Patent ID: 7472911

Claim:
Gasket for use in a mechanical coupling adapted to join adjacent workpieces such as pipe ends, nipples, fittings or combinations thereof, which gasket comprises a generally circular base member formed of an elastomeric material, each peripheral edge portion of said base member having a generally radially inwardly extending flange member formed integrally therewith, each said flange member having an inner annular wall, each said flange member further having a respective axially inwardly facing integral lip having a radially innermost sealing surface, said sealing surface of each said lip being continuous with a radially innermost surface of each said respective flange member to form a radially innermost continuous sealing surface adapted for engagement with an outer surface portion of the workpiece to be coupled, the thickness of each said flange member in an axial direction of the workpiece relative to the length of each lip being such that when the gasket is positioned within a coupling assembly for sealing, and radially directed compressive forces are applied thereto, the radially extending inner annular walls of said flange members assume an inward convex generally conical configuration providing pressure responsiveness and supportive sealing force.