pipe joint application_number US 90735405 A description referring to the drawings wherein identical reference numerals denote the same elements throughout the various views fig1 is a partial sectional view of a pair of first and second joined pipes 10 and 12 the first pipe 10 has an enlarged diameter socket 14 including an end face 16 which receives the smooth or spigot end 18 of the second pipe 12 a gasket 20 including a plurality of metal segments 22 each having several teeth 24 see fig2 is disposed between the first and second pipes 10 and 12 such that the teeth 24 bite into the outer surface 26 of the second pipe 12 the number and spacing of the segments 22 will vary from gasket to gasket however the circumferential spacing of the segments 22 will be generally constant as the diameter of the gasket 20 changes i e a larger gasket will typically have more segments 22 fig3 7 depict a gasket release tool 28 constructed according to the present invention the gasket release tool 28 comprises a body 30 and a reinforcing collar 32 the body 30 is a partially cylindrical shape and includes a forward edge 34 a rear edge 36 spaced apart side edges 38 and 40 and radially inner and outer surfaces 39 and 41 the illustrated gasket release tool 28 has an overall length u201c l u201d in the longitudinal direction of about 30 5 cm 12 in the length l may be varied to suit a particular application so long as it is sufficient to reach the gasket 20 when inserted in the pipe joint in another example the length l may be about 10 2 cm 4 in the forward edge 34 includes a chamfer 43.