Beveled insert for facilitating coupling pipes

Abstract

An annular beveled insert for enhancing the insertion of a plain end of a pipe into a mating belled end of a pipe, the insert including an annular main body portion having a substantially flat surface and a beveled opposed surface. The annular main body portion has inner and outer diameters approximately equal to inner and outer diameters, respectively, of the plain end of the pipe. An outwardly directed flange extends from the annular main body portion around a periphery and has an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the plain end of the pipe. The flange is sufficiently flexible so that it bends into an angle of approximately ninety degrees with the flat surface of the annular main body portion and aids the main body portion in masking the plain end of the pipe as it passes through the annular gasket.

1 - 9 . (canceled)  
   
   
       10 . An annular beveled insert comprising: 
 a first pipe having a plain end;    a second pipe having a belled end for matingly receiving the plain end;    an annular main body portion having a substantially flat surface and a beveled opposed surface, the annular main body portion having inner and outer diameters approximately equal to inner and outer diameters, respectively, of the plain end of the pipe, and the substantially flat surface receiving an edge of the plain end in abutting relationship, with the beveled opposed surface directed away from the edge; and    an outwardly directed flange extending from the annular main body portion around a periphery, the flange having an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the plain end of the pipe and greater than an inner diameter of the belled end of the pipe, the outwardly directed flange temporarily engaging an inner surface of the belled end of the pipe for retention therein prior to the insertion of the plain end of a pipe.    
   
   
       11 . (canceled)  
   
   
       12 . An annular beveled insert as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the flange forms an angle with the substantially flat surface of the annular main body portion greater than ninety degrees.  
   
   
       13 . An annular beveled insert as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the flange and the annular main body portion are integrally formed.  
   
   
       14 . An annular beveled insert as claimed in  claim 10  wherein at least the flange is flexible so that the flange is bendable into an angle of approximately ninety degrees with the flat surface of the annular main body portion.  
   
   
       15 . A method of joining pipe segments comprising the steps of: 
 providing a first pipe segment having a belled end with an inner diameter and an annular gasket carried within the belled end;    providing a second pipe segment having an end with inner and outer diameters;    providing an annular beveled insert including an annular main body portion having a substantially flat surface and a beveled opposed surface, the annular main body portion having inner and outer diameters approximately equal to the inner and outer diameters, respectively, of the end of the second pipe segment, and an outwardly directed flange extending from the annular main body portion around a periphery, the flange having an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the plain end of the pipe;    inserting the annular beveled insert into the belled end of the first pipe segment in juxtaposition to the annular gasket;    positioning the end of the second pipe segment in the belled end of the first pipe segment so as to butt the end of the first pipe segment against the flat surface of the annular main body portion; and    moving the end of the second pipe segment axially in the belled end of the first pipe segment with the beveled insert engaging and masking the end of the second pipe segment as the end of the second pipe segment passes through the annular gasket and moves into a seated position.    
   
   
       16 . A method as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the step of inserting the annular beveled insert into the belled end of the first pipe segment in juxtaposition to the annular gasket includes temporarily inserting a portion of the outwardly directed flange of the beveled insert into a groove in the inner diameter of the belled end of the first pipe segment.  
   
   
       17 . A method as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the step of inserting the annular beveled insert into the belled end of the first pipe segment in juxtaposition to the annular gasket includes temporarily frictionally engaging an outer portion of the outwardly directed flange of the beveled insert with the inner diameter of the belled end of the first pipe segment.  
   
   
       18 . A method as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the step of providing the annular beveled insert includes providing an annular beveled insert wherein at least the flange is flexible so that the flange is bendable into an angle of approximately ninety degrees with the flat surface of the annular main body portion.