Patent attributes
A pipe coupling apparatus includes a flexible tubular body portion having a body portion a plurality of annular flanges projecting radially outward from the body portion and defining a plurality of annular recesses around the body portion. The body portion can be radially compressed at each end to different degrees, thereby allowing pipes with different diameters to be coupled. The body portion includes a plurality of rods disposed within the material of the body portion. When the ends of the body portion are compressed at different amounts, an intermediate portion of the body portion is tapered, and the rods bend. Clamp bands may be retained within the recesses and may provide the clamping force to radially compress the ends of the body portion to the desired amount.
