Pipe plug with a locating appliance

A pipe plug provides a water-tight seal and expedites locating of non-metallic pipes. The pipe plug includes a hollow body member adapted for being received by an associated piping member of a variety of inner dimensions, and for being engaged with it. The hollow body member includes a tapered portion with tapered threads on its exterior surface and a seal member made of a resilient material. The seal member envelopes the tapered portion of the body and is capable of moving along the exterior surface of the body in a direction generally orthogonal to the direction of the threads, providing thereupon a leak-safe seal. The body is provided with and engaged with a cap portion that includes a metal plate on its top surface, thus adapted for being located with a metal detector.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject application is directed to an end fitting for a piping system that provides a pipe plug for use in various plumbing and piping pressurized and non-pressure applications, such as plumbing industry, piping repair, replacement, sanitary and storm systems for yard cleanouts, and the like. In particular, the subject application is directed to a pipe plug that is capable of being used with piping members having a range of inner diameters. More particularly, the subject application is directed to a pipe plug that is capable of being located by a metal detector.

As known in the art, the American National Standards Institute assigns schedule numbers to classify wall thicknesses for pipes of different pressure applications. Examples of commonly used schedule numbers (SCH) are SCH 28, SCH 35, SCH 38, and SCH 40. Inner diameters of pipes used in various plumbing and piping pressurized and non-pressure applications typically range from ½″ to 6″. Current techniques for piping end fittings typically involve the use of pipe plugs with dimensions such as to mate with the dimensions of a specific pipe section.

A variety of pipe and tubing materials including several types of plastic, copper, steel, iron, aluminum, clay, and the like, is typically used in piping systems in indoor/outdoor applications. However, when used in external applications, the non-metallic pipes are either buried, or gradually sink into the ground without routine maintenance. Once the piping gets covered by earth or various waste materials, it is difficult to determine the exact location when problems occur. For example, when a non-metallic pipe ruptures under concrete or other aggregate, frequently the only way to determine the location is to begin digging where fluid is visible. This may result in a large undertaking to ascertain the location. In many cases, large tracts of sod, dirt, and plants must be moved to determine where the non-metallic pipe, such as a sewer pipe, is located.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In accordance with the subject application, there is provided a pipe plug for a piping system that provides a pipe plug for use in various plumbing and piping pressurized and non-pressure applications, specifically, outdoor piping systems. There is further provided a pipe plug for a piping system that allows for easy access to non-metallic outdoor piping systems, such as drain, waste, vent, sanitary and storm systems for yard cleanouts, sewer pipes, and the like.

Further, in accordance with the subject application, there is provided a pipe plug for use with piping members having a variety of schedule numbers.

Still further, in accordance with the subject application, there is provided a pipe plug for use with piping members having a variety of inner diameters.

Yet further, in accordance with the subject application, there is provided a pipe plug capable of being located by a metallic detector.

Further, in accordance with one embodiment of the subject application, there is provided a pipe plug that includes a hollow main body member adapted for being received by an associated piping member. The hollow main body member includes a cylindrical portion and a tapered portion rigidly attached to one end of the cylindrical portion. The pipe plug further includes an end cap portion engaged with an end of the cylindrical portion of the hollow body opposite from the tapered portion. The end cap portion overlaps, at least partially, the cylindrical portion of the hollow body. That is, an edge of the end cap portion extends radially outwardly beyond the extent of the cylindrical portion thereby forming a circular lip around the top of the pipe plug. The exterior surface of the tapered portion of the hollow body is provided with tapered threads. The tapered threads are adapted to be engaged with a corresponding portion of an inside surface of an associated piping member. The pipe plug further includes a seal member. The seal member is shaped as a hollow cylinder and is, preferably, made of a resilient material, such as a synthetic rubber, rubber-like plastics, natural rubber, and the like. The seal member envelopes a corresponding part of the tapered portion of the hollow body.

In a preferred embodiment, the seal member is adapted to slide along the exterior surface of the tapered portion in a direction generally orthogonal to the direction of the threads. The latter allows for using the pipe plug of the subject application with piping members of a variety of inner diameters. The interior surface of the seal member is, preferably, lubricated to allow for sliding of the seal member along the exterior surface of the tapered portion of the hollow body. The seal member is capable of expanding and contracting responsive to pressure subjected thereupon by the hollow body of the pipe plug such as to conform to the inner dimensions of a corresponding piping member.

In accordance with another embodiment of the subject application, the end cap portion of the pipe plug includes a locating appliance, adapted for being located by a metal detector. The locating appliance is, preferably, made as at least one metal portion, such as, at least one metal plate member. The at least one metal plate member is capable of being fixedly attached to an exterior surface of the end cap portion, such as molded to the exterior surface of the end cap portion. Alternatively, the at least one metal plate member is capable of being embedded into the top surface of the end cap portion. The at least one metal plate is, preferably, of a disk shape. The at least one metal plate member may include a suitable protective coating.

In accordance with another embodiment of the subject application, the end cap portion of the pipe plug includes a slot adapted for receiving a corresponding tightening appliance, such as a channel lock or crescent wrench, to provide engaging of the pipe plug with a corresponding pipe member.

In accordance with another embodiment of the subject application, the end cap portion of the pipe plug includes a solid cylindrical portion and a disk portion, which are rigidly attached to each other. The disk potion of the end cap portion overlaps the solid cylindrical portion. The solid cylindrical portion is adapted to be engaged with the interior of the cylindrical portion of the hollow body of the pipe plug. Thus, the relationship of the dimensions of the solid cylindrical portion of the end cap portion and of the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion of the hollow body of the pipe plug are such, as to allow for engaging the solid cylindrical portion of the end cap portion with the interior surface of the cylindrical portion of the hollow body of the pipe plug.

Still other advantages, aspects and features of the subject application will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description wherein there are shown and described preferred embodiments of the subject application, simply by way of illustration of the best modes best suited for carrying out the invention. As it will be realized, the subject application is capable of other different embodiments and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious aspects all without departing from the scope of the subject application. Accordingly, the drawings and description will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The subject application is directed to a pipe plug for a piping system that provides a pipe plug for use in various plumbing and piping pressurized and non-pressure applications, such as plumbing industry, piping repair, replacement, sanitary and storm systems for yard cleanouts, and the like. In particular, the subject application is directed to a pipe plug that is capable of being used with piping members of multiple inner diameters. More particularly, the subject application is directed to a pipe plug that is capable of being located by a metal detector. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the subject application is not limited to the use of any single dimension piping member. As will be known in the art, suitable pipe dimensions include, but are not limited to, SCH 28, SCH 35, SCH 38, and SCH 40, and the like. Those skilled in the art will further recognize that the subject application is not limited to be used with piping members of any single material. As will be known in the art, suitable materials include, but are not limited to aluminum, brass, bronze, carbon or graphite, ceramic or ceramic lined, clay or vitrified clay, concrete, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), thermoplastic resin, such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), and the like.

Referring now toFIG. 1a, there is shown a side view of a pipe plug100in accordance with one embodiment of the subject application. The pipe plug100includes a hollow main body member102adapted for being received by an associated piping member (not shown inFIG. 1). The hollow body member102includes a cylindrical portion104and a tapered portion106rigidly attached to one end of the cylindrical portion104. The cylindrical portion104and the tapered portion106extend along a mutual co-linear longitudinal axis L as shown. As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the hollow body member102is capable of being fabricated as a single tube including the cylindrical portion104and the tapered portion106. The pipe plug100further includes an end cap portion108engaged with the other end of the cylindrical portion104of the hollow body member102, so as to prevent unwanted material, such as debris, from entering hollow body member102and hence, from entering an associated piping member. As will be further appreciated by a skilled artisan, the hollow body member102is capable of being fabricated as a single tube including the cylindrical portion104, the tapered portion106, and the end cap portion.

The end cap portion108overlaps, at least partially, the cylindrical portion104of the hollow body member102. To that end, as shown, an edge of the end cap portion108extends radially outwardly beyond the extent of the cylindrical portion104thereby forming an outer circular lip109. The lip109is useful in preventing the pipe plug100from falling into the opening of an associated pipe during servicing thereof. The lip also provides structural strength and integrity to the plug. The exterior surface of the tapered portion106of the hollow body member102is provided with tapered threads110. The tapered threads110are adapted to be engaged with a corresponding portion of an inside surface of an associated piping member (not shown in the drawing). As illustrated inFIG. 1a, the end cap portion108of the pipe plug100further includes a slot112. The slot112is adapted for receiving a corresponding tightening appliance, such as a channel lock or crescent wrench, to provide engaging of the pipe plug with a corresponding pipe member (not shown in the drawing).

The pipe plug100further includes a seal member114shown inFIG. 1b. The seal member114is shaped as a hollow cylinder and is, preferably, made of a resilient material, such as a synthetic rubber, rubber-like plastics, natural rubber, and the like. Other suitable materials are equally capable of being employed by the present invention for fabricating the seal member114. The seal member114envelopes a corresponding part116of the tapered portion106of the hollow body member102of the pipe plug100, as illustrated inFIG. 1b. The seal member114is adapted to slide along the exterior surface of the tapered portion106of the hollow body member102in a direction generally orthogonal to the direction of the threads, such as to allow for using the pipe plug100with piping members of a variety of inner diameters (not shown in the drawing).

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the interior surface of the seal member114is, preferably, lubricated to allow for sliding of the seal member114along the exterior surface of the tapered portion106of the hollow body member102. A skilled artisan will further appreciate, that the seal member114is capable of expanding and contracting responsive to pressure subjected thereupon by the hollow body member102of the pipe plug100such as to conform to the inner dimensions of a corresponding piping member. Thus, the seal member114together with other components of the suitably provides a leak-safe seal for the pipe plug100of the subject application. Relative rotation of the tapered portion106and the seal member114in a first direction causes the seal member to stretch and expand radially outwardly for sealingly engaging the inner surface (not shown) of an associated pipe. The radially outward surface of the seal member may include features such as lips, rings, ridges or the like to help ensure a tight fluid connection between the plug and the associated pipe.

Turning now toFIG. 2, there is shown an overall view of an end cap portion200of a pipe plug in accordance with one embodiment of the subject application. As shown inFIG. 2, the end cap portion200includes a solid cylindrical portion202and a disk portion204, which are rigidly attached to each other. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the end cap portion200is capable of being fabricated from as a single component including the solid cylindrical portion202and a disk portion204. The solid cylindrical portion202is adapted to be engaged with the cylindrical portion206of the hollow body of the pipe plug (not shown in the drawing). Thus, the relationship of the dimensions of the solid cylindrical portion202of the end cap portion200and of the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion206are such, as to allow for engaging the solid cylindrical portion202of the end cap portion200with the interior surface of the cylindrical portion206of the hollow body of the pipe plug. As illustrated inFIG. 2, the end cap portion200further includes a slot208. The slot208is adapted for receiving a corresponding tightening appliance, such as a channel lock or crescent wrench, to provide engaging of the pipe plug with a corresponding pipe member (not shown in the drawing).

Referring now toFIG. 3a, there is shown a top view of a pipe plug300in accordance with one embodiment of the subject application. The pipe plug300includes an end cap portion302which includes a locating appliance, adapted for being located by a metal detector. In the embodiment ofFIG. 3a, the locating appliance is made as a metal plate member304. The metal plate member304is fixedly attached to an exterior surface of the end cap portion302. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the metal plate member304is capable of being molded to the exterior surface of the end cap portion302. Alternatively, the metal plate member304is capable of being embedded into the top surface of the end cap portion302. As illustrated inFIG. 3a, the metal plate member304is of a disk shape. As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the metal plate member304is suitably fabricated from any material capable of detection by a metal detector, such as for example and without limitation, bronze, steel, iron, brass, and the like.

It will further be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, preferably, the material of the metal plate member304is suitably protected from external exposure so as to prevent degradation to the metal plate member304from such exposure. Suitable materials, such as zinc and the like, and methods for protecting metal are well-known in the art, and any such material and method is capable of being employed to protect the exposed metal of the metal plate member304. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, when suitably employed, the pipe plug300enables a user, such as utility maintenance personnel, homeowners, and the like, to quickly and accurately locate covered sewer pipes and the like, without requiring large excavations, using any suitable metal detector known in the art. The end cap portion300of the pipe plug300further includes a slot306. The slot306is adapted for receiving a corresponding tightening appliance, such as a channel lock or crescent wrench, to provide engaging of the pipe plug with a corresponding pipe member (not shown in the drawing).

Turning now toFIG. 3b, there is shown a cross-sectional view of the pipe plug300in accordance with one embodiment of the subject application. As shown inFIG. 3b, the pipe plug300includes a hollow body308adapted for being received by an associated piping member (not shown in the drawing). The hollow body308includes a cylindrical portion310and a tapered portion312rigidly attached to one end of the cylindrical portion310. As shown inFIG. 3b, the other end of the cylindrical portion304of the hollow body302is engaged with the end cap portion302so as to prevent unwanted material, such as debris, from entering hollow body302and hence, from entering an associated piping member.

The a cylindrical portion310and a tapered portion312includes a solid cylindrical portion314and a disk portion316, which are rigidly attached to each other. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, end cap portion302is capable of being suitably fabricated as a single component including the solid cylindrical portion314and the disk portion316. The disk portion316, as depicted inFIG. 3b, overlaps the solid cylindrical portion314, and overlaps the cylindrical portion304of the hollow body302. The solid cylindrical portion310is adapted to be engaged by the interior of the cylindrical portion310of the hollow body308of the pipe plug300. Thus, the relationship of the dimensions of the solid cylindrical portion314of the end cap portion302and of the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion310of the hollow body308are such, as to allow for engaging the solid cylindrical portion314of the end cap portion302with the interior surface of the cylindrical portion310of the hollow body member308of the pipe plug300.

In another embodiment, the hollow body member308of the plug member300is capable of being fabricated as a single component including end cap portion302, the cylindrical portion310, and the tapered portion312, such as, a single tube closed at one end by the cap portion302.

The pipe plug300further includes a seal member318shown inFIG. 3b. The seal member318is shaped as a hollow cylinder and is, preferably, made of a resilient material, such as a synthetic rubber, rubber-like plastics, natural rubber, and the like. Other suitable materials are equally capable of being employed by the present invention for fabricating the seal member318. The seal member318envelopes a corresponding part320of the tapered portion312of the hollow body member308of the pipe plug300, as illustrated inFIG. 3b. The seal member318is adapted to slide along the exterior surface of the tapered portion312of the hollow body member308. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the interior surface of the seal member318is, preferably, lubricated to allow for sliding of the seal member318along the exterior surface of the tapered portion312of the hollow body member308. A skilled artisan will further appreciate, that the seal member318is capable of expanding and contracting responsive to pressure subjected thereupon by the hollow body member308of the pipe plug300such as to conform to the inner dimensions of a corresponding piping member, and form thereupon a leak-safe seal.

As will be further recognized by those skilled in the art, the tapered portion106of the pipe plug100ofFIG. 1a, as well as the tapered portion312of the pipe plug300shown inFIG. 3b, is tapered such as to suitably fit inside a variety of inner diameters of associated piping members. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, an associated piping member is any suitable pipe as is known in the art, such as pipes used in various plumbing and piping pressurized and non-pressure applications typically ranged from ½″ to 6″. Suitable pipes with other suitable dimensions are capable of being used without departing from the scope of the subject application. In one embodiment, the same pipe plug is capable of being used with pipes having an inner diameter of 4″ and with pipes having an inner diameter of 6″.

A skilled artisan will further appreciate that the pipe plug of the subject application is capable of being used with pipes having a variety of schedule numbers, such as, for example but without limitation, SCH 28, SCH 35, SCH 38, and SCH 40. Those skilled in the art will understand, that suitable materials of associated pipes include, but are not limited to aluminum, brass, bronze, carbon or graphite, ceramic or ceramic lined, clay or vitrified clay, concrete, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), thermoplastic resin, such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), and the like. It will be further understood by those skilled in the art that hollow body member of the pipe plug in accordance with subject application, is capable of being constructed of any suitable material known in the art, such as PVC, ceramic, and the like.

In operation, with reference toFIGS. 1aand1b, an associated piping member is first cut at any desired grade, or at the ground level. Next, the pipe plug,100is first installed and turned clockwise. As the pipe plug100is turned, depending on the relationship between the outer dimensions of the hollow body member102and the inner dimensions of the associated piping member, the seal member114moves along the exterior surface of the tapered member member102in a direction generally orthogonal to the direction of the thread members, such that the pipe plug100is engaged with the interior of the associated piping member having a tight fit inside the pipe member. Once the pipe plug100is engaged with the interior of the piping member, a respective tightening appliance, such as a channel lock or crescent wrench, is used for further fixing the pipe plug100in the interior of the associated piping member. The seal member114expands to the inner dimensions of the associated piping member thus providing, together with the other components of the pipe plug100of the subject application, a water tight seal.

As will be recognized by those skilled in art, the pipe plug as illustrated inFIGS. 2,3a, and3b, is installed similarly to that as described with respect to the pipe plug illustrated inFIG. 1aandFIG. 1b. Once the pipe plug300is installed, at some point in the future, when an associated user has a need or desire to access the pipe, such as for replacement purposes, to clear a sewer line, or the like, the associated user is able to quickly and accurately locate the pipe plug300, using any suitable metal detector or device known in the art capable of detecting metallic objects.