Pipe joint

Claim 1

A pipe joint comprising: (a) a casing having a pipe receiving portion defining a passage for axially receiving a leading end of a pipe, the casing defining an entrance; (b) a rigid clamp ring mounted within the casing transversally of the passage, the clamp ring having an inwardly tapered inner peripheral surface facing the entrance and terminating in a sharp inner edge defining an opening in the clamp ring; (c) the clamp ring having an outer peripheral surface in sliding engagement with a contacting portion on the inner periphery of the pipe receiving portion for guiding the clamp ring between a first position, where the opening is eccentric to the axis of the passage and the tapered inner peripheral surface obstructs the passage, and a second position, where the opening is concentric to the axis of the passage and the tapered inner peripheral surface is removed from the passage, (d) a spring in the casing urging the clamp ring into its first, eccentric position; (e) the clamp ring being responsive to insertion of a pipe bend through the casing entrance along the passage and against the tapered inner peripheral surface, to be displaced radially and axially from the first, eccentric position to the second, concentric position to facilitate movement of the pipe, the spring continuously urging the clamp ring such that its sharp innr edge engages the periphery of the inserted pipe; and (f) a release ring mounted in the casing entrance concentrically of the passage and extending between the interior and exterior of the casing, the release ring being moveable against the clamp ring to displace it out of engagement with the pipe and facilitate removal of the pipe from the casing.