Abstract: A gasket for preventing the separation of a pipe joint formed between plastic pipes such as pipes manufactured from PVC. The invention provides a restrained pipe joint including a first pipe including a bell with a spigot entryway and a substantially V-shaped annular groove. The annular groove includes a front radial wall and a rear radial wall and a gasket seated in the annular groove. The gasket includes an inner radial face, an opening defined by the inner radial face and an outer radial face with a front radial section located adjacent to the front radial wall of the annular groove and a rear radial section located adjacent to the rear radial wall of the annular groove. A plurality of restraining segments is at least partially embedded in the gasket.

Abstract: A gasket for preventing separation of interconnected pipes including a compressible body having a plurality of metal segments partially embedded therein. Each of the metal segments includes an inner surface having at least one tooth configured for engaging a spigot end of a pipe and an outer surface having an arm with a substantially flat portion arranged adjacent to a forward section of a retainer groove of the gasket, the substantially flat portion being configured for displacing the segment radially and axially upon insertion of the spigot end into a bell end of the other pipe thereby decreasing the spigot insertion force required to seat the spigot end within the bell end and the gasket.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a plastic pipe including covering the teeth of a plurality of restraining segments circumferentially arranged and embedded within an annular gasket with a covering and placing the annular gasket on a mandrel with the covering arranged between the restraining segments and mandrel. The annular gasket and mandrel and are inserted into an end of a heated plastic pipe for forming a socket in the end of the plastic pipe, the socket including an annular cavity formed by the annular gasket. Upon removal of the mandrel from the socket, the covering functions to prevent acutely pointed teeth of the restraining segments from impinging upon the mandrel thereby allowing removal of the mandrel from the socket without removal of the annular gasket from the annular cavity.

Abstract: A liquid monitoring system includes a remote measurement device located at a location of the fire hydrant that is in contact with water provided by a water main. The remote measurement device has sensors that measure characteristics of the water and a communication interface that transmits measured information to a communication network device that may be located elsewhere on the fire hydrant. The communication network device communicates with a communication network.

Abstract: A ballast system for heavy equipment including a ballast weight configured to be removably mounted, proximate to an end of a portion of the horizontal structure of the heavy equipment, at least one actuator mounted on the horizontal structure of the heavy equipment, operable between a first position and a second position, and oriented to actuate horizontally along at least a portion of the horizontal structure, at least one tension member that connects the ballast weight to the actuator and is configured to move the ballast weight vertically in response to the at least one actuator actuating along at least a portion of the horizontal structure; and a locking mechanism configured to removably attach the ballast weight to the end portion of the horizontal structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for an improved pipe joint. The system includes a first pipe having a bell socket end and a second pipe having a male or spigot end. The bell socket end of the first pipe is configured to include an inner groove within which a sealing member may be inserted. The bell socket end of the first pipe further includes a pivot cavity. The spigot end of the second pipe may be inserted into socket end of the first pipe to form an unrestrained, push-fit, ring-seal assembly when operatively joined, such that a sealing member is located within the inner groove, the sealing member having a sealing surface that is longitudinally related with the pivot point of the two pipes thereby allowing a high joint deflection angle while maintaining a relatively small pipe bell and sealing member mass.

Abstract: A pipe gasket including a compressible body having a heel portion and a sealing portion and a plurality of metal segments at least partially embedded in the compressible body and circumferentially spaced therein. Each of the metal segments includes a compression arm extending within the sealing portion and radially outward and away from the heel portion, a rounded nose portion extending within the heel portion and an acutely pointed tooth extending radially inward from a segment portion located between the compression arm and the nose portion. The compression arm extends radially outward within the gasket from a point located proximal to the tip of the tooth to a point within the sealing portion that is distal to the tip of the tooth. This arrangement provides for leveraging of the radial forces created by the compression of the sealing portion between the spigot end and the bell end to increase the radially inward force applied by the tooth on the spigot end.

Abstract: A gasket for preventing separation of interconnected pipes including a compressible body having a plurality of multi-sectioned metal segments partially embedded therein. The multi-sectioned metal segments are arranged in groups of two or more or as a continuous ring of segments. The multi-sectioned anti-slip segments are free to articulate according to the curvature of the outer surface of the spigot in a pipe joint. The presence of the multi-sectioned or articulating anti-slip segments increases the resultant segment density on large diameter pipes.

Abstract: A ballast system for heavy equipment including a ballast weight configured to be removably mounted, proximate to an end of a portion of the horizontal structure of the heavy equipment, at least one actuator mounted on the horizontal structure of the heavy equipment, operable between a first position and a second position, and oriented to actuate horizontally along at least a portion of the horizontal structure, at least one tension member that connects the ballast weight to the actuator and is configured to move the ballast weight vertically in response to the at least one actuator actuating along at least a portion of the horizontal structure; and a locking mechanism configured to removably attach the ballast weight to the end portion of the horizontal structure.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for heavy equipment having a first structure moveable relative to a second structure, the locking mechanism having an actuator mechanism, coupled to one of the first structure and the second structure, operable between a deployed position and a retracted position, a biasing member, a carriage member operable between a restricted position, in response to the actuator being in the retracted position, and an extended position. The biasing member is configured to bias the carriage member toward the extended position in response to the actuator mechanism being in a deployed position and the carriage member is configured to prevent relative movement between the first structure and the second structure in the extended position.

Abstract: A gasket for preventing separation of interconnected pipes including a compressible body having a plurality of metal segments partially embedded therein. Each of the metal segments includes an inner surface having at least one tooth configured for engaging a spigot end of a pipe and an outer surface having an arm with a substantially flat portion arranged adjacent to a forward section of a retainer groove of the gasket, the substantially flat portion being configured for displacing the segment radially and axially upon insertion of the spigot end into a bell end of the other pipe thereby decreasing the spigot insertion force required to seat the spigot end within the bell end and the gasket.

Abstract: A gasket for preventing separation of interconnected pipes without damaging the pipes. The gasket includes a compressible body having a plurality of metal segments partially embedded therein. Each of the metal segments includes a row of exposed teeth configured for engaging a spigot end of a pipe and a trough configured for pivotably engaging a bead on a bell. The trough is further configured for shearing or deforming the bead and inhibiting over-pivoting of the segment about the bead when the pipes are partially withdrawn away from one another, for example, during over-pressurization of the pipes.

Abstract: A gasket for preventing separation of interconnected pipes without damaging the pipes. The gasket includes a compressible body having a plurality of metal segments partially embedded therein. Each of the metal segments includes a row of exposed teeth configured for engaging a spigot end of a pipe and a trough configured for pivotably engaging a bead on a bell. The trough is further configured for shearing or deforming the bead and inhibiting over-pivoting of the segment about the bead when the pipes are partially withdrawn away from one another, for example, during over-pressurization of the pipes.

Abstract: A mechanical pipe joint, restraining gasket, and method for restraining pipe spigots within adjacent bell sockets. The restraining gasket is composed of two axially-separate components: a sealing portion and a restraining portion made of a plurality of arcuate locking members. The restraining gasket and a gland surround an outer surface of the pipe spigot. The mechanical pipe joint is formed as the pipe spigot is inserted into the bell socket and the gland is axially attached to the bell socket so that the restraining gasket is held between: the gland, an inner surface of the bell socket, and the outer surface of the pipe spigot, so as to provide a fluid seal in the joint and urge the locking members into contact with the outer surface of the pipe spigot, axially restraining the pipe spigot within the bell socket.

Abstract: A locking ring designed to work in a self restraining pipe joint.

Abstract: A locking ring designed to work in a self restraining pipe joint.

Abstract: A gasket for connecting two lengths of pipe in a standard mechanical joint is disclosed, which gasket maximizes the advantages of both restrained push-on joints as well as mechanical joints, as are known commonly in the art. The invention has application to long-run pipe lengths as well as appurtenances, including fittings and connections. The gasket contains locking members that act to restrain separation upon the instance of any force tending to separate the connected pipe lengths.

Abstract: A gasket for converting a standard mechanical joint into a restrained mechanical joint without the need for altered configuration of the bell, spigot, or gland of the joint, and without the need for additional fittings or devices. In the practice of the present invention, a standard mechanical joint's bell and gland configuration can be employed to connect a spigot end of one pipe length to the bell end of another pipe length in a restrained relationship, with the restraint based on forces superior to rubber-to-pipe friction. In more particular discussion of the embodiments taught, the invention includes forming the gasket to fit within the bell in such a manner that a void, or gutter, exists during rest, into which void the gasket compresses, which in turn influences the rotational motion of the segment. In this manner, the configuration of the gasket influences the timing and extent of rotation throughout the process of securing the gland to the bell.