Patent ID: 6739629
Filing Date: 2004-05-25
Classification: F16L

Abstract:
In a bell and spigot joint, the spigot having an outer circumferential spigot groove aligned with an inner circumferential bell groove, the aligned spigot and bell grooves together forming a locking strap passage to which an entrance opening is provided in the bell, a split locking strap being inserted through the entrance opening into the locking strap passage to prevent separation of the bell and spigot, the locking strap passage having a passage height between inner and outer passage surfaces and the locking strap having a locking strap thickness between inner and outer locking strap surfaces that is less than the passage height, the improvement wherein the locking strap has at least three projections that include a pair of spaced apart projections on one of said inner and outer locking strap surfaces and a single projection located intermediate said pair of projections on the other of said inner and outer locking strap surfaces, each of said projections extending outwardly from said strap surfaces a projection distance, and said locking strap thickness plus said projection distance being greater than said passage height so that said strap in the area of said projection engages said inner and outer passage surfaces to resist displacement of the locking strap from the passage.