Symmetrical gasket for a pipe joint

A non-directional gasket which is insensitive to axial gasket orientation, comprising:

• an annular gasket body formed of a resilient material, said gasket body having an axial centerline and a base adapted to sealingly engage an annular groove on a pipe;
• a projection extending radially from said gasket body, said projection being so located on said gasket body that it is bisected by said centerline thereof;
• and,
• an annular bore located in said gasket body, said bore being spaced from said projection and being so positioned in said gasket body that it is bisected by said centerline thereof.

A gasket for sealing an annular space in a bell-and-spigot pipe joint, comprising:

• an annular elastomeric web having an inner peripheral surface formed to sealingly engage an outer periphery of an associated spigot, said web having a centerline;
• an elastomeric protrusion projecting radially outward from said web, said protrusion being bisected by said centerline and having in radial cross section a tapered stem with opposite sides symmetrical about said centerline and terminating in an enlarged toroidal rim, said protrusion deflecting to engage an inner periphery of an associated bell;
• and,
• wherein the gasket can be installed in and associated pipe joint in either direction along a longitudinal axis of the associated pipe joint.

A pipe joint which can accommodate both internal pressures and external pressures, said pipe joint comprising:

• an outer pipe;
• an inner pipe inserted into said outer pipe, wherein one of said outer pipe and said inner pipe comprises an annular groove;
• and,
• a gasket positioned within said annular groove and adapted to provide a seal between said outer pipe and said inner pipe, said gasket comprising:
• an annular gasket body formed of a resilient material, said gasket body having a centerline and including a base adapted to sealingly engage said groove,
• a projection extending from said gasket body, said projection being so located on said gasket body that it is bisected by said centerline thereof, said projection comprising a first compression point for said gasket body, and
• an annular bore extending in said gasket body, said bore being spaced from said projection and being so located on said gasket body that it is bisected by said centerline thereof.