Patent ID: 7464728

Claim:
A pipe seal assembly, comprising: a housing having end walls and first and second end ports in the end walls of predetermined shape and dimensions configured to grip a pipe extending through the housing; the housing comprising first and second housing parts movable between a closed position enclosing and gripping the pipe and an open position; the first end port having a first annular seal seating recess and the second end port having a second annular seal seating recess; first and second end seals of elastomeric material mounted in the first and second seating recess, respectively, at each end of the housing for providing a seal between opposing surfaces of the pipe and housing; each end seal comprising an annular member having a central opening for engaging over the pipe and an outer surface for engaging an opposing surface of the respective seating recess, and at least one axial slit extending through each end seal between the central opening and outer surface for allowing the seal to be opened at the slit to engage transversely over the pipe; the radial cross-sectional area of each end seal in a relaxed condition being greater than the radial cross-sectional area defined between the outer surface of a pipe and the annular recess in the housing when the housing is closed around the pipe, whereby a sealing pressure is induced between the inner and outer surfaces of the seal and the opposing surfaces of the pipe and seating recess when the housing is closed around the pipe and the seals are in a sealed condition; and first and second side runner seals extending between the end seals on opposite sides of the central opening in the end seals, the side runner seals being adapted to be squeezed between opposing surfaces of the housing parts in the closed position of the housing; the slits being offset from the side runner seals.