# US 2014/0360004 A1 · Self-restrained pipe joint method of assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0360004 A1 - Document ID: US20140360004A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/469,755 - Filed: 2014-08-27 - Published: 2014-12-11 - Earliest claimed: 2009-10-12 - Assignees: Mueller International, LLC - Applicants: Mueller International, LLC - Inventors: Mikhail German, JR.; Leo W. Fleury, JR. - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140360004A1 ## CPC - F16L 37/0845: {by means of retaining members associated with the packing member} - F16L 21/04: in which sealing rings are compressed by axially-movable members - F16L 21/08: with additional locking means (F16L21/06 takes precedence; couplings of the quick-acting type F16L37/00) - F16L 17/025: the sealing rings having radially directed ribs - F16L 19/045: {consisting of cutting edges on one of the connecting parts which penetrate into the wall of the pipe} - Y10T 29/49872: Confining elastic part in socket - Y10T 29/4995: Nonthreaded - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A self-restrained pipe joint system and method of assembly to connect two lengths of pipe in a mechanical joint, which maximizes the advantages of both restrained push-on joints as well as mechanical joints, as are known commonly in the art. The invention has application to long-run pipe lengths as well as to appurtenances, including fittings and connections. The gasket contains locking members that act to restrain separation upon the instance of any force tending to separate the connected pipe lengths ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of assembling a self-restrained pipe joint system, comprising the steps of: disposing a restraining elastomeric gasket within an opening of a female piping member; affixing a retaining flange to the end of the female piping member; and inserting a spigot end of a male piping member of the pipe joint system into the female piping member of the pipe joint system through a circular opening in the retaining flange. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein disposing the gasket within the opening of the female piping member includes engaging a supporting portion of a restraining segment of the gasket with a surface of the female piping member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein disposing the gasket within the opening of the female piping member includes disposing the gasket within a retaining groove in the opening of the female piping member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein disposing the gasket within the opening of the female piping member includes engaging a retaining wall of the retaining groove with an outer sealing surface of the gasket. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein engaging the retaining wall of the retaining groove with the outer sealing surface of the gasket forms a fluid tight seal. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein disposing the gasket within the opening of the female piping member includes securing the gasket to the female piping member at a flanged portion of the gasket. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein affixing the retaining flange to the end of the female piping member includes engaging the retaining flange with the gasket and the female piping member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein engaging the retaining flange with the gasket includes accommodating the flanged portion of the gasket in a lower counterbore of the retaining flange. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein engaging the retaining flange with the gasket includes securing the gasket in a retaining counterbore in the retaining flange. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein securing the gasket in the retaining counterbore in the retaining flange includes securing a retaining portion of the gasket in the retaining counterbore in the retaining flange. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein engaging the retaining flange with the female piping member includes engaging a lower surface of the retaining flange with an outer surface of of a flange of the female piping member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein inserting the spigot end of the male piping member into the female piping member includes stopping the spigot end of the male piping member against a shoulder region of the female piping member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein inserting the spigot end of the male piping member into the female piping member includes engaging the restraining segment of the gasket with the male piping member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein inserting the spigot end of the male piping member into the female piping member includes forming a fluid tight seal. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the fluid tight seal is formed by engaging an inner gasket surface with an outer surface of the male piping member. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the fluid tight seal is formed by rotating the restraining segment of the gasket with the male piping member. ### Claim 17 A method of assembling a self-restrained pipe joint system, comprising the steps of: disposing a retaining portion of a restraining elastomeric gasket into a retaining counterbore of a retaining flange; inserting a sealing portion of a restraining gasket, assembled with the retaining flange, within a sealing cavity of a female piping member; affixing the retaining flange to the female piping member; and inserting a spigot end of a male piping member of the pipe joint system into the female piping member of the pipe joint system through a circular opening in the retaining flange. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein inserting the spigot end of the male piping member into the female piping member includes engaging the restraining segment of the gasket with the male piping member. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein inserting the spigot end of the male piping member into the female piping member includes forming a fluid tight seal. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the fluid tight seal is formed by rotating the restraining segment of the gasket with the male piping member.