Pipe joint insert device, pipe joint assembly, and methods of forming same

A pipe joint assembly comprising:

• a polymer tube having a first end and a second end, the first end having a first diameter and the second end being a female end or a belled end having a second diameter;
• an insert device received within the second end, the insert device having an annular body with a spline portion and a spline integrally and resiliently carried by the spline portion, the annular body formed of a body material;
• and
• a pipe having a spigot end installed in the second end of the polymer tube, the spigot end having a spline groove on an outside diameter surface,
• wherein the spline is seated in the spline groove and axially retains the pipe connected to the polymer pipe,
• wherein the spline is an integral part of the annular body, and
• wherein the spline is connected to the spline portion of the annular body by one or more frangible connections that, when broken, permit the spline to expand and contract radially relative to the annular body while remaining attached to the annular body.

A method of assembling a pipe joint, the method comprising:

• providing or obtaining a first pipe having a spigot end and a spline groove on an outside diameter surface of the spigot end;
• providing or obtaining a second tube having a female end or a belled end, wherein the spigot end of the first pipe is sized to fit within the female end or the belled end of the second tube;
• installing an insert device retained within the female end or the belled end, the insert device including an annular body with a spline portion and a spline movable and resiliently carried by the spline portion, the annular body formed of a body material;
• inserting the spigot end of the first pipe into the female end or the belled end of the second tube such that the spline of the insert device is axially aligned with the spline groove in the spigot end,
• wherein the spline resides at least in part within the spline groove to retain the first pipe and the second tube joined to one another,
• wherein the spline is an integral part of the annular body and formed of the body material, and
• wherein the spline is connected to the spline portion of the annular body by one or more frangible connections that, when broken, permit the spline to expand and contract radially relative to the annular body while remaining attached to the annular body.

A pipe system comprising:

• a polymer tube having a first end and a second end, the first end having a first diameter and the second end being a female end or a belled end having a second diameter;
• one or more insert recesses formed in an inside diameter surface of the female end or the belled end of the polymer tube;
• and
• an insert device received within the female end or the belled end, the insert device having an annular body with a seal portion and a spline portion, a seal material coupled to the seal portion, and a spline integrated as a part of the spline portion,
• wherein the spline is movably and resiliently carried by the annular body and is movable in a radial direction relative to an axis of the insert device,
• wherein the spline is connected to the spline portion of the annular body by one or more frangible connections that, when broken, permit the spline to expand and contract radially relative to the annular body while remaining attached to the annular body by the seal material.