Abstract: The specification discloses a method and stirrup mat for reinforcing concrete pipe which enables one to concentrate steel where it is needed at the area nearest the crown and invert of the pipe, yet still stirrup the entire area from 45 to 60 degrees to either side of the crown or invert. Also, by employing stirrups which are shorter towards the lateral edges of the mat than towards the center, one can use the present mat in an elliptical cage which is located in a round pipe or an elliptical pipe shaped wherein the elliptical cage is more elongated than the ellipse of the inner diameter of the pipe.

Abstract: The specification discloses a welded wire reinforcement for box culverts which four welded wire panels are hingedly joined by helical hinges so that the assembly can be shipped flat, erected on the job and held in erected position by crimping the helical hinges at various points.

Abstract: The specification discloses flexible plastic collars for joining non-interengaging pipe sections and allowing movement therebetween. The collar includes a narrow flexible mid-section with inwardly biased cylindrical skirts that taper outward from relatively thick and relatively rigid shoulders on either side of the flexible center portion. The shoulders have an annularly shaped channel on the inside surface thereof, with O-rings positioned therein which form a seal between the collar and the pipe ends.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method and related apparatus and cage assembly for spacing inner and outer concrete pipe reinforcing welded wire cages from one another through the use of a unique spacer bar. The spacer bar includes a plurality of links, each having a hook-shaped deviation therein, joined by a tie rod. The links are inserted through one of two cages until the tie rod abuts the cage and the hook deviations are then hooked over a longitudinal or circumferential wire or both in the other cage. Each link also includes at least one form spacer projection projecting from one end thereof in order to space the entire inner and outer cage assembly from the inner and/or outer wall of a pipe form.

Abstract: The specification discloses a pressure responsive pipe joint seal for sealing connecting pipe joint members. The sealing flanges on the seal define upwardly, outwardly and downwardly curved upper surfaces so that there is less tendency for them to get caught on a pipe joint member as adjacent members are slid into coupling relationship. The seal includes an inflatable bladder whereby the seal can be inflated after it is in its operative position. In one embodiment disclosed, the seal includes a cavity containing a lubricant, the cavity being covered with a rupturable membrane such that when pipe joint members are joined together, the membrane ruptures releasing the lubricant.

Abstract: The specification discloses a stirrup mat which a pipe producer manually forms in or on, and assembles to, a concrete pipe reinforcing cage, which assembly is then cast into a concrete pipe. The mat includes a plurality of parallel stirrup members, each having multiple projections, joined by just enough tie wires, 2 to 6, to give the mat dimensional stability. The tire wires are made of a flexible or ductile material having sufficient flexibility or ductility to allow the mat to be manually, arcuately shaped so as to conform to the curvature of the cage to which it is assembled.

Abstract: The specification discloses a reinforcing fabric for concrete or the like and a method for making the same in which stirrup members are joined to the fabric by rigid joining members such that the stirrup members are retained generally in the plane of the fabric. The joining members are bendable, however, such that the stirrup members can be rotated to an erect position projecting away from the plane of the fabric. In an alternative embodiment, individual stirrup projections are joined to the fabric and are made of rigid but bendable materials so that they can individually be bent out of the general plane of the fabric.

Abstract: Method of reinforcing concrete pipe in a rotary molding method using a wire reinforcing cage having a helical strand disposed about its exterior to resist torsional forces on the cage during molding, the cage being formed from a flat sheet.

Abstract: The specification discloses a pipe joint which utilizes a spherically tapered coupling that mates spherically tapered pipe ends. Because of the spherical tapers, O-ring seals contained in the coupler do not engage the pipe ends until the pipe ends and coupling are seated to form the pipe joint. In one embodiment, a plastic ring or cap is made integral with each pipe end and acts as a sliding surface that allows ready joining of the pipe ends with the coupler.

Abstract: Fabric and method for reinforcing concrete pipe or the like in which a plurality of sets of transverse wires are arranged along the length of the line, or circumferential defining, wires, each set defining a segment of fabric having a length corresponding to the circumference and overlap desired for a cage to be formed from that segment. Preferably, the distance between the first and last transverse wires in each set corresponds to the desired circumference of a cage to be formed and the distance between adjacent sets corresponds to the desired overlap.

Abstract: The specification discloses a completely automated method and apparatus for producing high tensile steel, of a controlled, predetermined U.T.S. and cross sectional area, from low and medium carbon steel by subjecting the steel to substantial elongation while simultaneously substantially heating and immediately thereafter rapidly quenching the steel, and while continually moving the steel relative to the heating and quenching means employed. The steel is heated to a temperature above its austenite conversion temperature. Greater elongation produces greater ultimate tensile strength, as much as more than twice as great as the starting ultimate tensile strength, and elongations approaching 200 percent have been effected.

Abstract: The specification discloses apparatus and a process for forming the female or bell end of welded wire reinforcing cages, particularly cages of the type used to reinforce concrete pipe. A cylindrical wire cage assembly is automatically centered and positioned within the apparatus and the bell end is formed by elongating one or more of the circumferential wires at one end of the cage. A force is applied between two points on the circumferential wires to simultaneously expand the wires and rotate the cage. A heat source is applied to a localized zone between the two points on the wire. The heat source and wire are moved relative to each other such that the heat zone moves along the wire as the force is applied. The wire is stretched under the force being applied to thereby continuously reduce the diameter of the wire and elongate the wire as it is moved relative to the heat source.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a closed loop object such as a pipe reinforcing cage from wire fabric includes an infeed carriage assembly receiving sections of wire fabric and transporting the fabric to a pair of gripping assemblies. Each gripping assembly includes rotatable gripping jaws mounted on a slide in turn positioned on a carriage for motion toward and away from each other such that opposite ends of the fabric can be brought together while rotating the gripping jaws to form a cylindrical cage. Speed control means are provided for assuring the gripping jaws advance toward each other in synchronism with the rotation of the jaws thereby forming a perfect cylindrical cage. Welding means are provided for welding the ends of the cage so formed while held in position by the gripping jaws.