Manhole pipe shunt device

A pipe shunt device for allowing sewage to bypass a trough in a manhole and travel from an inlet port to an outlet port comprising a hose, a first plug component having a first plug removably attachable to the first end of the hose via a first attachment clamp; a second plug component having a second plug removably attachable to the second end of the hose via a second attachment clamp; wherein a valve lever is disposed in the first plug component that allows or prevents sewage from flowing from the inlet port to the outlet port.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a shunt device for pipes in a manhole. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a pipe shunt device for allowing sewage to continue to flow in a manhole while the manhole is under repair.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a manhole, sewage enters in from a first pipe (e.g., inlet port) and empties into a trough. From the trough, the sewage exits the manhole via a second pipe (e.g., outlet port). If repairs need to be made in a manhole, the flow of sewage through pipes must be stopped for very long periods of time with plug-like devices. This can often cause sewage backup in the homes of local residents. Also, this blockage of the flow can result in forceful expulsion of waste when disconnecting the plug, which can cause damage to fresh mortar repairs and injuries to manhole workers. The present invention features a pipe shunt device for allowing sewage to flow in a manhole while repairs take place in the manhole. The pipe shunt device delivers sewage from the first pipe in the manhole to the second pipe in the manhole while bypassing the trough.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now toFIGS. 1-4, the present invention features a pipe shunt device100. The pipe shunt device100allows sewage to flow in a manhole while repairs take place in the manhole. The pipe shunt device100delivers sewage to bypass the trough805when traveling from the inlet port810to the outlet port820.

The pipe shunt device100comprises a hose150having a first end151and a second end152. The hose150can be flexible or rigid. A first plug component301can be removably attached to the first end151of the hose150. The first plug component301has a first end311, a middle portion, and a second end312; a first attachment clamp122is disposed at the second end312of the first plug component301. The first attachment clamp122can be removably attached to the first end151of the hose150. The first attachment clamp122allows the first plug component301to be fit snugly with the first end151of the hose150to prevent leaks.

A first plug111is disposed at the first end311of the first plug component301. The first plug111is for inserting into the inlet port810of manhole. The first plug111is generally cylindrical and has a hollow center.

A first air valve611is disposed on the first plug111. The first air valve611allows the first plug111to expand such that the first plug111is tightly secured in the inlet port810. The hollow center of the first plug111remains hollow such that when the pipe shunt device100is properly installed, fluid/sewage can travel from the inlet port810through the first plug111and into the pipe150.

A valve lever component140is disposed in the middle portion of the first plug component301between the first attachment clamp122and the first plug111. The valve lever component140comprises a valve lever145that is movable between an open position and a closed position. When the valve lever145is in the open position, a liquid310is able to flow from the first plug111to the hose150. When the valve lever145is in the closed position, the liquid310is prevented from flowing from the first plug111to the hose150or from the hose150to the first plug111. When the first plug111is inserted and inflated in the inlet port810of the manhole, the valve lever145is in the closed position. The hose150can be then attached to the first plug component301. When ready, a user can move the valve lever145to the open position to allow the sewage to begin flowing again.

A second plug component302having a first end321and a second end322can be removably attached to the second end152of the hose150. A second attachment clamp122is disposed at the second end322of the second plug component302, and the second attachment clamp122can be removably attached to the second end152of the hose150. The second attachment clamp122allows the second plug component302to be fit snugly with the second end152of the hose150to prevent leaks.

A second plug112is disposed at the first end321of the second plug component302. The second plug112is for inserting into the outlet port820of the manhole. The second plug112is generally cylindrical and has a hollow center, similar to the first plug111.

A second air valve612is disposed on the second plug112. The second air valve612allows the second plug112to expand such that the second plug112is tightly secured in the outlet port820. The hollow center of the second plug112remains hollow such that when the pipe shunt device100is properly installed, fluid/sewage can travel from the pipe150through the second plug112and into the outlet port820.

In some embodiments, the first plug111can be inserted into the inlet port810and expanded, while the valve lever145is in the closed position. Next, the second plug112can be inserted into the outlet port820and expanded. Then, the first end151of the hose150can be attached to the first attachment clamp122and the second end152of the150can be attached to the second attachment clamp122. In some embodiments, when the valve lever145is in the closed position, the liquid310is prevented from flowing from the inlet port810to the outlet port820. When the valve lever145is moved to the open position, liquid/sewage310is allowed to flow from the inlet port810to the outlet port820. Then, the first end151of the hose150can be attached to the first attachment clamp122and the second end152of the hose150can be attached to the second plug attachment clamp122.

The first and second attachment clamps122are similar to attachment clamps well known to one of ordinary skill in the art. In some embodiments, the clamps122are similar to clamps used in fire hoses. The attachment clamps122can move between a clamped position and an unclamped position. The clamps122provide snug fits between the first plug component301and the first end151of the hose150, as well as between the second plug component302and the second end152of the hose150. In the clamped position, the hose150is securely attached to the attachment clamps122. In the unclamped position, the hose150can be pulled out of the attachment clamps122.

The first air valve611and second air valve612are for securing the pipe shunt device100to the inlet port810and outlet port820, respectively, by allowing the first plug111and the second plug112to expand. The air valves611,612allow for secure and sealed connections between the plugs111,112and the inlet port810and outlet port820, respectively. This can help prevent leaks. Such air valves are well known to one of ordinary skill in the art. In some embodiments, the air valves allow the plugs111,112to be deflated when the shunt device100is uninstalled.

The pipe shunt device100may be constructed in a variety of sizes to accommodate various inlet ports810and outlet ports820. For example, in some embodiments, the first plug111and/or second plug112is between about 6 to 12 inches in diameter. In some embodiments, the first plug111and/or second plug112is between about 12 to 18 inches in diameter. In some embodiments, the first plug111and/or second plug112is between about 18 to 24 inches in diameter. In some embodiments, the first plug111and/or second plug112is between about 24 to 36 inches in diameter. In some embodiments, the first plug111and/or second plug112is more than about 36 inches in diameter.

The pipe shunt device100may be constructed from a variety of materials, for example a material comprising a rubber, a plastic, a metal, the like, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the first plug111and/or second plug112is constructed from a material comprising a rubber. In some embodiments, the pipe150is flexible. In some embodiments, the pipe150is constructed from a material comprising a polyvinylchloride (PVC).