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

A pipe joint assembly comprising:

• a polymer tube having a length between a first end and a second end, the length and the first end having a first diameter and the second end being a female end or a belled end having a second diameter larger than the first diameter;
• an insert device received within the second end, the insert device having an annular body formed of a body material, a spline coupled to the annular body, and a seal material coupled to the annular body, the seal material being less rigid than the 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 connected to the seal material and is configured to radially expand and contract relative to an axis of the annular body, and
• wherein the spline is seated in the spline groove and axially retains the pipe connected to the polymer tube.

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 formed of a body material, a spline coupled to the annular body, and a seal material coupled to the annular body, the seal material being less rigid than the 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.

An insert device for a belled end of a polymer tube in a pipe joint, the insert device comprising:

• an annular body formed of a body material;
• a spline coupled to the annular body;
• and
• a seal material coupled to the annular body, the seal material being less rigid than the body material,
• wherein the spline is connected to the seal material and is configured to radially expand and contract relative to an axis of the annular body.