Supporting ring for use in the casting of concrete pipes

A supporting ring for casting machines for concrete pipes for use in moulding the socket end of the pipe and as a base for the green pipe during the removal of the casting mould and during the initial hardening of the concrete and transport of the green pipe, said supporting ring being formed by an annular body having a hollow portion of generally rectangular cross-section and comprising two rings of approximately Z-shaped cross-section, one Z-shaped ring being formed by a lower flange which projects laterally outwardly from the hollow portion for the moulding of the end face of the socket, a substantially plane top spaced from the lower flange for moulding of the end face of the pipe body inside the socket and wall means connecting the lower flange and the plane top, and the other Z-shaped ring having corresponding and generally parallel components including a bottom flange and a top flange welded to the lower flange and the plane top, respectively, said Z-shaped rings being produced from sheet metal.