Patent Publication Number: US-2023132678-A1

Title: Method of using a mechanical joint restraint

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/386,627, filed Apr. 17, 2019, which is hereby specifically incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Field of Use 
     This disclosure relates to joining elements of pipe systems. More specifically, this disclosure relates to mechanical joint restraints for joining piping elements of pipe systems. 
     Related Art 
     A mechanical joint can be used to join a pipe length to a piping element such as a valve configured to open and close; a fitting such as a tee, an elbow, or a coupling; or another pipe length. In some aspects, the mechanical joint can comprise a female socket, a gland, a gasket, and the pipe length. 
     The mechanical joint is popular because it can work with a plain end of the pipe length, unlike a grooved connection or flanged connection, which must generally be formed with special tooling. Being able to use the plain end as-is allows for the pipe length to be cut to size in a field installation without the time and field equipment necessary to weld a flange to the plain end or to cut or roll a new groove in the plain end. Mechanical joints can generally be assembled with common hand tools such as a wrench or ratchet but can sometimes be assembled incorrectly and can require time-consuming measuring and marking of the pipe length to ensure a correct insertion depth. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is to be understood that this summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure. This summary is exemplary and not restrictive, and it is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of the disclosure nor delineate the scope thereof. The sole purpose of this summary is to explain and exemplify certain concepts of the disclosure as an introduction to the following complete and extensive detailed description. 
     In one aspect, disclosed is a mechanical joint restraint comprising: a gasket defining an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining a bore, the bore defining an axis therethrough, the gasket defining a first gasket end and a second gasket end, the gasket comprising: a sealing band positioned between the first gasket end and the second gasket end; a pipe collar extending in an axial direction from the sealing band towards the first gasket end; and a first stop lip extending radially inward from the pipe collar with respect to the axis of the gasket, the first stop lip defining a first lip height; a gland defining a bore defining an axis and positioned axially outward from the sealing band of the gasket with respect to the first gasket end with the mechanical joint restraint in an assembled condition, the axis of the gland aligned collinearly with the axis of the gasket; and a gripping ring positioned between the gasket and the gland. 
     In a further aspect, disclosed is a mechanical joint comprising: a piping element comprising a flange and defining a socket; a pipe length positioned inside the socket; and a mechanical joint restraint securing the pipe length to the piping element, the mechanical joint restraint comprising: a gasket defining an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining a bore, the bore defining an axis therethrough, the gasket defining a first gasket end and a second gasket end, the gasket comprising: a sealing band positioned between the first gasket end and the second gasket end; and a first stop lip extending radially inward from a remaining portion of the gasket with respect to the axis of the gasket, the first stop lip defining a first lip height; and a gland defining a bore defining an axis and positioned axially outward from the sealing band of the gasket with respect to the first gasket end, the axis of the gland aligned collinearly with the axis of the gasket. 
     In yet another aspect, disclosed is a method of using a mechanical joint restraint, the method comprising: inserting an end of a pipe length into a gland bore of a gland, a ring bore of a gripping ring, and a gasket bore of a gasket, the gland, the gripping ring, and the gasket together forming the mechanical joint restraint; inserting at least a portion of the gasket of the mechanical joint restraint into a socket of a piping element; inserting the end of the pipe length into the socket of the piping element; and drawing the gland towards a flange of the piping element to compress the gasket into sealing engagement with the piping element and the pipe length. 
     Various implementations described in the present disclosure may comprise additional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which may not necessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within the present disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims. The features and advantages of such implementations may be realized and obtained by means of the systems, methods, features particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of such exemplary implementations as set forth hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several aspects of the disclosure and together with the description, serve to explain various principles of the disclosure. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Corresponding features and components throughout the figures may be designated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistency and clarity. 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a gate valve comprising a mechanical joint in accordance with one aspect of the current disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of a gate valve comprising a mechanical joint in accordance with another aspect of the current disclosure. 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view of a flange of the gate valve of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view of a flange of the gate valve of  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  5    is an exploded perspective view of a mechanical joint restraint of  FIG.  1    and  FIG.  2   , the mechanical joint restraint comprising a gasket, a gripper ring, and a gland. 
         FIG.  6    is a sectional view of the gasket of  FIG.  5    taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  7    is a sectional view of the gripper ring of  FIG.  5    taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  8    is a sectional view of the gland of  FIG.  5    taken along line  8 - 8  of  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  9    is an assembled perspective view of the mechanical joint restraint of  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  10    is a sectional view of the mechanical joint restraint of  FIG.  5    taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG.  9   . 
         FIG.  11    is a sectional view of the mechanical joint of  FIG.  1    taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  12    is a sectional view of the mechanical joint of  FIG.  2    taken along line  12 - 12  of  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  13    is a detail view of the mechanical joint of  FIG.  1    in an assembled but untightened condition taken from detail  13  of  FIG.  11   . 
         FIG.  14    is a detail view of the mechanical joint of  FIG.  1    in an assembled and tightened condition similar to that taken from detail  13  of  FIG.  11   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure can be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description, examples, drawings, and claims, and their previous and following description. However, before the present devices, systems, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific devices, systems, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified, as such can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting. 
     The following description is provided as an enabling teaching of the present devices, systems, and/or methods in their best, currently known aspect. To this end, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate that many changes can be made to the various aspects described herein, while still obtaining the beneficial results of the present disclosure. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present disclosure can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the present disclosure without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the present disclosure are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the present disclosure. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present disclosure and not in limitation thereof. 
     As used throughout, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a quantity of one of a particular element can comprise two or more such elements unless the context indicates otherwise. In addition, any of the elements described herein can be a first such element, a second such element, and so forth (e.g., a first widget and a second widget, even if only a “widget” is referenced). 
     Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect comprises from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about” or “substantially,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. 
     For purposes of the current disclosure, a material property or dimension measuring about X or substantially X on a particular measurement scale measures within a range between X plus an industry-standard upper tolerance for the specified measurement and X minus an industry-standard lower tolerance for the specified measurement. Because tolerances can vary between different materials, processes and between different models, the tolerance for a particular measurement of a particular component can fall within a range of tolerances. 
     As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description comprises instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not. 
     The word “or” as used herein means any one member of a particular list and also comprises any combination of members of that list. The phrase “at least one of A and B” as used herein means “only A, only B, or both A and B”; while the phrase “one of A and B” means “A or B.” 
     In one aspect, a mechanical joint restraint and associated methods, systems, devices, and various apparatuses are disclosed herein. In one aspect, the mechanical joint restraint can comprise a gasket, a gripper ring, and a gland. 
       FIG.  1    is a perspective front view of portion of a pipe system  50  comprising a piping element  60  and a pipe length  70 , each of which can define an axis  101 . As shown, the pipe system  50  can further comprise a mechanical joint  80  in accordance with one aspect of the disclosure. In some aspects, as shown, the piping element  60  can be a gate valve. In other aspects, the piping element  60  can be another type of valve configured to open and close; a hydrant; a fitting such as a tee, an elbow, or a coupling; or another pipe length. The mechanical joint  80  can comprise a flange  90  of the piping element  60  and a mechanical joint restraint  100  for securing the pipe length  70  to the piping element  60 . The mechanical joint restraint  100  can comprise a gasket  600  (shown in  FIG.  5   ), a gripping ring  700  (shown in  FIG.  5   ) and a gland  800 , all of which will be described in more detail below. The mechanical joint restraint  100  can further comprise fasteners  190 . As shown, the mechanical joint restraint  100  can comprise a quantity of six of the fasteners  190 , one or more of which can comprise an anti-rotation feature such as, for example, found in T-bolts as discussed below. Each of the fasteners  190  can comprise a head  192  (shown in  FIG.  2   ) and a shaft  194 . Each of the fasteners  190  can further comprise a nut  196 . 
     The pipe length  70  can define an inner surface  72  and an outer surface  73 , a first end  75  (shown in  FIG.  11   ) and a second end  76 . As shown, each of the first end  75  and the second end  76  can define a plain end of the pipe length  70 . A plain end of the pipe length  70  is an end of the pipe length  70  that has not been further formed beyond cutting to length and therefore in cross-section is substantially the same size and shape as a cross-section of the pipe length  70  at a distance from the first end  75  or the second end  76 . A plain end of a typical pipe has the shape of a plain cylinder. 
       FIG.  2    is a perspective front view of a portion of the pipe system  50  comprising the piping element  60  and the pipe length  70 . As shown, the pipe system  50  can further comprise a mechanical joint  80  in accordance with another aspect of the disclosure. In some aspects, as shown, the flange  90  of the piping element  60  and of the mechanical joint restraint  100  can be of a different configuration than shown in  FIG.  1   . Nonetheless, the mechanical joint restraint  100  can comprise the same elements as shown in  FIG.  1   —namely, the gasket  600 , the gripping ring  700 , and a gland  800 —but arranged differently as desired. Again, the mechanical joint restraint  100  can further comprise the fasteners  190 . As shown, the mechanical joint restraint  100  can comprise a quantity of four of the fasteners  190 . 
     As shown in each of  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the mechanical joint restraint  100  can be common between multiple mechanical joints  80  such that the same mechanical joint restraint  100  can be used in a different configuration or orientation, including with a lesser or greater quantity of the fasteners  190  than that shown. 
       FIG.  3    shows a perspective view of the flange  90  of the mechanical joint  80  and of the piping element  60  shown in  FIG.  1   . The piping element  60 —and the flange  90  in particular—can comprise a first entrance wall  410  defining a first entrance bore  414 , a second entrance wall  420  defining a second entrance bore  424 , and a connecting wall  430  extending from the first entrance wall  410  to the second entrance wall  420  and defining a connecting bore  434 . The first entrance wall  410 , the second entrance wall  420 , and the connecting wall  430  can define a sealing cavity  480  around the outer surface  73  (shown in  FIG.  1   ) of the pipe length  70  (shown in  FIG.  1   ) for placement of at least the gasket  600 . The flange  90  of the piping element  60  can define mounting openings  98   a,b,c,d,e,f , which can be sized to receive the fasteners  190 . 
     In some aspects, as shown in  FIG.  3   , some of the mounting openings  98  can be a slot. In other aspects, as shown in  FIG.  4   , all of the mounting openings  98  can be a hole. More specifically, as shown in  FIG.  3   , the mounting openings  98  can be anti-rotation notches such as, for example and without limitation, a pair of anti-rotation notches  380   a,b . The number of anti-rotation notches  380  should not be considered limiting on the current disclosure, as in various other examples any desired number of anti-rotation notches  380 , including zero anti-rotation notches  380 , can be present. In some aspects, the anti-rotation notches  380   a,b  can be configured to prevent the fasteners  190  (shown in  FIG.  1   ), which can be T-bolts (not shown as such) from rotating during pipe installation and, more specifically, the tightening of the fasteners  190 , which were otherwise tend to cause rotation of the fasteners  190 . The anti-rotation notches  380  can be configured to hold the head  192  of the fastener  190  in place while tightening of the fastener  190  such that the operator does not have to hold the head of the fastener  190  in place. A head of each of the T-bolts can have an elongated “T” shape that cannot rotate without contacting some portion of the anti-rotation notches  380  and thereby not require a separate tool to prevent their rotation during tightening of the mechanical joint  80 . 
       FIG.  4    shows a perspective view of the flange  90  of the mechanical joint  80  and of the piping element  60  shown in  FIG.  2   . The piping element  60 —and the flange  90  in particular—can comprise the first entrance wall  410  defining the first entrance bore  414 , the second entrance wall  420  defining the second entrance bore  424 , and the connecting wall  430  extending from the first entrance wall  410  to the second entrance wall  420  and defining the connecting bore  434 . Again, the first entrance wall  410 , the second entrance wall  420 , and the connecting wall  430  can define the sealing cavity  480  around the outer surface  73  of the pipe length  70  (shown in  FIG.  2   ) for placement of at least the gasket  600 . As shown, however, the dimensions and orientations of each of the features and surfaces can vary between the piping element  60  shown in  FIG.  1    and the piping element  60  shown in  FIG.  2   . As shown, the connecting wall  430  can be angled with respect to the first entrance wall  410  and the second entrance wall  420  and with respect to the axis  101 . 
     The flange  90  of the piping element  60  can define mounting openings  98 , which can be sized to receive the fasteners  190 . In some aspects, as shown in  FIG.  3   , some of the mounting openings  98  can be a slot. In other aspects, as shown in  FIG.  4   , all of the mounting openings  98  can be a hole. Any one or more of the aforementioned features of the piping elements  60  exemplarily shown at least in  FIGS.  3  and  4   —including the flange  90  and the entrance walls  410 , 420 —can define a female socket  400  into which the pipe length  70  can be received. 
     The mounting openings  98  can define a first pattern (defined by a physical arrangement of the holes) in the piping element  60  shown in  FIG.  3   , and the mounting openings  98  can define a second pattern in the piping element  60  shown in  FIG.  4   . As shown, the second pattern can be different from the first pattern. 
     The piping element  60  can optionally define an inflation channel or media channel  485  in the connecting wall  430 . The media channel  485  can allow for movement of fluid in the pipe system from beyond the gasket  600  into a portion of the sealing cavity  480  axially outward from a portion of the gasket  600  so that a pressure of the fluid can provide additional sealing between the gasket  600  and the pipe length  70 . As shown, the piping element  60  can define a plurality of media channels  485 . The cross-sectional profile of each media channel  485  can be semi-circular, although other cross-sectional profiles are contemplated by this disclosure. 
       FIG.  5    is an exploded perspective view of the gasket  600 , the gripping ring  700 , and the gland  800  of the mechanical joint restraint  100 . As shown, the gasket  600  can define an annular shape defining a gasket bore  614  extending through the gasket  600  from a first gasket end  615  of the gasket  600  to a second gasket end  616  of the gasket  600 . The gasket bore  614  can define an axis  601  extending from the first gasket end  615  to the second gasket end  616 . The gasket  600  can define a sealing band  610 , which can form a main body of the gasket  600  for later sealing of one or more gaps between various parts of the mechanical joint restraint  100 . The gasket can define an inner surface  612  defining the gasket bore  614  and extending from the first gasket end  615  to the second gasket end  616 , an outer surface  613  extending from the first gasket end  615  to the second gasket end  616 , a first end surface  625  (shown in  FIG.  6   ) defined by the first gasket end  615 , and a second end surface  626  (shown in  FIG.  6   ) defined by the second gasket end  616 . 
     The gasket  600  can define a stop lip  618  proximate to and, as also shown, defining the first gasket end  615  of the gasket  600 , and the stop lip  618  can extend radially inward from other portions of the gasket  600  relative to the axis  601 . The gasket  600  can define a stop lip  628  proximate to the second gasket end  616  of the gasket  600 , and the stop lip  628  can extend radially outward from other portions of the gasket  600  relative to the axis  601 . The gasket  600  can define a stop lip  638  proximate to and, as also shown, defining the second gasket end  616  of the gasket  600 , and the stop lip  638  can extend axially outward from other portions of the gasket  600  relative to the first gasket end  615 . As shown, the stop lip  638  can define one or more notches  680 , which can be aligned with and provide clearance for the fasteners  190  when the mechanical joint restraint  100  is assembled. As shown, the gasket  600  can comprise a pipe collar  640 , which can extend from the sealing band  610  to the stop lip  618 . 
     The gripping ring  700  can define an annular shape with a ring bore  714  extending through the gripping ring  700  from a first ring end  715  of the gripping ring  700  to a second ring end  716  of the gripping ring  700 . The ring bore  714  can define an axis  701  extending from the first ring end  715  to the second ring end  716 . The gripping ring  700  can define a body  710  for transferring force acting through various parts of the mechanical joint restraint  100  into a surface of the pipe length  70  (shown in  FIG.  1   ). As shown, the gripping ring  700  can define a split ring wherein two circumferential ends  717   a,b  of the gripping ring  700  define a gap  718  therebetween. The gap  718  can allow for a compression of the gripping ring  700  against the pipe length  70  and resulting reduction in a diameter of the gripping ring  700 . The gripping ring  700  can define an inner surface  712  defining the gripping ring bore  714  and extending from the first ring end  715  to the second ring end  716 , an outer surface  713  extending from the first ring end  715  to the second ring end  716 , a first end surface  725  (shown in  FIG.  7   ) defined by the first ring end  715 , and a second end surface  726  (shown in  FIG.  7   ) defined by the second ring end  716 . 
     The gland  800  can define an annular shape with a gland bore  814  extending through the gland  800  from a first gland end  815  of the gland  800  to a second gland end  816  of the gland  800 . The gland bore  814  can define an axis  801  extending from the first gland end  815  to the second gland end  816 . The gland  800  can define a body  810  for transferring force acting through various parts of the mechanical joint restraint  100  into a surface of the pipe length  70  (shown in  FIG.  1   ). A vertical flange portion  820  of the gland  800  can define a plurality of fastener holes  828 , which can extend through the vertical flange portion  820  as shown and will be further described below. The gland  800  can define an inner surface  812  defining the gland bore  814  and extending from the first gland end  815  to the second gland end  816 , an outer surface  813  extending from the first gland end  815  to the second gland end  816 , a first end surface  825  (shown in  FIG.  8   ) defined by the first gland end  815 , and a second end surface  826  defined by the second gland end  816 . 
     The fastener holes  828  of the gland  800  can be configured to align with the aforementioned first pattern or the aforementioned second pattern or another pattern defined by the plurality of mounting openings  98  defined in the piping element  60 . The gland can thus be interchangeably used with multiple piping elements  60  by aligning the plurality of fastener holes  828  of the gland with the corresponding or matching plurality of mounting openings  98  of the piping element  60 . 
       FIG.  6    is a sectional view of the gasket  600 . As shown, the gasket  600  can comprise the sealing band  610 , the stop lips  618 , 628 , 638 , the pipe collar  640 , and a ring collar  650 . As shown, the ring collar  650  can extend in an axial direction from the sealing band  610  towards the second gasket end  616 . The sealing band  610  can be positioned between the pipe collar  640  and the ring collar  650 . As shown, the stop lip  618  can define a stop lip thickness T 1 , the pipe collar  640  can define a pipe collar thickness T 2 , the sealing band  610  can define a sealing band thickness T 3 , the ring collar  650  can define a ring collar thickness T 4 ; the stop lip  628  can define a stop lip thickness T 5 , and the stop lip  638  can define a stop lip thickness T 6 . Each of the thicknesses T 2 ,T 3 ,T 4 ,T 6  can be measured in a radial direction relative to the axes  101 , 601  ( 601  shown in  FIGS.  5  and  101    shown in  FIG.  11   ). Each of the thicknesses T 1 ,T 5  can be measured in an axial direction relative to the axes  101 , 601 . In some aspects, as shown, the sealing band thickness T 3  can be greater than the ring collar thickness T 4  and the pipe collar thickness T 2 . In some aspects, as shown, the ring collar thickness T 4  can also be greater than the pipe collar thickness T 2 . In other aspects, the pipe collar thickness T 2  can be greater than the ring collar thickness T 4 . 
     For example and without limitation, the thickness T 1  can be defined by a desired clearance in an axial direction relative to the axes  101 , 601  between the pipe length  70  and the socket  400  proximate to the first stop lip  618 ; the thickness T 2  can be defined by a desired clearance in a radial direction relative to the axes  101 , 601  between the pipe length  70  and the socket  400  proximate to the pipe collar  640 ; the thickness T 3  can be defined by a desired clearance in the radial direction between the pipe length  70  and the socket  400  proximate to the sealing band  610 ; the thickness T 4  can be defined by a desired clearance between the gripping ring  700  and the socket  400 , at least when the mechanical joint restraint  100  is in an untightened condition; the thickness T 5  can be defined by a desired clearance in the axial direction between the gland  800  and the socket  400 ; and the thickness T 6  can be set to restrict movement in the radial direction of the gland  800  with respect to the gasket  600 . In some aspects, the thicknesses T 1 -T 6  of the gasket  600  can be made to match each other. In other aspects, one or more of the thicknesses T 1 -T 6  of the gasket  600  can each measure a different value from the other thicknesses T 1 -T 6 . 
     The stop lip  618  can define a stop lip height H 1  measured from the inner surface  612  of the gasket bore  614  facing radially inward with respect to the axis  601  of the gasket  600 . The stop lip  628  can define a stop lip height H 2  measured from the outer surface  613  at the ring collar  650  of the gasket  600  facing radially outward with respect to the axis  601  of the gasket  600 . The stop lip  638  can define a stop lip height H 3  measured from a stop lip bore portion  694  of the stop lip  628  facing axially outward with respect to the axis  601  of the gasket  600 . Each of the first gasket end  615  and the second gasket end  616  of the gasket  600  can be vertical in cross-section and can be in facing contact with any mating part. 
     The outer surface  613  of the gasket  600 —and in particular the sealing band  610 —can define a shoulder  672  and a chamfered edge  674 , which can be angled at an angle  670  with respect to a neighboring portion of the outer surface  613  and with respect to the ring collar  650 . The inner surface  612  of the gasket  600 —and in particular the sealing band  610 —can define a sealing band bore portion  684  of the gasket bore  614  between a pipe collar bore portion  682  and a transition edge  686 , which can also be defined by the sealing band  610 . In some aspects, the transition edge  686  can define a radius in cross-section. In other aspects, the transition edge  686  can be a chamfer. In some aspects, as shown, the sealing band bore portion  684  and the pipe collar bore portion  682  can together be substantially cylindrical. In other aspects, the pipe collar bore portion  682  or both the pipe collar bore portion  682  and the sealing band bore portion  684  can taper towards either the first gasket end  615  or the second gasket end  616 . 
     A ring groove  690  can be defined within the gasket bore  614  between the sealing band  610  and the ring collar  650 . The ring groove  690  can be configured to receive the first ring end  715  (shown in  FIG.  7   ) of the gripping ring  700  (shown in  FIG.  7   ). The ring groove  690  can be a relieved area for the first ring end  715  of the gripping ring  700  such that the gripping ring  700  can compress the gasket  600  without immediately bottoming out in the ring groove  690 . The sealing band  610  can define an angled surface  688  between the transition edge  686  and a ring collar bore portion  692  defined between the angled surface  688  or the ring groove  690  and a stop lip bore portion  694 . The gasket  600  can define a stop lip bore portion  696  of the gasket bore  614  between the stop lip bore portion  694  and the second gasket end  616 . A groove angle A 1  can be defined between the sealing band bore portion  684  of the sealing band  610  and the angled surface  688  of the sealing band  610 . 
     In some aspects, as shown, the groove angle A 1  can be an acute angle. As the transition edge  686  extends from the sealing band bore portion  684  to the angled surface  688 , the transition edge  686  can extend radially outward from the sealing band bore portion  684  and axially outward towards the second gasket end  616 , in each case relative to the axis  101 . As the angled surface  688  extends from the ring groove  690  or a ring collar bore portion  692  to the transition edge  686 , the angled surface  688  can extend radially inward toward the transition edge  686  and axially inward towards the first gasket end  615  relative to the axis  101 . 
       FIG.  7    is a sectional view of the gripping ring  700 . A radial inner surface of the gripping ring  700  further may include a plurality of gripping members  704  extending radially inwardly. Each of the plurality of gripping members  704  can be configured to engage the outer surface  73  of the pipe length  70  upon radial compression of the gripping ring  700 . In some aspects, as shown, the gripping members  704  are teeth, although other types of gripping members are contemplated within the scope of this disclosure. In some aspects, as shown, each of the teeth define a triangular shape in cross-section. In other aspects, the teeth can have another shape. As shown, the outer surface  713  of the gripping ring  700  can comprise a first portion  752  and a second portion  754 . As shown, a first portion  752  can be tapered or sloped with respect to the second portion  754  and with respect to the axis  601  of the gasket  600  by an angle  770 . As shown, the second portion  754  can be aligned in cross section with or parallel to the axis  601  of the gasket  600 . Each of the first ring end  715  and the second ring end  716  of the gripping ring  700  can be vertical in cross-section and can be in facing contact with any mating part. 
       FIG.  8    is a sectional view of the gland  800 . As shown, the gland bore  814  of the gland  800  can comprise a first portion  852 . The first portion  852  can be tapered or sloped with respect to the second portion  854  and with respect to the axis  601  of the gasket  600  by an angle  870 . The second portion  854  can be aligned in cross section with or parallel to the axis  601  of the gasket  600 . The vertical flange portion  820  can define a flange height H 4 , which can vary based on the angular position on the flange  90  with respect to a reference angular position on the vertical flange portion  820 . The gland  800  can further comprise a horizontal flange portion  860 , which can define the second portion  854 , the first gland end  815 , and a radially outer flange surface  863 . Meanwhile, the vertical flange portion  820  can define an axially inner flange surface  823 . Each of the radially outer flange surface  863  and the axially inner flange surface  823  can be part of and be at least partially defined by the outer surface  813 . Each of the first gland end  815  and the second gland end  816  of the gland  800  can be vertical in cross-section and can be in facing contact with any mating part. 
       FIG.  9    is an assembled perspective view of the mechanical joint restraint  100  without the fasteners  190 . As shown, each of the gasket  600 , the gripping ring  700 , and the gland  800  can be aligned along the respective axes  601 , 701 , 801  and can together define a first end  915  and a second end  916  (again, without considering the fasteners  190 ). When the mechanical joint restraint  100  is used with a pipe element such as the piping element  60  shown in  FIG.  1   , six of the fastener holes  828   a - 1 , b,c,d - 1 , e, f  can be used to secure the gland  800  to the corresponding mounting openings  98   a,b,c,d,e,f  of the flange  90  of the pipe element  60 . When the mechanical joint restraint  100  is used with a different pipe element such as the piping element  60  shown in  FIG.  2   , a greater or lesser number of the fastener holes  828 —for example and without limitation, four of the fastener holes  828  and specifically  828   a - 2 , b,c,d - 2 —can be used to secure the gland  800  to the corresponding mounting openings  98   a,b,c,d  of the flange  90  of the pipe element  60 . 
       FIG.  10    is a sectional view of the mechanical joint restraint  100 . As shown, the sealing band  610 , the ring collar  650 , and the ring collar bore portion  692  (shown in  FIG.  6   ) of the gasket  600  can be sized to receive a portion of the gripping ring  700  such as, for example and without limitation, that portion of the body  710  of the gripping ring  700  defined by the first ring end  715 —and the first end surface  725  (shown in  FIG.  7   )—and the outer surface  713 . The stop lip  628  and the stop lip bore portion  694  (shown in  FIG.  6   ) as well as the stop lip  638  and the stop lip bore portion  696  (shown in  FIG.  6   ) can be sized to receive a portion of the gland  800  such as, for example and without limitation, that portion of the horizontal flange portion  860  defined by the first gland end  815  and the first end surface  825 . The first portion  852  (shown in  FIG.  8   ) and the second portion  854  (shown in  FIG.  8   ) of the gland  800  can be sized to receive portions of the gripping ring  700  such as, for example and without limitation, the first portion  752  and the second portion  754 . 
     Each of the mating surfaces of the piping element  60 , the gasket  600 , the gripping ring  700 , and the gland  800  can define similar angles in cross-section. For example and without limitation, the angle  770  of the gripping ring  700  can be equal to the angle  870  of the gland  800 , the angle  670  (shown in  FIG.  6   ) of the gasket  600  can be equal to an angle defined in axial cross-section by the connecting wall  430  (shown in  FIG.  11   ) of the piping element  60  (shown in  FIG.  11   ), and so forth. Each of the gasket  600 , the gripping ring  700 , and the gland  800  can mate with each other and with the piping element  60  and the pipe length  70  through the use of complementary surfaces with similar if not identical angles. Further, each of the gasket  600 , the gripping ring  700 , and the gland  800  can nest within each other as shown, with each of the stop lip  618 , the sealing band  610 , the ring collar  650 , the stop lip  628 , and the stop lip  638  of the gasket  600  providing a stop surface or stop against which a mating part such as the piping element  60  or the pipe length  70  can contact. In fact, assembly of parts of the mechanical joint restraint  100  in a reverse order such as by orienting the gripping ring  700  in a reverse orientation direction axially opposite to that shown—with the second ring end  716  of the gripping ring  700  proximate to the first end  915 —can be made practically impossible by shortening the fasteners  190  (shown in  FIG.  11   ) or threaded portions thereof, or by sizing the parts with respect to the pipe length  70  to only engage or otherwise assemble with each other and with the piping element  60  and the pipe length  70  when the mechanical joint restraint  100  itself is properly assembled. 
     In some aspects, any one of an interface  1011  or an interface  1012  between the gasket  600  and the gripping ring  700 , an interface  1013  between the gripping ring  700  and the gland  800 , and an interface  1014  or an interface  1015  between the gasket  600  and the gland  800  can be joined with an adhesive such as, for example and without limitation, a cyanoacrylate adhesive (such as sold under, for example and without limitation, the LOCTITE brand by Henkel Corporation of Dusseldorf, Germany). By joining the parts to each other with adhesive, the mechanical joint restraint can be assembled to and slid over the pipe length  70  as an assembly without a technician even needing to know how each of the individual parts fit together. 
     The second gasket end  616  of the gasket  600  can be positioned in facing engagement with the horizontal flange portion  860  of the gland  800 . The gasket  600  can comprise an elastic and resilient material, such as, for example and without limitation, an elastomer, polymer, or rubber. In some aspects, as shown, the gasket  600  can be stretched over the horizontal flange portion  860  of the gland  800  such that the gasket  600  can be retained on the gland  800 . In other aspects, the gasket  600  may not or need not stretch over the gland  800 , and the gasket  600  can fit over the gland  800  in a relaxed state. In some aspects, the gasket  600  can be secured on the gripping ring  700  or the gland  800  such as with, for example and without limitation, glue, adhesive, mastic, epoxy, tape, or other fastening mechanism, such as a mechanical fastener. With the gasket  600  retained on the gripping ring  700  and the gland  800 , the mechanical joint restraint  100  can be handled as a single unit which can aid in the assembly of a mechanical joint as further described below. In some aspects, the gasket  600  may not be secured to the gripping ring  700  or the gland  800 . In some aspects, the gasket  600  may not comprise the pipe collar  640  or the ring collar  650 . In some aspects, the gasket  600  may not define one or more of the stop lips  618 , 628 , 638 . 
       FIGS.  11  and  12    are, respectively, sectional views of the mechanical joints  80  of  FIGS.  1  and  2    but in an untightened condition wherein the gasket can be largely or completely uncompressed and the gripping ring  700  can remain disengaged from the pipe length  70  in its natural state and defining the gap  718  (shown in  FIG.  5   ). As shown, the first end  75  of the pipe length  70  can be captured by the stop lip  618  at the first end  915  of the mechanical joint restraint  100  such that further movement of the pipe length  70  into the piping element  60  is restricted. This is because an inner diameter of the gasket  600  at the stop lip  618  can be less than an outer diameter of the pipe length  70 . The first gland end  815  (shown in  FIG.  8   ) of the gland  800  can be captured by the stop lips  628 , 638  proximate to the second gasket end  616  of the gasket  600  such that further movement of the gland  800  with respect to the gasket  600  and other surrounding parts is restricted. 
     In some aspects, as shown in  FIG.  11   , the mechanical joint  80  can comprise the socket  400  of the pipe element  60 , the gasket  600 , the gripping ring  700 , the gland  800 , and the pipe length  70 . The piping element  60  commonly defines the socket  400 , which can be configured to receive either of the ends  75 , 76  of the pipe length  70  as well as the gasket  600 . 
     In other aspects, as shown in  FIG.  12   , the mechanical joint  80  can include a portion of one or products identified with the AQUAGRIP mark including the flange  90  of the pipe element  60 . The piping element  60  and the flange  90  can be similar to that sold under the AQUAGRIP brand sold by Anvil International. As shown, the mechanical joint  80  can incorporate the same mechanical joint restraint  100  even though the flange  90  as shown varies in size and shape in comparison to the flange  90  of the mechanical joint  80  shown in  FIG.  1   . 
       FIG.  13    is a detail view of the mechanical joint  80  shown in  FIG.  1    in an assembled but untightened condition, while  FIG.  14    is a detail view of the mechanical joint  80  of  FIG.  1    in an assembled and tightened condition. As shown, the mechanical joint restraint  100  can be slipped over the first end  75  of the pipe length  70 . 
     In some aspects, after the mechanical joint restraint  100  is slipped over the end  75  of the pipe length  70 , both the mechanical joint restraint  100  and the pipe length  70  can together be inserted into the socket  400  of the piping element  60 . The fasteners  190  can then be tightened to pull the gland  800  towards the flange  90  of the piping element  60 , thereby compressing the gasket  600  and the gripping ring  700  in a radial direction towards the pipe length  70 . The gasket  600  can be compressed into sealing engagement with the socket  400  and the outer surface  73  of the pipe length  70 , and the gripping ring  700  can be stopped by the gasket  600 , causing the gripping ring  700  to slide along the inner surface  812  of the gland  800 , thereby radially compressing the gripping ring  700  by closing the gap  718  of the split ring and reducing an inner diameter of the ring bore  714  so that the gripping members  704  engage the outer surface  73  of the pipe length  70 . 
     In other aspects, the mechanical joint restraint  100  can be inserted into the socket  400  of the piping element  60 , and then the end  75  of the pipe length  70  can be inserted into both the mechanical joint restraint  100  and also into the socket  400  of the piping element  60  until the end  75  of the pipe length  70  contacts the stop lip  618  of the gasket  600 . As described above, the fasteners  190  can then be tightened to pull the gland  800  towards the flange  90  of the piping element  60 , thereby compressing the gasket  600  and the gripping ring  700  in a radial direction towards the pipe length  70 . 
     In yet other aspects, either the gasket  600  or both the gasket  600  and the gripping ring  700  can first be inserted into the socket  400  of the piping element  60 . Then either the gland  800  or both the gripping ring  700  and the gland  800  can be slipped over the end  75  of the pipe length  70 . Then the end  75  of the pipe length  70 —with either or both of the gripping ring  700  and the gland  800  already installed—can be inserted into either or both of the gasket  600  and the gripping ring  700  and also into the socket  400  of the piping element  60 . As described above, the fasteners  190  can then be tightened to pull the gland  800  towards the flange  90  of the piping element  60 , thereby compressing the gasket  600  and the gripping ring  700  in a radial direction towards the pipe length  70 . 
     The mechanical joint  80  can be popular because it can work with a plain end of the pipe length  70  as shown and therefore does not require, for example, the pipe length  70  to be formed with a grooved connection or a flanged connection, which must generally be formed with special tooling. Being able to use the plain end as-is allows for the pipe length  70  to be cut to size in a field installation without the time and field equipment necessary to weld a flange to the plain end or to cut or roll a new groove in the plain end. As disclosed herein, the mechanical joint  80  can be assembled quickly with common hand tools such as a wrench or ratchet. 
     In some aspects, a method of using the mechanical joint restraint  100  can comprise tightening each of the fasteners  190  to a specified torque such as in the range of, for example and without limitation, 65-90 foot-pounds (approximately 88-122 Newton-meters). The method can comprise compressing the gasket  600  in both axial and radial directions relative to the axes  101 , 601 . The method can comprise sealing between the mechanical joint restraint  100  and the pipe length  70  with engagement of the gripping ring  700 . The method can comprise bottoming out the gland  800  against the flange  90 —with only the second stop lip  628  where present in between the gland  800  and the flange  90 —to indicate, at least by feel from an increase in torque required to further tighten the fasteners  190 , full and proper engagement of the mechanical joint restraint  100  with the piping element  60  and the pipe length  70 . 
     When tightening the fasteners  190  and specifically the nuts  196 , the gripping ring  700  can grab the pipe length  70  and start to move it axially towards the pipe element  60 . The stop lip  618  of the gasket  600  can set a preferred or desired gap between the first end  75  of the pipe length  70  and a pipe landing  1310  of the piping element  60  for ideal gasket compression and sealing. The stop lip  618  can allow for correct assembly and eliminate any need to measure and mark the pipe length  70  before assembly. 
     In some aspects, the method can comprise inserting the end of the pipe length  70  into the gland bore  814  of the gland after the gasket  600  and the gland  800  have been joined with adhesive. The method can comprise seating the first end  75  of the pipe length  70  against the stop lip  618  of the gasket  600 . The method can comprise aligning the plurality of fastener holes  828  of the gland  800  with the plurality of mounting openings  98  of the piping element  60 . 
     A method of manufacturing the mechanical joint restraint  100  can comprise forming the gasket  600 ; forming the gripping ring  700 ; forming the gland  800 ; aligning the axis  701  of the gripping ring  700  and the axis  801  of the gland  800  collinearly with the axis  601  of the gasket  600 ; positioning the gripping ring  700  radially inward from the ring collar  650  of the gasket  600  and the gland bore  814  of the gland  800  and radially outward from the sealing band  610  of the gasket  600  with respect to the first gasket end  615 ; positioning the gland  800  axially outward from the stop lip  628  of the gasket  600  with respect to the first gasket end  615  with the mechanical joint restraint  100  in an assembled condition; and joining the gripping ring  700  and the gland  800  to the gasket  600  with an adhesive. In some aspects the gripping ring  700  need not be present and the gasket  600  alone can seal between the piping element  60  and the pipe length  70  and secure the pipe length  70  with respect to the piping element  60 . 
     In some aspects, using a single variation of the mechanical joint restraint  100  disclosed herein, the pipe length  70  can be formed from standard industry materials including, for example and without limitation, ductile iron and polyvinylchloride (PVC). In such aspects, part inventory requirements can be reduced in a factory, in warehousing and sales operations, and in field servicing operations. In other aspects, different variations of the mechanical joint restraint  100  can be prepared for optimization of particular user applications. In any case, the mechanical joint restraint  100  can make for a simplified, efficient, and reliable mechanical joint  80 ; can use the gripping ring  700 , which does not “point” stress plastic pipes; and can operate with a minimal number of components. Furthermore, a seal created between the pipe length  70  and the piping element  60  need not be susceptible to the effect of corrosion and need not require special assembly procedures and specialized training or skill based on the various aspects disclosed herein. 
     One should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain aspects include, while other aspects do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular aspects or that one or more particular aspects necessarily comprise logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular aspect. 
     It should be emphasized that the above-described aspects are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Any process descriptions or blocks in flow diagrams should be understood as representing modules, segments, or portions of code which comprise one or more executable instructions for implementing specific logical functions or steps in the process, and alternate implementations are included in which functions may not be included or executed at all, may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the art of the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described aspect(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. Further, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to cover any and all combinations and sub-combinations of all elements, features, and aspects discussed above. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and all possible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements or steps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure.