ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 19 -- United States Patent no. 12,331,853, issued on June 17, was assigned to Ideal Clamp Products Inc. (Smyrna, Tenn.).

"Coupling" was invented by Bruce D. Bowater (Nolensville, Tenn.).

According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A coupling is configured to connect to an end of a pipe. The coupling includes a shield configured to surround the end of the pipe, a clamping band configured to be tightened around the shield and the end of the pipe, and an elastomeric gasket configured to lie between the shield and the pipe. The elastomeric gasket includes a first thickened region, a second thickened region spaced apart from the first thickened region, a circumferential support band interco...