Abstract: A pipe bell or fitting socket is disclosed which includes an enlarged socket defining an interior, gasket receiving pocket. The enlarged socket terminates endwardly in a front socket terminus and interiorly in an interior terminus. An integral, outwardly extending, reinforcing ring projects radially outwardly from the outer periphery of the socket and provides increased body for socket strengthening purposes. The reinforcing ring may be medially positioned on the socket, may be endwardly positioned on the socket or may be otherwise positioned as best suited for the purposes of use. The reinforcing ring may be of any desired cross-sectional configuration, for example, square, triangular, rectangular or other cross-section.

Abstract: A pipe socket insert is disclosed for use within the socket of a length of plastic pipe. The insert is formed as a shaped annulus having a rearward, downwardly inclined ramp and a forward, downwardly inclined ramp, the rearward ramp and the forward ramp having a circular transition zone therebetween. The rearward ramp is provided with a plurality of circularly spaced valleys defined one from the other by circularly spaced ribs, the ribs forming portions of the outer peripheral configuration of the rearward ramp for contact with portions of the inner periphery of the pipe socket. Additionally, if desired, the forward ramp can also be provided with a plurality of circularly spaced valleys defined one from the other by a plurality of circularly spaced ribs.

Abstract: A gasket seating ring is disclosed which includes a specially designed hard plastic ring. The hard plastic ring in molded as a shaped annulus having a rearward, radially outwardly inclined ramp and a joined, forward, radially inwardly inclined ramp wherein the junction between the rearward and forward ramps defines the outer periphery of the ring. The shaped annulus further includes a radially inwardly angular junction.