Abstract: A method and apparatus for restraining pipe against both internal and external forces at a pipe or fitting connection and to join and seal at least two pipes to form a pipeline is shown featuring an improved restraining and sealing mechanism. The restraining and sealing mechanism includes a circumferential housing and a companion sealing ring which are received within a mating groove provided in the belled end of a female pipe. The circumferential housing has an interior region which contains a gripping ring insert. The sealing ring and housing are integrally located within a belled pipe end during belling operations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for restraining pipe against internal forces at a pipe or fitting connection and to join and seal at least two pipes to form a pipeline is shown featuring an improved restraining/sealing mechanism. The restraining/sealing mechanism includes a relatively rigid gripper ring and a companion sealing ring which are received within one or more mating grooves provided in the belled end of a female pipe. The gripper ring and sealing ring can be combined or attached, or they can be separate members located in the same retaining groove or separate grooves in the female belled pipe end.

Abstract: A sealing and restraining gasket for preventing separation of a pipe joint used to join a bell end of a female pipe to the male end of a mating pipe. The gasket is formed from a compressible body of elastomeric material and carries a rigid ring with gripping teeth for engaging an outer surface of the mating male pipe. The ring has a gap at one location. The gripping teeth of the rigid ring are oriented so as to be out of contact with and initially angled away from the outer surface of the male plastic pipe. The teeth are forced into engagement with the exterior surface of the male pipe as the pipe joint is assembled and the gap in the ring is partly closed. The teeth are oriented to allow movement of the male pipe in a first direction relative to the female bell end opening during assembly, but to resist movement in a opposite direction after the pipe joint has been assembled.

Abstract: A restraining element for preventing separation of a pipe joint used to join a bell end of a female plastic pipe to the male end of a mating pipe. The restraining element is formed from a compressible body of elastomeric material, the compressible body having a segmented metal ring located therein with gripping teeth for engaging an outer surface of the mating male pipe. The ring segments making up the segmented metal ring are oriented such that the gripping teeth of the ring segments are out of contact with and initially angled away from the outer surface of the male plastic pipe. The teeth of the annular gasket are forced into engagement with the exterior surface of the male plastic pipe as the pipe joint is assembled. The teeth are oriented to allow movement of the male pipe in a first direction relative to the female bell end opening during assembly, but to resist movement in a opposite direction after the pipe joint has been assembled.

Abstract: An improved pipe belling apparatus and method are shown in which a spiral strip of thermoplastic material is extruded and wrapped spirally about a mandrel and integral gasket. The heated material is allowed to cool and the connection thus formed is stripped from the mandrel. The gasket is retained within a groove which is simultaneously formed of the thermoplastic extrusion.

Abstract: A restraining element for preventing separation of a pipe joint used to join a bell end of a female plastic pipe to the male end of a mating pipe. The restraining element is formed from a compressible body of elastomeric material, the compressible body having a segmented metal ring located therein with gripping teeth for engaging an outer surface of the mating male pipe. The ring segments making up the segmented metal ring are oriented such that the gripping teeth of the ring segments are out of contact with and initially angled away from the outer surface of the male plastic pipe. The teeth of the annular gasket are forced into engagement with the exterior surface of the male plastic pipe as the pipe joint is assembled. The teeth are oriented to allow movement of the male pipe in a first direction relative to the female bell end opening during assembly, but to resist movement in a opposite direction after the pipe joint has been assembled.

Abstract: An improved pipe belling process is shown which features a mandrel having a specially designed backup or forming collar. The backup collar has an exposed lip portion which forms a complimentary angle with the outer sloped surface of the gasket which it abuts. The complimentary angles of the backup collar and gasket form a wedge shaped contact area which serves to retain the gasket in its initial circumferential position on the working surface of the mandrel as the heated pipe is forced over the mandrel and gasket.

Abstract: An integrated connection for a manhole having a wall opening defining a peripheral surface and a ring shaped elastomeric body cast in place on the peripheral surface. The elastomeric body includes a foot region cast within the wall thickness of the manhole and connected to a leg region. The leg region terminates in a primary sealing surface. A reinforcing element passes through the ring shaped elastomeric body at one circumferential location which, when viewed in cross section, appears below the peripheral surface of the wall opening once the gasket is cast in place.

Abstract: The present invention is a pipe sealing gasket designed for receipt within a bell pipe groove, the bell pipe also having an inside surface. The gasket fitted within the groove allows a spigot pipe having an outside surface to be inserted therein to form a continuous pipe joint. The gasket can be best described with reference to a horizontal axis drawn parallel to the central axis of the bell pipe, the gasket comprising a ring shaped elastomeric body which, when viewed in cross section, includes a leading nose region joined to a lower compression region by a spigot ramp. The gasket also has a socket bulb region joined to the leading nose region by a concave section and a tail portion. The tail portion or the gasket is joined to the lower compression region by a spigot face seal and joined to the socket bulb region by a belling face seal in continuity with a belling ramp.

Abstract: A pipe gasket and a method of forming a pipe joint between a metal spigot pipe and metal belled pipe. The gasket has three regions to facilitate a seal. A seal region forms the primary seal within the groove of the belled pipe. A sleeve region extending from the seal region forms a sleeve around the end of an inserted spigot pipe to protect the pipe from contact with fluids flowing there through. A retainer region coupled to the sleeve region covers the end of the spigot pipe and also acts as a stop to prevent over-insertion of the spigot pipe into the belled pipe. The three regions cooperate to form a sleeve around the spigot pipe end and to prevent over-insertion of the spigot pipe into the belled pipe.

Abstract: A combination line marker and test station is shown which includes an upright support member, an internal locking sleeve and a test terminal which is supported by the locking sleeve within the upright member. A cap is engageable with the upper end of the support member for covering and protecting the exposed upper end and the internal locking sleeve and test terminal. A cupped-washer bolt is insertable within a common aperture provided within the cap and upright and is engageable with a locking nut carried by the internal locking sleeve to secure the cap to the upper end of the upright.

Abstract: A cap assembly is shown for a right of way line marker which includes a cap body with a conical exterior and an end opening. A mounting assembly including a lower, stationary disk and an upper, sliding disk are received within the end opening of the cap body. The lower disk has an aperture therein for receiving the upper end of a vertical support member. The upper sliding disk is positionable within the cap open interior upon contact with the upper end of the support member to thereby securely mount the cap assembly about the right of way line marker.

Abstract: A pipe sealing gasket is shown which is designed to be received within a groove provided within a socket end of a thermoplastic pipe. The gasket includes a ring shaped body which, when viewed in cross-section includes a leading nose region and a generally planar lower compression region, the leading nose region being joined to the lower compression region by a leading sloped surface region which forms an alignment ramp to guide a mating spigot end during insertion and which defines an angle .alpha. with respect to a horizontal axis drawn parallel to a central axis of the pipe, the lower compression region being joined to a secondary seal surface by a vertical lip portion which terminates in a trailing surface which defines a second angle .beta. with respect to the horizontal axis drawn parallel to the central axis of the pipe. The presence of the generally planar lower compression region prevents the vertical lip portion from bending backward under pressure loading and wherein the angles .alpha. and .beta.