Protecting the seal in spigot and socket joints and connections between pipes and tubes

The invention provides a method of forming a spigot and socket joint or connection between two pipes in which the internal surface of the socket or coupler is provided with an internal annular groove within which is located a sealing gasket for the joint or connection; fitting a thin walled tube into the socket or coupler from the open end thereof so as to underlie, in a radial sense, the gasket and compress it within its locating groove; inserting a pipe spigot having a smaller outside diameter than the bore of the thin walled tube, through the thin walled tube; adjusting the axial position of the spigot within the socket or coupler a required and then removing the thin walled tube from the mouth of the socket or coupler thereby enabling the gasket to expand and seal upon the external surface of the spigot. The invention includes a pipe socket or coupler for use with this method and a joint or connection formed using it.