US Patent 11781683 Shrouded coupling

Couplings for joining pipe elements have segments with attachment members with faces which contact one another when the segments are properly installed on the pipe elements. Each segment has one or more shrouds and recesses positioned along the faces. The shrouds on one segment are received within respective recesses on the other segment. The shrouds block the line of sight toward the central space which the segments surround and which receives the pipe elements. Index markings on the segments show visual inspection points to confirm proper engagement between the segments and the pipe elements.