US20030218304A1

US20030218304A1 - Boot connector designed to be cast in radial progression and method and apparatus for its production and use

Info

Publication number: US20030218304A1
Application number: US10/444,427
Authority: US
Inventors: James Westhoff; James Kelly
Original assignee: Poly Tech Products Inc
Current assignee: POLY-TECH PRODUCTS Inc; Poly Tech Products Inc
Priority date: 1999-03-24
Filing date: 2003-05-23
Publication date: 2003-11-27
Also published as: US6568691B1

Abstract

A gasket having an intermediate portion provided with convolutions which are capable of expanding/contracting enabling an anchoring end to be cast in a curve and a pipe receiving end to be maintained lying in a plane, and a method for forming and using the gasket including the employment of a mandrel assembly to conform the anchoring end to the curvature of the cast member.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a Divisional/Continuation in Part and claims priority from patent application Ser. No. 09/533,424, filed Mar. 22, 2000; which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/125,860, filed Mar. 24, 1999 which are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth.[0001]

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to boot connectors capable of being cast in radial progression within the curved wall of a cast member.

BACKGROUND

Cast members, such as, for example, manhole assemblies, have been traditionally used in sewage systems and networks and the like and are comprised of manhole assemblies having openings each adapted to receive a pipe to provide for inflow and outflow of fluid. It is conventional to provide gaskets within the aforesaid openings which cooperate with the pipe pushed therethrough to form a fluid-tight seal, both the advantages and necessities for a fluid-tight seal being well known in such sewage systems and the like.

With the constant desire to reduce the cost of both the manufacturing and materials employed in the production of cast members being ever present, one of the traditional approaches has been to produce gaskets of reduced size and hence reduced rubber (or rubber like) content. One such gasket is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,529,312, which patent teaches a gasket having a boot portion which is folded over to lie against a main gasket portion preparatory to casting. The gasket is placed upon a mandrel secured to one of the walls forming the mold assembly. The wall is moved to the closed position whereupon the cast material, (typically concrete) is poured into the mold. The mold assembly is opened after the cast material has cured. The boot portion is then unfolded preparatory to use. A pipe is pushed through the gasket including the boot portion. A steel clamp is preferably placed around the boot portion to provide a fluid-tight seal.

In order to reduce the amount of rubber utilized in the gasket disclosed in the aforementioned '312 patent, the overall size of its opening may be reduced; however, in order to provide a capability of controlling opening size, permissible annular deflection and permissible radial deflection, the only parameter of the '312 gasket which may be regulated is gasket thickness.

It is therefore extremely desirable to provide a gasket which is capable of controlling opening size, and annular and radial deflection through variation of a gasket parameter other than gasket thickness.

The gasket of the present invention, comprises an annular-shaped base portion having integral an anchoring portion extending radially outward there from. The base portion is shaped to form a substantially U-shaped radius portion having an annular-shaped boot portion integrally joined to the radius portion and extending in a generally axial direction. The free end of the boot portion is provided with an annular end portion defining a clamp receiving portion. The gasket is typically made of a suitable rubber or rubber-like material of a suitable durometer such as 40 to 45 durometer.

In order to produce a cast member having the aforesaid gasket anchored therein, a mandrel assembly is provided, which assembly is comprised of an inner mandrel which is a truncated conical shaped member. The inner mandrel is also a truncated, conical shaped member has a recess for receiving the boot end of the gasket.

The outer mandrel, having a substantially truncated, hollow, conical configuration, cooperates with the inner mandrel to retain the gasket in the proper position within the mold assembly and to form tapered conical-shaped openings on opposite sides of the anchoring portion. The boot portion of the gasket is folded over and placed against outer mandrel. The inner mandrel is placed against the radius portion of the gasket on the convex side thereof. A retaining member holds the mandrel halves together. The portion of the boot which would otherwise extend outwardly from the outer mandrel is folded in and is held in that state to avoid any interference with the casting operation. The “pushed-inward” portion of the boot is held in place between the mandrel halves by suitable threaded nut which threadedly engages the threaded member. The combined mandrel assembly and gasket is placed within a casting mold by conventional means.

The cast material is then poured into the mold. Once the cast material has been cured, the mold is opened and the mandrel assembly is disassembled and removed, enabling the inwardly curved boot portion to resume its normal, substantially annular-shaped configuration.

A pipe is pushed through the gasket to a depth sufficient to assure that the pipe extends beyond the free end of the boot, enabling the boot to be firmly secured to the pipe extending there through by means of stainless steel take-down clamp which is tightened to an extent sufficient to assure a fluid-tight seal which meets and, in fact, surpasses ASTM specifications.

While, the above-described technology is extremely advantageous for use in flat wall structures as well as curved wall structures when the piping seal allows for the connector to be installed in a flat plane, in applications where the embedment portion must be cast in radial progression, it is not possible to install a take-down clamp in a flat plane.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a gasket in which the boot portion is provided with a plurality of convolutions which enable the fluid stop portion of the gasket to be cast on a severe curve while the pipe receiving end supporting a stainless steel take down clamp is capable of being secured in a flat plane, the convolutions serving as a resilient “buffer” region between the clamp receiving portion and the curved anchoring portion of the gasket. The gasket may either be extruded or molded so that its profile is the same as the configuration of the gasket when in use. The gasket is held in a compressed state within the mandrel assembly during casting to avoid interference which other members employed in the casting operation and is moved to its normal state readiness for receiving a pipe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the gasket of the present invention and the mandrel assembly utilized therewith; [0014]
FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view showing the gasket of FIG. 1 in greater detail; and the manner in which the gasket embraces a pipe. [0015]
FIG. 3 is a cross-section of another embodiment of the invention; [0016]
FIG. 4 is shows the assembled gasket of FIG. 3 arranged within a mandrel; [0017]
FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a portion of the gasket of FIG. 3 embedded in a curved cast member and receiving a corrugated pipe; [0018]
FIGS. 6 and 6[0019] a are cross-sections of other embodiments of the invention;
FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the manner in which the gasket of FIG. 6 is arranged preparatory to insertion into a mandrel assembly; [0020]
FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing the gasket of FIG. 7 arranged within a mandrel assembly; [0021]
FIG. 9 shows the gasket after the mandrel assembly is removed; [0022]
FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a portion of the gasket of FIG. 6 embedded in a curved cast member and receiving one of a corrugated or smooth pipe; and [0023]
FIGS. 11 and 12 are sectional views showing further embodiments of the invention.[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

An object of the present invention is to provide a gasket having a profile which is obtained by either molding or extrusion that will allow the anchoring portion of the gasket to be cast in a curve when necessary to thereby provide a boot type gasket for use in a curved wall of a precast concrete structure. There are a number of gaskets presently in the market place that allow boot type gaskets to be cast in flat walls and to be cast in a flat configuration in curved walls or circular walls when their embedment profile portion or section can remain in a flat plane. However, such curved or circular structures have their limitations and, when a pipe size requiring sealing is greater than the distance that the geometry of the wall will accommodate in a flat plane, it is critical that a connector anchoring portion of the gasket have adequate and proper concrete cover along both opposing sides thereof in order to assure a positive, fluid-tight seal at the interface of the gasket and the concrete wall. Although connectors can be custom molded to the radius needed to accommodate a curved or circular wall, custom moldings are very expensive. It therefore becomes extremely advantageous to provide a profile that can be extruded or molded and it will accommodate various pipe sizes as well as radii thereby providing an extremely economical solution. [0025]
Making reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown therein a gasket/[0026] mandrel assembly 10 embodying the principles of the present invention and which is comprised of a gasket 12, an outer mandrel 14, and an inner mandrel 16.
[0027] Gasket 12 is an annular-shaped gasket having a base portion 12 a. Extending in an outward radial direction there from is an inverted, substantially cross-shaped anchoring portion 13 including integral projections 13 a, 13 b and 13 c which, as will be more fully described herein below, become embedded within the cast member to secure the gasket thereto and provide a fluid-tight seal between the gasket and the cast member.
[0028] Base portion 12 a has integrally joined thereto, a curved portion 12 b to provide a U-shaped, radius portion which then, relative to FIGS. 1 and 2, extends generally toward the right to form an integral boot portion 12 c having a shallow, corrugation-like interior surface portion 12 e and a pair of rounded projections or beads 12 f, 12 g, which provide a recessed portion 12 h therebetween, upon which a stainless steel take-down clamp C, shown in FIG. 2, is located, as will be more fully described.
The gasket is a molded (or extruded) gasket and is formed of a suitable rubber or rubber-like material of a suitable durometer to provide a rugged, resilient, compressible gasket member capable of providing an excellent fluid-tight seal between the gasket and a pipe, as will be more fully described below. [0029]
In applications where casting of the gasket in a curved configuration is required, the [0030] gasket 12 is employed. Gasket 12 is provided with several convolutions 12 i, 12 j, 12 k, 12l, in the region between radius portion 12 c and the end portion of the boot which receives the steel hold-down clamp C. The convolutions allow the fluid stop area of the connector to be cast in a curve, i.e., the anchoring portions 13 a, 13 b and 13 c, while the clamp area of the connector remains a relatively flat plane to accept the stainless steel take-up clamp C. FIG. 1 shows an exploded top plan view of the manner in which the gasket 12 is mounted so that the anchoring portion 3 is cast in a curve. Placement mandrels 14, 16 have a curvature of a given radius built into the outside mandrel 14 and inside mandrel 16 which conform to the curvature of the concrete wall W, which curvature is represented by the dotted center line CL.
The inner and [0031] outer mandrels 14 and 16 are joined with the gasket 12 therebetween. The boot portion of the gasket is manually pressed inward. Conventional threaded members or the like, not shown, join the mandrel halves 14, 16 together to retain the boot portion in the “pressed in” state. Production of the cast member is thus quite conventional, except for the fact that the anchoring portion 13 of the gasket is embedded in a concrete wall having significant curvature (curve CL), as opposed to gaskets cast into a flat wall or cast in a flat configuration in a curved wall.
After the cast member has been set and cured, the [0032] mandrels 14 and 16 are removed (after unthreading the cooperating threaded members) whereupon the boot portion of the gasket retains its original configuration, shown in both FIGS. 1 and 2.
A pipe P only a portion of which is shown in FIG. 2, is inserted into the boot portion and the stainless steel take-down clamp C is placed in [0033] recess 12 h and then appropriately tightened to provide an excellent fluid-tight seal between the boot and the pipe. Pipe P has a smooth cylindrical outer surface. The convolutions 12 i-12 l permit the intermediate portion of the boot to form deeper or shallower bends to compensate for the fact that the anchoring and base portion of the gasket follows the curvature CL, while enabling the stainless steel take-down clamp C to be maintained in a substantially flat plane.
Extruding the profile of the gasket as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 makes it possible to provide a shape that offers a number of functional properties which include: [0034]
The extrusion is extruded in the shape of its final intended use; [0035]
Once extruded and spliced to form a connector, the pipe receiving end is rotated 180° and locked into place within the mandrel assembly which allows the connector to: [0036]
have a significantly reduced length measured in the direction of the central axis CA of the gasket which is significantly greater in diameter than in width enabling the connector to be positioned in a curved configuration with a radial progression while minimizing distortion; and [0037]
the hole forming equipment is also used to set a diameter relationship placing the embedment portion of the connector greater than that of the pipe receiving end. [0038]
Once the connector is cast and the hole forming equipment is removed, the connector then reassumes its normal configuration as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in readiness to receive a pipe and a clamping member C. [0039]
FIGS. 3 and 4 show another embodiment of the present invention. [0040]
[0041] Gasket 22 has a base portion 22 a and an anchoring portion 23 integrally joined thereto and provided with what maybe referred to as a “double T” configuration comprised of a central arm 23 a and integral, outwardly projecting portions 23 b through 23 e. Base portion 22 a extends toward the left of the anchoring portion to form a locking dovetail 22 b and further extends to the right of the anchoring portion where it is integrally joined with the boot portion which is comprised of a plurality of convolutions 22 i through 22 m, the boot portion terminating in a pipe receiving end 22 c having a substantially C-shaped configuration to provide a recess 22 h for receiving a hold-down clamp, such as, for example, the hold clamp C shown in FIG. 2.
It should be understood that, when forming the gasket employing an extrusion process, the extrusion is cut to a given length and then is formed into a ring-like configuration, the free ends being fused together, as is conventional, to form an annular shaped gasket. [0042]
In order to form a cast member with the gasket embedded therein, the [0043] pipe receiving end 22 c is moved as shown by the dotted arrow A to bring the pipe receiving end into the position wherein its end-most portion 22 d is locked into the locking dovetail 22 b, shown in FIG. 4. The gasket is then placed into the mandrel assembly comprised of outside mandrel 24 and inside mandrel 26. The mandrel halves are joined together by suitable locking means, not shown, the anchoring portion 23 extending outside the exterior walls 24 a, 26 a of the mandrel members while the remainder of the gasket is retained in the locked position within cooperating recesses provided in the mandrel halves 24, 26. Suitable fastening members such as threaded fasteners (not shown) retain the mandrel halves in the assembled position. The assembly is then placed in a suitable mold assembly into which the cast material is placed. The mold assembly may, for example, be used to form a manhole base.
After the cast material (typically concrete) has been set and cured, the mold assembly and the mandrel halves are removed. The [0044] pipe receiving end 22 c of the gasket is then unlocked and pulled out to assume the position shown in FIG. 3, which is the normal position of the gasket when receiving a pipe.
A pipe is pushed through the boot portion by an appropriate distance and a clamp is placed within [0045] recess 22 h to effect a fluid-tight seal between the gasket and the pipe. An effective fluid-tight seal is also provided between the anchoring portion 23 of the gasket and the cast member.
The final orientation is shown in FIG. 5 which is a top plan view of a portion of the gasket showing a curved wall W of the cast member with the anchoring [0046] portion 13 embedded therein and with a pipe P of a corrugated type positioned within the gasket and shown just prior to securing the pipe receiving end to the corrugated pipe.
Corrugated pipe P has a plurality of alternating peaks Pk and valleys V interspersed between the peaks Pk. Both the peaks and valleys each lie substantially within a plane, necessitating that the pipe receiving end similarly lies in a flat plane in order to ensure that the pipe receiving end fits snugly within a valley, such as valley V in order ensure a fluid-tight seal. The convolutions [0047] 22 i through 221 provide the necessary yieldability to ensure that the pipe receiving end lies substantially in a flat plane. Noting the top view of FIG. 5, it can be seen that the anchoring portion 13 is further removed from the pipe receiving end at the position POS 1, which if viewed from an end view of the pipe P looking toward the pipe receiving end 22 c, this would be considered to be the “3 o'clock” position. Moving around the anchoring position to the position POS2 which may be considered to be the “6 o'clock” position, the anchoring portion 13 is significantly closer to the pipe receiving portion 22 c and, in fact, this “6 o'clock” position is the position at which the anchoring portion 13 is closer to the pipe receiving portion than any other position about the opening. Although not shown for purposes of simplicity it should be understood that moving “clockwise” from the “6 o'clock” position to the “9 o'clock” position, which is the mirror image of the “3 o'clock” position POS 1, shown in FIG. 5, the anchoring portion is then furthest removed from the pipe receiving portion. To complete the circle, moving to the “12 o'clock” position, which is a mirror image of the “6 o'clock” position shown as POS2 in FIG. 5, the distance between the anchoring portion 13 and the pipe receiving portion 22 c constitutes the minimal distance between anchoring portion 13 and pipe receiving portion 22 c. In order to enable these configurations to be retained when in use while further assuring an excellent fluid-tight seal, the convolutions 22 i-221 respectively either move closer together or further apart to maintain the integrity of the seal between portions 13 and 22 c. The convolutions may be likened to an “accordion pleated” configuration which is capable of expansion/contraction.
It should be noted that the pipe receiving portion may alternatively embrace a pipe P having a smooth cylindrical surface as shown in dotted fashion in FIG. 2 or a peak P[0048] _kof a corrugated pipe, as set forth below.
FIGS. 6 through 11 show still further embodiments of the present invention. [0049]
Making reference to FIG. 6, the [0050] gasket 30 has an anchoring portion 33 joined to base 38 which forms a substantially U-shaped configuration 30 b which is integrally joined to the convolutions 30 i through 30 m, which convolutions terminate in pipe receiving portion 30 c. As with the prior embodiment, the gasket is extruded (or molded) in the configuration shown in FIG. 6 which is the configuration of the gasket when placed into final use.
The base [0051] 30 a further extends to the right forming an integral locking portion 30 p.
In order to embed the anchoring portion of [0052] gasket 30 within a curved wall, the pipe receiving end of gasket 30 is rotated around from the position shown in FIG. 6 to the position shown in FIG. 7 and is pushed toward the locking portion 30 p causing the convolutions to collapse in the manner shown. The convolutions are pushed inward and are placed within an annular cavity formed inside mandrel 36 as shown in FIG. 8. The outside mandrel 34 is then pressed against the gasket 30 and is joined together with inside mandrel 36, through any suitable coupling means. The mandrel assembly is then placed in the mold assembly which may, for example, be a manhole assembly form. The cast material is placed in the mold and, after the cast material has been set, the mold members (not shown) and the mandrel halves are removed. The gasket then occupies the position shown in FIG. 9 wherein the anchor portion 33 is embedded within the curved wall in a curved orientation.
The [0053] pipe receiving end 32 c is then pulled to the right relative to FIG. 9 and is moved to the position shown in FIG. 10 in readiness to receive a pipe which may either be a pipe having an outer cylindrical surface or a corrugated pipe of the type shown in FIG. 5. The pipe receiving portion 32 c is placed within one of the valleys of the corrugated pipe and hold down clamp C as shown in FIG. 5, retains the pipe receiving end within the associated valley P′ shown in FIG. 5 to effect an excellent fluid-tight seal. Substantially the same seal is obtained when clamping the gasket to a pipe having a smooth (i.e. uncorrugated) outer peripheral surface.
As was set forth above in connection with the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the curved orientation in which the anchoring [0054] portion 13 is embedded within the curved wall W of the cast member the pipe receiving end 32 c is furthest removed from the pipe receiving portion 32 c in the “3 o'clock” position POS 1 of FIG. 10, while being closest to, the pipe receiving portion at the “6 o'clock” position POS 2, the convolutions 32 i to 32 m providing the requisite expansion/contraction to achieve the above orientation and thereby provide an excellent fluid-tight seal between the opening in the curved wall W and the pipe secured to the boot portion of the gasket, shown for example in FIG. 5.
FIG. 5 shows the [0055] pipe receiving portion 32 c in readiness to be positioned within a valley V¹of corrugated pipe P. FIG. 6a shows a gasket 30′ of the type shown in FIG. 6 and being mounted upon one of the peaks P_kof a corrugated pipe P using a take-down clamp 40 similar to the arrangement shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,406,025 (Patent '0,25), issued Jun. 18, 2002 to the assignee of the present invention. Other arrangements for mounting the gasket of the present invention on corrugated pipe are shown in the '025 patent which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIGS. 12 and 13 show a casting technique which is somewhat modified from that shown in FIGS. [0056] 6-11.
Although the gasket employed in the technique shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 is substantially identical to the gasket shown in FIGS. [0057] 6-11, the mandrels 34′ and 36′ are slightly modified from the mandrels 34 and 36 shown in FIG. 8, for example. More particularly, inside mandrel 36′ is provided with an annular-shaped cavity which provides a snug fit for the gasket except for the pipe receiving portion in order to hold the gasket in position over the inside half of the mandrel. The outside mandrel 34′ is then moved into place by moving mandrel half 34′ from the position shown in FIG. 12 to the position shown in FIG. 13 wherein the pipe receiving portion 30 c is not locked to the portion 30 p and substantially assumes the position occupied during normal use.
As was described above with regard to the technique employing the mandrel assembly [0058] 34-36 shown in FIG. 8, the mold members and the mandrel members are unlocked and removed enabling the gasket to occupy the position as shown in FIG. 11 in readiness for receiving a pipe.
All of the gasket embodiments of the present invention further share the following advantages which include: [0059]
the ability to allow the pipe to deflect of the order of 15° from a nominal center line CL as shown in FIG. 9; [0060]
the ability to be stretched to pull the piper receiving end away from the opening in the cast member to enable installers to manipulate the take-down clamp and mounting tools more easily when installing the pipe and the clamp and also to push the pipe receiving end back toward an initial position, if desired, upon completion of the installation steps. [0061]
A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in some instances, some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein described. [0062]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A gasket adapted to have one end thereof embedded in a cast member and another end thereof receiving a pipe to form a fluid-tight seal between the cast member and the pipe, comprising:

a hollow annular-shaped boot formed of a resilient, compressible material;

an annular anchoring potion integral with and projecting radially outwardly from a first annular surface of said boot, said anchoring portion being arranged near one end of said annular-shaped boot and serving as an anchoring end;

an opposite end of said boot forming a pipe receiving end and having a recess for receiving a clamp;

said boot having an intermediate portion extending between and integral with the anchoring portion and the pipe receiving end and having a plurality of convolutions capable of expanding/compressing to increase/decrease the spacing between the pipe receiving portion and the anchoring portion to enable a center line of the pipe receiving portion to lie substantially in a plane while the anchoring portion lies along a curved horizontal path.

2. In combination, a cast member having a curved wall, a gasket embedded in the cast member and a pipe extending through said gasket, said gasket comprising:

an annular shaped boot having an anchoring end and a pipe receiving end;

an anchoring portion joined to said anchoring end and extending substantially radial outwardly therefrom;

said anchoring portion and the end of the boot secured to said anchoring portion lying along a curved line;

said pipe extending through and embraced by at least said pipe receiving portion;

a hold-down clamp securing said pipe receiving portion to said pipe to provide a fluid-tight seal;

said hold-down clamp and said pipe receiving portion laying substantially in a plane; and

a portion of said boot intermediate said anchoring end and said pipe receiving end having a plurality of convolutions enabling the intermediate portion to collapse at locations thereof where the pipe receiving portion and the anchoring portion are closer together and to expand at locations where the pipe receiving end and the anchoring end are further removed from one another, thereby enabling the pipe receiving end to maintain its planar orientation.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said pipe is a corrugated pipe having alternating peaks and valleys, each valley being positioned between a pair of adjacent peaks;

said pipe receiving portion having a contour generally conforming to the contour of a valley and being positioned within a valley; and

said hold down clamp securing the pipe receiving portion within said valley to provide a fluid-tight seal.

4. The combination of claim 2 wherein said intermediate portion has an accordion-pleated configuration.

5. A method for providing a fluid-tight seal between a curved wall and a cast member and a pipe comprising;

extruding a gasket for providing a profile comprised of a first end having an anchoring portion integrally joined thereto and extending in a direction transverse to said first end;

a second end having a substantially C-shaped configuration to define a pipe receiving end;

a portion of said profile intermediate said first and second ends having a substantially saw-tooth configuration;

cutting the extruded member to a given length;

forming the member into an annular shape and bringing the free ends thereof into alignment;

joining the line free ends to form an annular gasket;

placing the gasket within a mandrel assembly which maintains at least the anchoring portion in a curved contour;

placing the mandrel assembly within a mold assembly for molding a cast member having a curved wall;

placing cast material within the mold, said mold forming said curved cast member and said mandrel assembly forming an opening in said curved wall;

removing the curved wall from the mold assembly when the cast material has set;

removing the mandrel assembly to thereby provide a curved wall having the anchoring portion embedded therein wherein the anchoring portion lies a substantially constant distance from one of the inner and outer walls of the curved wall;

inserting the pipe into the gasket so that at least the pipe receiving portion embraces said pipe;

placing a hold-down clamp about an outer periphery of the pipe receiving portion to secure the pipe receiving portion to the pipe, said pipe receiving portion laying substantially in a plane; and

said saw-tooth configuration of said profile forming a polarity of convolutions which expand in regions where the anchoring portion is a greater distance from the pipe receiving portion and which contract in regions where the pipe receiving portion is closer to said anchoring portion.

6. The method of the claim 5 wherein said pipe is a corrugated pipe having annular-shaped peaks and valleys and the step of inserting the pipe into the pipe receiving portion includes placing the pipe receiving portion of the gasket in an annular-shaped valley of said corrugated pipe and the step of securing the pipe receiving portion to the pipe includes securing the pipe receiving portion within said valley to assure a fluid-tight seal.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the gasket is extruded so that its profile is substantially the same as the profile of the gasket when cast into the curved wall and ready to receive said pipe.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein the gasket is molded so that its profile is substantially the same as the profile of the gasket when cast into the curved wall and ready to receive said pipe.

9. A method for providing a fluid-tight seal between a curved wall and a cast member and a pipe comprising;

said first end having a U-shaped portion adjacent to said anchoring portion;

a portion of said profile intermediate said U-shaped portion and said second end having a substantially saw-tooth configuration;

cutting the extruded member to a given length;

joining the aligned free ends to form an annular gasket.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

placing the annular gasket within a mandrel assembly which maintains at least the anchoring portion in a curved contour;

removing the curved wall from the mold assembly when the cast material has set;

11. The method of the claim 10 wherein said pipe is a corrugated pipe having annular-shaped peaks and valleys and the step of inserting the pipe into the pipe receiving portion includes placing the pipe receiving portion of the gasket in an annular-shaped valley of said corrugated pipe and the step of securing the pipe receiving portion to the pipe includes securing the pipe receiving portion within said valley to assure a fluid-tight seal.

12. The method of the claim 10 wherein said pipe is a corrugated pipe having annular-shaped peaks and valleys and the step of inserting the pipe into the pipe receiving portion includes placing the pipe receiving portion of the gasket upon an annular peak of said corrugated pipe and the step of securing the pipe receiving portion to the pipe includes securing the pipe receiving portion against said peak to assure a fluid-tight seal.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the pipe inserting step further comprises:

pulling the pipe receiving portion away from the opening in the cast member to facilitate mounting and tightening of the take down clamp upon the pipe receiving portion.

14. A gasket adapted to have one end thereof embedded in a cast member and another end thereof receiving a pipe to form a fluid-tight seal between the cast member and the pipe, comprising:

a hollow annular-shaped boot formed of a resilient, compressible material;

a U-shaped portion provided between said anchoring portion and said opposite end;

said boot having an intermediate portion extending between and integral with the U-shaped portion and the pipe receiving end and having a plurality of convolutions capable of expanding/compressing to increase/decrease the spacing between the pipe receiving portion and the anchoring portion to enable a center line of the pipe receiving portion to lie substantially in a plane while the anchoring portion lies along a curved horizontal path.

15. In combination, a cast member having a curved wall, a gasket embedded in the cast member and a pipe extending through said gasket, said gasket comprising:

an annular shaped boot having an anchoring end and a pipe receiving end;

a U-shaped portion adjacent to said anchoring portion;

a portion of said boot intermediate said U-shaped portion and said pipe receiving end having a plurality of convolutions enabling the intermediate portion to collapse at locations thereof where the pipe receiving portion and the anchoring portion are closer together and to expand at locations where the pipe receiving end and the anchoring end are further removed from one another, thereby enabling the pipe receiving end to maintain its planar orientation.

16. The combination of claim 15 wherein said pipe is a corrugated pipe having alternating peaks and valleys, each valley being positioned between a pair of adjacent peaks;

17. The combination of claim 15 wherein said pipe is a corrugated pipe having alternating peaks and valleys, each valley being positioned between a pair of adjacent peaks;

said pipe receiving portion having a contour generally conforming to the contour of a peak and being positioned upon and encircling said peak; and

said hold down clamp securing the pipe receiving portion to said peak to provide a fluid-tight seal.

18. The combination of claim 15 wherein said pipe is a cylindrical-shaped pipe having a smooth outer surface;

said pipe receiving portion having a surface engaging said pipe outer surface; and

said hold down clamp securing the pipe receiving portion to said pipe to provide a fluid-tight seal.

19. The combination of claim 15 wherein said intermediate portion has an accordion-pleated configuration.