A ring-shaped seal has projections on an outwardly facing surface in the form of tubes which have a longitudinal axis oriented perpendicular to a plane containing the ring. The seal is received within a channel defined by segments attached end to end forming a coupling for coupling pipe elements in end to end relation. The segments have pockets which receive the projections. The projections support the segments in spaced apart relation to allow the pipe elements to be inserted into the coupling without loosening or disassembling it. The projections deform when the segments are drawn toward one another by adjustably tightenable fasteners and allow the segments to engage and capture the pipe elements in end to end relation.