring (3) , the wing spring is bended and heated up to the thermoforming temperature. After that process, the wing spring (3) is kept in a . curved form and cooled to the room temperature. As result, the wing springs (3) have a curved shape. A part of not-connected wing-springs part that is opposite to coupling entrance (4) is directed toward the radial centre of the coupling body (2) . As shown in Figure 7, such curved shape of the wing spring

(3) ensure that the part of not-connected wing-springs part opposite to coupling entrance (4) prevents the releasing of the receiving pipe from the coupling body (2) .

The wing- springs (3) are provided with a blocking means (5) to maintain the bottom part of the wing- spring (3) above a space defined by the inner surface of the coupling body (2) and to prevent the wing springs (3) from springing inwardly toward the radial centre of the coupling body (2) before the deactivation of the blocking means (5) .

In the case of the first embodiment the blocking means (5) are made from the wing-springs (3) . During the bending and heating process an enlargement of the portions of the wing- springs (3) is made to create an overlap between the wing-springs (3) and the coupling body (2) as it is illustrated in Figure 2. When the bottom part of the enlargement is located on the outer surface of the coupling body the blocking means (5) is considered activated. The blocking means (5) are deactivated by an external force that acts on the external surface of each of the wing-springs (3) and elastically deforms the wing springs (3). As a result, the overlap between the wing-springs (3) and a coupling body (2) is eliminated and blocking means are considered deactivated. Now, the wing springs (3) can freely spring inwardly toward the radial centre of the coupling body (2) . The deactivation of the blocking means (5) can take place whenever it is necessary before or after the entrance of the receiving corrugated pipe or the blocking means (5) can remain permanently activated.

Figure 3 shows a variant of the first embodiment where blocking means (5) are so devised that the wing-springs (3) are welded on one location (5.2) to the coupling body (2). A" bottom part of the wing- springs (3) is positioned substantially coplanar with or above the inner surface of the coupling body (2) .

Figure 4 shows another variant of the first embodiment where blocking means (5) is a ring strip (5.1) located below each of the wing-springs (3). The ring strip (5.1) is so tightened that the bottom part of the wing-springs (3) is positioned substantially above the inner surface of the coupling body (2) .

The second embodiment is illustrated in Figure 5 that shows three wing-springs (3) in an unblocked condition and the forth wing-spring (3) in blocked condition. The forth wing-spring (3) is blocked by a strip (5.3) that is placed below the fort wing-spring (3). The wing- springs (3) of the forth embodiment are transversally oriented in respect to the wing-springs of the first embodiment. All other aspects of the second embodiment are analogous to herein disclosed aspects of the first embodiment and its variants.

Figure 6 represents the third embodiment of a corrugated pipe with an adaptable coupling. The coupling body (2) of the third embodiment has four recesses (6) that are arranged in a single row around the coupling body (2) . The recesses (3) are located at the side of the coupling body (2) that is closer to the coupling entrance (4) at a location above a valley (8) of a receiving corrugated pipe (10) . The recesses can be form during the production of the coupling or later on. The coupling body has four wing-springs (3) that are placed respectively within the four recesses (6) . The part of wing spring (3) that is oriented toward the coupling entrance (4) is fixed to the coupling body (2) by means of ultrasonic welding. The wing spring is produced by means of injection moulding." The wing- spring (3) has a curved shape that ensures for the spring effect of the wing-spring 83) . The wing-spring (3) is so formed that a part of wing-spring not-connected to the coupling body (2) that is opposite to the coupling entrance (4) is directed toward the radial centre of the coupling body (2) . Each wing-spring (3) is provided with a blocking means (5) that maintain the bottom part of the wing-spring (3) above a space defined by the inner surface of the coupling body (2) and prevents the wing springs (3) from springing inwardly toward the radial centre of the coupling body (2) before the deactivation of the blocking means (5) . Figure 9 shows details of the blocking means (5) of the third embodiment. The wing spring (3) has a rod

(5.4) that extends outwardly, in respect to the radial centre of the coupling body (2) , through a corresponding hole on the coupling body (2). A rod ending (5.5) is above the surrounding external surface of the coupling body (2) and has semi-rounded form that secures the rotation of the wing-spring (3) by the shape of the rod ending

(5.5) . When the rod ending (5.5) is mechanically removed the wing- spring (3) is unblocked. The wing-spring (3) starts to rotate due to spring energy that is accumulated in the wing spring (3) . The figure 8 is a variant of blocking means (5) where the wing-spring (3) is mechanically secured by a screw.

Figure 10 shows the forth embodiment of corrugated pipe with an adaptable coupling. The coupling body (2) of the forth embodiment has four wings (3.1) that are placed respectively within the four recesses (6) . An edge of each of the wings (3.1) oriented toward the coupling entrance (4) is fixed to' the coupling body (2) at two points. The end part of two pivoting pins (14) by its semi-rounded shape fixes the wings (3.1) to the coupling body and allows the rotation of the wings (3.1) in direction toward a radial centre of the coupling body (2) . Each wing (3) is provided with one spring- tongue (3) . As shown in the Figure 11 the spring tongues (3.2) are made out from the wing (3.1) . The wing (3.1) is so cut to form an U- form of the spring tongues (3.2) . As a result, one side of spring- tongue (3.2) that is facing the corrugated pipe (1) is integrated with the wing (3.1) . The other sides of the spring- tongue (3.2) remain not -connected . While in this embodiment the spring-tongues (3.2) have a U-form it is understood that wing spring (3) in this and other embodiments can be in other shapes such as C-form, V-form, semi-circle form, squared form, trapezoidal form etc. Spring-tongues (3.2) have a curved shape with a tip of tongue (3.3) oriented outwardly from the radial centre of the coupling body (2) . The coupling body (2) has a tongue hole (13) that is located in a position that is above the tip of the tongue (3.3) . Each wing (3.1) is provided with a blocking means (5) for preventing the spring tongues (3.2) in enabling the wings (3.1) to rotate inwardly toward the radial centre of the coupling body (2) before deactivation of the blocking means (5) . The blocking means (5) of the forth embodiment has analogues characteristic as characteristic of the blocking means of the third embodiment and its variants.

The blocking means (5) of the forth embodiment are deactivated by an external force that cuts the rod ending (5.5) . After that, the wing (3.1) freely rotates inwardly toward the radial centre of the coupling body (2) . While the wing (3.1) is rotating toward the radial centre of the coupling body (2), the tip of tongue (3.3) is entering the tongue hole (13) located on the coupling body as shown in Figure 12. In such a way, the wing (3.1) is additionally fixed to the coupling body (2) .

While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the claims. References

(1) corrugated pipe

(2) coupling body

(3) wing- springs

(3.1) wing

(3.2) spring- tongue

(3.3) tip of tongue

(4) coupling entrance

(5) blocking means

(5.1) ring strip

(5.2) welding spot

(5.3) strip

(5.4) rod

(5.5) rod ending

(6) recess

(7) crest

(8) valley

(9) gasket

(10) receiving pipe

(11) end edge

(12) end edge of receiving pipe

(13) tongue hole

(14) pivoting pin