Axially-tensioned pipe joint

A non-metallic axially tensioned PVC pipe joint comprising:

• a first PVC pipe extending in a first axial direction and having a first axial opening at a spigot end, wherein the spigot end has a groove on an outer surface thereof;
• a second PVC pipe extending in a second axial direction and having a second axial opening at a bell end, wherein the bell end of the second pipe is fitted onto the spigot end of the first pipe such that the first axial direction is substantially aligned with the second axial direction, and, the first axial opening communicates with the second axial opening;
• a plurality of angularly-spaced-apart holes extending substantially radially in the bell end of the second pipe and axially aligned with the groove of the spigot end when the bell end is fitted onto the spigot end;
• a set of radial fasteners for extending through said plurality of angular-spaced-apart holes, each given one of the radial fasteners comprising non-metallic pins having a substantially cylindrical surface and a first end, at least a portion of said substantially cylindrical surface being coated with a hard material which is harder than the second PVC pipe;
• wherein, when the bell end of the second pipe is fitted onto the spigot end of the first pipe, the plurality of angular-spaced-apart holes align with the groove on the outer surface of the spigot end such that each given one of the set of radial fasteners may be inserted into one of the plurality of angularly-spaced-apart holes until the first end engages the groove to prevent relative axial movement of the first pipe with respect to the second pipe;
• and
• wherein, during insertion of each of the radial fasteners into the one of the plurality of angularly-spaced-apart holes, the hard material coating on the at least a portion of the substantially cylindrical surface interacts with the angular-spaced-apart holes into which the radial fastener has been inserted to roughen the hole thereby creating a friction fit resisting removal of the radial fastener from the hole.

The method of joining a first PVC pipe extending in a first axial direction and having a first actual opening at a-spigot end, the spigot end having an outer surface to a second PVC pipe extending in a second axial direction and having a second axial opening at a bell end, wherein the bell end of the second pipe is fitted onto the spigot end of the first pipe, a method comprising:

• (a) providing a plurality of angularly-spaced-apart holes extending substantially radially in the bell end of the second pipe;
• (b) when the bell end is fitted onto the spigot end, inserting a radial fastener into each one of the plurality of angularly-spaced-apart holes, each of said radial fasteners having a first end which engages the outer surface of the spigot end to prevent relative axial movement of the first pipe with respect to the second pipe when the radial fasteners are fully inserted into the plurality of angularly-spaced-apart holes;
• and
• (c) providing a coating of a hard material, having a hardness greater than the second PVC pipe, on at least a portion of each of the radial fasteners, such that when each of the radial fasteners is inserted into one of the plurality of angularly-spaced-apart holes, the hard material coating interacts with the hole into which the radial fastener has been inserted to roughen the hole thereby creating a friction fit resisting removal of the radial fastener from the hole.