Abstract: A pipe retrieval machine includes a frame defining a decoupling region and a travel axis and a transporting mechanism supported on the frame. The transporting mechanism has a first gripping structure adjacent an infeed end of the machine and a second gripping structure adjacent an outfeed end of the machine. The decoupling region is between the first and second gripping structures. The machine has a drive system to move the first and second gripping structures at a steady state speed to direct a pipe along the travel axis. The pipe retrieval machine includes one or more safety features to stop the drive system either automatically or through manual action, one or more safety features to inhibit or prevent damage to components of the decoupling region in the event of a malfunction, or both. Methods of operating a pipe retrieval machine include any of the operation procedures, method steps, safety features, and/or functions as described and in any combination.

Abstract: A pipe system has a pipe with an axis and a retainer groove formed in an exterior of the pipe near an axial end of the pipe. The pipe system also has a tubular body with an interior and one end sized to receive the axial end of the pipe therein to form a pipe assembly. The pipe system also has a retainer configured to be received in the retainer groove and to be both axially movable and radially movable relative to the retainer groove during formation of the pipe assembly and to retain the pipe and the tubular body in the pipe assembly.

Abstract: A pipe structure has an outer layer of a skin material with a first thickness and which defines an outside diameter of the pipe structure. The pipe structure has an inner layer of a skin material with a second thickness and which defines an inside diameter of the pipe structure. The pipe structure has a core layer of a foam material disposed between the inner and outer layers and having a third thickness. The inner, outer, and core layers are formed such that the pipe structure has a tube shape in cross-section. The first, second, and third thicknesses, respectively, combine to define a wall thickness of the pipe structure. The pipe structure has improved cold impact performance according to the ratio of the thicknesses of the inner and outer layers relative to the core layer.

Abstract: An assembly includes a tubular body having an axis, an axial end, a bore that is axial an aperture and a retainer groove formed in the bore and contiguous with the aperture. The assembly also includes a retainer mounted in the retainer groove. The retainer has a debris shield located external to the tubular body. The retainer includes a nominal configuration wherein the debris shield is configured to close off access to the aperture and the retainer groove to prevent debris from accumulating therein. In addition, the retainer includes an expanded configuration wherein the debris shield is not configured to completely close off access to the aperture and the retainer groove.

Abstract: A pipe seal assembly includes a stiffener having an axis, an inner diameter (ID) and an outer diameter (OD). The seal assembly also includes an elastomer that is coupled to and extending though the stiffener, such that the elastomer is located on both the ID and the OD of the stiffener. A method of manufacturing a tubular member includes forming the tubular member with a female end; locating a seal assembly having an extension inside the female end, pressing the seal assembly into the female end to form a seal groove, belling the tubular member using the seal assembly to form a belled shape, and pressing the extension into the interior of the female end to form a spline groove inside the female end adjacent the seal groove; and then sacrificially removing the extension, but leaving the seal assembly to form a final assembly.

Abstract: A pipe retrieval machine has a frame defining a decoupling region and a travel axis and a transporting mechanism having a first gripping structure adjacent an infeed end of the machine and a second gripping structure adjacent an outfeed end of the machine. The decoupling region is disposed between the first and second gripping structures. A drive system is configured to move the first and second gripping structures at a steady state speed to direct the pipe along the travel axis. A decoupling device in the decoupling region has a decoupler that is automatically operable to engage a locking part of the coupling. The decoupling device is configured to selectively and automatically stop the pipe relative to the decoupling device, to disassemble at least one pipe section from the pipe, to move the detached pipe section from the machine, and to advance the remaining pipe for disassembly.

Abstract: A pipe restraining system has first and second pipes. Each pipe has an axis and a groove adjacent an axial end thereof. A bushing bridges and hydraulically seals with the first and second pipes. First and second clamp rings are removably attach the bushing to a respective one of the first and second pipes. When the pipe restraining system is assembled, axial tensile loads passing through the first pipe are transmitted through the first clamp ring, the bushing and the second clamp ring to the second pipe. An axial distance between the first and second pipes remains substantially constant.

Abstract: A pipe system includes a tubular body having an axis, a bore extending in an axial direction, a tubular body retainer groove formed in the bore, and a tubular body exterior. Retainers are configured to be mounted in the tubular body retainer groove only from the bore of the tubular body. In one version, the retainers cannot be installed in the tubular body retainer groove from the exterior of the tubular body. The retainers are configured to be circumferentially spaced apart from each other with respect to the axis. In addition, a pipe having a pipe exterior with a pipe retainer groove is configured to receive the retainers to form a pipe assembly.

Abstract: A pipe restrained joint seal and lock can include a ring that is continuous and annular. The ring can have an axis, a proximal end and a distal end axially spaced apart from the proximal end. A spline can extend from the ring to engage a spline groove of a tubular component. The spline can include one or more of the following features: a seal mounted to the distal end of the ring; the seal mounted to the ring axially distal of the spline; the seal mounted to the ring radially outward of the spline relative to the axis; and the seal mounted to the ring, the seal having a seal groove extending in a distal direction, and a portion of the ring is located in the seal groove.

Abstract: A pipe system can include a coupling having an axis, axial ends and a bore. Each axial end can include a coupling spline groove formed in the bore, and a seal groove axially inboard of the coupling spline groove. The seal groove can be configured to house a seal. At least two pipes can be configured to be inserted into different axial ends of the coupling and be secured therein with retainers. Each pipe can include a pipe spline groove, a band groove axially adjacent to and radially shallower than the pipe spline groove, and a band mounted in the band groove.

Abstract: A pipe system includes a pipe having an axis and a retainer groove formed in an exterior of the pipe. A retainer is mounted in the retainer groove. An entirety of the retainer is both axially movable and radially movable relative to the retainer groove during formation of a pipe assembly with a tubular body to form a pipe assembly.

Abstract: A polymeric riser cap member includes a central tubular section defining a generally cylindrical bore for receiving a sprinkler riser, the central tubular section having open top and bottom ends, and an annular skirt coaxial with the central tubular section and having an inner diameter larger than an inner diameter of the central tubular section. The annular skirt has an inner surface having internal threads threadably connectable with the externally threaded surface of a tubular riser adapter member of a tubular coupler. The bottom end of the central tubular section has an annular projection disposed opposite and spaced from a portion of the annular skirt. The riser cap member includes an annular recess adapted to receive a seal located in a wall extending laterally between the annular skirt and the annular projection.

Abstract: A pipe system includes a tubular body with an axis, a bore that is axial and a retainer groove formed in the bore of the tubular body. A retainer is mounted in the retainer groove. An entirety of the retainer is both axially movable and radially movable relative to the retainer groove during formation of a pipe assembly with a pipe in the bore.

Abstract: A system for a basement concrete form and drainage are disclosed. The system may include a lineal that is a horizontal concrete form for a footer for a wall and a basement floor. The lineal may include a rectilinear tubular structure having a cavity, an outer wall, and drain perforations in the outer wall to permit fluid transmission from the cavity to an exterior of the lineal. In addition, a retainer may be mounted to a stake for the basement concrete form when the stake is embedded in a formation underlying the lineal. The retainer may be selectively vertically positioned along the stake to adjust a height of the lineal relative to the underlying formation.

Abstract: A seal has a seal body with an axis and axial-facing surfaces. The seal body is configured to be mounted to a tubular member, and seal between the tubular member and a second tubular member. A visual indicium can be located on only one of the axial-facing surfaces. Prior to assembly of the tubular member and the second tubular member, the visual indicium is configured to be visible to a user after being correctly mounted to the tubular member without the user physically contacting the seal body.

Abstract: A pipe has an axis, a cylindrical portion, a cylindrical belled end and a conical transition portion between the cylindrical portion and the cylindrical belled end. A machine includes a body having an axis, a head configured to be complimentary in shape to the conical transition portion, a cutting portion configured to be complementary in shape to the cylindrical belled end, and the cutting portion is configured to rotate relative to the body and the pipe during formation of the groove to cut the groove inside the pipe.

Abstract: An adjustable-width panel assembly for the construction of fences, walls, and other structures incorporating panels, which minimizes the need for separate fasteners to inter-connect successive panel members.

Abstract: A modular construction member for the construction of decking, flooring, roofing, and the like, including a matable connector formed integrally with the construction member for connecting successive deck members to form a deck assembly. The modular construction member includes a gutter portion and a groove portion, which may be inter-connected to provide a substantially water-proof structure. A separate fastener may be passed through the gutter portion, the groove portion, and into a subfloor to further secure the structure and to withstand upward forces from, for example, wave action in a marine environment.

Abstract: An adjustable-width panel assembly for the construction of fences, walls, and other structures incorporating panels, which minimizes the need for separate fasteners to inter-connect successive panel members.