Patent ID: 7310867
Filing Date: 2007-12-25
Classification: B25B,F16L,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for installing a gasket with an embedded reinforcing ring within an annular gasket receiving groove provided within the belled end of a plastic pipe section, the belled end having a mouth opening which is engageable with a spigot end of a mating plastic pipe section to form a pipe joint, the method comprising the steps of: providing a plastic pipe section having a preformed belled end opening; orienting the pipe section having the belled end along a horizontal work axis; temporarily positioning an annular gasket within the mouth opening of the belled end, the gasket being temporarily transformed from a generally cylindrical shape to a generally elliptical shape and being oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the horizontal work axis such that a leading edge of the gasket engages the annular groove and such that a trailing edge of the annular gasket is moved past the annular groove provided in the belled end; hand positioning a mechanically operated insertion device on the belled end of the plastic pipe; actuating the mechanically operated insertion device to thereby exert a retracting force on the annular gasket by pulling the trailing edge thereof backwards in stages in the direction of the mouth opening of the belled end until the gasket again assumes a generally cylindrical shape and snaps into a locked-in position within the annular groove.