US 12,203,581 B2
Polymer pipe, a pipe joint insert device, a pipe joint assembly, and methods of forming same
Andrew Wells, Wayne, PA (US); and Joshua E. Clapper, Downingtown, PA (US)
Assigned to Westlake Pipe & Fittings Corporation, Houston, TX (US)
Filed by North American Pipe Corporation, Houston, TX (US)
Filed on Jan. 13, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/148,523.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/117,148, filed on Nov. 23, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/960,451, filed on Jan. 13, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0278025 A1, Sep. 9, 2021
Int. Cl. F16L 47/08 (2006.01); B29C 57/02 (2006.01); B29C 57/04 (2006.01); F16L 21/03 (2006.01); F16L 47/10 (2006.01); F16L 47/12 (2006.01); B29L 31/24 (2006.01)
CPC F16L 47/08 (2013.01) [B29C 57/025 (2013.01); B29C 57/04 (2013.01); F16L 21/03 (2013.01); F16L 47/10 (2013.01); F16L 47/12 (2013.01); B29L 2031/24 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A polymer pipe comprising:
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 belled end having a second diameter larger than the first diameter; and
an insert device received within the second end, the insert device having an annular body and a spline groove formed in the annular body and facing radially inward,
wherein the spline groove is a dual-depth groove with a first groove section having a shallower radial depth and a second groove section having a deeper radial depth,
wherein the first groove section and the second groove section each have a surface arranged parallel to an axis of the polymer pipe such that the spline groove has a stepped configuration, and
wherein a void is provided in the annular body facing radially inward in the same direction as the spline groove, the void extending circumferentially around the insert device and disposed axially between a tapered face of the annular body and the spline groove.