Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing inserts, such as lift inserts and step inserts, in cast members. The inserts have breakaway tabs mounted in receiving slots in either a reusable holder or disk-shaped member. The assembled insert and holder are inserted through a collar on the outer jacket of a mold assembly and a locking pin passes through cooperating openings in the holder and collar to retain the lift insert/holder in place during the casting operation. The disk-shaped member is fixed to a jacket of the mold assembly. The breakaway tabs break away from the insert when the cast member is separated from the mold assembly, the breakaway tabs being discarded and the holder (disk-shaped member) being reusable many times for subsequent casting operations. The slots, in one embodiment, have a locking shoulder to lock the tabs in their slots. In another embodiment, a cam surface on the tabs lock the tabs in the slots.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing inserts, such as lift inserts and step inserts, in cast members. The inserts have breakaway tabs mounted in receiving slots in either a reusable holder or disk-shaped member. The assembled insert and holder are inserted through a collar on the outer jacket of a mold assembly and a locking pin passes through cooperating openings in the holder and collar to retain the lift insert/holder in place during the casting operation. The disk-shaped member is fixed to a jacket of the mold assembly. The breakaway tabs break away from the insert when the cast member is separated from the mold assembly, the breakaway tabs being discarded and the holder (disk-shaped member) being reusable many times for subsequent casting operations. The slots, in one embodiment, have a locking shoulder to lock the tabs in their slots. In another embodiment, a cam surface on the tabs lock the tabs in the slots.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming cast members. Steps are provided in the cast member by sliding mounting flanges of hollow plastic step inserts into slots provided in the inner mold shell. The cast material is then poured into the mold. Once the cast material has set, the cast member is withdrawn from the mold assembly. The step insert mounting flanges are broken away, leaving hollow step inserts into which manhole steps are force-fittingly mounted. The inserts are provided with integral cover tabs which cover larger slots provided to facilitate insertion of the step inserts, preventing leakage of the cast material into the mold assembly. Integral cover tabs are similarly provided on enforcement ring support members mounted in a similar fashion to insertion slots provided on one of the mold members to cover larger width slot portions to prevent seepage of cast material. Similar seals are provided by cylindrical-shaped inserts for use in wetcast and drycast fabrication methods.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming cast members having curved or flat walls. Steps are provided in the cast member by placing hollow plastic step inserts into holders provided along the inner core of a mold assembly or mounting inserts on reciprocating pins or mounting inserts to a marginal portion of the inner core. The cast material is then poured into the mold. The cast member, when set, is withdrawn from the mold assembly. In one embodiment, a holder portion of the step insert is broken away, leaving the step inserts embedded in the cast member to receive legs of manhole steps. The inserts are provided with flanges, preventing leakage of the cast material into the mold assembly. Similar seals are provided by other types of cylindrical-shaped inserts for use in wetcast and drycast fabrication methods. Mounting assemblies are also provided for holding inserts for embedment in planar walls.

Abstract: A package comprising gasket mounting clamps and instructions for mounting same. The mounting clamps include an expansion clamp and a takedown clamp. The expansion clamp engages an interior of a gasket inserted. The takedown clamp is looped in the gasket. The takedown clamp is urged against surface of either the expansion clamp or the gasket. A flexible fastener loops through the expansion clamp and around the takedown clamp passing through an opening in an instruction card retaining the card and takedown clamp within the gasket. The expansion clamp enables installation of gasket and expansion of the clamp without removing the fastener and without interference of the takedown clamp, fastener and card and permits observation of the card. The fastener loops through the expansion clamp and does not interfere with the expansion operation. The fastener remains intact until mounting a pipe to the gasket, assuring retention of the takedown clamp and instructions.

Abstract: A package comprising gasket mounting clamps and instructions for mounting same. The mounting clamps include an expansion clamp and a takedown clamp. The expansion clamp engages an interior of a gasket inserted. The takedown clamp is looped in the gasket. The takedown clamp is urged against surface of either the expansion clamp or the gasket. A flexible fastener loops through the expansion clamp and around the takedown clamp passing through an opening in an instruction card retaining the card and takedown clamp within the gasket. The expansion clamp enables installation of gasket and expansion of the clamp without removing the fastener and without interference of the takedown clamp, fastener and card and permits observation of the card. The fastener loops through the expansion clamp and does not interfere with the expansion operation. The fastener remains intact until mounting a pipe to the gasket, assuring retention of the takedown clamp and instructions.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for casting a gasket into a cast member utilizing a one-piece mandrel assembly provided within a mold assembly. The resilient, compressible gasket is mounted upon the mandrel assembly during the casting operation. The mandrel assembly is withdrawn from the cast member after it has cured. The mandrel assembly may also be utilized to form a knockout barrier a pipe stop and a mounting fixture for mounting a baffle to the interior wall of the cast member through a snap on fastening arrangement. The mandrel assembly is preferably designed to facilitate stripping of the mandrel assembly from the cast member after the cast member is cured.

Abstract: An annular-shaped, expansion type clamping band has laterally overlapping ends, each having a skewed surface, the skewed surfaces slidably engaging one another. The ends are further provided with elongated guide slots for receiving a threaded bolt. A threaded nut threadly engaging the bolt, when tightened, moves the overlapping ends toward a longitudinal central axis of the band whereby the band expands to exert an outward radial force against an interior surface of a gasket to provide a liquid-tight fit between the gasket and an opening having a surface engaging an outer periphery of the gasket. The band may be a one-piece or two-or-three-piece assembly and may be formed of an suitable metallic or plastic material. The threaded member is slidable along the aforesaid guide slots enabling the bolts to be self-centered. The nut and bolt assembly, in one embodiment is designed to require only one tightening tool.

Abstract: A molded annular gasket is placed upon a mandrel for embedment of its annular-shaped embedment portion within an opening in a cast member. After the cast member has been cured and removed from a molding assembly, including the mandrel, the pipe attachment end of the gasket is pulled through the center of the gasket so that its pipe attachment end extends beyond the embedment end, to facilitate the placement of a take-down clamp which secures the pipe attachment end to a pipe inserted there through thereby providing a fluid-tight joint. The mandrel is preferably a one-piece member. The gasket may have a cylindrical or conical-shaped intermediate portion provided with spaced-apart annular projections at the pipe attachment end, between which the takedown clamp is arranged.

Abstract: An annular-shaped, expansion type clamping band has laterally overlapping ends, each having a skewed surface, the skewed surfaces slidably engaging one another. The ends are further provided with elongated guide slots for receiving a threaded bolt. A threaded nut threadly engaging the bolt, when tightened, moves the overlapping ends toward a longitudinal central axis of the band whereby the band expands to exert an outward radial force against an interior surface of a gasket to provide a liquid-tight fit between the gasket and an opening having a surface engaging an outer periphery of the gasket. The band may be a one-piece or two-or-three-piece assembly and may be formed of an suitable metallic or plastic material. The threaded member is slidable along the aforesaid guide slots enabling the bolts to be self-centered. The nut and bolt assembly, in one embodiment is designed to require only one tightening tool.

Abstract: A resilient compressible gasket having an embedment portion, a pipe engaging portion and a intermediate “radius” portion integral with the embedment and pipe engaging portions. The gasket assumes a “pleated” configuration when in the operative position, the pipe engaging portion extending through the embedment portion, yielding a gasket which compensates for deviation of the pipe from a nominal horizontal alignment without any reduction in the water-tight seal provided by the gasket. The gasket is sized to provide for easy insertion of a corrugated pipe into the pipe engaging portion while providing an excellent water-tight seal when clamped into position about one or more annular recesses and peaks of the corrugated pipe. Another embodiment of the gasket is designed to be secured to a cored or performed opening in a cast member through the use of an expansion-type clamping assembly.

Abstract: A placement ring assembly has inside and outside mandrels releasably fastened together to secure and align a pipe connector gasket therebetween. A permanent magnet of a magnet assembly is inserted through co-aligned openings in the mandrels and is magnetically attracted to an inner-core of a casting assembly. When the cast member is set, a mechanical release is rotated to release the magnetic attraction between the permanent magnet and the mold core. One of the mandrels may be provided with shock absorbing knockout pads while the other mandrel has openings aligned with the knockout pads to enable the knockout pads to be struck with a hammer to separate the mandrels. Rubber cushioning members absorb the shock of the impacts, protecting the mandrel from permanent damage. One-piece hole formers may likewise be provided with a magnetic assembly having a mechanic release as well as knock-out pads.

Abstract: An extruded gasket being formed of a suitable resilient, compressible material through out the body thereof to facilitate controlling critical gap dimensions measured between the components having the gasket arranged in said gap to provide an excellent water-tight seal. The gasket material is of a softer durometer than that of prior art gaskets and includes a relief section providing sufficient mechanical softness to allow the gasket to compress more easily in the region of the relief section.

Abstract: A bidirectional gasket providing a water-tight seal between a manhole assembly and a pipe, having a T-shaped anchoring portion for embedment in a manhole opening. An A-shaped pipe engagement portion joined to the anchoring portion by a connecting web facilitates bending of the gasket. The A-shaped portion has "legs" and recesses forming water pockets preventing water from entering between gasket and pipe. The gasket durometer enhances the water tight seal of the legs with increasing water pressure. The pipe engaging portion accommodates a greater outside pipe diameter compared with conventional connectors due to reduced volume, by providing voids within the connector. The gasket accommodates diameter deflection or ovation in rigid and flexible pipe materials. The A-shaped profile provides greater angular deflection and/or pipe misalignment allowance compared with conventional connectors.

Abstract: A lift pin insert assembly is releasably mounted upon a mold member for casting a manhole section. The mold is filled with concrete, which surrounds and embeds the insert assembly in the cast member. The insert is configured to receive a lift pin, which is automatically moved to a locked position when a lifting force is applied. The insert assembly includes a reinforcing support assembly having at least a face plate and a metal rod of suitable thickness engaging the insert, and anchored either to the face plate or an additional support plate. The support assembly distributes the forces applied by the lifting force to the cast member substantially uniformly over a large surface area, significantly increasing the weight load capable of being lifted by a given lift pin without increasing the size and/or diameter of the lift pin and blocks the lift pin from sliding out of the insert when the cast member is lifted by the lift pin.

Abstract: A lift pin insert assembly is releasably mounted upon a mold member for casting a manhole section. The mold is filled with concrete, which surrounds and embeds the insert assembly in the cast member. The insert is configured to receive a lift pin, which is automatically moved to a locked position when lifting tension is applied. A reinforcing support assembly includes at least a face plate and a metal rod of suitable thickness at least partially encircling the insert, and anchored either to the face plate or an additional support plate. The support assembly distributes the forces applied by the lifting force to the cast member substantially uniformly over a large surface area, significantly increasing the weight load capable of being lifted by a given lift pin without increasing the size and/or diameter of the lift pin.

Abstract: A watertight chimney assembly prevents infiltration of water in the region between a manhole cover support frame and a concrete manhole assembly. The watertight chimney, in one embodiment, is comprised of a pair of tubular telescoping sleeves each provided with a flange for mounting respectively to and between the top lip of a manhole assembly and the bottom surface of a flange on the cover support frame supported a desired distance above the top of the manhole assembly to maintain the cover frame at proper grade. An O-ring seated within an annular groove provided in one of the tubular sleeves provides a sliding watertight seal therebetween. The sleeve flanges are arranged and compressed between the cover support frame and manhole assembly and contribute to the watertight seal. One of the sleeves is reversible to increase the telescoping range between a minimum and a maximum extension. In an alternative embodiment, the internal surface of the manhole opening constitutes one of the telescoping members.

Abstract: A gasket for providing a watertight seal between an opening and a cast member and a conduit extending into said cast member, the gasket being an annular member having an outer circumferential portion of inverted T-shaped cross-section for embedment into the opening of the cast member and a flexible web-like portion extending inwardly from said anchoring portion and terminating in an annular enlarged beaded portion. The length of the web is greater than the distance between the outer diameter of the beaded portion and the inner diameter of the anchoring portion to form a curved configuration. The beaded portion has an inner diameter adapted to cause the beaded portion to undergo at least slight expansion when a conduit is pushed through the central opening defined by the beaded portion whereby the over-center position of the beaded portion may be reversed simply by movement of the pipe.

Abstract: A bidirectional gasket providing a water-tight seal between an opening in a manhole assembly and a pipe extending into said opening, comprises a T-shaped anchoring portion for embedment in a manhole opening A substantially A-shaped pipe engagement portion is joined to the anchoring portion by a slender connecting web facilitating bending of the gasket. The A-shaped portion has "legs" and recesses which form water pockets preventing water from entering. The durometer of the gasket material enhances the water-tight seal of the legs with increasing water pressure. The pipe engaging portion accommodates a greater outside pipe diameter compared with conventional connectors due to reduced volume, by providing voids within the connector together and a lower durometer of gasket material. The gasket has enhanced ability to accommodate diameter deflection or ovation in rigid and flexible pipe materials.

Abstract: A bidirectional gasket providing a water-tight seal between an opening in a manhole assembly and a pipe extending into said opening, comprises a T-shaped anchoring portion for embodiment in a manhole opening. A substantially A-shaped pipe engagement portion is joined to the anchoring portion by a slender connecting web facilitating bending of the gasket. The A-shaped portion has "legs" and recesses which form water pockets preventing water from entering. The durometer of the gasket material enhances the water-tight seal of the legs with increasing water pressure. The pipe engaging portion accommodates a greater outside pipe diameter compared with conventional connectors due to reduced volume, by providing voids within the connector together and a lower durometer of gasket material. The gasket has enhanced ability to accommodate diameter deflection or ovation in rigid and flexible pipe materials.