20110254266 | Self-restraining system for belled pipe - A restrainer for connection to the belled end of a female pipe or fitting. The restrainer has a groove for receiving a compressed, snap-fit gripping ring, constructed from two or more rigid segments joined by elastomeric segments. The gripping ring has rows of teeth on its inner circumference, shaped so the spigot end of a male pipe can be inserted through the restrainer into the belled end of the female pipe. The gripping ring restrains the male pipe from moving in an opposite direction when the system is pressurized. The coupler can be connected to the female pipe in several ways: it can be threaded onto a threaded lip of the pipe; a projection formed on its outer diameter or its inner diameter can be snap-fit into on onto the end of the female pipe; or it can be welded or fused onto the outer end of the female pipe. | 10-20-2011 |