US 4,387,900 A · Method and apparatus for providing watertight seal for manhole pipe connection

Abstract

A resilient gasket having an outer annular flange positioned within a manhole opening and maintained thereagainst under compression by means of a compression band. The gasket is provided with a central opening defined by an enlarged beaded periphery having an elasticity adapted to tightly encircle the outer periphery of the pipe. A folded intermediate section is arranged between and integrally joined to the outer flange and the beaded inner periphery, the intermediate section is comprised of first and second diagonally aligned annular portions integrally joined along a fold to define a V-shape which imparts a yieldability enabling the gasket to maintain a watertight seal between the manhole opening and the pipe, even in the presence of a significant misalignment therebetween. A strap is positioned about the intermediate section of the gasket adjacent the inner beaded periphery to enhance the watertight seal between the gasket and the pipe. The compression band may be provided with pairs of substantially V-shaped slots which enable the band to assume a curvature in a direction transverse to the curved periphery in order to conform to the curvature of the manhole opening. The clamping band is formed of a material which is impervious to the surrounding environment and has a gap and a segment hingedly connected to the main body thereof for placement in said gap and against the interior surface of the gasket to lock the compression band in position and maintain the gasket flange under compression. An expansion assembly includes an expansion ring which cooperates with a hydraulic jack and is positioned against the compression band to expand the compression band into position against the gasket flange and to apply a force uniformly around the compression band to insure proper positioning and locking of the clamping band.

Claims25

Dependent claims

A gasket assembly for resiliently supporting a pipe within an opening and for sealing the annular region between the outer surface of the pipe and the surface of the opening, comprising:

a gasket formed of a resilient, compressible material and having an outer flange adapted to be positioned against the opening in which the gasket is placed;
said gasket having a central opening defined by an annular shaped peripheral portion of substantially circular cross-section;
an intermediate, substantially V-shaped, folded section comprised of first and second webs joined to one another along a common annular fold and further integrally joined respectively to said outer flange and said inner annular portion;
an annular clamping band formed of a plastic material substantially impervious to corrosive influences normally encountered in sewage systems and arranged to be positioned against the inner periphery of said flange;
said clamping band having a discontinuity and including an insertable segment positioned within the gap formed by said discontinuity when the clamping band is expanded against said outer flange to lock said clamping band and maintain said outer flange under compression, the interactive forces between the compressed flange and the clamping band serving to retain the clamping band and insertable segment in a locked position against the inner periphery of said flange, the outer periphery of said flange being pressed into intimate engagement with the surface of said opening.

2 more elements

A method for installing a gasket assembly comprised of a gasket and a cooperating clamping band, said gasket being formed of a resilient, compressible material and having an outer flange adapted to be positioned against the opening in which the gasket is placed;

said gasket having a central opening defined by an annular shaped peripheral portion of substantially circular cross-section;
an intermediate, substantially V-shaped, folded section comprised of first and second webs joined to one another along a common annular fold and further integrally joined respectively to said outer flange and said inner annular portion;
said clamping band being an annular shaped plastic member having a discontinuity to enable expansion thereof;
and
an expansion assembly comprised of an expandable metallic band formed of a suitable springy, metallic material, said band having a discontinuity and a hydraulic jack coupled to said band adjacent the ends of said band defining said discontinuity, said method comprising the steps of:
placing said gasket within said opening so that the outer periphery of said flange confronts the surface of said opening;
placing said clamping band about said expansion band and positioning said clamping band and said expansion band within the inner periphery of said gasket flange;
introducing fluid pressure into said hydraulic jack to cause the expandable band to increase its circumference, thereby expanding said clamping band and compressing said gasket flange between the surface of said opening and said clamping band;
expanding said expandable band until a predetermined pressure condition is reached;
placing a segment within the gap between the free ends of said clamping band;
and
releasing the fluid pressure from said hydraulic jack causing the compressed gasket flange and clamping band to exert counteracting forces against one another which further serve to retain the clamping band in the locked position and which serve to retain the gasket flange in the compressed state between the surface of said opening and said clamping band, to provide a watertight seal therebetween.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for providing watertight seal for manhole pipe connection

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for providing watertight seal for manhole pipe connection

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25