Simplified low insertion force sealing device capable of self restraint and joint deflection
View Patent ↗A conduit coupling system, sealing device, bell and method of use are disclosed herein. The system comprises at least two piping components, and a sealing device. A first component has a bell and a second component has a spigot, the spigot is adapted to mate with the bell. The bell comprises a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the first component. The bell has a concave annular inner surface and a diameter of the annular inner surface adjacent to the first end of the bell is greater than a diameter of the annular inner surface adjacent to the second end of the bell. The sealing device comprises a locking segment comprising a convex outer surface and a K-type gasket coupled to a locking segment or a non-restraining anti-extrusion segment. The sealing device is adapted to fit between the bell and the spigot.
1. A system for sealing a spigot, the system comprising:
a gasket, the gasket having a first section and a second section, the first section axially adjacent to the second section and defining an upper surface facing radially outward and an inner surface facing radially inward, the second section including an annulus pocket and a gasket heel, the gasket heel defining a heel surface, a first shoulder surface, and a second shoulder surface, the heel surface facing radially outward, the heel surface cylindrically-shaped and radially outward from the upper surface of the first section, the first shoulder surface extending radially inward from the heel surface towards the annulus pocket, and the second shoulder surface distal from the first shoulder surface and extending radially inward from the heel surface towards the upper surface, the gasket defining at least two expansion and contraction grooves in the upper surface; and
a plurality of substantially rigid members contacting a front end of the first section, the plurality of substantially rigid members made of a material that is more rigid than a material of the gasket,
wherein the second section includes a lip seal, the lip seal at a back edge axially opposite from the front end.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least two expansion and contraction grooves are defined in an upper surface of the first section.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the substantially rigid member includes teeth.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the gasket is contactable with an inner surface of a bell.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first shoulder surface and the second shoulder surface are orthogonal to the heel surface.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least two expansion and contraction grooves are V-shaped.
7. A gasket for use in a bell, the gasket comprising:
an annular elastomeric member defining an annulus pocket and at least two expansion and contraction grooves, the annular elastomeric member including:
a first section having a front edge and defining an upper surface facing radially outward and an inner surface facing radially inward;
a second section axially adjacent to the first section; and
a gasket heel, the gasket heel defining a heel surface, the heel surface facing radially outward, the heel surface cylindrically-shaped and radially outward from the upper surface of the first section; and
a plurality of substantially rigid members attached to the front edge, each substantially rigid member having at least one tooth extending radially inward;
wherein each expansion and contraction groove is defined in the upper surface of the first section and wherein the gasket heel is a portion of the second section.
8. The gasket of claim 7 , wherein the front edge is displaceable axially by insertion forces.
9. The gasket of claim 8 , wherein the first section is capable of being incurvated by the insertion forces.
10. The gasket of claim 7 , wherein the at least two expansion and contraction grooves are defined in an upper surface of the first section.
11. The gasket of claim 7 , wherein the annulus pocket is defined in the second section.
12. A system for sealing a spigot and a bell comprising:
a gasket body made of elastomeric material and having a front edge, a first section, and a second section, the gasket body defining at least two expansion and contraction grooves in an upper surface of the first section and at least one annulus pocket and a gasket heel in the second section, the gasket heel defining a heel surface, a first shoulder surface, and a second shoulder surface, the heel surface facing radially outward, the heel surface cylindrically-shaped and radially outward from the upper surface of the first section, the first shoulder surface extending radially inward from the heel surface towards the annulus pocket, and the second shoulder surface distal from the first shoulder surface and extending radially inward from the heel surface towards the upper surface;
a plurality of at one locking segments coupled to the front edge of the gasket body;
wherein the first section is proximate the front edge and the second section is distal the front edge; and
wherein the second section includes a lip seal, the lip seal at a back edge axially opposite from the front end.
13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the first section is capable of being incurvated by insertion of the spigot into the bell.
14. The system of claim 12 , wherein the locking segment is made out of a substantially rigid material.
15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the locking segment has a gripping geometry.
16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the gripping geometry is at least one tooth.
17. The system of claim 12 , wherein the first shoulder surface and the second shoulder surface are parallel to each other.